lock picking for beginners-Learn to pick in 30 mins

[neo314159]

I bought my first picking set(UK based devon lock picks) yesterday and it came today. I bought a lock and started trying to pick (not scrub/rake) one pin at a time. In 5 minutes i had done it. 20 minutes later i had done it 5 times.

Its so simple its actually worrying that this is whats protecting my home but ohhh well as for the lock picking.

1. Buy some lock picks.
2. buy some locks.(keep it simple lol)
3.place the tension wrench(should look like a long metal piece with a right angle at the end) inside the lock. The right angle should be in the lock so that the pins are at the top and the wrench pointing to the right. If thats the way the lock turns to open.
4. Apply pressure with your left hand by pushing down on the tension wrench in the direction that would open it with a key.
5. Use a hook pick(pick with a hook at the end) with the hook facing downwards and while applying pressure try to push the first pin up so that it stays up without using the pick.
6. Now push the individual pins up(there should be around 5) until all the pins are up. If done successfully the lock should turn. If not then check the pins at the beginning didn't fall down when you were working at the back of the lock.

SOME USEFUL TIPS:

1. TRY working from the back to the front as you wont hit any of the pins as you work.
2. TRY picking the lock at a slight angle so that gravity is helping you keep the pins the up.
3. The force needed on the tension wrench is basically until it stops turning. Then just hold it there.

Onto bigger and better locks. Hopefully you found this useful!

neo314159(314159 is pie to 6 digits by the way in case you were wondering!)

[Schuyler]

I have to say, I always find it odd when someone's first post to LP101 is explaining how to pick a lock. It happens every now and then, and I hate to say it, but it seems vain to me.

You know?

I mean, I don't want you to be scared off from here by any means, and I'm very glad to have another picker around, I think most of us are anytime a new member pops in, but if you look around there are reams of advice on basic lockpicking. Including the LSI guide put out by one of the administrators of this site (and a moderator, and I'm not sure if that had more help beyond that...i mean, someone had to show THEM how to pick a lock )

Anyhow, I'm sorry if I'm coming down hard on you. Probably harder than you deserve, but a couple of things.

1 - From your description it sounds like you've pointed your hook away from the pins and are picking with the back of the pick? In step 3 you say the pins should be at the top, and in step 5 you say the hook should be facing downward. If this is how you are picking, although it has worked for the lock in question, you'll need to revise your strategy for most locks.

2 - Tension is actually a VERY important part of picking. It's as important as your technique with the picks, some would even say more-so. So your third tip kind of glosses over this.

The reason I bring it up, is because I don't want new pickers reading things like this and getting the wrong ideas. You know?

Here, check out the LSI guide: http://locksport.com/home/index.php?ent ... 027-222056

And welcome to the community we're going to be a GREAT resource for you as you learn to pick and, as you said, move on to bigger and better locks, and before long, if you really love it and you're really commited to the hobby/sport, you'll be contributing things we haven't even dreamed of yet, but for the time being, please make sure you ask questions before you give answers.

[Afisch]

Not really the place for, learn this NOW. There is so much information id say, rather than 30min, try the advice on this forum, theres alot more than 30min of it. Id id have to agree, claiming to teach something which people here have spent many many years on seems a little unhelpful. If you wish to pick a lock in under 5 min, buy yourself a cheap warded lock, the type you get on a suitcase, and twiddle a paperclip round n round.

[Shrub]

Welcome to the site,

Thankyou for taking the time to post a great first post,

It may be a little redundant on a lockpicking site but at least you tried which is more than most of our noobs,

If you click on my www button you will find a better guide you can pass around and post elsewhere if you like,

Funny first post i agree but glad you got it down and hopefully by yourself and that you havent simply copied the instruction sheet that came with your picks,

Welcome but now start searching and reading the site for a vast amount of info that will make you cream your pants,

Ps, learning how to pick takes seconds, being able to pick takes eternity,

[Schuyler]

a minute to learn, lifetime to master.

[beto]

Not really wanting to fall into the same trap as neo the pi master - I don't have many posts under my belt. That being said - a wise locksmith once told me many moons ago when I was trying to pick my first lock to "apply (to the tension wrench) the weight of three butterflies". This has always stuck in my head and, although difficult to actually do in practice, it does keep the beginner keenly focused on the pressure applied to the tension wrench. As others have pointed out, it is your primary feedback mechanism as to what is going on inside the lock.

[Schuyler]

Not really wanting to fall into the same trap as neo the pi master - I don't have many posts under my belt. That being said - a wise locksmith once told me many moons ago when I was trying to pick my first lock to "apply (to the tension wrench) the weight of three butterflies". This has always stuck in my head and, although difficult to actually do in practice, it does keep the beginner keenly focused on the pressure applied to the tension wrench. As others have pointed out, it is your primary feedback mechanism as to what is going on inside the lock.

solid advice.

[Shrub]

apply (to the tension wrench) the weight of three butterflies".

Sounds like he also cut bonsai trees and got you to balance on a wooden pole whilst polishing his car, goes on goes off etc lol

[Afisch]

"apply the weight of three butterflies" and thus you hvae learnt the way of the samurai... J/k, good luck with the locks, its sound advice. I read here "about the same as required to press down a key"

[Afisch]

Sorry about the quote, im useless at typing.

[statuskuo]

what happens wshen you put to much tension? does that cause too much friction making it harder to pick?

[Jaakko]

what happens wshen you put to much tension? does that cause too much friction making it harder to pick?

You are right, it either jams the lock or it wears the parts when trying to pick it. Also the pins are damaged when they are forced between the plug and housing with too much force.

To easily test how much tension is needed, put the key in the lock and test how easily it turns. When picking, use a tension that is the same or less

[beto]

Wax on wax off? Try concentrating on picking a lock while walking across a hot bed of coals. Just kidding. Never thought of the samari connection before, wasn't really like that - but I guess the idea fits in "Pick-Fu".

When I was just starting out I would mumble and puzzle: how in the heck should I know how much three butterflies is? Are they monarchs or little white ones? All this thinking about an obscure measurement unit kept me focused where a more precise, repeatable measurement such as xxx inch-pounds would have left me overconfident and more focused on the pick side of things.

I also note that alot of the time when applying very light tension, the wrench actually backs up against the tension just before it "ticks" forward when a pin sets - if pushing too hard I miss this sensation entirely and because so much more force is required to push the pin with the pick it is easy to jam it too far.

[RangerF150]

"apply (to the tension wrench) the weight of three butterflies". This has always stuck in my head and, although difficult to actually do in practice,

Complete bs !
I don't take other people's word for it, I go try it myself and I did....
I caught 3 butterflies, taped them to a tension wrench, and that's the last I saw of the butterflies and the tension wrench
Puff, gone out the window .........
So it's not a runner as an idea , sorry about that !!!

Anyway as a first post, I agree a little odd to come to a lockpicking site and tell people how to pick, but it's a breath of fresh air to have someone come along as a n00b and offer advice, misplaced or not, it's better than the usual "Hi, how 2 pick open my car lock is mine jus wan 2 know" type rubbish !


So well done 22/7

[freakparade3]

Complete bs !
I don't take other people's word for it, I go try it myself and I did....
I caught 3 butterflies, taped them to a tension wrench, and that's the last I saw of the butterflies and the tension wrench
Puff, gone out the window .........
So it's not a runner as an idea , sorry about that !!!

You are supposed to knock them out first.