Lock Picking/Smithing book reviews

[technik]

any one got any opinions on the book?

[PickPick]

Haven't read it but it looks like just another picking guide, nothing the former MIT Guide and a functioning brain can't replace.

[mbell]

Yes, I have versions 2 and 3 of the CDs. Some nice videos showing picking pin tublers, cars, wafers, tubulars etc. - Like all picking videos, a good way for newbies in perticular to SEE how its done.

[technik]

so worth the money? pretty cheap, might buy nd have a look

thanks

[Jlo]

Hi,

I have to say I read Steven Hampton 'Modern High-Security Locks' and thought it was a good read.

It rated many high security locks such as Abloy, Assa V10, Medeco, Kabba dimple key lock, Van Guard vending machine lock and the mighy tubar vending machine lock. It has excellent diagrams on how the locks work and how to pick in theory but picking most of these locks would still be well out of my league!

Just my 2 pence worth!

Jlo

[Chucklz]

A bit more about Steve Hampton's book on High Security stuff. I have discovered, that at least one of his drawings in the book, the Kaba Gemini does not correspond exactly to a Gemini cylinder that I own. My cylinder has one less pin than Hampton's drawing shows. While not exactly a major issue, be aware that manufactureres may have changed designs slightly over time.

[mcm757207]

I just orded "Modern High-Security Locks" off half.com for $10... can't wait for it to come. For that matter, I also bought a pick gun (Yes, I've also made/bought plenty of hand picks).

[LittlePeaceful]

I got "Modern High-Security Locks : How To Open Them" from Amazon. I have to say that I was truly disappointed about the book. I'll try to give a general feedback.

PROS:

1. The book gives an introduction to many kind of high security locks (but is far to be complete, "Catalogue of High Security Locks v1.0" by Graham Pulford - just description no images - freely available in pdf format around the web covers a far higher number of brands and models).

2. Many nice lock diagrams are shown (but you can get better than that at the US Patent Office Website for free).

CONS:

1. The book doesn't describe how to pick locks (see it's title ). Some general indications are given about the lock, about the tool that Hampton used to pick it, how long did it took to him to pick the lock, but there are no specific technical indications about how to pick (how to move the pick, try to feel what, what behaviour to expect from pins, which feedback to expect from pick, what feedback to expect from the tension wrench and so on ...... the kind of things well explained in the MIT Guide) he just speaks in general about "raking slowly with light tension" hoping for better.

2. Hampton gives indication how to pick some locks he declares he hadn't himself picked once at book writing time.

3. Hampton transforms a specific technical issue as lockpicking is to a kind of "story of my life and of the locks I picked".

My Conclusion:

I wouldn't like to advice it to anybody: for beginners the risk is to go off the way, for intermediate or advanced pickers there is nothing interesting in there.

[mcm757207]

I'll write up my own review once I get te book at read it... I'll post it here

[mcm757207]

I just finished reading the book "Modern High-Security locks" by Steven Hampton. Overall, I think it was worth the $10 I payed for it. I learned a lot from this book, as my knowledge of these locks was EXTREMILY limited. Although Steven Hampton seems to be a little cought up with himself, the diagrams were extremily well drawn (traced out of patents supposedly). I also liked how he often provided years of creation or famous inventor's names. Overall, I give this book a 7 out of 10. Worth the price.