Picking Methods Revisited

[Exodus5000]

I was reading through sticky’s in the FAQ’s and General Information section of LP101 and read Varjeal’s suggestions on picking direction as well as the updated portion of that post concerning picking order. viewtopic.php?t=542
I feel that the theory and rationalization directing that one should pick a lock from back to front is very sensible. However, I remember when I was learning to pick that this method was very confusing as I would always lose my position in a lock and forget what pin I was working, etc. Quite simply, I could not get it to work. The following is an alternative method that I used when learning to pick a lock that I found to be more systematic.

Start by inserting a tension wrench and applying the proper amount of pressure.

Insert your lifter pick and place it under the first pin, this is the pin closest to the front. Lift this pin and feel if it either sets properly or is not yet ready to set.

Before you let this pin drop back down press your pick forward so that the tip of the pick is pressing against the second pin, I use this pin as a guide and scrape the pick down the side of the pin until I reach the bottom, where I let the pick slide under this pin and lift it.

I simply continue this process throughout all of the pin stacks. When I reach the last pin I keep constant tension and move back to the first pin stack and work through again. If a lock has 5 pin stacks, assuming you continue this process perfectly, you will only have to go through this process a maximum of five times. If I’ve gone through five times and the lock has not opened I run my pick in a raking motion just in case there’s a stuck pin.

The benefits of this method is that you always know exactly what pin stack you’re working on and it promotes proper identification of pin states (setting, over set, not ready to set.) It also is very methodical and can be applied to any lock.

The detriment to this method is that it is slower than other methods of picking.

I recommend this method for beginners, simply because it has served me well. These days my method has changes just from experience, but I think it’s very necessary to be methodical when learning.

You guys should post your methods as well as critique the one I just mentioned, maybe it’ll help some people out there.

[Chrispy]

It doesn't matter which direction I pick in (front to back or back to front), I'll always touch the pin next to it before moving onto it. It's kinda like finding your footing on unstable ground.

[stlbolt]

Depends which mood im in if ill pick front to back or back to front... haha no it doesn't really matter to me its just the same way either way ya go, Just depends on your technique

[Nekura]

I usually pick back to front just becuase its recomended in lots of manuals and such. Now it's just become a habit for me.

[sams choice]

For me, if it is a tumbler, i usually go from back to front, unless it has a master pin, or if it has spools and one is not a spool. Meaning if it is a 5 pin tumbler with 4 spools, i usually save the non spool for last.

Sammie

[pickin]

I have found for me that working back to frount then going from frount to back opens just about every lock I own very easily.

When I started I admit I did do the frount to back method you described in the first post did make it easier to begin with.

[What]

i pick from the middle back then to the front.

i find the binding pins are normally in the middle of the lock i pick.

[digital_blue]

i find the binding pins are normally in the middle of the lock i pick.

Really? I find quite the opposite is true. In my experience, it is far more common for a lock to bind front to back or back to front, than in any random order. This is caused from misalignment when gang drilling.

db

[Chrispy]

This is caused from misalignment when gang drilling.

db

Everything gets misaligned when gang drilling.

[digital_blue]

[conker]

most times i get a feel for the lock, most times i go from back to front due to the rotation making the back easier. but on several occasions i have found the front or middle is good. just depends entirely on lock.

from my experience, simple wafer or hose locks call for starting from the back and going forward.

but for some padlocks and deadbolts i have found the front works better for some reason. i guess it also brings into consieration how hard you press with the tension wrench, the angle you are holding it, ect.