Have you seen this ??? Paper on Pin Manipulation

[Andrez Courva]

Was sent this link and thought it might be of interest to you

Attacks Against The Mechanical Pin Tumbler Lock

... "... manipulating tumblers to operate a lock without the use of, or access to, its correct key" Picking is also commonly referred to as lockpicking. Locksmiths learn to pick locks as part of their trade; however the act of picking a lock can be found all around us. In films, it is common ...

http://www.giac.org/practical/GSEC/Crai ... a_GSEC.pdf 02/25/04, 207167 bytes

[Exodus5000]

Seems to cover the basics.
I've often seen the bypass method for padlocks in which you depress the piece that keeps the shackle secured, but i've neve acctually seen it done.

[Eagerpicker]

I think almost all of the images were taken from "Visual guide to lockpicking". It's really the umptieth collection of tidbits of information on lockpicking, isn't it?

[Romstar]

It's better written than some other available sources, but honestly there could have been more research into it.

Not only is a post in LP101 referenced, (a post that is no longer found in the referenced location) but they also referenced the impressioning guide I helped create, but only mentioned Mark Wanlass, and Stan Hall. Stan Hall apparently did some HTML formatting for the original text document, but the original document was a long term project with Mark Wanlass, Paul Vorman, Lee Taylor and myself.

The greatest problem I have with some of the material found on the internet is the slipshod way in which it is researched. Additionally, I find that a great many of the texts or guides that are written are more from a "warning" point of view, and actually are grossly over simplified, or tend to make picking out to be more than it is.

It may sound stange, but over the years I have discovered that some of the best works on lock picking, and locksmithing come from one of two sources. Either common resources available to the locksmith, such as "Locks, Safes and Security", "The Complete Book of Locks and Locksmithing" and a great many other texts. Then there are the guides and books found through what some have termed the Underground Press. These include companies such as Desert Publications, Paladin Press, and Loompanics Unlimited. Examples of these books include Eddie The Wire's "Complete Guide to Lockpicking", Eddie the Wire's series "How To Make Your Own Professional Lock Tools", and several other books. Also among these books are Stephen Hampton's "Secrets of Lockpicking, "Advanced Secrets of Lockpicking" and "High Security Locks".

I, as well as others were deeply disappointed by the first edition of Douglas Chick's "Steel Bolt Hacking". Mr. Chick's first effort was termed a "Hacker's guide to lockpicking" and I am told that the second edition is much better.
However, this unfortunately underscores the issue of some books being less than what they purport to be, and also have the dangerous potential to instruct the would be lock picker in techniques that are either not effective, or even destructive.
The flip side of this issue are books, papers and guides that obscure the methods and techniques of lock picking to such a degree that they only serve to frighten those people who are already afraid of a lockpick.

After all is said and done, there are many sources for this information, but it all must be weighed against experience and other materials. Beware of any text that uses lockpicking to promote a certain point of view, or advance the notion of lock picking either being simple, or a magical way of opening locks.

When evaluating a lock picking or locksmithing guide, examine the pictures and illustrations carefully. Are they clear, concise, well labled, and more importantly do they accurately portray the objects as they are in real life.
Then, pick random sections of the book, and read some of the text. Does the text adequately reference the illustrations? Does it explain the techniques in such a way as to be clear, and easily understandable?
If either of these tests are not passed, you may want to consider another book or guide.

Year after year I am consistantly amazed at the amount of material that is released on the internet and even some in book form, that are filled with not only technical errors, but errors in spelling, grammar and construction. We may speak in colloquialisms on the forums, and especially in e-mail, but when you are writing a guide for others to follow, attention to the simplist of details is the hallmark of a document that was well written and well proofed. Look out for these features.

I believe that the internet has proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that freedom of the press does not necessarially mean everyone should publish.

Romstar

[Eagerpicker]

The greatest problem I have with some of the material found on the internet is the slipshod way in which it is researched.

Indeed. A very likely explanation may be that many people use the internet itself for research. That's when you get bad research based on... bad research.

Year after year I am consistantly amazed at the amount of material that is released on the internet and even some in book form, that are filled with not only technical errors, but errors in spelling, grammar and construction. We may speak in colloquialisms on the forums, and especially in e-mail, but when you are writing a guide for others to follow, attention to the simplist of details is the hallmark of a document that was well written and well proofed. Look out for these features.

Hear, hear!

I believe that the internet has proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that freedom of the press does not necessarially mean everyone should publish.

I've worked in publishing for the past two and a half years. My job was concerned with literary works mostly, but sadly the very same applies there. People with a kindergarten grasp of their native language are all too easily declared to be "Writers". Similarly, public forums are given to (or claimed by) individuals who have no more than a passing knowledge of a particular subject as though they had just concluded a five year objective, analytical study of the matter. By contrast, I do value someone like Matt Blaze, who in fact seems to have taken a more scholarly approach to what some of us insist on calling the "art" of lockpicking.

[begginerlockpicker]

How does romstar type a responce that long over something so small? Its amazing.

[Romstar]

How does romstar type a response that long over something so small? Its amazing.

I think the gravity of the situation warrants such a response. It may have in fact been a small reference, but it is in relation to your continuing education.

Further, as many of us have discovered, there are a lot of people who harbour negative feelings not only at lock pickers, but at the tools themselves. This is an intollerable situation, and has to be stopped.

We regard this either as a profession, or a hobby. Depending on where we are on either side of the issue.

Some of us have even had arguments with poorly informed members of our own family. They ask why we would ever WANT to know how to pick a lock. They look upon a very educational, relaxing hobby with doubt and suspicion.

