ARCHIVE 2003-2013 Introduce yourself HERE if you are new. :)

[Mutzy]

I'm right in the midde of writng a book called Knight Moves. The Main character is a theif and a leader of a crew. His name is Sammy Knight. I'm doing research to become as knowledgable about locks and picking them as possible. The book is dated in 1982, so I need particulars on locks in that time and the picks that were available then to pick them.

I'm very specific in my book whether Sammy is stealing a car or planning a burglary. I like to keep my reader right their with him every step of the way. I have done extensive study on lock out tools and assorted methods for auto theft, but Sammy and his crew are stepping up their scores and looking for bigger pay days. I do have a dead line so I hope I don't irritate ya'll too bad while I pick your brains about picking locks.

The lock that Sammy needs to get past now is an American Lock. A tubular cylinder lock 1982. I also need some information on a Mushroom and spool tumbler lock, everything would have to be available in 1982.

I would appreciate any help that you can give me and would be more then happy to give credit at time of publishing.

Uh-oh!

[/sarcasm]Sorry if misdirected.

[UWSDWF]

Welcome everybody,
For all thoes new to the site and lockpicking, LP101 is a great place to start.
Take a look at the new users section, first and don't be afraid to ask any questions just remember to try a search before posting. Cause everyone should HYSF as well as there Pick-fu.

If you're looking for locks to pick, buy some but, DO NOT PICK LOCKS YOU OR ANYONE ELSE RELY ON
I repeat DO NOT PICK LOCKS YOU OR ANYONE ELSE RELY ON, they can and will break, then your house/car/safe/chasity belt is vulnerable or unable to be opened (think: emergency situation).
Keep it legal.
Cheers,
UWSDWF

[Vincent31]

Hello all, I am both new to this site and new to the skill of lock picking. After following some of the links I came across one about slimjimming/shimming the shackle on cheaper locks (ones that you can get a pick into and don't have a veil or skirt or w/e it is that stops you from doing that) to press the bolt and, PRESTO, the lock opens. I was doubtful, but 30 minutes of filing (and hammering once I became restless) and the lock popped open! I was so excited! I look forward to learning more about more sure-fire ways to accomplish this, it's just too exciting to avoid!

[Darkside]

Wanted to say Hello! to all and introduce myself.

Am new to locks having recently begun studying with a locksmith retired from a very large institution. My background is Emergency Services. Having previously worked as a Paramedic, I am presently an EMT/Firefighter with training in HAZMAT. Much of my time is consumed by management duties related to mutual aid, state regulation and generally keeping up with the demands of Homeland Security, et al. My education lends itself well to crpytpography. Increasingly my focus is on Safety and security- about which I presently know little.

My previous experience with entry has literally been kicking down doors,using bolt cutters and (at least once) simply cutting through the adjacent wall with a chainsaw. The subtle challenge of non-destructive entry is much more satisfying.

This site is hands-down the best I have found. It is the only place I have been able to find answers to questions my teacher sees as trivial. I look forward to learning with you.

Leadership is demonstrating integrity

[Mankato]

Hello. I'm new to lock picking. I just ordered a basic starter kit. I never considered lock picking as a hobby, but just recently found myself interested in it. It seems like a rewarding hobby to get into and I look forward to gaining knowledge in this field.

[porker]

Hi, i'm a newbie hobby lock picker, from the UK, have a set of picks, patience and a willingness to learn, so hopefully i'm in the right place.

Have just bought myself a standard 5 pin door cylinder and a squire 5 pin tumbler to practice on (i'd practice on the front door, but wouldn't like to leave myself in an unlockable door situation as per the warnings).

Thanks for the site, it seems like a good friendly place for the beginner and expert alike, hopefully i'll be able to see to from both perspectives (after much practice and swearing no doubt).

Guy

[Craiger]

Hi,
Just wanted to introduce myself. I just started sport-lockpicking after a 10 year hiatus and I'm thrilled to be here!

