Go Top of Keyway

[Squelchtone]

It's the only way to wrench.

I am pretty sure this will provoke some passionate replies.

I remember when I was learning locks (most sources then had you applying torque at the bottom of the key way) and was very frustrated with regular wrenches. Even twisted ones. I resorted to other ways of opening locks.
But at the time I didn't realize it was the wrench and not my "skill."

The feedback from a pry bar, to me is second to none.
And considering how much attention is paid to wrenches I thought to ask for a general opinion.

[gumptrick]

I haven't personally noticed that a TOK is any better for feedback than BOK. But that said, I have noticed a difference between different types of the BOK ones.

The ones that are simply bent 90 degrees (but not twisted) are quite stiff, and your finger contacts them with just a narrow area. Both of those factors give better feedback compared to the twisted ones. With the twisted type the bar will flex more, and it contacts your finger over a larger area (which implies lower pressure per unit area).

Most of the time I prefer the non-twisted BOK bar to the twisted type, though for some locks (mainly those that require a lot of tension like WB) I do prefer the twisted type.

[GWiens2001]

The main reason I go TOK is because it leaves significantly more keyway room for the pick to operate.

Gordon

[AngryHatter]

The main reason I go TOK is because it leaves significantly more keyway room for the pick to operate.

Gordon

Excellent point.

I am thinking that not many people who are new to locks appreciate the difference.

[billdeserthills]

The main reason I go TOK is because it leaves significantly more keyway room for the pick to operate.

Gordon

Excellent point.

I am thinking that not many people who are new to locks appreciate the difference.

There are some largely unwritten rules, following them doesn't guarantee success--Lubricant helps too
I find I use BOK tension to pick most Kwikset type key profiles

[AngryHatter]

I run into a LOT of schlage cheap stuff.
Most buildings around here were built in the 1950s and they all seem to be similarly outfitted.

Yeah, I guess the tools you need are dictated by the circumstances you are presented and many circumstances are regional.

[Moses057]

I love going ToK. Even though I'm still a beginner, I learned right away that ToK has a huge advantage. There's only one lock(abus 72/40) I have to use BoK on. The only reason I use BoK Is because I haven made a custom ToK wrench, still waiting on the mail to deliver the material for it.

[Shackle Jackal]

Sometimes it is more the locks preference than it is mine.I like TOK.

[Ralph_Goodman]

There are some largely unwritten rules, following them doesn't guarantee success--Lubricant helps too
I find I use BOK tension to pick most Kwikset type key profiles

Agreed. Everything is just about improving your chances of general success. But it's hard to make rules for the exceptions.

Lubing up a lock is something I feel a lot of beginners forget to try. But that usually starts the whole "which lube is the best" argument, so I get why it is not mentioned all that much.

[Moses057]

Lubing up a lock is something I feel a lot of beginners forget to try. But that usually starts the whole "which lube is the best" argument, so I get why it is not mentioned all that much.

Ok, what kind of lube if any, should I use on brand new locks that I got to practice on. I'm just looking for advice so I don't cause any problems later on. So far I've been using a 100% dry teflon spray.

[GWiens2001]

Lubing up a lock is something I feel a lot of beginners forget to try. But that usually starts the whole "which lube is the best" argument, so I get why it is not mentioned all that much.

Ok, what kind of lube if any, should I use on brand new locks that I got to practice on. I'm just looking for advice so I don't cause any problems later on. So far I've been using a 100% dry teflon spray.

Just do a search on the forum using the blue search button. You will find dozens of threads referring to lubricants. Brand new lock should not need any.

Gordon