Additionally, I am tired of people spending $20.00 or more for poorly written, and poorly researched books. I take this issue seriously, and it is my sincere hope that others will do the same.

Happy picking,
Romstar

[Chucklz]

This paper is so poorly written, I feel ashamed to admit that I even finished it. The author seem to have done no more than casual research, and uses a rather poor reference system (LSS should have only been referenced once...) The format of the paper is supposed to lean towards a scholarly journal article. Frankly, I wouldn't use this "journal" as toilet paper. It is articles like this that give hobby engineers and scientists a bad name. Check the parent URL for the "certifications" they offer. http://www.giac.org/ Some of these certs could explain why most networks are so poorly run....

[The Wanderer]

Some of the the books that Romstar thinks are absolute tripe are unfortunately, books I`ve just ordered from different sources. How is a beginner to avoid the poorly written material that seems to be out there? Should I bite the bullet and pony up the $219.00 neccessary to purchase Marc Tobias book: Locks, Safes and Security and be done with it? Is that the only book I`ll ever need?
I suppose I could ask everytime I wanted to buy a book I could ask someone if they`ve read it and what they thought or perhaps it would be good if we had a book and video review section in this forum so the new people (such as myself) can avoid the pitfalls of buying the useless information thats available out there? What do you think of this idea?

[raimundo]

Steve Hamptons book "high security locks" is also a cheap rip on the consumer. he spends most of the book reviewing some commonly known pin tumbler techniques for pages and pages, then he asserts in one paragraph that medeco can be picked with a twisted diamond pick. I wish to step on this book right here. Also, Eddie the wire with his curious tensor made from a steak knife or some such thick piece of stainless is not that good a book either. There is all that information and so much more on this site, If you have found LP101 you don't need any book by either of these two authors.

[Romstar]

Yes, Hampton is an ass, this is a foregone conclusion. His books read more like a "Locks I have known and picked" rather than an instructional guide.

However, the twisted diamond technique is in fact very valid. I've used it for years. Some of the newer locks are much more resistant to this tool, but you are always taking your chances when you aproach a new lock.

Eddie's books are something entirely different, and as time moved on, his books and material improved.

There is a lot of room for improvement in all aspects of lock picking and tool making. This is the reason why I undertook to finish the new LP101 guide to lockpicking, and why I am currently in the process of writing at least three new books on the subjects of picking and tool making.

I sincerely hope that when these become available they will fill the needs of hobby pickers, and maybe even prove to be some use to professional locksmith's as well.

Romstar

[Johnny P]

That's a better article than most I have seen on the net. Frankly, I think it's better than the MIT instructions.

[Mr. X]

So what should be in the good lockpicking related book/paper/textfile/article?

Why do you dislike Hampton's books so much?

[illusion]

So what should be in the good lockpicking related book/paper/textfile/article?

Why do you dislike Hampton's books so much?

After having read it I was a bit dissapointed, and if you want to learn to pick locks the MIT guide will allow you to... however I still feel the MIT guide is in need of updating with extra information added and also vocabulary ammended (scrubbing - raking etc..) the pyramid methord would amazing if it was added, and also a section on making your opwn tools... all complete with detailed photos and clear instructins and useful; and relevant hints would be good.

However I doubt anybody would be interested in the prospect of writing a freely availible guide that will likely be ripped-off and sold on Ebay. It's a shame because people lose out as a result of one little wanker who feels stealing the work of others is cool... it's not.. and if it's free then to sell it would be a shamble and a reason I feel people are less inclined to help others..

I am considering writing my own version and making it free-for-all so everyone can enjoy it, but I'm 100% sure it will be in a nice PDF file stuck on Ebay the next day by some greasy-haired little shite who thinks he's god because he's exploiting the work of others, and whilst I would do it for free I don't want to see anybody making a profit from something which is aiming to encourage people to share what they know.

Funny, that no matter how many try to make things better there is always a little fool ready to jump in and define his miserable and pathetic little life - what are they fighting??? it's free of charge so it's not "coorperate-fat-cats" it would be there for all so it's unselective... there is no valid reason to do this and it just makes people untrusting... it's the newbies who suffer and it is they who require the most help. I despair at how stupid the situation is whereby such potential is hindered.

Just imagine how frikking awesome it would be if a guide could bring together all the work of the LP101 members and have it organised in an easy-to-use format... of course likely some might be opposed to the idea but I feel it has genuine merit.

I'm sure there are more than a few who neither trust this website, trust us, nor trust our purposes... and if we can't trust each other who can we trust really?

Well that's a heinously long post and if you're still reading then you'll thank me for stopping lol.

[Mr. X]

the pyramid methord would amazing if it was added, and also a section on making your opwn tools...

Pyramid method? I haven't heard about it. Could you give me some link?

However I doubt anybody would be interested in the prospect of writing a freely availible guide that will likely be ripped-off and sold on Ebay.

Well, i am planning to write my own. I am from Lithuania. I am one of very few hobbyists lockpickers here. My text will be written in lithuanian language, because here aren't any lockpicking tutorial at all. I'm planning to write it in 2007 autumn, because my skills now aren't good enough to both pick locks and teach others how to do it. I just know some basics and have some experience. I will release it for free in the net. Some might think, that information like this should be available only to selected few, but i don't care...

It's a shame because people lose out as a result of one little wanker who feels stealing the work of others is cool... it's not.. and if it's free then to sell it would be a shamble and a reason I feel people are less inclined to help others..

I agree with ya, but those bastards find some buyers, right? People are a bit too lazy to find out if document is released for free or not.

I am considering writing my own version and making it free-for-all

It would be great.