Total noob needs some help!

[MiztaB3]

Hey everyone.. I'm a budding magician and I'm really getting interested in escapism, as Houdini did, but I have absolutely no clue how to pick locks. I've read over the manuals, but I don't understand the "torque" method, basically what I can do is single pick the first pin but I don't understand how to get it to bind. Do I need to turn the plug to the right hard with the pick? Right now I have been using a homemade half diamond pick out of very very thin metal that tends to bend with too much pressure, but lack of tools and resources makes it so that I have nothing to use but what I can find. Any help would be appreciated!

[Hak]

Hmm.. all i can say is PRACTICE A LOT, read a few books/manuals on picking, maybe buy a set of picks from a local spy shop, also do a seach on this forum. There many posts that explain all about binding, how much tension to use, what tools to use and pretty much any other question you could have about picking.

Check out this site, its very good for people interested in lockpicking..it talks about the basics of lockpicking and provides good detail and some images of the tools you would use for picking locks. READ THE MIT GUIDE, ITS VERY VALUABLE INFORMATION.

http://www.gregmiller.net/locks/

Also, lockpicking isnt a skill you develop overnight..it takes a ton of practice and dedication, not to mention patience.

Hope this helps and have fun

[Hak]

also do a seach on this forum

Oops.. hehe spelling error. *i meant do a search*

silly me

[kehveli]

Hey everyone.. I'm a budding magician and I'm really getting interested in escapism, as Houdini did, but I have absolutely no clue how to pick locks. I've read over the manuals, but I don't understand the "torque" method, basically what I can do is single pick the first pin but I don't understand how to get it to bind. Do I need to turn the plug to the right hard with the pick? Right now I have been using a homemade half diamond pick out of very very thin metal that tends to bend with too much pressure, but lack of tools and resources makes it so that I have nothing to use but what I can find. Any help would be appreciated!

You need to use a separate tool called "tension wrench" to apply torque/tension. Picks are not made for applying tension!

Description on why applying torque makes the pins to bind:
http://www.gregmiller.net/locks/mitguide/chapter5.html

The whole MIT guide is good to read at:
http://www.gregmiller.net/locks/mitguide/

You should generally check the FAQ-forum here. It's the uppermost forum in the list.

viewforum.php?f=2

[kehveli]

Hak was quicker and also pointed to the MIT guide, so you should really read it.

[AlterEgo]

Tension wrenches are pretty easy to make - you get a bristle or whatever and put a little bend in one end.

[Hak]

hehe

[Grudge]

There is a lot to escapology besides just lock picking. Things like gaffed (rigged) locks, contortion (twisting to get out of restraints), trap doors, etc. You might consider visiting any nearby magic shops and asking if anyone is interested in escape effects. Maybe you can make some good contacts that way.

Also you might consider working on handcuffs to start. Amazingly you can find them for just two or three dollars at places like these:

http://www.orientaltrading.com
http://store.yahoo.com/kidsurplus/scyhcuff.html
Local dollar/discount stores

Most handcuffs are easily opened with just a simple metal shim bypass. Also their keys are also extremely small and simplistic (easily hidden/duplicated).

<SOAPBOX> Never practice escapology alone, it can be dangerous and/or extremely embarrassing if things don't work out </SOAPBOX>

Just the 2 cents from a lock picking hobbiest and amateur magician (mentalist).

[MiztaB3]

I actually know quite a few escapes, i can get out of basically any rope tie and know escapes ranging from iron box to milk can to wooden crate.. just a matter of getting some handcuffs that are easy to slip out of and a few locks I can pick to make it more realistic.