ARCHIVE 2003-2013 Introduce yourself HERE if you are new. :)

[rjzshop]

I am new to Lock Picking 101. I have been taking a locksmith course for a while now and have been practicing with my lock picks.

[f-701]

Howdy all! Chiming in from near Gettysburg PA. If there are others in my area i would love to start something near here. I have had an interest in picking since i was in my teens. I was just getting in to sleight of hand and i had a book on Houdini that showed some of the picks he used on the locks of his time. Then in my late teens i worked with a local loksmith who was generous with his time and knowlege.i m now in my 40's and last year I got some basic picks singularly from southord and got reaquainted with them. A pile of old locks later and im hooked. Thank you for the wonderful site, info and all of the encouragement! I look forward to learning more, very curious about dimple locks. Anyway thanks and i hope to meet some of you along the way!

[InfinitelyLocked]

Hey guys! I just got a lock pick set (Southord MPXS-32) for christmas and I am loving it. I have picked all the locked in my house, but I can't say I actually know what is happening. Still learning but I am extremely excited to be able to open most locks using single pin method in a short while!

-InfinitelyLocked, AKA Matt

[easy-e]

Good afternoon! Hi my name is Erik......and I have a tool buying problem.

I have been lurking here for years and I recently started collecting some new locks and buying some better tools. I wanted to join so I can share some of what I know and learn a bunch more.

See you around...

[Klinx104]

hi all,

i call myself Klinx104.
i'm melbourne (australia) based, and
spend my time hacking, DJing, rapping and
producing music.

lock-picking is a new hobby as i was given a set this xmas.

i look forward to larning alot here,

Klinx

[luckey]

After recently hearing about the brutal technique of lock snapping I began looking at various lockpicking sites and recognised that lockpicking can be a worthwhile and challenging hobby. I have since taken a cylinder lock apart using one the posts from this site, but firstly put one key stack back and picked it! Then 2 pin stacks - now for 3! I have been using paper clips as a pick but they quickly wear out. I am now using a modified hair clip and been successful so far. I am using a windscreen wiper blade as a torsion wrench. Any tips on what tools and locks a beginner should buy and how to sequentially advance at lock picking would be welcome. For now I will tour the site and probably answer my own questions. Great site by the way and am already enjoying being a member.

[onceyougojack]

Hey everyone! I just got my first set of picks for Christmas, so I thought I'd join up!

:)

[Smithboy]

Hey guys,

I've got some experience of amateur lockpicking, but I admit, not much. I really want to sharpen my skills and learn more about specific picking tools and how to use them. Hopefully the site will help :)


Smithboy

[Skeleton_Key]

Hello,

I've always had a fascination with locks and lock picking in general, since my first attempt at a basic padlock with a paper clip and bobby pin at a young age... Hell, games like the Thief and The Elder Scroll series have helped my curiosity too lol!

But, seriously! The skill of lock picking cannot be underestimated, especially, in survival situations, SHTF or zombie apocalypse etc... Jokes aside (cough!), I am just here to learn a new life skill. I'm glad to meet you all and thank you in advance for all your help and hospitality :)

Let's get cracking!

Lou

[radarsentry]

Hello:

I am a semi retired security person. In my fifty plus years I did a minimum amount of lock picking and now that I don't need it I am trying to learn the craft. At present I have a couple of UK mortise lever locks that I am working on with ICL picks and I am able to open them sometimes. Oh well more practice needed. I owned a security company and did alarm installs; safes; locks; electrical wiring; Electronics work and also swept the floor. :))

My semi retirement consists of playing in my man cave which is my lock shop. I do this if I am not teaching classes at a local community college. I hope to gain knowledge as well as give out some of mine to others.

[LockyLou]

Hello,

Brand new to the "sport" and am really interested.

I found the site by looking for a really good padlock for my storage unit (Medeco?). I have always been interested in how things work so I quickly ordered a beginners set of picks and am waiting for ups now! I have a few old padlocks and some deadbolts to practice on and I REALLY liked the suggestion of learning bu using a deadbolt and adding one pin at a time.

Am also really interested in learning more about becoming a locksmith as a backup career when I decide to start working for myself.

LOTS more to read and practice but wanted to start here.

I am guessing I am not the only one who is interested like this???

LL

[Ambro]

Greetings all, this is my first day here on the site, I've already found a lot of very useful information.

Looking forward to being part of the forums and most of all learning!

[IdiotThatLostTheKey]

Hi...

So here is me. I have zero experience in lock picking... Basically, I haven't been able to use my bicycle the whole summer because I locked the thing with an ABUS Lock and then lost the key. It apparently fell off my keyset because it was attached on an extra ring that somehow got lose.

I was hoping to somehow manage to pick the lock - since I don't have the necessary tools to cut through the very thick chain. I bought a lock picking set - and voilà: I am apparently way too stupid or clumsy to get this lock open even though I have seen plenty of people on YouTube get the job done on similar locks under 1 min!

So now - I am desperate and hope that maybe someone might have some specific tipps somewhere if I search the whole site I might stumble on it. Its an Abus Steel o Chain 810...by the way.

Ok - so I have managed to break open a small safe with the pick set - which is not that helpful since I didn't lose that key... but I thought I might practice or something...

Grateful for any information about where I might find information on breaking bicycle locs.

[StahlMaster]

Hello from DownRiver, MI.
I have been a fan of locks and security devices since 1968. I'm in the process of re-setting an Amesec Star lift out door combination. I have the serial number. Has anyone here done this?
I'm looking forward to learning more from this board.

Thanks

D

[mcalexander]

Hello, all. I have been reading on this forum for a few weeks and have really enjoyed it. Locks have fascinated me for years, but I didn't get real serious about locksmithing until our local smith passed away. I started investigating how much business there might be in our town, and now that the word is out that I am considering this, I have people asking me almost daily when I am going to start. I have a lot to learn and I am thankful for the info and help that I have found on this forum. I am looking forward to participating in this group and building relationships.