Best book?

[littletent]

Hi Folks,

As an absolute newbie to picking I have just ordered a set of picks and have read the picking guides on this site. I would like to buy a book (or dvd?) that covers all aspects of picking in some depth but at the same time suitable for a beginner. I am based in the UK. Any reccommendations or suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thank you kindly,

Littletent

[Black Zero]

well if you really think you want to lockpick and are willing to devote lots of time and money into it, I'd suggest buying "Locks, Safes, and Security". I think its around $250, but it is pretty much the bible for lockpicking.
If thats not right for you, then just stick to guide that you can find on the web for free, it'll pretty much the same stuff that you'll find in books.

[Black Zero]

ahh...

sorry for the grammar/typos im trying to do this from my phone.

[Gordon Airporte]

LSS is the best, and that's what you asked for. It's obviously a pretty serious investment and there aren't that many (non-security-professional) people on this site who actually have a copy.
I haven't heard of many other books that are taken seriously...
Really, this site covers darn near everything. If the search is still broken you can use google by adding 'site:www.lockpicking101.com' to your search string.
If you haven't already take a look at LSI's guide:
http://locksport.com/home/index.php?ent ... 027-222056

[Eyes_Only]

I totally agree, LSS is the only lockpicking book you'll ever want and ever will need. Put that book together with this site and you'll never need to buy another book ever again. And as someone who has learned this the hard way, PLEASE don't bother with the books sold by publishers like Paladin Press. Pure junk. Happy reading.

[digital_blue]

With the exception of LSS (which is, btw, a stellar set of books on the subject), I would have a tough time endorsing any book currently available to "teach" you how to pick locks.

Not because you can't learn what you need from said books, but because there is little to nothing available within them that is not currently available to you feely amongst the numerous free guides, and right here on this site.

Cheers,

db

[greyman]

Ah yes, books on lockpicking. I'm not sure if I'd recommend LSS - it's far more general than that. A great reference book on many aspects of the art to be sure, but does it teach lock picking? I'm not sure.

I will say this, though, you can't pick locks unless you understand how they work. For this reason, books like LSS and my book (see my signature) might be of some use. To be frank, you will learn more about lock picking from LP101 than from any book I can think of. The books that actually specialise in lock picking are rubbish and fail to deliver on their promises, IMO. Not mentioning any names.

[Eyes_Only]

Well I'd have to agree. One thing I think most of us forget to point out is that LSS's chapter on picking is lacking in some diagrams to make the visual learning process more easy, and lockpicking the way I see it is much easier to learn if you can "see" whats happening inside the lock.

Theres websites out there like Deviant Ollams site that has simple yet very excellent animations that can help almost everyone understand lockpicking and how locks function.

[raimundo]

Greyman and Eyes only are right, as well as those who said that the books are just scams to get your money.

LSS is the best book on locks and some issues of security, it is not a good book on picking locks.

All the other books are completely worthless, but the information on beginner and advanced lockpicking is actually here and at other websites for free. Greg Millers site has animations and Deviant Ollams site also, possibly the second best site for someone who know the basics is Matt Blaze, site.

the best site remains LP101

You are already at the best site.

save your money to buy picks.

[razlex]

here's how i've done my learning:

1) make/buy lockpicks

2) scrounge up a bunch of different locks ( i currently have about 20 different ones)

3) practice.... lots..... like... sometimes when i go to take a dump i'll grab a lock and a couple tools... cuz... why not... it's 5 minutes that i ain't doing anything else....

4) read these forums alot. there is so much information here thats really just great quality (and free)

5) and to top it off, i bought a book called "The complete book of locks and locksmithing 6th edition" by Bill Phillips. it runs around 30$. although the section on lockpicking is VERY small, i've found just having the understanding of locks that this book has provided has really helped me out a lot. and if you don't wanna buy the book, i found it at the public library before decideing to buy it ;)


hope that helps!

[vmikulich]

To get the basics I really liked this book: Visual Guide to Lock Picking (Third Edition)

http://www.amazon.com/Visual-Guide-Lock ... 263&sr=8-3

[unlocke]

well if you really think you want to lockpick and are willing to devote lots of time and money into it, I'd suggest buying "Locks, Safes, and Security". I think its around $250, but it is pretty much the bible for lockpicking.
If thats not right for you, then just stick to guide that you can find on the web for free, it'll pretty much the same stuff that you'll find in books.

I wonder if the library would order it for me from another library? I'm going to give it a shot. $250 is murder but if the library can get it for me that would be great. Somehow I doubt any library is going to carry this book but who knows?

[HoppingGoblin]

I wonder if the library would order it for me from another library? I'm going to give it a shot. $250 is murder but if the library can get it for me that would be great. Somehow I doubt any library is going to carry this book but who knows?

I'd be willing to bet they could track down a copy for you and that it would be worth a try. When I was in college I used the interlibrary loan to request some very obscure and old books using only the title and ISBN # and they never let me down . Just be warned that for hard to find titles it can be a somewhat lengthy wait (sometimes a month or more)!

[l0ckp1cker]

Just google for it, perhaps there's a second hand copy somewhere available.

Personally I liked the dvd and book from visual guide to lockpicking and this helped me in understanding lockpicking....

[raimundo]

I recently bought Greymans book and its a great book on locks, if you want to know picking, your going to have to know something about locks.
The Bill Phillips book is very good, also, particularily for locksmiths.
LSS is still too expensive for me right now. I have seen it and its huge.

I noticed that in the years old post, I disparaged all books on lockpicking, and by that, I meant eddiethewire, stevehampton and generally the paladin press,loompanics type publishers, who make small books and charge about two dollars a page for them.