Seven Habitual Behaviors of Highly Effectual Lock Pickers

[Lynx40]

Have a pile of confidence boosters. Keep some locks around you that you KNOW you can pick. The fact is, sometimes you're going to have an off day. And it seems that the harder you TRY to pick a difficult lock, the more impossible it seems. So when you find yourself getting frustrated, grab that bunch of confidence locks and start working your way through. Maybe try and time yourself to get through a group of them, then try and beat your time.

No doubt there! We've all had those days. I've had days where everything I tried to pick turned against me and made me feel like I had all thumbs. Nothing like picking up a few of the old favorites to prove to yourself that you really can "do this stuff" and you aren't just saying so. I've even gotten to that point, turned to an old favorite, then picked up the lock I was struggling with, and opened it within a few minutes.

State of mind does have something to do with it. It's easy to psych yourself out if you let it get to you.

[JackNco]

I find i start using heavy tension when i get frustrated, and when i go a few confidence locks i relax and the lock talks to you more.

[raimundo]

its zen, you have to be totally into the moment. forget everything else

[JackNco]

its zen, you have to be totally into the moment. forget everything else

Clear your mind grasshopper, become the pick.

Thats true "Pick-Fu"

[Mr. Glass]

You could sell the laminated posters to users on the site then.
lockpickshop.com should cater more to lp101 than just a discount. I think a package is in order. The lp101 beginners kit:
-1 short hook
-1 snake rake
-1 hald diamond
-2 tension wrenches (1 twist flex, 1 standard)
-1 laminated poster a la DB
-3 practice locks
-1 cutaway lock
-the lp101 "Certified Members exam"
-A printout of all the stickys on this site.

That would be an ultimate starter kit.

I dunno if people would actually buy it, but I think this is an excellent idea. Someone should make a poll about it.

[Sesame]

Not so sure. After all, people buy those plastic-cased practice locks all the time.

A newbie and his money are soon parted.

[Mr. Glass]

A newbie and his money are soon parted.

Sounds like an ancient proverb.

[EricM]

-1 laminated poster a la DB

Because u had trouble finding ur poster of DB?
and i don't wanna know why laminated

j/k

Haha , ahhhhh the poster would be of DBs 7 tennets for a good lockpicker, not his face. That would scare most out of the hobby.

Now available!

8x10 Glossy of db... laminated for easy wipe down!

Only $69!!!

db

I've met DB in person, and I thought he was quite the fetching type, not my type of course, but quite fetching. hehehe

[digital_blue]

Ah yes... Eric... I'll never forget meeting him. We even shared a nice dinner together, and, over the food and drink, he gazed across the table and said...

youknowhatwouldbereallycoolisifwehadabigcompetitionandtherewasallkinds
ofstuffsetupilikestuffandweshouldmeetathopetooandyeahthatwouldbegood
hopewascooltherewerelotsofpeoplethereandithinkmyelbowisitchyicoulduse
anotherdrinktheresthishackeriknowandhedidthiscoolthingbutyouknowwhat
elseiscool...



(anyone who's met Eric can appreciate that)

db

[zeke79]

Hehehe, sounds like my wife sometimes.

[Padghone]

excellent and so very true

[Raccoon]

If you haven't tried it, I recommend picking through your practice locks while blind folded.

Not just eyes closed, but actually rip a piece of cloth, fold and bind it over your eyes. You simply cannot reach the same level of visual clarity without sacrificing your vision for an hour or so.

[JackNco]

If you haven't tried it, I recommend picking through your practice locks while blind folded.

Not just eyes closed, but actually rip a piece of cloth, fold and bind it over your eyes. You simply cannot reach the same level of visual clarity without sacrificing your vision for an hour or so.

Wow, now thats a level of dedication i haven't yet tried. ur like a ninja!

[Afisch]

I persoanly prefer to pick in the dark, then again, im easily distracted.

[JackNco]

I usually pick while im watching TV or at the computer. But ill give the blindfold a go.