Keyring Falle Pick.

[pradselost]

A ways back I was stuck at work with nothing to do, which is generally when my thoughts turn to lockpicking. I worked on this little contraption here, which is a very nice "emergency pick", given that it's incredibly easy to have on you, entirely legal, you probably have one already, and it can be converted to pick form without use of tools.

Please note before commenting that it feels QUITE different from a paperclip in function and that this is not another "paperclip" post...the spring and rigidity of the metal is very suitable for an impromptu pick, and I've used them to very good effect a number of times in tight situations. ^_^ I recommend trying it out to get a feel for how well it actually works. Enjoy!

[digital_blue]

That's a nice idea. I like it. It does look like it would be hard to hold, having only that loop for support, but as a makeshift tool, I'm sure it would do that job quite nicely. Thanks for that!

db

[undeadspacehippie]

Thats great, thanks for the photos and write up. I'm going to try this out, but I have to find a key ring that is not the split ring type. If it works well enough I'll put a couple in my wallet.

[raimundo]

I nominate prad se lost for 2006 Mcguyver award. actually this is one of those very common rings locksmiths use for new keys or cut keys, and they are a far harder metal than any paperclip. I assume that what he did was twist it laterally 180 or it would not have come out looking so much like the ring it started out as, and as for using the edge of his desk, I suggest that he use the hole in a key as the grip and the rest of the key as his handle.

[pradselost]

I don't find too much of an issue with it being hard to hold, but I put my pointer finger through the loop then use my middle finger as a support base. most of the picking is done with a rocker motion like the Falle tools, so it doesn't take quite as much of a grip as a normal pick does. You do bring up a good point though, I might take some time and see if I can bend it in the other direction to form a decent handle.

It certainly takes some practice to use but it's very very nice having a lockpick on me at all times. I keep on hoping I get held hostage so the papers can say I broke free with a keyring and foiled a plot of some sort. ;D

[pradselost]

Perfectly right about the 180 twist, Raimundo. ^_^ Though using the actual key is something I hadn't thought of either! Seems like I have more than a few tests to do now. ;D As long as I can find a way to hold the key stable enough, that should improve the design a good deal.

[LockNewbie21]

i jsut noticed this and thats great really is, did you use any tools? that bend is awsome. I second the mcguiver award nomination

[ThE_MasteR]

The worst part of all of this, is that I discovered this just the other day. Man I could of got that Macgyver award if I posted it a couple of days ago

[CVScam]

I used almost the same thing on a kwickset when I didn't have any picks. The wire on mine was almost too thick for even a kwickset so I don't think mine would have worked on a tighter keyway.

[pradselost]

Hehe Master...It's all good, I'd share the MacGuyver award. It's actually one of my favorite shows from the 80's. ^_^

Sometimes it can be a little bit too thick to get in a keyway, in which case light sanding on the sides can help. Of course, in a pinch it could be scrubbed across cement, thus grating away the edges a bit. It certainly isn't as effective in a tight keyway, but hey, it's an improvised tool.

Also, Locknewbie...no, I didn't use any tools to create, just used hand pressure and a table edge as a solid surface to bend it against. If I had a pair of pliers it would also be easy to make it into a simile of a normal lockpick and use that.

[ThE_MasteR]

Or you could just put it in a hard/stable crack of two things...NO. not your ass crack.

[pradselost]

O_O Hard....and stable...Donkey Crack??? O_O

[Kaotik]

Pradselost, very nice job on the tool.

As long as it works, that's all that matters.