i picked my first lock!

[spoon]

yay!
after coming across this site a week or so ago i became very interested in trying my hand at picking a lock myself. after doing some fairly extensive searching, lots of reading, rereading the MIT guide, and watching Pyros (excellent) video on pick making, i finally picked my first lock. its a Defiant brand (cheapest Home Depot had to offer) and im able to pick both the keyed knob and the deadbolt. i made myself a half diamond pick from a hacksaw blade and a tension tool from an allen wrench! im thinking of moving up to a Shlage i already own, but any suggestions on a different next step?

yay!

[Auto45]

Defiant home locks 2 for $12 think off bran of KW1.

good job. keep working at it, try a master #3 not to hard
auto

[Shrub]

Well done spoon, your a much needed relief to the numb nuts we seem to have been putting up with recentally.

[illusion]

hahaha... yeah it's great to see someone pick there first lock

it's a great feeling, and gives you a buzz for a whole week.

Defiant locks just kwikset repackaged aren't they?

[taylorgdl]

Well done.

I'd also suggest a Master No3, or a bird cylinder, or some standard DIY type padlocks, that are often un-named. (Ross, Draper etc).

Can you fill in your profile a bit more, so that we know where you are. It helps when trying to give advice. If you are in the US, some makes will be different to the stuff we've got over here in the UK.

Again, well done, especially with making your own picks.

G.

[Chrispy]

If you are in the US, some makes will be different to the stuff we've got over here in the UK.

Ditto for Australia.