How dangerous is bumping to a lock?

[Tao_of_Pi]

I'm sorry if this has been asked before but I didn't come up with anything during a search. And I know this forum is about picking, not bumping, but figure at least some of you have experiance in the matter.

But I was wondering how bad key bumping is to locks, it seems to be a rather violent way to get the lock open, and seems like it might damage the pins? Is this something you guys would advise against?

[hydruh]

When I learned to pick, at DefCon, they had those locks that were 'for bumping' because they had gotten so worn they weren't any good for single pin picking any more. I gathered from that it would be pretty rough on the lock.

I have been trying to rake a lock here today, just to see how that works, and I just poured a pile of metal shavings out of it, so apparently that isn't very good for them either.

S

[vitti]

bumping locks is not very lock friendly. In addition to any additional wear on the pins you also put wear on the face of the lock and possibly the rear of the plug.

If you're bumping your own practice locks then you'll have to decide yourself if you want to risk damage to the lock. If you intend to use the technique on anything but your own locks then the answer is a clear "NO we don't recommend it". Bumping a lock is fun a few times then there's no challenge anymore. I prefer picking.

[vitti]

hydruh, try sanding your rake with some 400-600 grit sandpaper to slightly round the edges. you'll do much less damage to the locks with a smooth pick.

[Tao_of_Pi]

I was considering filing down one of the spare keys for my deadbolt, but theres no way I'm doing it if I think it will mess up the lock.

[J-Hood]

It will damage the face and it may cause other issues depending on the lock. The more important thing is you will learn nothing from bumping a lock. It is like a pick gun. I got a gun 2 months after I started working as locksmith and it was the worse thing that could have happened to me. Well as far as picking goes that is. I have now gone over 6 years without ever really learning to pick. I can rake a lock open in seconds but that is not the same. I have literally opened thousands of locks at this point including over 60 in one day by raking and gunning but I have learned more in the last week or so by finding this site than I did in 6 years. I can say for sure that I SPP a lock for the first time yesterday (while driving ) and it was more informative than I thought possible.

I got the how and why of picking a long time ago. But getting a lock to go by doing it is a eye opener. Being able to tell another co-worker which pins pick first and last and having him confirm it was sweet too. So the message is tough it out and you will advance miles in a short time once you get it. Or go the bump and/or gun route and "goon" open a lock and learn nothing. In my opinion opening a lock and picking it is a bit different if you know what I mean. If you don't learn anything about it you just opened it, and the next time it might take twice as long. On the other hand if you picked it you should know at least which was the last one to go and at best the exact order they went in so the next attempt should be faster.

Jason

[globallockytoo]

Very nicely written Jason. I have been in the trade for many years and learned to pick by hand first. Graduating to a pick gun was natural because it really makes the job easier and quicker (most of the time).

This is not the point of lock picking as a sport though and you will rarely find any locksport enthusiasts competing in who can use a pick gun the fastest.


But I do agree that the personal rewarding feeling of a successful SPP job is far more than with a pick gun.

[hydruh]

hydruh, try sanding your rake with some 400-600 grit sandpaper to slightly round the edges. you'll do much less damage to the locks with a smooth pick.

Hmm. You mean my rake? I'll do that.

S

[hydruh]

hydruh, try sanding your rake with some 400-600 grit sandpaper to slightly round the edges. you'll do much less damage to the locks with a smooth pick.

Hmm. You mean my rake? I'll do that.

S

Geez, I need to READ the posts first.

Thanks for the advice.

S

[vitti]

I don't want to shift the focus away from the original post too far but, yes sand the edges of the shaft/neck of the pick as well as the tip/rake part. The factory stamps them out with a die leaving either sharp or near perfect 90 degree angles. In a steel vs. brass battle, steel will always win. Rounding those angles just slightly and giving them a smother finish will minimize the damage done.

[Dean W]

Spot on Vitti. Bumping locks can damage the lock and render it useless.

Never practice bumping on locks in use. If its a lockout situation then thats different as long as the client is prepared that you may have to change the lock, once bumped and entry is gained.