CHRIS B pick

[Shrub]

To be honest the first lock i picked was a 115 and it was and ever since been the CB pick i did it with, it poped in around 5 mins first time.

If your practiseing you need a range of locks and practise on them all, if you find one hard then move on to another and come back to it.

[SteveW]

Evo is completly right the 3U115 would be easier, but the 3G115 was the second lock i managed to open, for some reason the Pro-fit gave me
loads of greif but i found the invincible a dodle

Its a strange world

[devildog]

Since we're talking about lever locks (which I've become rather interested in lately) I've a couple of questions: I'm in the process of acquiring a Chubb Battleship (just wait--it's going to be so cool! ) and I was wondering if anyone could comment on the difficulty in picking them, general quality (I know Chubb is usually considered excellent, but just wondering what people's overall impression of it was), etc.??

Oh, and if I want to get into picking lever locks, I'm wondering about the availability of tools for hobbiests: Can I order the curtain wheel pick from safeventures or some of the stuff from CB, or is that locksmith only (I've got the basic picking kit from safeventures, but I wasn't sure about the other stuff)?

[SteveW]

Hey Devildog

I personaly find Chubb stuff to be of excellent and their highend mortice locks are among the most challenging to pick. As for their padlocks i am not so sure as i havnt had much of a chance to play with them.

As for aquiring leaver picks etc. As far as i am aware Chris and Safeventures will only sell to locksmiths, but you will never know if you dont ask, either phone or Email them and have a chat. The worst they can say is no

[horsefeathers]

i know this tool and its use comes up loads. I am still beavering away with mine, starting with 2201s and 2101s to begin with. People have mentioned before that while CBs is the most versatile, the othes by RB or safeventures are easier to use and learn. Having never seen either of those two brands can anyone tell me just what it is about those that make them a bit easier, for most people. The all seem to work on the same principle, ie apply curtain pressure, lift levers one at a time. Is it just a case of 'feel' or comfort in the hand that is the difference or is it a design difference, ie, one has something else added/attached that helps picking?

If anyone is kind enough to answer i would be grateful, maybe by PM so i dont bore the pants off everyone with another Curtain pick thread.

regards

wayne

[pinky]

its purely because the cb pick is a loose wire, the novice often has problems controling this and navigating the lever pack, where a solid pick guides the wire fore you, and allows you to be a little more heavy handed.

the cb pick is far more versatile and has a superior feedback once masterd.

[xlr8ed1]

i have the cb pick and havent opened anything with it since i got it in september - have asked for some points on use but have not heard replies - including pinky. In all honestly i would not really waste your time or money on 'picking' locks as it is to hit and miss- i prefer decoding i have never had a bs mortice lock that could not be decoded except for a 110 as in all honestly i dont see enough of them to justify making a decode kit. Although keep in mind we dont have the diversity of mortice locks here than in the UK. But this applies to Ross 600 locks as well for those who know them - decode them every time - you just need to know your lock, it will tell you the cuts if you know what to look for.

[SteveW]

But picking is so much more fun

[Shrub]

the 110 does have a pin and cam sold by SV!

The CB pick needs time and effort put in to it to get reasonable and loads of practice to get good at picking with them, the main advantage is that you can get under the low levers and also get more feedback off the wire.

If you want to sell your cb pick im sure many from your way would happily take it off your hands but i strongly urge you to practice.

Your welcome to pm me if you are struggleing to pick useing it.

[pinky]

xlr8ed1

i have no knowledge of you asking for help with cb pick, did you ask in a thread or by pm or by email ?

if you want picking tips then email chris direct as he is always happy to help with his tools.

to say you have opened nothing is strange, as alot of us in the uk have had great successes with this pick, many achieving the picking of the 110 lock as well as chubb 114 locks, the ERA range are a 2 minute pick as are the legge range and most others.

its not a magic wand that will open locks when you buy it, its a tool that requires a degree of skill and understanding, you need a good understanding and knowledge of the lock you are aiming to defeat and alot of practice and effort.

once mastered this is far quicker than many of the decoders for the opening, especialy on era , avocet , legge , union , yale etc, but you must work at it.
email chris b and im sure he will give you all the help and advice you need , or pm myself.

[acl]

Xlr8ted. Jack Coombers pick for the Ross lock works pretty well ive found, although ive not come across the lock on site more than once, Fairly good price too £68 +
Andy

[chrisjc33]

I got my CB pick this morning i think it's broken i put it next to the lock and it did't open. i thought it could jump out of the packet and open the lock but no
am gonna have a proper go with it tonight.I had a quick go and was having trouble
getting under the low levers(era invincible) i will see how invincible it is.

[pinky]

The important thing with the invincible is to ensure you pick all high and medium lifts first, leaving the low lifts to last.

run your wire across the pack and from the angle of the lolipop when the wire makes contact with the bottom of each lever, you can tell whether its a high or a low lift lever.
once you know which are the high lifts and which are the lows it is a simple process.
you pick each high lift to its true gate, once all highs are set, you gently nudge the low lifts up to their gates, and lock opens. once practiced and mastered the whole process from identifying the high and low lifts to opening the lock takes around 2 mins or less.

[SteveW]

Hi

Chris provides good instructions on geting under the low levers, lift the wire out of the collar this angles the end of the wire downwards to get the low levers, lift the wire to the right when moving backwards through the lever pack and to the left moving forwards and vice verser respevtivly, depending on which side of the lock you are picking from.

Dont expect instant results, it takes a fair bit of practice. It took three very long nights befor i opened anything

But persevere and you will reap the rewards

[quicklocks]

xlr8ed1
chris b has sent you two of my vids with my permission to help you sort out your problems if you need any more help pm me im happy to help.
please note the vids are NOT for distribution and are only for you.