Beginner Lock

[Descent]

I'll be ordering a set of picks this weekend and in the meantime I was hoping to possibly collect a few locks to get started. Are there any suggestions on particular brands or models I could pick up fairly cheaply to get started that will give me good practice and a good feel for locksport?

[freakparade3]

First off, where in the world are you located? That will make it alot easier to suggest a lock.

[Descent]

Sorry, meant to bring it up XD. Central US. Got stores like ACE Hardware, Menards, Lowes, and a few locally owned businesses that deal in hardware.

[Descent]

I've also gone to Lockpicktools.com and selected the tools i think i want.

1 Small Diamond
1 Large Diamond
1 Short Hook
1 Medium Hook
1 Long Hook
1 Half Ball
1 Double End Tension Tool

Any suggestions or recommended changes welcome.

[lock2006]

I will say go with Master padlocks first, then move on to kwikset deadbolt
and schlage deadbolt hopes this helps.

[Descent]

Any input is useful. I was planning on starting with some of the cheaper master locks with lower pin counts to just get the feel for picking and the next step is what i was worried about, but I can try the deadbolts next.

[MacGnG1]

i would suggest u buy a few more tension wrenches and a few rakes as well.... theres a bunch of threads about which picks to get.

as for locks:

kwikset double deadbolt and a master #3 thats a good start.

[barbarian]

I always like to recommend a cheapo deadbolt first. That way you can take the thing apart and start with two or three pins and move up from there. Later you can put the pins in different order and even add security pins.

With an easy padlock, it just seems to get boring. Plus if you get a hard one and can't pick it, then its much harder to take apart.

[l0ckp1cker]

I'm not from the US, but that shouldn't matter.
when I first started I went to the local hardware store where they have those racks full of 2-5 dollar stuff.
They usually contain locks as well, easy locks.
Then you also have the locks where there are a couple of locks in one package for a few dollars, these are easy to do as well (perhaps too easy, but at least it'll boost your confidence ).

Just get some cheap locks, the cheaper the better to start with (make sure they are pin tumbler locks though).
After a while you can start with branded locks (Master, American Lock, Yale, ABUS, etc) these will have cheap locks as well as high security locks.
The Master #3 for example is a lock which is really easy to pick, The Master #540D is a Maximum Security dimple lock which is a lot harder.
Then there's a whole range of locks in between those as well.
Most brands have ranges like that.
Just remember, the cheaper the lock, the easier the lock