What's the advantage of picking locks over using bump keys?

[forte]

Aside from the obvious time advantage and simpler process of lock bumping over lock picking, is there any real reason to pick locks when you have lock bumping available to you? I'm aware of some locks being lock bump resistant as well.

[n2oah]

Bumping locks is much more likely to cause damage than picking is. To open most lock you'll come across, you'll need a set of picks. The same cannot be said of bump keys. You'll need a new key for each different keyway. Bumping is frowned upon because it's very easy to do even without knowledge of how a lock works. Picking is much more difficult and requires actual skill and at least some basic knowledge about locks.

[ckc123]

Bumping is frowned upon because it's very easy to do even without knowledge of how a lock works. Picking is much more difficult and requires actual skill and at least some basic knowledge about locks.

So... here is my confusion with this type of thinking.. From a "sport" perspective, I can see 100% logic with this (And agree).. however from a locksmithing perspective (which I am not. btw, but I am a small business owner) I can't comprehend why it would be.. from a "time is money", this is a good way to get the job done, with minimal effort and time, and off to the next customer..

If a customer calls you to open a lock, it's cause they don't have the time or skill to do it themselves, and they want it done fast so they can get on with their lives. I've new around here, and maybe I just don't get it. I've seen comments like "the customers get upset when they see me open the lock in 30 seconds", but that's not a skill vs time issue.. it's a customer management issue.. if the customer doesn't understand the industry/job (you are charging them a set rate for something that can take 30 seconds, or 3 hours, and on some you "win" and some you "lose", and to make a living you have to charge a rate that in the big picture makes you a living).. then you need to educate them. These things can be explained before you even show up to the site..

Sorry if I offended anyone with the above statement, I guess I just see it from more of a "lets run an effective business" guy then a "lets impress the customer with manual, time intensive process". (I've seen this all the time in software development, and the latter types don't last long, as no one wants to hire them anymore..)

[LocksmithArmy]

well the time difference isnt that great...if you get lucky you can bump first try... woohoo... if you get lucky you can rake in one swipe... same difference...
secondly... as a locksmith... there is no REAL reason not to bump... many locksmiths find it unprofessional and either dont do it or wont let the customer see... I carry a bump key w me on jobs... rarely use it cause i enjoy picking so much... but i do have one lol (i have a set but only carry 1)

i wouldnt try bumping more than 3 bumps... cause you can quickly damage the face of the lock...

[Tyler J. Thomas]

i wouldnt try bumping more than 3 bumps... cause you can quickly damage the face of the lock...

Exactly. And in some cases, such as Schlage's F Series line with a collapsible bible, you can force the spring cap off, which often times warrants a replacement. The fingers on the caps are very small and once they break, they're no good.

[Solomon]

There is no real "time advantage" with bump keys, not with standard cylinders anyway. It can take a couple of minutes to successfully bump a lock open, I have locks here which rake open in seconds but they take a good 10 whacks or more to bump. You can only bump a lock in 3 hits or less if you've practiced like crazy on it, or you get lucky. Every lock bumps differently and figuring out the best technique for it doesn't come as naturally as with picking because there is no real feedback.

For high sec stuff ok, but for regular cylinders there's just no point and I wouldn't even consider it unless I wanted a last resort before destructive entry.

[Eyes_Only]

Aside from the obvious time advantage and simpler process of lock bumping over lock picking, is there any real reason to pick locks when you have lock bumping available to you? I'm aware of some locks being lock bump resistant as well.

Bragging rights. I suppose if you attend a locksport meeting or events like DefCon or HOPE and all you can do is bump a lock but can't SPP for s***, it might not be as fun as it could be.

And it's similar to going to a car meet. You show up with your tricked out ride that looks way better than all the other rice rockets there and grabs everyone's attention and praise. But once they all get close enough to see that your purdy dyno queen is an automatic while everyone else is driving stick shift.....well, you might have well have just stayed home.

[Poff]

Bumping locks is much more likely to cause damage than picking is. To open most lock you'll come across, you'll need a set of picks. The same cannot be said of bump keys. You'll need a new key for each different keyway. Bumping is frowned upon because it's very easy to do even without knowledge of how a lock works. Picking is much more difficult and requires actual skill and at least some basic knowledge about locks.

Bumping is definitely harder on the lock, especially if you do not get it open on the first couple of whacks. If you are careful, you will not damage the lock while picking. As stated before, bumping does not look very professional. The media has already hyped up bumping, no reason to perpetuate it.

[glamour]

I find bumping so easy on a practice lock when its in my hand, in a door it's another matter.. i don't know about anyone else but the position feels a lot more awkward compared to picking.

Picking all the way.

[JK_the_CJer]

The disadvantage is that with bumping, all the manufacturer has to do to "beat" you is use a keyway that you don't have a bumpkey for.

[jpb06080]

lockout goes like this: pick, bump, pick, bump, drill. Its good to have a few different opening methods in your arsenal. Sometimes bumping just works better. Other times, picking is the way to go. As a locksmith, I look at both picks and bump keys as part of a process of opening a lock. Each has advantages and disadvantages, but theyre basically both just tools to get the job done.

[Tyler J. Thomas]

lockout goes like this: pick, bump, pick, bump, drill. Its good to have a few different opening methods in your arsenal. Sometimes bumping just works better. Other times, picking is the way to go. As a locksmith, I look at both picks and bump keys as part of a process of opening a lock. Each has advantages and disadvantages, but theyre basically both just tools to get the job done.

I'm the same way. I'll run through my bag of tricks and usually one will do the trick. Only had to resort to drilling or breaking down a lever lock a handful of times when I couldn't pick them. It happens but a larger arsenal will definitely decrease that occurrence percentage.