Picking upside-down/right side up?

[cracksman]

Since I began picking I have always held the lock in my hand and picked it upside down. I finally got around to making a small mounting board for a couple of deadbolts (mounting them properly with keyway up), then I tried to pick them

It's like I just started picking all over again

I've been searching the posts and the best I've found is using your thumb (placed on the bottom of the keyway) as a fulcrum. Any advice? Or do I just have to learn a new technique. I have seen that in competitions locks are held in hand or in a vice. Still, I don't want to become a decent lock picker and then say, Oh I couldn't pick that one, it's on a door

[Exodus5000]

I found this post humerous because I once faced this same problem. It is a lot easier to pick a lock upside down, for a few reasons. Firstly you can see when a pin is set, and secondly (for me anyways) I used my pointer finger on the top of the pick which gave me superior control and feeling for feedback.

Mounting your locks on the practice board is the right idea. I know it seems like it is like starting all over again right now, but it will be a lot easier a lot faster than the first time you learned to pick a lock. All the information of how to pick a lock is there in your brain, you're just throwing it a curve ball by switching up your hand position and picking direction. Your brain will adjust with practice.

I hold my pick like a pencil when I'm picking a lock that is installed correctly (not upside down), usually with my fingers close to the front for superior control. But the great thing about picking a lock is: The best way to do it is the way that is most comforatable to you.

Think of it this way, soon you'll know how to pick locks that are right side up AND upside down and be equally proficient at both.

Have fun, and don't let yourself get down about it.
Ex.

[fixer]

I find locks on doors installed in both directions and just have to pick whatever way they are.

I have had to pick padlocks with the keyway pointing down, still attached to the back door of a semi truck (translation - articulated lorry)

You will get used to adjusting your technique to the task in hand. Flip your locks on your test board and even lay the board on it's side.

[oaksy]

I think its best if you try to pick the lock every way you can..When i pick lets say a padlock in my hand i find it alot easy to pick it than if it is on a shed....(As you can hold it how you want)
I like to pick a lock then i put it on a shed or something upside down then pick it...Its not that easy anymore...Then when you have gone that put the lock back on the shed the other way round...ETC ETC..

Then when i have picked it every way then i try and do it with my other hand...
All in all the only way to pick a lock is to do it every way you can...
Love you all
Regards
Oaksy

[Lordfud13]

I just finished installing a MAG rim lock on my front door, to pick it you have to work sideways.