Picks other than the snake, w and hook

by **Fifth_Man** » 1 Sep 2006 18:19

I recently was overjoyed at the arrival of my lockpick set to my house. I immediately began he information I've spent a good week reading to use and found that the snake rake, w rake and small hook were pretty much all I needed to scrub the pins, which got me to thinking:

How often will you actually use any picks other than those for a basic deadbolt/door lock/ pad lock (pretty much any lock that's not advanced or has security installment in place)?

I mean if it's not responding to scrubbing there's a false pin, deformation ect; that's stopping it, so if scrubbing solves basic locks, those picks'd be all you need right?

by **cheesehead** » 1 Sep 2006 20:55

I rarely use anything other than a hook pick, so I'd say you are on the right track. stick with what works for ya, and let the "fancy" picks sit back and look cool.

by **VashTSPD** » 1 Sep 2006 22:33

I mainly stick to a couple hooks too, and on ocassion I use a half-diamond or a falle-like pick that I've made. Tension wrenches are a whole nother deal, I use about six different width tension wrenches for all of my locks. I've made most of them because the ones that came with my set were only in two widths. good luck picking

by **hobkkop** » 1 Sep 2006 22:36

Although scrubbing may work on basic locks it is really not much in the way of technique and more of just luck. Additionally if you hope to advance to more secure locks you need to learn to pick pin by pin and learn how to feel what is going on while you are picking. Scrubbing is fun since it will open some locks quickly but the reality imho is that if you want to learn to pick more advanced locks you should learn to pick pin by pin. Now, at least for me, the basic hook is the pick I use most. Of course I am still working on very basic locks. I do agree that you really don't need a huge number of picks to do most lock picking.

by **Krypos** » 2 Sep 2006 1:57

this is hobby picking we're talking about. so if you enjoy raking (also called scrubbing) then go for it. I* dont care how you open your locks really. i am sure some people here only do one style, or only another, thats fine.

i personally like to mix it up, some locks i own respond better to raking, others dont respond to raking at all, so pin by pin (also called single pin picking or SPP) is necessary.

if you want to just rake, then go for it if you enjoy it that way, but it wouldnt hurt to be familiar with other techniques.

as for your question....some people would be satisfied carrying just a single pick and one wrench...others carry an entire arsenal with them. and then there are those kinda locksmiths that just carry a drill.... thats another story though....

so i guess, if those 3 picks get it done for you... then have fun!

and for everyone, this is a hobby. dont not do something or not try a method because you're afraid of what someone else might say about it. and if the admins/mods tell you its advanced/immoral...well...tell them to (censored) themselves. :lol:

by **!*AMP*!** » 2 Sep 2006 10:32

Krypos advice is very good, I had wished I had heard it when I first started.

Don't get "scared" out of any particular thing that has to do with locks because of someone elses opinion. Heck, it's a free world, so get out their and learn, and learn what you want.

by **Krypos** » 2 Sep 2006 11:19

thanks !*AMP*! i thought it was good advice too. kinda heartfelt as well i think.

by **Fifth_Man** » 2 Sep 2006 11:25

cool...Yeah I understand that scrubbing is basic simplicity....but I got my lockpicks around 1 pm and I posted at 7:15 pm...so I opened 3 locks via scrubbing. I didn't think I'd be pulling anything advanced off in 7 hours (especially when I only spent 2 hours playing around) and yeah I do plan on moving up in level of lock difficulty but right now all I have is a black and decker deadbolt, a few warded padlocks and some random un named dead bolt I found in the construction garbage bin behind my job (they're doing renovations on the place behind us and they're trashing everything). I realize there's little more than luck and poking involved in scrubbing and yes I would like to get better at this hobby, I like it alot.

by **!*AMP*!** » 2 Sep 2006 11:31

Man, I'll have to make a trip out to a construction (ie, renovation) site sometime soon...all these people finding locks free of charge.

by **Krypos** » 2 Sep 2006 17:25

!*AMP*! wrote:Man, I'll have to make a trip out to a construction (ie, renovation) site sometime soon...all these people finding locks free of charge.

ya me too. jerks. lol....kidding.

and oh ps- scrubbing (aka raking) isnt always just poking around and luck. there are techniques to it, and techniques that make it go 100x faster. so if you're into raking, then still check it out.

and also, go for more locks at that construction site- maybe you can even work out a deal with the guy whos in charge, like $2 a lock, he would end up pocketing that money, but its still a deal, and you get locks for cheap. (although ask around for how much you might offer...idk how much you should)

by **Bud Wiser** » 2 Sep 2006 23:41

I agree with the others who say use whatever works for you.

For raking I usually use the snake or jag snake, lately preferring the jag.

for SPP, I use the small hook or regular hook.

For combo I use the half diamond. With it I can SPP, and scrap individual pins, and also several pins at a time. When I can't SPP I try the diamond and apply various techniques with it. Very versatile pick, I've seen it referenced to as the "CIA" pick in one of the books I have read. You can SPP, rake, and shake with it.

When I'm bored I try out all my other picks for fun.

by **!*AMP*!** » 3 Sep 2006 9:23

Yeah, it's always fun to add in some extra stuff. hehe, I mean, if you get a kit, you might as well use it, right?

Picks other than the snake, w and hook

Picks other than the snake, w and hook

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