Picking advice requested (with video!)

[Andrelommech]

Hey, so I made this video in the hopes that you guys could critique my technique and help me improve my skills

Video Link

Also I realized the camera wouldn't focus on the picks I was using so here is a better shot of them:





Any help is greaty appreciated!

[Andrelommech]

Hm... image came out much larger than intended. Hopefully deleting it will get rid of it, I can't seem to find an Edit button -.-

Here's a link to the image instead.

[Wizer]

Hi,
I think your main problem is, as usually, too much tension.
I know I still sometimes do that. Take a key, put a tensioner through the hole in keyhead, and feel how much tesion is needed for turning the plug. Not much more tension is usually needed.
Your action with the pick looks fine. I would be careful with that levering you do. Only lever the pick with minimum tension, otherwize you´ll start braking picks soon.
On the second master it sounded like you were setting some pins, but I think you may not have enough room to set them all.
Try tensioning from TOK( -top of the keyway). The fact that you were able to pick it with half diamond suggests that the lock only has a little room for a pick when your tension wrench is on the bottom of keyway.
You might want to take the door cylinder apart and key it with only 2-3 normal (not spool) pins. When you can pick those easily its time to add a spool.
You´re doing good, keep it up!

[daniel22747]

There are tension wrenches you can buy that are made for top of key way tension wrench placement

[Andrelommech]

Thank you for the advice! I will lightn up a bit and keep at it (:

I ordered a set of Southord Slim Line picks yesterday - I do think my picks are a bit big for some of the locks I want to be good at picking. There will likely be more videos coming (and from a better angle :p)

[daniel22747]

That first master lock you pick can be very tricky with a short hook. It is good for learning tension control and avoiding over setting of pins.

Also over setting pins does not always mean you have to start over. With some locks you can let off just a little tension and get the bottom pin to drop and the keep the top pin set. The bottom pin falling sound different than both pins dropping.

Also I have a cheat for you: . On that first master lock the battarang pick will often open them in about 2 seconds.