Integrity and ethics in lockpicking?

by **PoRT55** » 9 Mar 2008 16:36

A question for those who arent locksmiths. I am new to picking, and if people, even my own family, happen to find out that i am taking interest in this trade, they automatically asume that i am up to no good. i mean, i am a firefighter, and never thought that my integrity would be in question by my own family, but no matter what a say as to "why" i am taking interest, no one will belive the truth. i run into many situations at work where this trade would come in handy. im not about to give examples. you can use your immagination. but my question is, for those who are not locksmiths, what can you say to someone as to why you are doing what you are doing. my own family questions as to why. is it because people fear for thier own safety? is it b/c people dont want to know that people can do what i do with cheap locks? b/c they dont want a reason to spend a little extra money for better security and my doing what i am reminds them of this? your thoughts...

by **LockNewbie21** » 9 Mar 2008 16:49

This is a good question.

What I told my family and freinds many moons ago before I recieved my education was simply there a puzzle.

Ofcourse, they found that to be a "Fabricated redundant excuse". Then after I recieved my formal education and continued it long after my Highschool graduation, they had nothing but questions regarding anything.

"People hate what the can't concure, shun what they refuse to understand".

I would say the best thing for any hobbiest or aspirging security education seeker is to learn not only picking but all types of locks.

When you can sit down and tell you family in a well prepared way why, say a Abloy, or Medeco can help them so much, and you learned this through the whole process.

They see, that yes very positive things comes when one expands there knowledge, yes, there is a massive reponcibilty gained.. I can open medeco's and know my way with alarm systems well off. Imagine if I descided to go to the dark side?

But I don't and nor do other good hobbiest's, it's that integrity and knoweldge that might one day sooner that later make someones house and life safer with a kind hardware or alarm recomindation.

Or assist the eldery in a lock our emergency, it's those times when this knowledge and honesty we in trade and hobby hold close shines.

Then people see why it's so important theres poeple like us. Some embrace that goodness, others shun it, but they are limiting themselves and you should never limit your knowledge.. no matter who says what.

(Steps of soapbox) :lol:

But I hope that helped, and continue with your knowledge, Sorry for the Length.

I should have sent that to NDE mag. ehh well if they need there ya go

Later guys,

LN21

by **poor paperclip picker** » 9 Mar 2008 18:25

I was working on disassembling a lock once and my dad stopped by. He asked me what I was doing, and I just told him that I always enjoyed what locksmiths do, and last summer I got more into it. Then I went on and told him why I was taking it apart, to learn how the lock works and told him I was repining it. He seemed pretty interested in what I was doing.

So as LN21 was saying you just have to prove that you're not just into picking locks, but understanding what they do and how they work.

by **Eyes_Only** » 9 Mar 2008 19:18

Be careful who you tell about your interests to as well. Most of the time family is ok even if they don't like the idea of it. But tell it to your buddies and your buddies buddies and all of the sudden you get a negative reputation for something you haven't even done yet, and hopefully never will.

Ironically this is also a good way to find out which one of your friends are your TRUE friends, ones that won't judge you quickly and willing to stand by you until they can get some clear understanding of what your interests are all about.

Exercising self-control is very key. It's tempting to want to tell people how skilled you are but I'd say that 70% of the time you'll regret telling anyone about it, especially if you're in grade school.

by **PoRT55** » 9 Mar 2008 19:28

thanks LN21 for the advice, as well as the others. I am 27ys/o and really do not share too much with people other than my family, but i guess they hear as to what goes on some times at the fire house (we're all a bunch of overgrown boys) and wonder. normally by the time the department is called upon, there is normally destruction needed. and i dont speak for all firemen, but the ones i know, myself included, love destruction(see above about overgrown boys) but sometimes a fire axe can be avoided with a little TLC. this was the main reason i started looking into this trade, then when my first lock popped open, i was hooked. dont get me wrong, we try to save others property as much as we can, and have a high priority. much of the time, while a team is fighting fires, another team is spreading tarp over the remaining furniture. thanks for the advice/ all is welcome - Tim

by **Mike13** » 9 Mar 2008 22:09

I can believe people would question your integrity. I mean anyone that picks locks MUST be up to no good! Just like those that shoot guns for fun and sport, they must all be murderers or gang bangers right? Or service members THOSE GUYS are all baby killers.

by **Mike13** » 9 Mar 2008 22:11

Although in retrospect, I'm not entirely sure this is the correct subject for this thread.

by **LockNewbie21** » 9 Mar 2008 22:23

It's just the simple "can't cure stupid" just make sure you don't catch the bug.

