I guess its my turn for my first video

[Lucky1406]

Or video's, as the case may be. I know that raking is bad, but its just so impressive. I can single pick all of these locks, but for showmanship, I chose to do it the quick method. Always seems so cool to be able to open a lock in under five seconds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCtckdAhB1Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAEBm6bVckc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3Gvc-C-Xi4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfOOAiVKYeM

[pinsetter]

You rake a bit harder than I do, but I did notice that you have pretty good tension control. I noticed you bouncing tension in one of those videos.

Also, I have a Master #3 that opens like your #575! The thing opens when I insert the rake if I'm applying tension.

[hurri]

Nice vids Lucky...

[Lucky1406]

Thanks Hurri and Pinsetter, I do have to rake that lock pretty hard to get it to pop open. Its takes a little more tension then most of the other locks that I have. I've tried to keep the tension down, but I can never get all of the pins to clear. This technique just seems to work for me.

[VashTSPD]

dainty nails you have there

I wouldn't have noticed the tension bouncing if pinsetter hadn't said something. Good videos.

[kepiblanc]

I do have to rake that lock pretty hard to get it to pop open.

Lucky1406,

It appears that you raked these locks mostly with the "S" rake pick, one that was inserted into a polished brass handle. Do you own the PXS-17 set from Southord? A polished brass handle comes with that set, and that set only, as best that I can recall.

As for the method of raking that you use, it makes me wonder if you have ever had your "S" rake pick break as a result of it. That rake is very thin where the "S" part begins, which is the rake's thinnest point. This is shown within the area encircled in red with this photo below.



The up-and-down wiggling motion that you were doing in your videos, as you raked the pins with your "S" rake that is, appeared to me as being excessively stressful upon the section of this rake at its thinnest point. This is why I always tell people that the "S" rake is best used when one only moves it with an in-out motion to rake the pins.

I know all of this from the misfortune of seeing my "S" rake picks get broken on five separate occasions. All of these breaks occurred within that area encircled in red in the above photo, and all were done by people who were new to lock picking and failed to heed my advice on how to use this particular rake.

Two of these occasions occurred at HOPE Number Six. Also at HOPE Number Six, I met a man who managed to break his Southord "W" rake pick inside a padlock that he was trying to pick. This rake is also one with a rather thin area just before the head end of it. The "W" rake is one such as shown in the photo below.



This fellow was also a complete newcomer to lock picking. He also appeared to be wiggling his "W" rake pick in a up-and-down motion just before it broke.

If raking is done carefully and in a manner that I and many others would consider to be proper, one's picks should never need to be replaced due to breaking.

[Lucky1406]

Yeah, I have found that my favorite raking tool is the S rake. I have broken one of the S rakes using this method. I see now why it broke soo easily. I have since ordered five other S rakes to make sure that I have others. I will try to find a double half diamond online(or i'll make my own) as that would be much better for raking. Thanks for the comments. And yes, I own the PXS-17. I almost never use the handle, but after a few hours of picking, the picks dig into my hand a little, and I use it mostly for comfort. I keep meaning to get the dipping plastic to make some handels for them. That would be much better. oh well. I will make some more whan I have the chance. Oh yeah, and that six pin have security pins in it believe it or not. I guess I could make a video of me picking it, and then taking it apart to show them, but maybe another day, I'm way to tired right now.
Oh yeah, and on another note, I dont really have to rake it that hard all the time, thats just to get it the first time. If I do it softer, it usually takes me many more times than that. I guess that tells me to keep practicing. Oh well, thanks again for the comments,
Nick

[Lucky1406]

And I cant wait to see what else I can make videos with since I just joined the Chapter here in College Station, Texas. Picking Medeco here I come!

[Bud Wiser]

Nice vids lucky! I like to rake my locks just for fun too. I've got a nice variety of s rakes, however been using the small half diamond mostly, and occasionally the comb rake. I don't have a "W" rake, will have to order that next time I'm buying picks.

I like to use the small half diamond on locks that give me trouble because It's easier for me to combine several techniques with this pick. Single pin pushing, tapping, and raking.

As been stated over and over again, tension is very important, and from the looks of your vids you got it down too.

btw, I have the master no576, just as easy as yours, and can be raked open with almost any pick on the first swipe, even with hook picks

Happy picking!

[kepiblanc]

And yes, I own the PXS-17. I almost never use the handle, but after a few hours of picking, the picks dig into my hand a little, and I use it mostly for comfort. I keep meaning to get the dipping plastic to make some handles for them.

Have you considered getting the vinyl sleeves from Southord? I have them, and have always thought that they are quite effective.

[Lucky1406]

I used a pick of a friends with them and they seemed a little loose, and also I would like them thicker. And with the plastic dip, I can make them as thick as I like. Also, I can get cool colors! lol

[hurri]

Good job,Lucky....And I like your sig kepi....this grey is nice...you had a good idea...

[Sesame]

You're killin' me. I laughed out loud when I saw the 575 video. Then had to watch it again. They should show that in hardware stores.

Great quality on your video compression. What codec did you use?

[Lucky1406]

Oh man that would be awsome. It have taken lots of videos of me picking locks that they have up at Home Depot, and ask one of the workers to point out a good lock, I could imagine the comverstation:

Me: So whats a good lock that you have?
Worker: This one right here is said to be pick resistant.
Me: Oh, this lock? well.... Let me show you this video I took....

LOL, That would be so funny...Not very nice....but funny. Oh well
And as for the quality of the vids. Its just what ever my camera put them on to my computer as, Its an 8megapixal camera, so the quality is pretty high, But I dont know what codec i used or anything. Thanks for the comments. I'll be having many more vids up soon. I'm having a blast making them.

[Bud Wiser]

You should go to Lowes. They have a large selection of Masters with demo's locked on hinges for display! All you would need is a little crowd, a tension, a pick of your choice and you could go down the whole line of master displays and pick them all in just a few minutes.

Now think what effect that would have on customers