New to the sport and need suggestions on UK locks

[headnoodle]

Hi Guys, I'm pretty new to lock picking but have been interested in taking it up as a hobby for a long time so have just bought my first set of picks. Can anyone suggest a couple of locks for beginners that I can get hold of in the uk?

Cheers,

Headnoodle

[Shrub]

Go and get a normal bog standard Yale cylinder lock, dont get the X5 you only need the most basic one,

Yale being the make and not type of lock incase you didnt know,

Other than that the others make the same type of lock like Union, Era etc

Whereabouts in the uk are you?

[headnoodle]

just looked on ebay for Yale locks and not sure what a bog standard one is. Will this one do?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/YALE-CYLINDER-LOC ... dZViewItem

I live in Grimsby on the east coast, whereabout are you? (I guess your in the uk thats why your asking )

[headnoodle]

hmm, just seen this one, much cheaper.. any good?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/UNION-Turn-Oval-C ... dZViewItem

[greyman]

I wouldn't start on Yale. They've always got spool drivers. Get a piece-of-rubbish (I was going to say c r a p, but the filter might get rid of it ) import or copy, they're easier.

[headnoodle]

ah... bought the union one last night. It was only a few quid and I thought even if it is too hard, it will come in usefull in the future. So do you suggest I go to a pound shop or some other budget store and get the cheapest I can find?

[Keyring]

So do you suggest I go to a pound shop...

I think it's worth it. You can't spend a lot and it's a great confidence booster. Just don't expect all locks to open as easily!

[headnoodle]

cool, thanks for that. I can't wait for my picks to arrive Is there any advantage of buying one lock type over another (eg padlock, door lock, etc) for training?

[arris]

yeh get some cheap padlocks,

also i found the bigger it is, the keyway is bigger wich is better for learning,

also where did you order your pics from?

[headnoodle]

Got a set of 15 from devon locks, link to pic below.

http://www.devonlocks.com/html/media/bi ... 1500-l.jpg

Just bought myself a couple of brass padlocks from a place called no frills where I live, it sells cheap DIY stuff. One is quite large and heavy and looks to have 5 pins from the key has the word Tri-Circle on it and made in china , the other one is small and blank with four pins but I also guess made in china. I am sure they are really poor quality but for for me as a layperson (at the moment) the big one certainly feels like quality as it is sooo heavy.

[Keyring]

I seem to remember quite a few posts on Tri-circle, and it apparently isn't as easy as it should be. Try searching for the name.

[paul1982]

I started on a Wren bird rim cylinder when i got into lock picking, then went to Wilkonsons and bought cheapo locks, and i went to bootfairs.

[stewroper]

Hi Wilkinsons sell a cylinder lock that has no security pins in them but if the pins are set ( hi low hi low hi ) they can be testing. if u are new to the art of picking be prepared to get frustrated with your new hobby as it is like any art like learning to play a musical instrument it takes time patience and plenty of practice to be good . Good luck

[headnoodle]

cool, might pop to wilkinsons to get a lock to practice on. Ive got 4 locks to practice on now and have just been informed that my picks have been shipped. Wishing a bit that I got the 22 pics instead of the 15 as they come in a cool case and there is loads more tension tools and they are only a fiver more expensive. nevermind