Help me convice pops to realize what lockpickins' about

[LockNewbie21]

Sorry DB, i see what you mean after i read over it again. Perhaps maybe making some picks and showing them, maybe even starting an ethical locksport group would show them them that you jsut want to have fun.

THis would also get the anti social thing out of the way, theres always defcon to?



Andy

[Octillion]

My dad gave me my lockpicking set. I just threw it in my tool cabinet and let it sit there for about 6 years until I decided I wanted to learn how to use it.

I can understand why some parents wouldn’t want their kids playing around with lockpicks, and I really can’t think of any easy way for the kids of those parents to convince them that it can be a legitimate hobby. If it were not for the fact that I pick locks myself, if I had a son/daughter and they asked me if they could get lockpicks, I more than likely would say no. Until I started to learn lockpicking last year, I had no idea anybody does it for a hobby. I thought it was something you learn how to do, and then you are done, you can pick lock.

The best thing you might be able to do is make your own tools (browse the forum for how to do this), buy some locks at a hardware store if you don’t have any (do not practice on locks your parents use). Rip a few locks apart, practice with the improvised tools on others, and show your parents your interest.

[Krypos]

i went at it with the gradual technique. and i even called some local locksmiths to look for an apprenticeship (which i was serious about) and so i had to ask my mom if i could, and then i just told her about how they pick locks, then 3-4 (hard, horrible) weeks later (today) i am very happy.
and picking locks.


sorry octillion for blowing up on you man. as stated, its been a hard 3-4 week wait for my picks. (and especially, when others post how SO shipped to them in 4 days)

if you forgive me, then alls good.

[Octillion]

No problem Krypos, I understand. I hope you got my PM explaining it was not meant to be a negative reply.

[Deathadder]

heh, i just kind of impressed my way into it to get my parents to buy me some. i practiced with a few small padlocks till i could get them open, then i just sat in my room till my dad came in and he said "what ya doin?" and since i am awesome i popped it open in front of him and he thought it was awesome. i am usually good with my hands so it was no surprise i got into this (hehe i beat bop-it ) i have a 14 set of southords and 2 bogotas, so im doin alright for a 15 year old, i might even start an apprenticeship for next summer as a job

[qwerty125]

Well honestly I hope it works out for you. I've done all my lock picking in secret like some of you here in the forum. again, lock picking has a bad connotation attached to it. Therefore, it is very understandable if your parents don't want you to do it. I tried showing my parents once because they were locked out of something. They were suprised that I got the lock open but were very pissed that I learned the trade and wondered why I would 'need' to learn such a skill. I can say i wanted to learn it as a hobby and I can explain all I want.. but in the end they feel its a skill that I can use for illegal gains. That doesn't mean I would but that the possibility was now there since I am now capable of it. I believe being able to lock pick comes with a very large responsibility. Namely, not using this skill for illegal purposes. There may be times where its clearly justified,
For example, lets say youre in an office setting and you get locked out and there are people with you. They may even be close associates. It could even be in the middle of the night and you know you know that there isn't anyone to help you til the next morning. Do you pick your way out so you and your colleagues can go home? or do you just wait it out?
I was in a similar situation where we absolutely needed a door open but could not get anyone who can do it since it was very late at night. So I decided to open the door. I got the approval to do it because we needed to get into the door and the director gave the OK. We got in but word spread and I almost lost my job because other people were wondering why I knew how to do such a thing and speculated what if I did it to break into offices later on. Stupid move on my part and so I never ever pick in public and only do it for myself.

[pinsetter]

Some of you might find this funny:

I'm 38 years old and just started picking locks this year. I told my dad that I was learning to do it and he said "Now why in the world would you want to learn that? You'll end up getting yourself in trouble." I said "Dad, I want to learn so that I can have more skills in life and possibly better myself with it."
He replied "You'll end up getting into something you shouldn't and you'll end up in jail." I said to him, "Dad, use your head now, I don't lie to you about ANYTHING! I tell you the truth even if it means hurting your feelings and telling you things that you don't want to hear. You raised me to be honest and I am. Surely you can appreciate that, and surely you know the truth of it. When I tell you I want to learn it to better myself, you should know that my explanation to you is as good as gospel." He said "You know, you are honest and I trust that you will use what you learn the right way."

