Introduction and a Couple of Questions

[Zeak187]

I am an Aircraft Mechanic by trade but am very interested in security as a whole. I have tried picking in the past and have decided to pick it up again. Since i was younger and in college back then I did not have the funds available to get the things I wanted to learn how. So I got a PRO PAK-65 from lockpicking tools and an Advanced Lock Picking Training Kit
http://www.lockpickshop.com/ADVPSKITV3-WS-KIT.html
from lockpickshop.com. BTW I do realize I now have two sets of lockpicks but the training kit came with one and it was the only one with all 7 of the cores.

My question is, is when I feel I have mastered the 7 cores that come with the set, where do I go from there. (I am not trying to be a locksmith, I just like the challenge of picking) For clarification, I have searched the forums for locks and difficulty but there seems to be no real organization. What I mean is, say I pick XXXXX brand of cheapo lock, what would be a progression up to say the Medeco's and even those within the medeco line. Really I am looking for a list of locks from easiest to hardest to work on to better my skills. Like a difficulty scale type thing. I hope I am expressig the question ok.


Thanks

-D

[cppdungeon]

There is no real hierarchy, because so many brands have made and make so many different locks, and each lock has its own character. For example, some cheap brass padlocks cannot be picked by experts. why? because they are horribly made. some masters are difficult due to their age and condition, which can discourage a newbie when masters are considered "easy" locks. with that in mind, I would say this.

Start with kwikset-level stuff. this will be kwiksets (NOT smartkey) kwikset knockoff brands (they use a KW1 keyway or an SC1 keyway normally). Master and other cheap padlocks are good for this too, but generally cannot be re-pinned. get a good collection of these; they help cheer you up on rainy days, or you can set them up to practice.

Then move on to "good" locks. schage and sargent come to mind. these are slightly better pin tumblers. these will frustrate you sometimes because they are better made and may have security pins. brinks shrouded, brinks brass padlocks go here too, and as well as american padlocks and other slightly more expensive stuff.

Then theres medeco, mul-t-lock, primus, smartkey; all sorts of other brands with crazy features.

The most important thing is to keep picking, and keep building your collection.

Welcome and good luck!

--Cpp

[Zeak187]

So would this be a good buy? As it can be rekeyed and I can see what the security pins are doing while I work at it. (I don't have very many locks around the house at the moment). This seems like a good setup to practice, any ideas? (based on what I said I had already bought in the previous post)

EZ ReKey Cutaway Practice Lock
http://www.lockpickshop.com/EZPLX.html

[datagram]

You're really better off buying a standard residential Kwikset or Schlage deadbolt. All of the practice locks get real boring real easy because they have very poor tolerances (more so than the deadbolts). They are also rather expensive considering that they are just locks with some extra pins on the side.

Pick up a double sided Kwikset deadbolt (not the SmartKey model, though) and you can repin it between the two sides easily as well as practice picking and picking progression from 1 to 5 pins. The Schlage is a better lock, and comes with security pins if you are ready for that.

dg

[JK_the_CJer]

I've got to agree with the replies so far. Cutaways are good for two things: showing folks how a lock works and high-sec exploit/research stuff.

I do remember seeing a Schlage(?) mortise cylinder practice lock (not cutaway) that had a bunch of extra pins (including sec drivers) and little Medeco-like grub screws on the pin chambers for easy repinning. I thought it was a pretty nifty little kit. If anyone remembers it, would you mind posting a link?

[GottFoo]

I've got to agree with the replies so far. Cutaways are good for two things: showing folks how a lock works and high-sec exploit/research stuff.

I do remember seeing a Schlage(?) mortise cylinder practice lock (not cutaway) that had a bunch of extra pins (including sec drivers) and little Medeco-like grub screws on the pin chambers for easy repinning. I thought it was a pretty nifty little kit. If anyone remembers it, would you mind posting a link?

http://www.learnlockpicking.com/index.html?

[Schuyler]

Boom, that is pricey! It's definitely a nice, well thought out setup, though.

[Zeak187]

I think the practice ones have a place as an introduction and to get me used the the feel of binding pins and things, also to show how the different picks accomplish individual jobs, like what their effects are in the lock. I went to a ReStore and picked up a few cylinders, A couple no-names, a Yale Deadbolt, A Titan Lock, an EZ-Set, KwikSet (Older), and cal-royal (which I can't seem to get apart until I pick it) and a couple master lock padlocks (the 575 and 40) and two Fortress? Padlocks, both say 40mm but one is aluminum cased and one is that layering style.

Now maybe we can make my original question easier, in which order should I work through these?

[Schuyler]

OK, Order to work in:

Fortress padlocks
Masterlock padlocks
EZ-Set
Kwikset
Kwikset Titan
Yale deadbolt

No-names & the cal-royal, couldn't really tell you. And don't forget, the pinning of each lock can dramatically change it's position on the difficulty chart. If you have a brutal bitting in an EZ-set it can be dramatically harder to get through than the Yale.

[Zeak187]

thanks, i can get one of the fortresses very easily, but the other one has a long front pin, it keep screwing me up. So I can see what you mean by the pinning makes a difference. That and I don't seem to be able to set it without overset by the end of the lock. I wish I knew which pick was best for which situation. Maybe like a rough guide on which pick is intended for what situations. (though I know some picks are better from some locks, even from thesame brand and model)

Sometimes I still feel like I got lucky more than skill. So i need more practice, eventhough my hands are very sore, i will probably play another couple hours. Its a good hobby that keeps my hands busy.

And does anyone else think closing their eyes helps with picking? It seems to help me so I can focus on the feedback and sound.