I am never agumentive when anyone asks me why I manipulate, I respond beacuase If I don't open these.. and do it good and fast, then you buy crap so thank me.

I said it in another thread, if anyone outright calls me a criminal or slanders me, I have no problem grabbing a 2/4 and or mr fist and altering there mindset.. or jawset.

May seem ignorant, but my dedication to the helping, securing and well being of anyone who neds my help, just like soldiers is something noone will undermine and I will make sure of it.. right along with giving peace of mind to those who ask of me for it.

LN21

by **PoRT55** » 9 Mar 2008 22:35

well said.. we think alike

by **josh0094** » 9 Mar 2008 22:37

but I'd say that 70% of the time you'll regret telling anyone about it, especially if you're in grade school.

ha, u can say that again.

Just because u can do somthing. just be carefull who you tell. for example. i knew this guy. who knew this guy. who knew this guy. who was going to school, and noticed that somebody had donated a bunch of file cabinets that were locked and they didnt have a key to.

so from there. i went into the office, and asked " hey do you guys need those file cabinets open?

her: can you open them?

this guy: yeah im pretty sure i can pick them open

her: You can pick locks!?!? you shouldent know how to do that. that is a highly inapropreate skill for a young man to learn.

from there on. this guys mom was talked to, who knew this guy picked locks. and did locksmithing stuff and mearly said meh. hes a good kid do you want them opend or not?

so this guy ended up opining them

and lived happily ever after. the end.

^true story

by **Grifter** » 10 Mar 2008 1:11

I work in Network Security, so I just tell people it's another facet of the security world and that I need to know both. That's generally enough.

by **LockNewbie21** » 10 Mar 2008 1:23

from there on. this guys mom was talked to, who knew this guy picked locks. and did locksmithing stuff and mearly said meh. hes a good kid do you want them opend or not?

I adimire your mother, or.. that guys mother..didn't really follow that to well lol, what a well put statement she made.

Hella yea to good moms

... and no please no milf and or related comments please that was said in good intent :lol:

LN21

by **Afisch** » 10 Mar 2008 2:11

Lockpicking is not something that I tend to bring up in convisation with people I don't know but other than that I'm very ope n about what I do as a hobby.

As far as I remember I've never been asked to justify lockpicking before directly. I guess I must know a lot of open minded people. One person who I told about my hobby for example, had resantly had a lockpicking realted break in, and yet still was completely open minded, (so it seemed) and asked for advice on the new security system. That is something I respect alot.

by **PoRT55** » 10 Mar 2008 2:54

it may be that i am just starting out.. so people are like "why do you want to learn how to do that" as aposed to someone that already is in the trade and has knowledge of the subject. I, myself, am gathering information constantly, and wanting to get my hands on new locks and such, so people that know of tis, ask questions and assume the worst. they know that i am not planning to become a locksmith, so why learn? that sort of thing.

by **ratyoke** » 10 Mar 2008 16:34

PoRT55 wrote: they know that i am not planning to become a locksmith, so why learn? that sort of thing.

"You want to learn a skill? Why?"

I love people who think like that. I love learning things, and making things.

I know I can tell my friends I am learning to pick locks and they will think its cool. Its the people who are not close friends I worry about telling. I was surprised to get a nagative reaction from my parents about it, but after the first couple negative comments (my dad: "nothing good can come from learning to pick locks") they havent said anything else.

Integrity and ethics in lockpicking?

Integrity and ethics in lockpicking?

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