Locks get easier to pick?

by **soon2be_usmc** » 9 May 2004 11:04

Hey, I'm new here and I've just started picking. In fact I just started picking yesterday. Anyways, I just wanted to know if a lock gets easier to pick after you have picked it a lot. Like yesterday when I first started trying to pick my two locks I got for practicing, it took a while to pick them (of course) but now I can pick both of them in under ten seconds each. So I was just wondering if I am getting a whole lot better, or if I was wearing down the springs on the locks or something (by practicing so much) that makes it easier to pick the lock. Thanks!

by **lock_assassin** » 9 May 2004 11:32

If you practice on the same locks they will seem very easy to pick because you know just which pins to set first or what technique (raking, single pin picking, etc.) works for each one. If you can take them apart and move the pins around to give you a new challenge. For a real challenge try to put short bottom pins right next to long bottom pins. That makes things A LOT more interesting!!!

Happy picking...

lock_assassin

by **soon2be_usmc** » 9 May 2004 11:39

Thanks a lot! That makes a lot of sense. Anybody know some more sites (besides the MIT guide and the HowStuffWorks site) that tell some good techniques for picking?

by **quicklocks** » 9 May 2004 13:14

what theres a site better than MIT impossible :shock:

by **soon2be_usmc** » 9 May 2004 13:38

No i didn't mean to ask if there was a better site than the MIT Guide. I was just wondering if there were any other good quality ones since i have already read the MIT Guide. Sorry for the misinterpretation.

by **lock_assassin** » 9 May 2004 15:19

I am sure if you were to search using google or some other search engine you could find other places with information. If you have the time to do a lot of reading you will find TONS of information on this website. The search feature allows you to search by topic or author. Just about any question you have has probably already been asked & answered here at some point. Although it might not be laid out in a format such as the MIT guide, there are a lot of step by step and how to posts here that you won't find in most books or guides. As far as books for sale on the subject, most of that information can be had on here for free. There are times I have questions and I spend a couple hours on here without ever posting a question, and I walk away with all of my questions answered. Oh and be sure to read all of the FAQ in all the forums, lots of good info there too.

Hope this helps...

lock_assassin

by **mbell** » 9 May 2004 15:48

Masses of Information is available...If you look hard enough.

For example, I have nearly 3000 printed out pages of books & other information (excluding misc. printouts of this & similar sites), plus 6 CDS of videos, pictures, information & software and two VHS videos.

by **WhiteHat** » 9 May 2004 17:41

no one mentioned crypto yet so go there (www.crypto.com) and find the section on physical security - very good with better terminology than MIT.

Cheers!
WhiteHat

by **CitySpider** » 9 May 2004 23:30

Once you know how a lock works, I think you'll benefit a lot more from picking than from reading. However, if for some reason you can't be picking, do what Whitehat says and check Crypto's stuff, and then read the archives here. We have, right now, close to 17500 posts -- should keep you busy for a while.

by **maldotcom2** » 10 May 2004 1:06

well i find my locks very easy after a few times opening it mainly for the reasons lock_assassin mentioned

and he's already been to Crypto :twisted:

by **technik** » 11 May 2004 2:00

nah, I think picking definately has an effect on the lock. i'll give 2 examples:

1. Crap no name deadlock.

Changes:

-pins very easy to push up (springs are weaker)
-picking is easier (pins set much easier, and hang) because perfections in manufacturing are worn down, and tolerances are created.

2. Lock wood rep. Cylinder.

Changes:

-pins very hard to push up (spring seem to have gone hard perhaps? Ive picked this lock 1000's of times)
-my girlfriend had a go at picking, put pick in all way in, and lifted closest end up on angle, and lock opened. I tried, and opens every time. (Pins must hang more, tolerences increased)

Basically, my pholosophy is that the hardest a lock can be is when it is new. Dirt, wear-and-tear, and countless picking definately wears down the lock, and therefore makes easier (to some degree.)

my 2

by **CitySpider** » 11 May 2004 8:45

Even if you're right, Tech, I'm pretty sure UMBC didn't pick his lock thousands of times in less than 24 hours.

And for the record, I'd much rather try to open a new lock than a beat-up dirty gritty rusted old one that's been used hundreds of times.

by **maldotcom2** » 12 May 2004 0:28

UMBC

USMC

United States Marine Corps , incase you didnt know

by **CitySpider** » 12 May 2004 9:55

Good catch. Sorry. I'm used to typing UMBC.

by **maldotcom2** » 13 May 2004 0:12

Whats UMBC?

Locks get easier to pick?

Locks get easier to pick?

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