Does anyone keep a notebook?

[Peter Martin]

Does anyone keep a notebook of their lockpicking activities?

If so, what do you include? A description of the lock and its location? Known security feastures maybe? First impressions? Lock condition? Difficulty level? Type of tools used? Time to open? An after-action review/critique?

[sidpick]

I keep quite a detailed log of all locks I work with, due to the increase of digital cameras (and price!!) I have taken an awful lot of pictures too.

I still have my original notebook which contained a small sketch of the key hole - which was coloured in with pencil to replicate the lock case finish (UK mortice locks) Keyway height and pin gauge. Bypass / tool used and anything else that may help in the future

In the rear I would trace around cylinder key blanks and try to find out depth and spacing information and key blank references

There are commecially available guides - mostly for UK mortice which tell you all about the locks - drill points etc and show you a lifesize internal picture of the lock

I also had a A to Z book which had everything from drill points to locksmiths phone numbers to product codes

There is so much in this trade no brain can remember it all!!

[SFGOON]

No, but that's a good idea.

[Mad Mick]

Since the mention of cameras has been made, I remember a positive comment being posted by Toomush (I think), where the customer was very impressed with his professionalism in using a camera.

[Peter Martin]

The digital camera is probably a good idea. Dave McOmie of Nat'l Locksmith magazine makes it a habit to photo every safe he ever opens, even if it's already in his file. A picture is probably worth a thousand words.

But since I never seem to have a digital camera when I need one, I will start keeping sketches of the keyway in addition to other information though.

[Chrispy]

I take photos of each lock I pick on my camera phone. Except, I missed some due to the fact that I started picking before I got my camera phone.

[jamesphilhulk2]

because my collection of locks is growing i have made a record of them e.g i put type of lock, name of brand, direct picking grade, pin by pin picking grade and the fastest time it takes me to pick the lock i wrote it on Excel

[sivlogkart]

I have often thought that this would be a good idea, but currently I do not keep a record or pictures, but I think I soon will starting doing that.

KJ

[skold]

I have about 12 note books filled with details of all locks i have picked, the condition they where in at first, the problems with the lock eg. worn down pin, siezed pin etc.

I also take pictures of all