Blindfolded Lock picking

[xxgonzoxx]

While anxiously awaiting for my first lock pick set from SouthOrd, I have been reading everything from this site as well as other places I have found on the internet.

It appears that one of the most important things in lockpicking is sensitivity and touch as well as visualizing the inner working of the lock as you are picking it.

This got me thinking about picking locks while blindfolded as a training excerise and also as a contest in the locksport arena. From what I understand as a total newbie, once the pick and tension tool is in the lock, sight is not really required. What is required is the ability to visualize what's happening inside the lock and the sense of touch. I think that blindfolding would help to better both of these requirments.

It would be interesting to see some feedback from those of you who are proficient in lockpicking on your experience picking a lock while blindfolded.

[dmux]

instead of putting a blindfold over your eyes, just dont look at the lock your picking

[burchlockkey]

I personally have never seen a lighted keyway. My opinion is that all lockpicking takes place in the dark (of the keyway.)

[xxgonzoxx]

The purpose of the blindfold is to eliiminate the sense of sight. While doing this does not make the other senses better, it does allow one to focus on the other senses. Merely "not looking at the lock" or "doing it in the dark" does not accomplish the desired effects.

[nezumi]

Yeah, just don't look at the lock. I close my eyes when I pick sometimes (or watch tv, but that means I"m not paying attention to the lock at all). I have used a flashlight on the keyway, but never while picking. Usually just to make sure the pins all look okay or to get an idea for the cut once its picked.

The only advantage sight offers (once the torque wrench and picks are in) is to make sure you're not pushing your pick so far in it's not touching the pins any more (and you'll only know that if it's a door lock not in the door, so you can see the pick peeking out the backside). I would recommend checking for that until you are familiar with how the pin feels against your pick. For a long time I couldn't use my hook because I couldn't tell the difference between one pin on the tip of the hook and two or three against the body.

Outside of that, trust your feelings, feel the force flowing through you.

[Nasydave]

I have practiced master padlocks behind my back, does that count?

Although, oddly enough, I seemed to have more trouble with the tension than the picking. For some reason I would have the lock picked without realizing, and wasn't giving enough pressure to turn the keyway to open it.

[Romstar]

Thats pretty much the long and short of it really.

Once you are in the lock, you are blind for all intents and purposes. To be honest, hearing isn't really any use either. At least not for a working locksmith. When you realize just how quiet these things are, picking a lock in a room full of people, or beside a busy street takes away any benefit of sound so you are both blind and deaf.

Seeing the lock is only good for two things. Making sure you don't scratch the hell out of it looking for the keyway, and making sure you haven't jamed your pick up to the hilt into the lock.

Thats it. The rest is in your head and your hands.

Romstar

[burchlockkey]

OK, so far we have blind and deaf...and, of course, cussin's a lock never works so we also have dumb (aka, mute).

So, it appears that lockpickers should qualify for some type of government assistance. Wonder where we should apply?

[burchlockkey]

OK, so far we have blind and deaf...and, of course, cussin' a lock never works so we also have dumb (aka, mute).

So, it appears that lockpickers should qualify for some type of government assistance. Wonder where we should apply?

[pip]

if you want a challenge

try picking a lock under water

[Romstar]

OK, so far we have blind and deaf...and, of course, cussin's a lock never works so we also have dumb (aka, mute).

So, it appears that lockpickers should qualify for some type of government assistance. Wonder where we should apply?

I wish the devil I knew, I would love to have some assistance. Then I could actually tell people I'm on a silly pension.

Romstar

[Romstar]

if you want a challenge

try picking a lock under water

I've done that. Twice.
The first time was a pain in the a$$. The second time, I took an air bottle.

Don't ask why I was picking under water. Just believe me when I tell you its a pain.

Romstar

[What]

i know you said not to ask, but i really want to know why you were picking locks underwater.....

[zeke79]

Didn't he just say not to ask .

[maxxed]

Picking underwater could be a pain but I think bumping underwater would be a nightmare