Your technique

[Eyes_Only]

A double ended pick tool with a hook at one end and a rake at the other like the ones made by LAB is very useful on some locks. That way you can set the easier pin stacks with the hook and just rake the rest without fumbling around trying to switch tools.

[le.nutzman]

I prefer SPP as opposed to Raking, though I will try a rake from time to time just for kicks and grins.

I also like picking alone or very limited company, such as my immediate family. I've found that picking in very large group gatherings, such as when i'm sitting in class waiting on everyone else to catch up, I still can't concentrate enough to pick even the easiest lock i've brought with me. However, that actually seems to flop when I've been asked to pick a lock by the owner and it's time sensitive, then i have no problem picking the lock with a gathering watching me. Usually about 65% in the field when that happens, any other time, i'm around 90-95% when i'm practicing.

I like a very light tension, however i'm very heavy handed so that means i have to take a break every couple of minutes if i haven't gotten the lock opened in the first 2 minutes.

Contrary to what many will tell you, when it comes to ANY American 5200 padlock, my heavy hand seems to offer me more distinct feedback in the way as I manipulate each pinstack, I can hear and feel a definite click. This is helpful when trying to figure out each stack's pin type, if that makes any sense. I know it works for me.

Standard Peterson Slim pics and tension wrenches, small hooks, a complete SO set and Rai's bogatas make up my aresenal and i'm pretty effective.

[FFVison]

I typically SPP with my short hook and I probably use a little more tension than I should initially, but I ease up gradually. If I can't get it after a few minutes, I tend to switch to my snake rake even though I am still not very good at raking. I have gotten my kwikpik deadbolt open using my snake rake, but who can't . I typically use a normal tension wrench, but I have been known to try using my feathertouch wrench from time to time if I can't get a lock open.

[Raymond]

I chose my turning force according to each individual lock. They are all different.

I start with a medium curved pick and rake from back to front several times. This surprisingly opens a lot. If not, then I settle into normal single pin picking with my eyes closed. It enhances the feel through the pick.

I then progress from pick gun to bump keys to rotary pick in that order as I'm usually in a hurry.

[blake1803]

In bogota, out bogota!

[ady1989]

I usually SPP using a hook and light tension. Sometimes I like to try out different rakes and play around with those, but when I absolutley need a lock open I can always rely on my hook pick. I have a few different hooks for different locks and keyways. I was never much good with the half diamond, but I'm slowly improving .

[csthomas]

I use my half-dimond and just go up and dow like a tater-tot really fast...if that dosent work within 15 seconds then I'll spp and sometimes if a lock still dosent open ill rake after i've done one of these. usually works really good, but I'm still noob

[Grifter]

I normally start with light tension and just SPP with a hook or peterson gem pick. I'm really liking the peterson reach pick as well, since in my opinion I get nice feedback through the pick while I'm banging around in there.

[grabenwich]

yes i start with light tension too
and I use the snake pick to scrape the pins
I find It is the best method

[paulvalente]

I prefer SPP.

Apart from really cheap and nasty own brand locks I have been unable to master raking with any degree of consistency. Does anyone else find this?

My technique therefore tends to consist of a serrated tension wrench inserted in the top of the keyway, with an LN21 hook used to SPP the pins. I tend to find that the cuts in the keyway may be used as a makeshift fulcrum to add control.

Cheers

Paul

[htb723]

I can't rake for the life of me, I can only SPP, but I prefer it that way. It looks way cooler, and stealthy.

[Roho1112]

I usually use a half diamond, flat tension wrench, and very little tension. I've ran in to some four sided safe locks that I had to rake one side at a time while inserting a second wrench in another side, raking that one and so on. The lock looked like this + as did the key. And all four sides were cut different. Took a couple minutes but I got that sucker. The way I see it, it's a matter of how you learn, and what gives you the best feedback on the lock.

Happy Picking

[Artkrp]

I like to start with really light tension on the top of the keyway and try SPP'ing the whole lock.
I like to keep in mind which pin I am on by numbering them and remembering the binding order in case I lose tension or jam a security pin. I use variable tension when SPP'ing when I can't get the last pins to bind or click.
When I rake, which is rare, I Like to use light tension on the bottom of the keyway. I simply rest my finger on the tension wrench and do the "come hither" motion with my pick.
I mostly pick in front of the computer, TV, or in the bathroom

[jwiese604]

Being fairly new to picking...
i tend to use way to much tension but recently i have gotten much better about it. i always use my trusty half hook first but sometimes rake the pins if i really have too. i prefer using a mount ( I use the one got for my southord practice set ) but i have no problem holding the lock. I still have a lot of trouble with padlocks for some reason but can easily pick kwikset and schlage locks,

[Black Zero]

Yea raking's never worked out too well for me either. But I prefer SPP anyway so it doesn't bother me much. I probably wont ever use any picks besides my hook unless its for practice.