SPP>Raking?

[PhR33k]

Ok well for me it seems that I am able to SSP better than I am able to rake a lock. I bought a MasterLock #3 and I can SSP it fairly quickly but when I start to rake it, it just feels like nothing is happening and wont unlock.

Any technique I am missing or something?

[Beyond]

There's no conceivable way we can correct your raking technique without you first showing or telling us how you do it.

[Gordon Airporte]

You haven't tried a Bogata rake yet!
But yeah, it's a different skill. You need to be really careful with how you apply tension as the pins set.

[gstrendkill]

matter of preference and patients really

[Eyes_Only]

I rarely ever rake a lock either at work or at home. Most of my co-workers will rake but I still prefer to SSP cos you have a better chance of getting the lock open. Plus it looks more clean and professional.

If I have trouble picking a lock I'll usually fall back on any available bypass method or my pick gun that has saved my butt a couple times. I usually don't even consider raking. And I suck at it too.

[zsoutendijk]

same thing with me!

i have only raked a couple locks and i only have 3 tips to offer you

-Feather Light Tension
-Light, Swift movements
-Dont try to "scrub"

i prefer SPP, but raking is a good technique to learn

hope this helps!

-Zack

[Eyes_Only]

And if you ever get to the level of picking a lock like Medeco, follow the pointers above. Otherwise you'll end up like me where I ruined five perfectly good high security bottom pins.

[FFVison]

I'm not very good at raking, myself. I tend to SPP locks. I have found that I can sort of rake them quickly by applying a light tension and then slowly pull my snake rake out of the keyway. Thing is, I tend to sort of SPP all the pins as I'm pulling the rake out anyway. This really only ever worked for me on a few of my crappier locks. I recommend sticking to SPP anyway, especially if you are a hobbyist like I am. I pick and I find it more gratifying when the lock pops after SPP much more so than when I rake the lock. I suppose if you are at a lockout job and time is of the utmost importance, I would say, yeah, start with raking. If it will open a lock, it will open it much quicker than SPP. But if it doesn't, you may overset the pins and waste your time. In the end, you will most likely find SPP a more rewarding experience and you will most certainly find that it is a more reliable technique.

[LeeNo]

when I start to rake it, it just feels like nothing is happening and wont unlock. Any technique I am missing or something?

Some locks simply won't open with raking.
The term "raking" is sort of overused. There are several very different techniques that are all called raking.

• You insert the rake to the back of the keyway and rip it out very quickly with upwards force and then increase tension at just the right time. (this is what I call "ripping")
• You begin with no tension as you softly but quickly run your rake in and out of the keyway continuously and you begin to steadily apply more and more tension as you slowly raise the raking plane (this is what I consider raking)
• You very slowly and very softly insert your rake with no tension on the wrench and as you feel the contact with the first pin, you add a tiny bit of tension. You continue on the same plane and tension level until your rake passes the last pin and then you withdraw it very slowly and gently. Then begin again with the rake slightly higher then it was before. (this is what I call "slakeing" for slow-raking)

[njalme]

What would this technique be? I've recently taken up picking as a hobby and bought myself a slimline set from lockpickshop.com (which by the way was a very pleasant, non expensive shop with great service, I ordered from Norway). I've only had success with pad locks due to the very narrow key ways on all the doors around the house. Anyhow, I have the fastest success rate with just applying a tension with sort of a pulsing rhythm as I jiggle the pick up and down. Usually pops open just from moving it once up and down. Works with more or less all my picks.. Sorta an diffuse explanation but my point is that you don't move the pick in and out, it simply stays put moving up/down sorta making an X. Guess it would sorta qualify as a raking type of technique.

Sorry for being a bad explainer. I always get nagged about it when trying to describe to someone how to get somewhere around town. heh.

[dougfarre]

I think you should not worry about not being able to rake. FFVision was correct in saying that it is much more rewarding to be able to spp a lock. If you are doing this as a hobby, then there is no reason the even own a rake. If you want to get a full understanding of how the inside of the lock works, as you gradually fit the puzzle pieces together, then a rake is the most destructive thing you have in your tool box. On more advanced locks, there comes a use for rakes of different sorts, but when your taking about pin tumbler locks with single plane pin configurations, then don't even pull your rake out. If you a locksmith on a lockout call, then you have your own methods, but as a hobbiest, all you need is your spp picks.

[Gelmar]

I find a gentle raking method to be useful with some of my lcoks. I will use extremely light tension and one of my longer rake tools (the ones that most resemble whole keyes) and give it 2-4 light back and forth motions while varying tension. That will usually set 2-3 pins and I single pin pick the rest of them.

[silme]

I'm a beginner too, and I had the same problem...
But problem solve for me, there was a dead pin!
Yeah, dead pin make it almost impossible to rake since the pin must not move from it initial spot

[FFVison]

I'm a beginner too, and I had the same problem...
But problem solve for me, there was a dead pin!
Yeah, dead pin make it almost impossible to rake since the pin must not move from it initial spot

I'm assuming the key wouldn't work in that lock either? If the pin won't move, then yeah, it can't be raised and move out of the way for the plug to turn.

[ax0n]

Raking is like rough sex.

SPP is like hitting the G spot several times in a row.