ARCHIVE 2003-2013 Introduce yourself HERE if you are new. :)

[HalweJakkals]

Hey all.

[I'm new to lock picking]

Hey people, I'm new to the site as of today, this is another world to be truthful. I'm starting an "Reo Business"; re-keys, changing locks. The majority of times I'll have to access the house, that has been foreclosed upon, from the exterior.

Most contrators simply drill holes in the lock, according to two locksmiths I spoke with stated "picking them or using a "bump key" would be the fastest way to access a lock. Anyone have an opinion of which pick or bump key would be the best for the service I'll be performing. I gladly accept all recommendations, thanks in advance.

[digital_blue]

Hey people, I'm new to the site as of today, this is another world to be truthful. I'm starting an "Reo Business"; re-keys, changing locks. The majority of times I'll have to access the house, that has been foreclosed upon, from the exterior.

Welcome. And if you choose to stick around, I'm sure your chosen username will become more and more ridiculous.

[Donald the Lesser]

I am new to picking; in fact I just got my first set of picks today, and within a half hour I had a master no 1 open! I was so happy, I have tried bumpkeys before, with no luck, and shims, with excellent results.

I am excited about the puzzle element that picking a lock offers, and excited to join this community.

[Rapsodi]

Hi all
I am new to lockpicking. If you disregard few atemps that I did as teenager, on my discbox

I just got my first pick set last week and have been have fun with it since, opening a few old padlocks that I have.

[Legacy712]

Hi! New member, Legacy712 here. I guess I'm supposed to introduce myself and impart a little info.

Well, it's "Legacy" because I develop systems software for legacy-type (older) computer systems --- the powerful computers which used to fill a large room or more, not the PC sitting on your desk. I've been doing so for close to 40 years. You don't have to know what that is (if you do, that's fine), but let it suffice to say that I develop some of the software used by some very large corporations around the world to run their systems. And yes, your PC is more powerful than the very old mainframes, but the mainframes have also kept up, and are at least 1,000 times more powerful than your high-end PC. Enough about that...

Lock picking and locksmithing: When I got into high school (45 years ago), I was fascinated by the hall lockers, with their combination locks, which we didn't have in grade school. I figured out how they worked and how to "pick" them. I used to delight in opening lockers, which made me a big hit when people would came back from Christmas vacation and forget their combinations. Never stole or looked through anything, just opened and closed them. Everyone trusted me, except the school superiors, who finally heard about it. Fortunately, the principal (priest, Catholic school) was a friend of my family, and simply told me to "cease and desist" for the next 3 years, which I did.

Awhile after I graduated from high school, I decided I should go "legit" and learn more, so I enrolled in one of those locksmithing schools in the back of a magazine. We didn't have cds and dvds back them, only a manual and lessons sent to me. I'd complete a lesson, send it back for grading, and they'd send me the next lesson. It was really interesting, back in the late '60s. I learned disassembly/assembly, shimming, rekeying, impression, rekeying, master keying, picking, safes, pretty much the whole works. Even got a cheap-o key machine, which I used later quite a bit.

I was especially intrigued by the picking, and got pretty good at it, after hours and hours of practice. I even solved a lock-out situation for my neighbor, when he had left his house keys at work and it was late, with his family in the car. Felt pretty proud of that. Later, I did rekeying for friends and family when they needed it. Never made much money, but I felt good about it. Since I lived in a Chicago suburb, I bought my stuff at HPC in Chicago, a little here, a little there. Still have my deluxe pick set from them. I remember developing a special "pick" to disengage the locking wafer of a padlock, to pull out the plug.

Although I've been out of it for quite awhile, every so often, I check out my picking skills. A bit rusty now, but I still enjoy it. I hadn't heard about bumping back then, or shimming padlocks. I mostly picked everything by hand. I bought a pick gun in 1969, just to see what it was, but I always thought it was for police and people who couldn't pick. If you have and use one, that's fine, but I never warmed up to them.

Anyway, I don't do much locksmithing work anymore, other than to very occasionally change out locks for friends, and picking as a hobby. I believe there -must- be a code of honor among pickers. We take on a great responsibility by being able to circumvent security, and we must treat it carefully and with respect for others and their property. Do unto others as you would have them do to you. Okay, I'm off my soapbox, and I've told you about me. A bit wordy, and probably more than you would ever want to know about me, but mission accomplished.

[scifipirate]

scifi reporting in

[CelticRaven]

Hey all, thanks to the guys at defcon that all showed up and gave some great talks.....

Catch you all soon...

[freakparade3]

Welcome all new members!! Here are a few links to get you started.

Site Rules

New Users Guide

FAQ

Please take the time to read through them. Feel free to PM me with any questions.

freakparade3

[fr3styl]

Hello all. I am new to this site and to lock picking. I am not sure that knowledge of picking will help make my physical security better like knowledge of hacking makes my network more secure, but it can't hurt. I'd like to learn and share knowledge with any of you.

-fr

[RobbieF]

Hi all!

I'm new. To here, and to lockpicking. I'm a late bloomer. Just got interested in it last month (I'm 37).

Got a starter set with a book. It's got the tension wrench, ball, half diamond, rake and hook/feeler.

After some reading and watching youtube videos and some practice, I was able to pick 2 deadbolt-type locks in my house already. Boost of confidence:D

So, I suppose now I'm ready to learn.

[Chayak]

Well found the site through Defcon. I'm primarily a computer security researcher and I do penetration testing at various sites. I also do a lot of physical security stuff and I've always had a interest in locks.

My first experiences being playing safecracker as a kid. I had an old stethoscope and was playing in my grandparent's RV trying to get into the safe they'd accidentally locked the paper with the combo in. I'd turn it very slowly and listen for clicks and then turn it the other way. Well to my surprise it came open. I of course ran inside yelling 'I got it, I got it!' No one believed me of course until my dad finally got fed up and went out with me to look. After that, I've always had an interest in safes and locks.

I've been idle with the hobby for a while so hopefully I can get my skills back up and start learning again.

Other than that my next few days will be spent ordering replacements for our Medeco locks...

[houdina]

Just listened to the Tobias interview, great stuff. Looking forward to reading through the site.

[jamie79512]

Hey I'm James, I'm about to attend college for electrical engineering. I'm not sure where my interest in lockpicking came from. It seems pretty common with folks in the IT field. I have made basic picks with a grinder before but only manage to pick a few locks. I finally purchased my first commercial kit. I look forward to meeting everyone in the forum and improving my skills.

[jphustman]

Hello. I help a friend, (who is a locksmith), when he needs to install electronic access control systems in buildings. The ones with the wireless key fobs and electronic latches, for condo's and whatnot. I wanted to learn more about locksmithing to help him out further, and make some money. So through my searching on the internets, I came across your site. Now within 5 days of practicing and making my own picks out of hacksaw blades, I've unlocked every lock I can find around the house and at friends houses. It is surprisingly easy and challenging at the same time. Now if I can just figure out this wafer padlock...

Thanks for having such a great site!