Beginning Confusion

[falkman]

Hello there everyone! I've been lockpicking here and there for the past 4 years or so, and I'm wondering why I can always get a lock once, but then never again. This has happened to me on plenty of occasions, and I just can't pick it again. I know the lock isn't damaged, I must be doing something wrong. Do you have any idea what I might be doing wrong?

Thanks,
Falkman

[FarmerFreak]

Do you have any idea what I might be doing wrong?

Honestly,...no. Without watching you pick the lock it would be very difficult to tell, and even then it would be difficult to tell why you could only pick it once.

That said, whenever I have had this type of problem. It is almost always a phychological problem. Ergo, "I did it once, so it should be easier the second time."
The problem is that sometimes you only got lucky when you opened it the first time. Which won't help you be able to pick it a second time. Which is why when I practice picking, I try to avoid claiming to be able to pick a lock. Until I can pick it repeatedly, and consistently.

What I would do about the problem is practice practice and practice. And if you ever get frustrated, slowly step away from the lock and take a break. The odds of learning and figuring out the puzzling lock while frustrated are very slim.

Hope that helps and have fun picking
Farmerfreak

[yono]

I will based my suggestion on my own experience, my first attempt in picking a lock, i have that 100% drive to open it, when i have picked it.. my second attempt is no longer 100% on that same lock. The 2nd reason to me was when it take quite a longer time picking it.to repeat the same process on the same lock cylinder?my hand and brain no longer cooperate each other. i think its the fresher interest in opening it the second time around is the answer.

[acv]

When you try to pick the lock again, are you trying to pick it or trying to reproduce what you did the first time? If the latter, that's your problem. The mind can play tricks where you are convinced you did X but you actually did Y...

[falkman]

I think i just got lucky the first time, probably with the tension, as I haven't quite mastered tension yet. Thanks for the tips, and I'll see where I get!

[LocksmithArmy]

id have to say it is psychological.

if you pick it once and then say it should be easier you probably wont do it. especially if you got lucky the first time.

try looking at it differently. if it opened once that simply meens you CAN do it agin not that it will be easier. so sit down and know you can open the lock. then do what you do and open it yay.

for me the second time has always been faster... not easier... its the same lock. but pay attention each time you pick it and the one time it opens for you try and remember what you were doing that one time.(often how much tension you were using)

it has take me hours to figure ut one lock but after it pops once im positive i can do it agin. i remember every little finger movement and the secont time is only a few seconds not a few hours.

a lock doesnt get easier or harder... you just get to know it better

[poor paperclip picker]

Sometimes when I try picking a lock I have not picked before I stop really concentrating on looking at the lock and just watch tv and let my hand feel the lock. Eventually I will get it open just by feeling the pins move rather than concetrating all of my mind and body on the lock (if that makes sense, I guess I kind of distract my brain with tv, and it helps me.)

Then when I try to pick it a second time, I will look at the lock and have trouble just because I know I have picked it before, and it seems harder. Just try to distract your mind and use your hands to feel.

Sorry if this is confusing or doesn't help.

[falkman]

I've picked it 50+ times today, about 5 seconds per pick. It really was just practice, and i also looked into the lock, and these 2 pins set only when i get the perfect tension (and they happen to be easily visible). And now i just set the 2 pins, messing with the tension, then just pick the rest in my sleep.

Thanks guys!