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Seven Habitual Behaviors of Highly Effectual Lock Pickers

Picked all the easy locks and want to step up your game? Further your lock picking techniques, exchange pro tips, videos, lessons, and develop your skills here.

Postby samfishers » 28 May 2007 16:50

me too
watch the weather change

deviantart : samfishers
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Postby quicksilver » 30 May 2007 9:32

Went through a period that I couldn't pick a thing. I went back to the basics and found that I was making several mistakes and my picking got better and better. Aside from re-reading all I could get my hands on I also used a heavier tension wrench, picked while I watched TV, but more so I started doing things like placing an index finger on the lock key-way, closing my eyes, using a variety of hooks instead of raking even when raking appeared to be a faster method. When the final pin hit the shear line I took note of where the other pins were and what they felt like (& what the final pin felt like when it slipped in). I paid attention to the process rather than the end result.

I made a small board with several locks on it that were progressively more difficult, etc. I stopped picking padlocks (at least exclusively). Many padlocks take a strong tension not only to turn the cylinder but they can wiggle in the housing; making for a difficult "set-feel". This can make for habitually strong tension on the wrench which provides less "feed-back".

I also looked closely at the picks themselves and made sure that they were not twisted or distorted. Experimenting with spp I found that a hook with a flattened edge works well for me as the lifting edge had a better feel when truly flat (whet stone) and a sharp point on the tip of the hook allowed me to bring up the pins where before a dull pick slipped off.

I started to really relax when I picked. I wasn't interested in opening the lock but only feeling the pins. The whole point was to feel the pins and maintain the theory of what I was doing. The locks started to open and open consistently. I also stopped telling myself that this lock or that one was "hard to open". I just picked one up and started to pick; I didn't give myself any thoughts that one was "special", etc. just because I hadn't got it previously.....
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Postby Sesame » 30 May 2007 10:28

Great post, Quicksilver.

Words to live by.

Word.
Nothing is so embarrassing as watching someone do something that you said couldn't be done.
- Sam Ewing
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Relax

Postby lockpick1968 » 29 Aug 2007 19:03

8) Hey quicksilver, that was great post I personally think, and one thing I always tell anyone and everyone is not to get frustrated and agrivated when practing on picking ect, so always give that break in there and try again, just my opinion for what it is worth.

Time and practice you will be able to succeed at your goals on locks, ect.

I enjoy watching others having a good time and joking around and fun with others while doing the hobby!
Where there is a will there is a way!
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Postby poor paperclip picker » 3 Oct 2007 21:53

a good post, i will be sure to exercise these every time i get a chance, i am researching a lock right now that i have, i will start a thread about it but incase you guys dont see it, it is a chateau c 970.
thanks for the great topic
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Postby digital_blue » 3 Oct 2007 22:22

Heh. I had actually forgotten I wrote this. Man.. that was only back in March. I'm gettin' old. :P

Glad it's still helping people.

db
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Postby BorisTheSpider » 26 Nov 2007 19:45

So glad I found you all. I've pretty much been digging in to all of these tenets since I began picking (they're mostly common sense), but it's certainly one of those things that's very handy to have spelled-out for you, lest you forget. Unfortunately, the collecting does get expensive. Ultimately, it seems worthwhile, though, when you meet a customer who has that lock you bought on ebay last month and just opened last week for the first time.
I think I'll bookmark this, lest I forget.
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Postby LeeNo » 29 Nov 2007 20:18

This topic is one that should be required reading before a person is allowed to post here :D

I have found that I happen to naturally follow those habits. I am a collector geek and I love reading.

Just last night I downloaded all of the MasterLock tech PDFs :D

While I am still a newbie at this, I can feel my skill increasing and my confidence building.

Earlier this week at work, I sent out an email to everyone on my project asking for loaner padlocks so I could practice picking. I was pleasantly surprised when a person stopped by my cubicle with a padlock! I tried to open it immediately but failed because I was too worried about impressing him :) WHen I went out for a smoke break, I opened it right away and, from then on, open it in less than 5 seconds most times (sometimes I'll overset a pin and have to start over).

Anyways, great post - and thank you!
<sig>
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Re: Seven Habitual Behaviors of Highly Effectual Lock Picker

Postby superchicken » 10 Dec 2007 11:55

digital_blue wrote:The Seven Habitual Behaviors of Highly Effectual Lock Pickers


HABITUAL BEHAVIOR # 1
------------------------------------

Read! Then read some more. Then when you're done reading, find something good to read.

The simple fact is that the more knowledge and understanding you have of the mechanics of locks, and the mechanics of lock picking, the easier and more intuitive you will find the rest of the habits. Always try and read stuff that is just above your current level of understanding. If you have to read and re-read something to get a grip on it, you're probably on the right track. Read through forum posts, read every guide you can find, and if you really want the grandaddy of them all, get yourself a copy of Locks, Safes, and Security and read that cover to cover. Point is, it will be a long time before you reach a point where you can't find anything new to read about.

db


I was looking on amazon for the Locks, Safes, and Security book, it was over 200$ :shock: . Is that what you were referring to digital_blue? Are there any other great lock picking book recommendations out there for a lesser amount of money? :lol:
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Postby freakparade3 » 10 Dec 2007 12:04

Locks, Safes, and Security is not so much of a lockpicking book. There are several lockpicking books available but you are better off to save your money and just read the posts here. The books just cover the basics and this site will teach you much more for free.
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Postby superchicken » 10 Dec 2007 12:30

OK thanks, I registerd to this site yesterday and have already learned a massive amount of usefull information.
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Postby JB0311NY » 27 Dec 2007 12:43

HMMM....
Very nice.. I need to print thees out.. Making an acronym may help me...lol
I OFFER NEITHER PAY, NOR QUARTERS, NOR PROVISIONS
I OFFER HUNGER, THIRST, FORCED MARCHES AND DEATH
LET HIM WHO LOVES HIS COUNTRY IN HIS HEART
AND NOT HIS LIPS ONLY...... FOLLOW ME.
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Postby muskratt » 27 Dec 2007 17:58

freakparade3 wrote:Locks, Safes, and Security is not so much of a lockpicking book. There are several lockpicking books available but you are better off to save your money and just read the posts here. The books just cover the basics and this site will teach you much more for free.
i completely agree. Locks, Safes, and Security is a good read but like freakparade3 said you should just scan the posts on this site and you will learn alot. also go check out books at the library before you buy them online or anything. you may find that you buy a few books and they all say the same thing and that could be the thing that is covered in one single post on this site. if you dont have time to scan all of the threads just scan the every sticky. you will gain much knowledge. :D
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Postby Beyond » 27 Dec 2007 18:13

LeeNo wrote:Just last night I downloaded all of the MasterLock tech PDFs :D


Glad I'm not the only one delving into it like that. Thought it may have been overkill but you're a great reassurance that its normal, I hope? Lol.
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Postby jacknife » 5 Jan 2008 11:42

#6 is so tru...good post...write a book
<sig removed due to suze>
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