Could someone recommend a good book?

[Ordbyrht]

I've been looking on Amazon.com for a book on basic lockpicking because I have some credit there, and I was wondering if someone might recommend one of the books below or maybe one not listed below from Amazon.com. Thanks.

Complete Guide to Lock Picking
How To Open Locks With Improvised Tools
Secrets Of Lock Picking

[SFGOON]

I cut my teeth on Secrets of Lokpicking by Steve Hampton when I was 16. It's great for new guys because it's entertaining to read as very clear in it's explanations. That being said, learning to pick from a book is like learning kung-fu from a book, it's OK for reference but NOTHING replaces hours of practice.

[Cman22]

try searching next time, but heres a link that mentions some good books.


viewtopic.php?t=4928&highlight=

[hzatorsk]

I've got the complete guide to lockpicking book... here is a quick rundown.

About 78 pages with intro and table of contents. Circa 1981 printing

Good basic overview of each type of lock listed and picking technique, covers rapping, picks, pins, tension, etc. Has decent drawings to convey idea... Almost all diagrams are simple line draw diagrams. There is one Medeco Sidebar exploded parts diagram, but don't expect any other detailed pictures or hi-res photographs. A homemade snapper and mechanical pick gun are discussed briefly. But the Medeco is presented as virtually unpickable.

If you need working knowledge of these older general security locks... this is a decent book for under $20... Get it for the principles and not the bypass techniques as there are no real secrets in this book not already discussed in these forums. If you have trouble visualizing a disc tumbler... this book is for you!!

Spools, mushrooms, tapered disk tumblers and anti-drill inserts is about as high-secure as this book gets... Missing completely is any discussion of high-security locks, automotive locks, combination locks, rekeying, masterkeying, etc.

Chapter 1 - Basic Principles & General Rules (3 pages)
Chapter 2 - Warded Locks (11 pages - 7 diagrams)
Chapter 3 - Disc Tumbler Locks (10 pages - 14 diagrams)
Chapter 4 - How to mount Practice Locks ( 8 pages - 4 diagrams)
Chapter 5 - Lever Tumbler Locks (8 pages - 4 diagrams)
Chapter 6 - Pin Tumbler Locks (15 pages - 12 diagrams)
Chapter 7 - Lock Modifications Thwart Tampering (8 pgs - 6 diagrams)
Chapter 8 - Wafer Tumblers (3 pgs, 2 diagrams)
Chapter 9 - Bypass techniques (7 pages -3 diagrams)

[CaptHook]

Realistically, books on picking locks will only take you so far. Once you have the basic knowledge of how the lock works, and the ability to "see" in your mind what you are doing with the tools inside the keyway, it just takes practice. There are many free resources available on the net, this site for one, MIT guide, crypto etc.
You would be better off, purchasing some tools and practice locks, than buying books you will only read a few times, and have little use for later.
I reference locksmithing books and repair books far more than I would need to look back at a "how to" guide on basic picking.
Chuck

[Ordbyrht]

Thanks for your suggestions SFGOON, Cman22, hzatorsk, and CaptHook. I was leaning towards Complete Guide to Lock Picking when I posted this, and hzatorsk backed it, so that is what I shall get. Thanks, hzatorsk.

[hzatorsk]

Cheers mate... hope it meets your expectations.

hzatorsk