Can't "see" the pins but still able to pick. Is this good?

[MrScruff]

Hi Everybody,

Now that I'm at the level where I know what I don't know I have some questions to ask you folks. I finally got to the point where I can pick a standard five pin lock in a minute or less and a Master No. 3 in under 10 seconds just by looking at it sideways, but there's some advice I haven't followed to the letter and it's been burning my brain a bit today....

Every source I've read or spoken to has consistently said to focus on "seeing" the state of the pins (is the stack set properly? is it binding or just gummed up? etc.), but no matter how hard I try to develop that sixth sense it always falls short. I can't tell you how many pins are in the lock or even which one I'm manipulating, I just have this strong gut feeling about where to lift and it usually works.

Should I continue to focus on learning to "see" each pin stack individually or just leave them as this blob that I know roughly where to poke? Am I hurting my chances of learning to pick locks with security pins or novel designs by not really visualizing the inner workings as I affect them? And does it sound like I might be getting the right feedback through the pick and just don't consciously know how to interpret it yet?

I advanced faster than I expected so all these questions sort of came up at once. I just don't want to limit myself or hit a plateau because I missed a crucial step early on. Your thoughts on this existential crisis are greatly appreciated.

[Raymond]

Somebody once wrote an article called Zen and the Art of Lockpicking, or something like that. Basically, you can close your eyes and see what is going on in the lock based on feel with the pick. You already know how a pin-tumbler lock works and what it looks like inside. You probably cannot force this. It is a product of experience and practice and muscle memory. Just pay attention to what you are doing and allow your mind's eye to begin to see.

When you are sitting around in an easy chair just practicing without any pressure, try closing your eyes and just feel your way around. Count each individual pin and feel how deep the pick is inserted. Then put in the turning tool and feel as any of the pins set. Try this with your eyes closed to keep out all the visual distractions. Make sure your wife and girlfriend are out of the house too to eliminate the audio distractions.

[lock2006]

Maybe this can help you
if you haven't read this yet
good luck.

http://theamazingking.com/lock-spp.php

[MrScruff]

Thanks. I have read it but yeah, it's probably time for another read.