European hardware -lever locks, profile cylinders specific for European locks. European lock picks and European locks.
by nicholls » 27 Dec 2005 10:33
As some of you may have guessed i have just started out on my picking road.
I aim to get good on cylinders and mortice locks, i can pick 2,3,5 lever locks ok with a 2in1 pick (and an adapted few for warded locks). But I still have trouble with cylinders and curtained locks, i don't have a curtain pick. The advice of my trainer said don't buy curtain picks off the internet cause most of them are generally crap, so which are the best.
I have a pick set, pick gun, electro-pick gun but dont have that much success, and it annoys me, is it that im giving cylinders too much tension of the wrench, or is it me being impatient???!!!!
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nicholls
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by bonez » 27 Dec 2005 12:01
it all takes time to learn bud,
but at a guess yes you are probablly applying to much
tension,just the slightest of touch is all that is needed
with the tip of your finger.
practice on some cylinders with no anti pick pins in to get
the feel,same goes for the electric pick gun there is a nack
to it!!!
read digital blue's guide for newcomers that will give you
exercises to make you a better picker.
hope this help's.

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bonez
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by illusion » 27 Dec 2005 12:15
Just re-pin a few cylinders and do the "pyramid" method of learning... if you can afford it buy 5 cylinders and repin them differently, i.e.: the first has 1 pin, the second has 2 pins third has 4 pins, fifth has 5 pins... then follow db's picking exercises.
Chris Belcher sell his own range of picks for curtained lever locks and many here find them to be the best - however he only sells to locksmiths.
I've heard that with the manual pickgun and the electric pickgun a light tension is the best... I think Luke posted a few videos of himself using a manual pickgun in the forum somewhere. FAQ section likely.
Pickguns still need practice and the same applies to using picks... the best thing is just to set aside some time and apply yourself fully... it's easy to get distracted but just hang in there...
It's practice, time spent, and effort that makes you a good picker. It's not impossible but it's a skill and practice makes perfect.
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illusion
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by Shrub » 27 Dec 2005 19:03
Who was your trainer?
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Shrub
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by oaksy » 29 Dec 2005 13:43
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by nicholls » 29 Dec 2005 14:27
someone down south of where i am,
The point is that they only showed me the principles of gaining entry through 2,3,5 lever locks with a 2 in 1 pick and how to drill curtained lever locks to pick levers with a poke wire. but i want to surpass that area already and start curtain picking because i dont realy like drilling at all, it just puts burrs inside the lock body which can be a pain if someone wants to use the same keys (and especially if they have other dead bolts on the door that are keyed alike). The guys obviously do this for fast entry for bailifs, but they also curtain pick, and i just needed to know how to gain entry fast without making a mess.
I don't work for a firm who specialises in door entry, we just fit locks, but i want to get into that game ( cos i hate plugging up big chubb detainers so an era can fit!).
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nicholls
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by bonez » 29 Dec 2005 14:37
can you fill your profile out a bit more!
so we get some idea what your all about.

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by nicholls » 29 Dec 2005 15:01
Who am I, what am I?
I have worked with the council and police just joining locks, and being on such a scene you come across a scary variety of ways to bypass doors that them bas***d burglars do on a regular basis. You sometimes even 'follow' a burglar around because he operates in one small area and gains entry to properties the same way each time.
Its a good job, I like securing people, but I also like to help people get entry to their property, using what I know, but what I know is at the moment destructive, I hate destructive, and that is why I want to open locks professionally.
Don't kid a kidder, don't lock a locksmith,
Can we keep wheel clamps if we open them?
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nicholls
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by Shrub » 29 Dec 2005 15:21
Was it just some geezer who trained you then or a 'training' firm?
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by bonez » 29 Dec 2005 15:23
trotters independant trainers!
T.I.T

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by illusion » 29 Dec 2005 15:26
"REKCUF's" training I'll bet 
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by bonez » 29 Dec 2005 15:28
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by Shrub » 29 Dec 2005 15:31
 i had already forgot about that wanker.
Yes i was getting at the trotters but it may be someone else hence my asking.
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by oaksy » 29 Dec 2005 20:27
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by pinky » 30 Dec 2005 6:27
The CB pick is by far the most versatile and once practiced a swift tool on many curtain lock types, in fact what you can open with it depends wholly on your ability as it will open most makes with practice.
If you come across the same lock makes all of the time, then the safeventures decoder is the way to go as this will pay for itself 10 times over, downside is the cost of decoders.
It sounds like you had basic training, and at least they taught you the 2 in 1 pick, which is a good grounding for lever picking, though on locks with no curtain you may find overlifting with an L wire and a buttonhook quicker.
You have good sound motives and i wish you luck in your quest, practice patience and understanding of the lock being picked is all you need, and the right curtain pick.
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