First timer

[plot]

But I doubt such clubs would be legal in all states of the US - which is a pity for those of you being there

legality isn't the problem... distance is. the united states is to spread out...

[CitySpider]

Ditto what he said. I don't think it'd be illegal anywhere except DC, but if I remember correctly, Germany's a little smaller than Montana. It's a lot easier to have a club in an area that size.

[Chucklz]

Also in the US, with our wonderful "Patriot" Act, Im sure someone will accuse a group gathered to promote security research as a terrorist group or something.

[brownkidd]

i have recently started, but unfortunately i am not as lucky as you were, i am using a mini screwdriver, and a paper clip and didnt pick anything yet...HELP ME

[salzi684]

Brownkidd, either buy some better tools or make some better tools. After picking locks with real tools I would reach for a drill before I would reach for a paperclip and a screwdriver. Pyro1234321 made a great video about making your own tools out of hack saw blades, download it and get to work.

[SwitchBladeComb]

Ya, lay off that screwdriver, make something better out of a street sweeper bristle, wiper blade, something like that. Theres a whole mess of possibilities.

[cable4256]

I've only started picking recently but I'm able to pick a good few locks. I made my own picks from hacksaw blades. I just picked this safety box and my diamond pick broke. weak hacksaw blades. I'm going to order a 14 piece set soon, hopefully.

[salzi684]

If you continuously quench the hacksaw blade in water when you grind it it won't get so brittle.

[cable4256]

thanks for the tip. I'll do that next time.

[reg]

[...] Germany's a little smaller than Montana. It's a lot easier to have a club in an area that size.

But even here we have several clubs and still some people who cannot get to any of them. (If you don't have a car, which you must drive until you're 18, your range is pretty limited.)

Patriot Act can affect lockpickers, though I don't see what makes lockpicking more dangerous than the NRA.

In Germany most groups are in towns where universities are.
I see the size problem though, but still there must be some people living in neighbouring towns that could meet.

A yearly convention (as proposed in another thread) would also be nice.
Just some time and place where people can show each other stuff person to person.

On legality: there is a thread on legality of having picking tools or carrying them around, based on which I decidet it to be safer, not to take my tools with me, when I travel to the US. Did I misunderstand a lot there?

Some texts seemed to have some kind of circular argument: it is illegal to have picking tools on you if you intend to break in with them. If you have picking tools on you that might proof your intention to break in somewhere.

It doesn't help that state laws vary widely either - I just can't keep all in mind, so I rather don't take my stuff with me, so I'm on the safe side anyway.

Cheers and sorry for a confused/confusing post, it's way to early to write English - hope it resembles English insofar as you may be able to understand it.

Reg