picked my first lock - what next?

[Cephalic]

Could someone help me avoid complete frustration!

I picked my first lock this morning! I followed the instructions for disassembling a kwikset that I had from my old apartment. I put in one pin, picked it, then continued to add pins. If nothing else, it's convinced me to never buy a cheap lock again if remotely serious about security. So, the kwikset was pretty easy, but I don't know where to go from here.

I tried to search for an order of locks in difficulty to try, but came up empty handed.

Is there a decent general order of locks for beginners? What should I move on to next?

[globallockytoo]

schlage

[khelben]

or pick up some spool pins and start with 1 or 2 of those at a time in the quickset. im finding more security pins even in the cheaper locks now as i run calls to newer houses and apartments.

[cppdungeon]

Start collecting locks of all kinds, even if you cant pick them, because someday, with enough practice, you will be able to.
Schlage is a good next step thought.

--Cpp

[Cephalic]

Well, I have a few locks from years past laying around so that's a start and thanks for the Schlage thought.

Get spool pins? Do I just roll into my local hardware store? Where do I find pins? Online order?

Thanks everybody.

[datagram]

Most Schlage deadbolts come with spool pins, and Schlage is a good step up anyways (the keyway is more challenging, for a start). You'll probably have no luck asking hardware store people; they'll look at you funny.

You can either buy a pin kit online or (my preference) purchase locks that have what you want so you get some more practice locks as well as more pins.

dg

[Jaakko]

Or you can simply take the key pin from your lock, chuck it in your drill and use a small needle file to give it a few grooves, so it acts like a serrated security pin

[Zheol]

when i asked that same question i got this link ^^

http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=43368

so i hope this thread helps and welcome to the site


Z.

[SsBloodY]

Well I think you should continue picking easy locks 5-6 standard pins (no security). I don't know how you picked the lock but you must try Single Pin Picking not raking. After picked couple of locks lock pads and etc. and you can feel the pins when SPP. I think then is the time to move to security pins. But before feeling the pins and knowing what is happening into a lock you should wait for the spool pins.

[op-sec]

schlage

...will buy you about 10-20 seconds more for against an accomplished picker.

Everest / Everest Primus excluded from the above remarks but they're still not beyond pickable.

[Cephalic]

Well I think you should continue picking easy locks 5-6 standard pins (no security). I don't know how you picked the lock but you must try Single Pin Picking not raking. After picked couple of locks lock pads and etc. and you can feel the pins when SPP. I think then is the time to move to security pins. But before feeling the pins and knowing what is happening into a lock you should wait for the spool pins.

I used my crappy kwikset, pulled it apart and started with one pin and kept adding pins. I was trying to feel the pins, but I did more raking than picking. After being able to pick that lock with one rake, I found a Master Lock No1 and tried it. I was able to feel each pin and feel the pin set and I slowly pushed in the pin. I could feel the tension wrench move ever so slightly. I got the Master Lock open after about 2 minutes picking each pin and not raking.

I guess I was just worried that I would step up to harder locks too fast and just get frustrated.

Thanks Zheol, I'll check that link. When I searched, I couldn't find anything related to "what to pick next."

Thanks for all the help.

[SsBloodY]

Well there are many better pickers than me I am still new I've learned from them and still have more to learn. But my advice if you now what you are doing inside the lock and feel confident picking go on try harder spool pins and etc. But if you just pick the lock by luck and even don't what's happening inside then keep it simple and continue learning. Well that's what I would advice you. It's up to you to decide if you are enough confident and good at picking standard locks and should move on to spool pins.

[op-sec]

One of the things that I neglected to post earlier is that in many cases, locks with spools can actually be EASIER to pick - if you know what you're doing. That is, a lock with no security pins does not give nearly as much feedback as most of the "security pin" locks I have... It may take a bit of probing around but, once you get a false-set, it's smooth sailing. At least for me.

[globallockytoo]

If you cut your teeth on kwikset and graduate to Schlage, you will learn how manipulate 85% of the found locks available in the USA.

The rest is fun, but those are the most common and worthwile mastering.