Too simple hard picking

[Availor]

Hello all,

I'm a looong time lurker in this forum, and finally decided to post something

I'm just a hobbiest in lockpicking eventhough I've worked with professionals in my military service.

As I've been reading people's posts I couldn't figure out why professionals do not describe the most simple methods of picking... or is it just me? Or maybe these methods are only fit for the secure zone? Sorry in advanced if this is the case....

For example: Picking Mul-t-lock pad locks does not require a pick, but only a tension tool (which I made out of a simple spring) and a rubber hammer.

The trick: You take the lock, even if it's in vertical position, apply some torque and just hammer it from above (it only works if the top of the pins are facing you)... yes a pin in pin mechanism can be picked this way in 10 seconds, depending on the lock of course. The reason for that is when you hammer it the pins just settle by themselves.

Another thing: Why don't you use a sthatoscope? For a more gentle picking an everage sthatoscope can let you know exactly what happens in the lock, if you hit a "booby" pin or a real one.

Another thing: Why use lubricant? It's better to use a Molycote contact cleaner which evaporates the dirt and makes the pins go smoother (This is best if you don't want anyone to know the lock was picked).

I hope I did not give out any forbidden information, so sorry from all moderators if I did

Anyway, I'd like to learn new and more interesting methods of picking.
The thing is we dont usually use locks like medco, only Mul-t-lock as the most secure lock (I live in Israel)

It is quite a challange because of it's pin in pin mechanism, but some locks are very easy to pick.

[illusion]

the technique you describe is known as "rapping"

I have had success doing this by banging the padlock hard on a table whilst applying tension... simple, but devoid of skill.

'bypass' is left out of the public forum 'mostly' so random people don't find out how to quickly open locks with little practice.

I find feel adequate to feel most pins and don't think there's a real need for a stephoscope (sp??)

the public forum is for "hobby" picking and because of this bypass is left largely out.

[Shrub]

Rapping is the earlier method that bumping came from, hitting a padlock on the side of the body is just called hitting the padlock on the side of the body.
Im supprised it works on mul-t-locks though as its normally only the very cheap sprung shackled padlocks it used to work on and a tension tool isnt needed, may i should try it with a tensioner as well.

A degreaser that evaporates dirt?!?! now thats one spray i would like to get hold of

[Raccoon]

Thanks for the info, Availor. I'll admit I hadn't heard of the rapping method before now, and never really considered a sthatoscope for picking (that could be a handy learning tool). Which spray do you use, btw? I know it doesn't evaporate the actual "dirt" but itself evaporates leaving the lock free of fluid. Is this a lubricant aswell or pretty much straight alcohol?

[Availor]

Hello again.

I didn't know the technique is called "rapping", and yes it works on mul-t-lock, but you don't "hammer" it you need to hit it with a rubber hammer not to damage to lock.

The spray I use is called Molykote and it's a contact cleaner. You spray a cold gas which evaporates and takes the dirt with it. It is used for cleaning micro chips and it's common to find in electric stores. Maybe I will take pictures of it if you like.

Stathoscope - a neal little medicine device - VERY handy. Especially if you cover your pick with a slight silicone layer so that you don't hear the scrubbings. You glue the stathoscope near the cylinder and just listed to the clicks while you pick the lock. In just minutes you will learn the difference between a set pin and a false one. A must technique for hard to pick locks like mul-t-lock pin in pin mechanism.

[Availor]

Forgot to mention:

When you use Stathoscope, you can only apply a VERY hard tension, and then just pick the pins one by one. As the pins set you will know by the sound, so the only tension you need is to keep them in place.

[linty]

i would have thought that the mushroom and serrated pins that are common in mul-t-lock would defeat all chances of getting it open by rapping.

[Knows-Picker]

Ya, you would think that. But from what I have seen in video and in real life it is just the oppisite. The high security pins defeat standard picking pretty well, howver, when it comes to methods like rapping or using an electric pic, they generally tend to not be so much a problem. This is due largely to the fact the plug isn't turning one pin at a time giving it a chance for a false set, but rather they are all setting at one time and the plug turns all the way at once. When you pick it it turns a little at a time, right after you set each pick. This gives it a chance for a false set. Hope this helps.

[Knows-Picker]

When you pick it it turns a little at a time, right after you set each pick. This gives it a chance for a false set. Hope this helps.

That was supposed to be right after you set each pin. That will teach me not to type and talk on the phone at the same time. Sorry.

[Sean.]

Interesting! I think those Multi-lock Padlocks go for $130 a piece out here. I might have to try this if I am allowed to screw with one of them..

[Sean.]

We tried it and it did not work for us...

[Shrub]

Mul-t-lock can be bumped but the OP in my view was on about hitting the side of the lock with a mallet not a bump or rap key.
Hitting the side of a lock is not called rapping.

Can we have some clarifacation on this please, are you hitting the lock body or a doctored key in the lock?

[zxvasdf]

stethscopes are worthless if you are deaf

[vector40]

I am dead certain he was talking about what they call "rapping" in LSS, or knocking the top of the lock with a dead-blow hammer (or pound it on your workbench, or whatever, really) while applying tension.

[Aqua]

I finally was finished with all my other locks, and i figured i'd start to work on my mul-t-lock. I've wasted some time trying to pick it with a small hook to no avail, and I didn't yet bought the materials to make picks for a mul-t-lock from a few designs i've made, so i decided to try this knocking method described in the previous posts....

...after almost 4 hours of constant hitting the padlock with a small hammer with a rubber tip, from different angles, with different strenght, applying various tension and using 2 different tension wrenches (a one normal, and a one with a double tip to hold on both ends of a keyhole), i am ready to say, that i truly believe that this methid is extremly unproductive on a mul-t-lock. (I did however manage to open 2 out of 5 euro cylinders i tried it on, and a one cheap padlock, so i think i understand the rule.) I never took my Mul-T-Lock apart (as i don't even know how to do it yet), so i can't really say anything about the pins inside.


Shrub, Sean, did you guys have any luck with this?
I'll be away on holiday for a week, but i'll be sure to give it one more shot when i get back.

Cheers.