Now even MY dad was worried that I would use the skills incorrectly and here are some facts: I'm 38 years old. I stuck through high school and graduated even when all my "friends" quit school and tried hard to get me to screw up too. I've NEVER been arrested and the only "trouble" I've ever been in is getting a couple of traffic tickets. The last traffic ticket I got was when I was 17 years old. That's been 21 years ago. I have worked steadily since I was 17 years old as well, and have NEVER been unemployed since. Right now I work a full time day job and 2 part time jobs at night to supplement my income. I don't drink. I'm a homebody. If I'm not at work I'm at home, not out partying or doing silly crap. I'd say I'm pretty responsible by most standards. Still, even MY dad worried about me learning to pick locks.

The moral of this story:

Good parents are ALWAYS going to worry about their children. It's what they do. It is their job to raise their children to be responsible adults. It is YOUR job as a child to show them that they are being successful and gain their trust. It is your job to not betray the trust that you gain. They may make it hard on you and do things you don't agree with, but trust me, someday you'll look back on it all and say to yourself "Wow, Mom and Dad were pretty smart! They were right about most everything they ever told me." It's funny how that works! As sure as you're breathing right now, that day will come if you are lucky enough to have GOOD parents.

And BTW, GOOD parents are not the ones that will let you do anything you want. GOOD parents will go to their grave still trying to steer their children the right way and they will ALWAYS be concerned about their children, even when their children are parents themselves.

If any of you are the rebellious teen type, you might want to re-think what you're doing. When I was a teen I was a bit stubborn and argumentative. I said things to my parents that I've regretted for years. Now, I wouldn't trade my dad for anything in the world, and be assured that if anyone ever tried to harm him I would die protecting him if that's what it took.

Gain their trust, and you'll be amazed at the things that they will accept. When they know they can accept your word and take it for face value they will reward you for it.

[DiamondHead.exe]

I'd like to thank all of you for all yur storys , opinions, and help.
And to show my appreciation, I'm correctly spelling and punctuating this post. Right now my dad is being very open and at this very moment , he is trying to find other places like this where the people consider lockpicking a hobby, to get a second/upteenth opinion.
Thanks Ya'll


And , tell me if u like my sig?

(I actually WROTE the code for it in Notepad.exe and converted it to a .bat and ran it and took a screenshot
and then PhotoChopped my name on it)

[p1ckf1sh]

Maybe let him take a look at www.toool.nl

That's a Dutch picker organization, the site is not a forum like LP101 but it may convince him that this is actually something people from around the world resort to as a hobby.

[lockedin]

If you're parents trust you and you've proven yourself responsible, a lock pick set in the equation will not change that. My mother didn't think twice about letting me order a pick set when I was 14, and I let the pick set sit idle for years until I rediscovered it when I was 18. If I had wanted to commit a crime that required getting past a lock I would have used another method such as a drill or a brick through a window, lock picks don't make it quicker and easier until you're very proficient anyway. You should bring up this trust point up telling him you only need the lock picks to pick your own locks. I think by now my parents are appreciative I got into locks and lockpicking. I've gotten them into places when they've been locked out, fixed and changes locks, and re-keyed for them. Remember that it isn't just picking, but lock picks can be a gateway to a whole other world of constructive things. It is one of the most rewarding hobbies I know.

[digital_blue]

You might also direct him to www.locksport.com. Have him read the FAQ on the site. Maybe look at some pictures of locksport meetings. That sort of thing.

Cheers,

db

[Wolfman]

My dad gave me my lockpicking set.

DUDE!!!

[DiamondHead.exe]

lookin' good guys
My pops still won't let me order a kit , but he let me go to lowes and grab 2 replacement cylinders for $4 US ea. I was able to grind down my HUGE diamond pick into a small hook, and was able to open the 5 pin by turning the hook upside down and using it as a slide for the pins to slowly be raised up by.
i also have a great idea for a tention tool , that can be made cheep, mass produced, and fully adjustable (it would be possible to dail angle and dail tension)
first , ill ask someone if it would be a good idead , or practicle to im going to get my dad to hook me up with a patent (lawyer FTW) and then i'll tell yall and ill design it in PS or paint

db ,PM me when u gotz the time

lates,
<exe>

[Temple]

Well Diamondhead you have two cylinders, your making your own tools and with your parents permission, congrats. It would seem you are on your way. If you keep making your own tools and honing your skills you won't need a commercial pick set

Good luck.

[bpc293]

hey i am 38 my dad flipped out when i showed him my tools the first time. but when i showed him how to do it he was like a little kid. my daughter will be 14 soon i gave her picks. i think she's better than me now. i never brought it up, i thought people might disapprove here. if she was a boy i don't know if i would of gave him picks.