Good Place to Start?

[Superbert]

Hey everyone! First post for me (hope to be active here)



Background

I have had a pick set that I picked up from a spy store a few years back here in the Dallas, TX area. It's a southord set; it's about 22-25 pieces (single doors, no extensions on the case).

I used to be able to pick many padlocks as well as front doors when my friends got locked out (oh yes, money was made). So, the skill was ONCE there, but this seems to be a VERY practice-oriented hobby.

I pulled out the set about a month ago when looking for a new home with my dad (I'm a young guy); the realtor forgot the key to the place we were looking at, and was trying to find ways in throught the windows or any other way. My father recommended that we run and get my set... how embarassing it was when I didn't get the lock after he was bragging how good at it I was.

I ran a small business (bertztoyz.com) about a year - 2 years ago... I sold lockpicks, lasers, and knives (all of my favorite hobbies in one place).

The lockpicks were sold on a user-to-user basis, and I felt the customer out a bit before allowing any purchases (no need for them to get in the wrong hands). One guy even said when I spoke with him earlier this year, that he got sooo into it, and so good at it, that he started a company w/ trucks, advertising, storefront and all.


Need Some Help

I would really like to get back into this wonderful world of lockpicking. I find the need for it all the time, and have lost basically ALL skill. I am surrounded by people that loose their keys, lock their keys in their cars, etc (and they are pretty smart too!).

I would like to know from you guys, what a good place to start is. What area should I focus on hard and heavy? I have a nice set of picks, probably more than I need at this point in time, but they were acquired for pretty cheap.

I still have access to my x-wholesaler on pick sets, so If there's something I need that I dont have, I can easily get it. I would like to stick with manual picking for now; it seems the best skill to have over any automatic tool.

So, where should I begin, what do I need (if anything), and where are some decent tutorials? I have seen everything in the "new users" area, and would like to take in as much information as possible.

Thanks in advance,
Brett G

[UWSDWF]

well you found it already.
There's not much you can't find here and if you can't find it then ask.
You will quickly find that thesearchbutton is a powerful tool. There are thousands upon thousands of posts here with tons of info.

The New Users section is a good source to check out.
as well as the FAQ. Also take a look at the stickies in the various forumsthey tend to be guides or other very useful tid bits.

Cheers
Trevor

[Wolfman]

I have seen everything in the "new users" area, and would like to take in as much information as possible.

You read the new users area? right right....

I would suggest reading the MIT Guide To Lockpicking, its free on the internet. Secrets of lock picking by steven hampton is also a good book, Dont think it is leagal to download.

You might want to try some exercises for beginers in the beginers section, they realy do help.

Other than that, use your SEARCH-FU to seek the information you desire.

Good luck