A suitable lock for a UK newbie.

[jonnyb]

Hi,

I'm new to the forums, and have just ordered my first set of lock picks after reading a lot into this. I am looking to go down to my local hardware shop and buy some locks/padlocks to begin picking with, but I have no idea which to choose. I have searched the forums and found advice on this, but the names mentioned only seem to be stocked in the USA. What locks are readily available in the UK and suitable for a beginner? Has anyone got any advice?


Thanks in advance,
Jon.

[WhiteHat]

my very first pin tumbler was a laminated padlock similar to the yale 50mm with 4 pins. my second pin tumber WAS a yale 50mm with 5 pins... having said that, I don't live in the uk so I dunno what else is over there other than yale.

[jonnyb]

Thanks for the reply.

Is there any way of actually knowing how many pins the lock has before you buy it? Is it listed on the packaging?


Thanks again.

[funboy79015]

The number of pins may be listed on the package, though I don't remember ever seeing that on any of my practice locks.

If you can see the key for the lock you can get an idea from the cuts in the key. Search the forum to find out how to tell how many pins there are from the key.

Finding the number of pins from the key is not always accurate. I have a lock in which the key is cut for six pins but the lock only has five pins. The key will give you a maximum number of pins in the lock though.

[marso]

I did a search and found the following thread. Lists three locks and their difficulty. If you look in european locks forum I am sure there is one larger thread on this exact topic, if my memory serves me correctly.

viewtopic.php?t=2773&highlight=uk+beginner

[toomush2drink]

This has been covered before so a do a search, but in the mean time first start off with a wren bird these are a great beginners lock and very easy with practice, then maybe try an era or union then progress to a yale which has 2 spool pins (anti pick). Really do search thre forum though as most topics have been covered and all the answers are here already for beginners.
Goodluck