new guy on the block! with questions

[killerkiwi]

hey guys my name is Kevin and I just recently got into lockpicking. I recently bought a no-name interior door knob(I needed to replace my old one) and I have been trying to pick it with no luck(the most I got was 4 pins i believe) the tools i'm using are the southern specialities folding lockpick set. My question is since the new lock feels rather stiff and the lockpicks are rather thin i dont want to apply too much pressure onto the tools because well, I don't want them to break. Is it ok to push my lock picks or am I just applying too much pressure already?

[killerkiwi]

oh yea also my front door has a crappy ass kewik set (or how ever you spell it) and I tried picking that too, but the thing is I can't seem to get any feed back on the pins, is it because its old? its been there for awhile. (I tried picking it but it was luck that i set some pins, with no feedback)

[Krypos]

if you are brand new, then why did you just up and buy a folding set? i dont think thats a great beginners set. how long you been lurking around the site to see stuff?

[illusion]

if you are brand new, then why did you just up and buy a folding set? i dont think thats a great beginners set. how long you been lurking around the site to see stuff?

The folding set looks cool - I've seen people blow far more money with less meaningful purpose...

It's not his fault he bought that pick, he probably didn't know better. Our job, and yes you are included in the 'we' since you post regularly is to help people pick locks, not chastise them for bad choices they were not aware of when making.

It's not a great beginner's pick, but what's done is done...

Hmm... If they are insanely hard to move then yes, you are using too much force. Lockpicks are designed to resist breaking, and if they start to bend then you know you're doing something wrong.

Try using as little turning force as possible and see if this helps you move the pins.

[killerkiwi]

only a couple of weeks, why is it not good for begenniers? I bought it because there were great reviews on this forum about that folding lockpick set

[killerkiwi]

actually the door knob itself is insanley hard to move, you acutally need to use alot of force even when your turning the key!

[SFGOON]

Those picks of yours won't give you good mechanical feedback, which is something you will develop a sensitivity to over time. They're not horrible, but there are much bettter choices I guess you could have made. It's no HUGE deal.

[Krypos]

yeah, whats done is done. your right...as always.

also, since your new and you said the door knob is hard to turn, do not pick lock you rely upon. things can happen that can destroy the lock and then your short a door lock and someone has to stay home and watch the house while you go buy a new lock.

so dont pick locks you rely upon. is important, and also try starting witha lock that is easier to work with. and you will soon learn that you can use a thing called finesse that allows you to use VERY LITTLE tension, while still picking, all in all it looks like you are some sort of master when you do this right. is cool, but takes practice. so just start with some easier locks, and if you want door locks (as opposed to padlocks) then just drop by the local hardware store and pick up some cheap kwikset or somethings.

good luck.

[killerkiwi]

I picked my first kiwk set!! yays!! it took me about an hr though also I guess you guys are right about the feedback of these picks, its really hard to sense anything with such a huge handle, I think I ended up lucky because I felt like all the pins set but randomly kept picking until it opened. Anyways what set would you recommend?

[bpc293]

dont spend to much get a cheap beginner set and if you stick with the hobby you will be making them before you no it. then you will no what you want to upgrade to. a lot of people like southord stainless picks.
lockpick.com has some beginer sets take a look and post what you think you mite buy before you buy it every one will help you.

[bpc293]

ah i always do this

search the web for lock picks theres lots of places out there. just post what you might buy first.

[killerkiwi]

I already have a lockpick set its this one

[bpc293]

a beginner set this what i was thinking


http://lockpicks.com/index.asp?PageActi ... &ProdID=23

http://lockpicks.com/index.asp?PageActi ... ProdID=200

[bpc293]

also this will help to look threw it.

viewtopic.php?t=10528

[killerkiwi]

which one would be better out of those sets? I would think the 11 set becuase I would get more feedback?