Houdini's Favorite Lockpicks

[DeadlyHunter]

I thought I would share a few pages out of a book on Houdini, showing some of his very own lockpicks. I bet some of these picks would work on a few locks that i've come by

http://worldzone.net/web/beeswarm/untitled-1.jpg
http://worldzone.net/web/beeswarm/untitled-2.jpg
http://worldzone.net/web/beeswarm/untitled-3.jpg
http://worldzone.net/web/beeswarm/untitled-4.jpg
http://worldzone.net/web/beeswarm/untitled-5.jpg
http://worldzone.net/web/beeswarm/untitled-6.jpg

[Cyber Samurai]

Most of those look like they're designed for warded locks and/or handcuffs, which I suppose makes sense, since that's what he was escaping from That's really cool though, thanks!


Cyber Samurai

[thertel]

Just out of curiosity are those images from of a copyrighted book? If so you shouldnt really be posting them on the forum.

Thomas

[PickPick]

Since it's just an excerpt and posted for educational reasons on a noncommercial forum, this should be covered under "fair use", even if it is indeed copyrighted.

[TOWCH]

I think I have that book.

[omelet]

What book is that?
I was reading one of the pages and wanted to read the rest.

[digital_blue]

I believe that is from the book Houdini on Magic and it sells for around $10-$15. It's fairly entertaining, though I understand that some of the explainations Houdini gives are "hooey". That seems as though it would be true to form for Mr. Houdini (Eric Weiss) because, from what I understand, he didn't really like most magicians and was not the time to give up anything good. Non the less, a fun read.

db

[Peaky]

It looks like a good read, do you have the isbn number?

[99atlantic]

Just out of curiosity are those images from of a copyrighted book? If so you shouldnt really be posting them on the forum.

Thomas

i'm fairly certain with copyright material you can reproduce and share a limited % of the book (something low like 3%, i don't remember exactly...thinkgs may have chagned though)

[digital_blue]

Peaky: The ISBN is 0486203840. It is fairly entertaining, but take what you read with a grain of salt. Houdini employed methods that he certainly never gave away in books you'll buy in a public book store.

db

[Peaky]

Thanks for that db, dont worry im not after it for any tips it just looks like an interesting read, i imagine half the story is fiction the rest fact that was his act after all.

[NDE Manipulation]

Unfortunately for the Houdini Estate, if it still exists, I do believe Copyright Law is the Author's life plus 70 years. That would mean the Copyright protection expired on Halloween night, 1996.

[Peter Martin]

I thought I'd resurrect this thread because I found this link to a picture of two of Houdini's lock picks.
Interesting, but crude workmanship. Clearly made for warded locks.

I don't know if lever locks were prevalent yet in his day. I've also never seen any references that Houdini had knowledge of pin-tumbler locks--or seen any picks or tools that indicate he was familiar with pin-tumblers devices.

http://pinballhistory.com/hhmattatuck.jpg

[Orwell]

I thought I would share a few pages out of a book on Houdini, showing some of his very own lockpicks. I bet some of these picks would work on a few locks that i've come by

http://worldzone.net/web/beeswarm/untitled-1.jpg
http://worldzone.net/web/beeswarm/untitled-2.jpg
http://worldzone.net/web/beeswarm/untitled-3.jpg
http://worldzone.net/web/beeswarm/untitled-4.jpg
http://worldzone.net/web/beeswarm/untitled-5.jpg
http://worldzone.net/web/beeswarm/untitled-6.jpg

Do those links still work? They don't for me.

[Kaotik]

Those links were no good for me either, not two months ago and still not today.

I happen to see the auction where they sold his entire pick and key collection though, very interesting tools he had.