My first attempt at bump keys

by **rodger** » 2 Jun 2007 15:00

Hello, I'm new to the hobby of lockpicking, and this is my first "real" post. I haven't had a lot of success with my basic southord pick set, so I bought some bump keys hoping to boost my confidence in lockpicking.

I got the 21 key set today, and tried them on the front door of my house. None of the keys fit, so I tried the side door of my house. I got a key to fit that door but couldn't quite open the lock. I read somewhere on this site that you shouldn't pick locks that you need, because you can damage them.

So I gave up on my house locks and bought a $12 door lock from the local hardware store. When I got home and tried it, I was able to open it on the third try! I did it a few more times for practice, and then realized my thumb was bleeding.

Can anyone recommend some tips on what I can do differently to keep my thumb safe? Thanks a bunch!

by **Afisch** » 2 Jun 2007 15:40

To keep your thumb safe, you should pick locks rather than bumping them. Its more fun.

by **Krypos** » 2 Jun 2007 16:23

stick to picking, bumping is more of a novelty method.

and if you are going to bump, then you need to realize you probably hit it WAY too hard if your thumb was bleeding.

because bumping isnt an exact science as of yet, for newbies, a lot of it is trial and error. i too hit my thumb a couple times when i was into bumping, quite some time ago. but i only got a nasty little blister.

just play with it.

read up more on the site, there are literally 200 threads on bumping. and read up on all the picking tutorials. especially digital blues beginner exercise.

by **LockNewbie21** » 2 Jun 2007 18:20

.. thats all

by **Krypos** » 2 Jun 2007 18:27

LockNewbie21 wrote::lol: .. thats all

yeah. i know. im good. :lol:

hey guys....... check it out, i was going to type that lol smiley, but my hand was one row over, so i typed in kik instead.

LOL.......KIK......... cuz we pick locks.... KIK.......... (key in knob).........lol. i need more sleep. i was up for many many hours partying last night.

(i graduated high school..... theres a separate thread...)

by **rodger** » 2 Jun 2007 18:42

Thanks for suggestions Krypos. I tried using my index finger for tension instead of my thumb, and the result was less injuries with more success opening the locks.

I agree that picking locks is more fun than bumping (and safer on my fingers) My next step is to figure out if I should buy a new lock pick set or one of those see-through practice locks.

by **jhl** » 2 Jun 2007 18:46

rodger: even the most basic of the Southord pick sets is more than enough to learn on.
Especially early on, it's practise, not the tools, that make the difference. Just stick at it, and don't try and go too far too fast.

Follow the beginners' exercises; buy a cheap cylinder, pin it down to 1 pin, pin it up as you get better. It's better value for money than cutaways. And then when you've mastered it fully pinned, try trickier pinnings, security pins. Learn everything you can from it. And it'll cost you maybe twenty bucks.

Good luck - and have fun!

by **Eyes_Only** » 2 Jun 2007 19:09

Have you tried picking the lock you picked up at the hardware store you originally got for bumping? :wink:

by **freakparade3** » 2 Jun 2007 19:25

One thing to look out for is if you bump a lock many times using to much force (as it seems you were) picking will be more difficult because you will put a dent in the lock cylinder with the shoulder of the bump key.

by **Krypos** » 2 Jun 2007 19:44

freakparade3 wrote:One thing to look out for is if you bump a lock many times using to much force (as it seems you were) picking will be more difficult because you will put a dent in the lock cylinder with the shoulder of the bump key.

while this is true that you will dent the FRONT of the lock, the mechanics of the lock- ie the pins and springs- will continue to work the same.

where you run into trouble is if you are using an improperly cut bump key and the key code screws the pins. but thats harder to do.

bumping it with excessive force will not void the working mechanism, only the aesthetics of the locks cover.

by **freakparade3** » 2 Jun 2007 19:49

When I first started bumping I dented the cylinders of locks bad enough the key would hardly work. It can affect the cylinders. I promise, I speak only the truth.

by **freakparade3** » 2 Jun 2007 19:51

Mabye I should clarify a bit. Krypos, you are right. the pins and springs still work as normal. Picking is made more difficult because of the dented front of the lock. The cylinder does not turn as freely, making proper tension tough to find because the whole cylinder is binding.

by **rodger** » 3 Jun 2007 0:16

Eyes_Only wrote:Have you tried picking the lock you picked up at the hardware store you originally got for bumping?

I just picked the $12 lock (it was a Gatehouse deadbolt). I was pleased that I could pick it, but discouraged that it takes me 5-10 minutes to pick it and only 2 seconds to bump the lock open.

I guess have some practice, practice, practice to look forward to!

by **Eyes_Only** » 3 Jun 2007 1:27

It took me about 3 to 4 months to get the basic hang of lockpicking so don't feel too discouraged if it takes you a while too. I picked a 6 pin Medeco Biaxial once or twice before and now am have trouble picking this Arrow key-in-knob lock I just got. Every lock is different so it takes time to develop the skill.

by **rodger** » 3 Jun 2007 10:52

Eyes_Only wrote:It took me about 3 to 4 months to get the basic hang of lockpicking so don't feel too discouraged if it takes you a while too. I picked a 6 pin Medeco Biaxial once or twice before and now am have trouble picking this Arrow key-in-knob lock I just got. Every lock is different so it takes time to develop the skill.

Thanks for the words of encouragement!

My first attempt at bump keys

My first attempt at bump keys

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