Craiger

[weerwolf]

Hey

I'm not exactely new on this forum , or to lock picking. But I've never really had much to say here. Everyone here seems to know a lot more on locks than I do. And I've never really had any questions , that weren't solved by using the search button.

Anyway , I'm from Belgium and I work as a locksmith at the Belgian coast. I've only been in the bussines for a couple of months , but I've been interested in locks for over 5 years now.
My experience with lockpicking is mostely on wafer locks. Mostely on mailboxes. But I have a practise cilinder (Litto) that I try to practice with every week.

[Charodei]

It's funny, I bought a lock pick at a scuba center!! I walked in and they had a pick called a "Dyno Kwick Pick" I said something about how I bet those really don't work.

I was on the floor laughing after misreading that the first time. Only when I went back and reread it more carefully did I see that the "Dyno Kwick Pick" is a pick, not a lock.

[Shrub]

I read it as dyno kwick pick and still laughed

[skeeve]

Right on Shrub!

[cgeller]

Greetings All.

What a great site. Loads of information to sift through. New to picking but it's been a long-time fascination. Had a book from "Eddie the Wire" that went out to the street every year for the garage sale.....but it always managed to hang around for another year....

I have a small set of picks and have successfully helped the office manager where I work on 2 occassions to open locked file cabinets. No picking..... just lots of raking and a prayer....

trying to be a good student and am reading a lot.... Bought a 5 pin lock to play with at the work desk.... Locksmith laughed when I came back with the "box of loose parts" and a glazed look saying "how the heck do you get the spring AND driver pin down the little hole....?" He swapped it out for another one and wished me luck..... Sometimes theory doesn't translate into dexterity.....but I'll keep trying.

Thanks again for the site. All the best. Chuck

[clubtim]

Eddie the Wire!! this is great. I got that book as a gag a few years back, as well as a book of magic and the George Hayduke revenge books. Some co-workers (at a jewelry store) were laughing at me when i mentioned I was always intrigued by the criminal mind and how people who were determined to perpetrate a crime will go to all lengths to do so.... The books were "in case I ever decide that crime paid better than my regular job" - yeah funny, guys!!
Big surprise to them, now I am in private security. The other day I had a chance to watch a locksmith gain entry past a commercial buliding entrance with what seemed to be no effort at all and a couple picks. Now I'm looking all over the house looking for that Eddie book, as I have already bought a pick set yesterday and stumbled across this site in my search for a "how-to" to get me started.
I guess today I'll be searching for a simple lock to mess around with and see how frustrated I can get.
I'm tim from the Detroit area. I guess I could introduce myself here sometime!!

[Shrub]

To all those that got books with their picks or want a book to learn forget it,

Click on my www button for starters and read that then simply start reading up on here, everything and anything you want to know that is discussed openly on here has already been asked and answered many many times before so the search button is your best friend,

[Schuyler]

Wanted to say Hello! to all and introduce myself.

Am new to locks having recently begun studying with a locksmith retired from a very large institution. My background is Emergency Services. Having previously worked as a Paramedic, I am presently an EMT/Firefighter with training in HAZMAT. Much of my time is consumed by management duties related to mutual aid, state regulation and generally keeping up with the demands of Homeland Security, et al. My education lends itself well to crpytpography. Increasingly my focus is on Safety and security- about which I presently know little.

My previous experience with entry has literally been kicking down doors,using bolt cutters and (at least once) simply cutting through the adjacent wall with a chainsaw. The subtle challenge of non-destructive entry is much more satisfying.

This site is hands-down the best I have found. It is the only place I have been able to find answers to questions my teacher sees as trivial. I look forward to learning with you.

Nice to see another Vermonter on here (Well, that's where I grew up anyhow) You'll definitely find that kicking the door in is the faster way to get through, and, after picking and picking and picking with no progress, you might long for the satisfaction of chainsawing through a wall