Keyway as a fulcrum

[Slappy]

I'm starting out and noticed myself naturally using the keyway as a fulcrum to lever the pick off of. I don't remember this being mentioned in any of the tutorials I read.

Is this a bad habit, good habit, or does it not matter one way or the other? I don't want it to become a habit if I actually should be lifting the entire pick independent of the keyway.

thanks in advance.

(already did a search)

[horsefeathers]

I use the fulcrum technique on padlocks, but generally not on other locks.

regards

[raimundo]

are your picks trying to bend backwards, this is one effect of using too much force between an immobile object and an irresistable force, that said, fulcruming is ok if your picks are well sanded so as not to be gouging brass out and you are using moderate pressure.

[Exodus5000]

You'll find that your technique will change depending on what lock you are picking, where you are picking it, what position you're in to get access to the lock, etc.

In general it's a good idea to learn to pick in a variety of positions, with the warding as a fulcrum, your wrench as a fulcrum, your finger as a fulcrum, and with just finger strength being the only thing lifting the pins. That way you'll never find yourself unable to pick a lock if a sunday detail is different.

[joebo]

dont worry about it, ive seen alot of people using this technique, and they dont seem to have a problem with it. that said i dont personally use it

[Slappy]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

are your picks trying to bend backwards, this is one effect of using too much force between an immobile object and an irresistable force

nope, I'm still nice and gentle, It just feels steadier resting on the keyway, and I understand the feedback I receive from the pick better because it somewhat takes out the variable of unsteady hands.

[Spike666]

I use it sometimes, it depends on the lock and pinning of the lock. Try it and see. It depend on it though. and sometimes you wont be able to get the frist 2-3 pins low enough to do anything with the lock. So do it don't do it, it doesn't matter. Just keep picking!
also if your bending your picks to hell try another method.

[JackNco]

yep i use it if its there and if its not sometime i use my third finger. really does depend on the lock and which way up the lock is normally mounted. and yes some times my picks need bending back in to shape...

[cjames73]

i use the keyway as a fulcrum now and again, it depends on type of lock and lock orientation.

[digital_blue]

I generally do fulcrum, though much of the time the fulcrum is on the tension wrench, not the bottom of the keyway.

db

[WDPaladin]

I generally do fulcrum, though much of the time the fulcrum is on the tension wrench, not the bottom of the keyway.

db

Ditto on that. Padlocks I end up shying away from using the keyway and just use my hands, but door locks (deadbolts, ect) I always seem to end up using the keyway as a fulcrum.

[Gordon Airporte]

Slappy - you should try a deep curve pick like a Falle #2 or #3. Templates are available for them - they're the smooth, continuous curves.
I find that they work quite well as general purpose picks, but keep your hooks for more serious high/low pinnings. They are made for levering like this, and they're great for setting spools.
Others have suggested cutting picks with a bump somewhere on the bottom of the tang (which is otherwise straight.)

[TOWCH]

I use the keyway as a fulcrum almost exclusively. It's a good way to bend picks so you have to be careful.