Best Brands of Locks

[J.Bargs]

Hello,
I am very new to the whole game of lock picking (just got my first 17-piece pick set on Thursday, 4/20/06), but I have already opened a few Master Lock, Brinks, and Kwikset medium-medium high security padlocks and I am wondering what kinds of locks are the toughest to open and with those brands, what kinds of techniques to use on them( I have learned the single-pin set and raking techniques, and I'm not sure what others there are...). Thanks for answering my post.

[datagram]

There are quite a few really good, hard to pick locks. From American companies specifically the Medeco biaxial series are extremely hard to pick because pins need to be raised as well as rotated. BEST SFICs, Schlage Primus, and many more are also a good challenge.

If you are just doing Master, Brinks, and Kwikset, then look into some American or Schlage locks. The Schlage Primus is probably too tough to tackle now, so start with their standard SC1 keyway 5 pin deadbolts. These should introduce you to security pins (master and kwikset usually have standard pin stacks exclusively). Same goes with most American padlocks, only they are usually serrated pins (schlage uses spool mostly). Your brinks lock is also in general terms, probably just a Schlage or American lock in disguise depending on the keyway. The smaller Brinks are usually just prettier Masterlocks, also.

Alternatively, what you can do, and what I do/did, was to just purchase a single deadbolt that is easily repinnable. There are lots of different deadbolts out there, but try to find one that makes replacing the pin stacks easy. I prefer the ones that have a piece that just slides onto the top (not the kind that "grabs" the top of the cylinder). You can get one of these, or a couple of different types, and mix up the pins to make things harder for yourself to pick. This also allows you to take security pins and create a 3 pin lock that will teach you to feel for security pins and know when a pin is really set, etc etc.

[datagram]

Also, hey neighbor! I'm in LA also.

[jimb]

so start with their standard SC1 keyway 5 pin deadbolts. These should introduce you to security pins

Mine did not have any security pins, but I found it a challenge getting to the pins to set them in this keyway.

[J.Bargs]

Ok, sorry, but I forgot to mention that I got a Schlage deadblot lock and I picked that. So far I have picked every lock that I went out and got at OSH from their lock department EXCEPT for one Brinks lock that was labeled "high security" and I have also not been able to open the Medeco lock on my house door (I feel much more secure now ). I am really intrested in finding locks that have these extra little lock picking deturents (ex. the spool pins, serrated pins, other security pins), but where can I find those locks with those types of pins (it's not like it says on the package "Now with Spool Pins!" or something from what I have seen..) that aren't too expensive and can be taken apart without use of explosives or jack hammers? Oh, and hello from Pasadena fellow Los Angeles resident!

[CVScam]

Some of the smaller shops will sell old cylinders to you for 5 bucks and up. I have gotten older 5 pin Medecos that didnt have security pins in them but were still a lot of "fun" picking. I got a "BEST" brand cylinder that has serratted pins( I think ) that is a real bear. You could try a local junk yard get some car locks to play with and get some wiper inserts to make new picks and wrenches with while your there.


CVScam
stands for CVS brand digital camcorder
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/CV ... corder.htm

[Mr. Lock Pick]

there are alot of high quality locks out there