NOOB needing some advice

[Erdnaseuk]

Hey all

I have been interested in lock picking for years and I have owned a basic set of picks for about 2.
I need some advice really on where to start. TO be honest I consider myself a begginner and only have basic knowledge about the basic lock (wafer/ warded / yale etc).
want to start with basic locks and move my way up in my picking expeirence.
I have three book in my collection, are these worth reading for th UK begginer?
Master Locksmithing by bill phillips
The complete book of locks and locksmithing by bill phillips
Locks, Safes and security by Weber

I assume that is all that can really be done. IF anyone has any starting out tips specific to the UK I would love feedback

[bembel]

Have you read the "MIT Guide to lockpicking" already? You can find it on Google.
"Practical lock picking" by Deviant Ollam is also a good choice.

[Squelchtone]

Books are great, but hands on practice is better.

Watch some youtube videos, hang around here, get a set of wires or a pick set and some practice locks and start practicing, take some locks apart to see how they work. I equate learning lock picking from a book to watching a soccer match on tv and hoping to learn how to play soccer, you have to go out on the field and kick the ball around in person, then you'll actually start learning the game.

Is your motivation to just learn another life skill or to be a hobby picker because you like solving puzzles?

Skip the Bill Phillips books for now unless you plan on fitting locks and becoming a locksmith, they're interesting reference, but I never learned how to pick from reading them. You'll get more mileage out of the document bembel mentioned, as well as the Locksport International Guide to Lockpicking http://locksport.com/index.php/discover ... l-i-guide/ , and Deviant Ollam's books which are written with hobby lock pickers and penetration testers in mind.

Best Regards,
Squelchtone

[Erdnaseuk]

Cool Thanks for the links and advice on resources.

I have found a copy of the MIT manual and will downloaded the locksport guide.
I am looking at being a hobbyist for now. As I said in my OP I have always been interested and own a basic pick set. I wanted to be able to open most locks instead of only having the basic knowledge of "you move the pins to the sheer line".
I have opened a few locks sucessfully but I am now ready to dive into this topic fully

[easy-e]

Books are great, but hands on practice is better.

^this. Knowing how locks work is great, but I didn't really start learning until I found a box full of padlocks in my grandpa's stuff after he passed away. Started out on some of the masterlocks, worked my way up to the Brinks locks which had security pins. Now I've been buying or trading for other locks, but it was a good place to start.

There are a few threads around here for lots of good practice locks for the UK. I wish I had a better source for them over here. I can buy them, I just want to get them for cheap/free
viewtopic.php?t=1543

[Erdnaseuk]

Hmm I may have a load of locks from some UK uPVC doors spare - warded keys but not the same keyway entry as a "Yale" lock. I could send them to you if you cover postage - just send me a lock in return and I will cover postage

Off to get some locks now and play about for the day.

Oh and thanks to the links to resources posted I now realize why I cannot pick the only wafer tumbler I have in the house from back to front. due to the binding effect. learnign more already