Video of kwikset lock pick by complete novice

[Kodack]

http://home.comcast.net/~kodacksdarkness/lock2.wmv

I couldn't find a way to edit my first post so here it is.

This video shows me picking a Kwikset lock in a few seconds. This lock sucks big time because even though it's a 5 pin, I am a complete novice, never even held a lockpick befre this afternoon and I can now open this lock consistently.

It's like the bic pen thing with the bike locks.

The scary thing is that this used to be my front door deadbolt. Now I have a schlage security deadbolt. Has anybody else found Kwikset to open so easily??

[Cat]

yep, kwiksets are very easy to open.

[S3rratedSp00L]

Yes. This is why many of us urge people new to the hobby to start out with kwikset deadbolts. For the padlock equivalent, try out a master no. 1. Do a search for "kwikset" and you will turn up a lot of useful info.

Kwiksets are already known for being garbage. Many people here started out opening them within the first few tries as complete n00bs... If you want to increase your challenge, and level of acomplishment, change the bitting or add some security pins to the lock. You may find that it won't be so easy anymore. Don't forget to try the schlage out as well. Every lock is different. ...also, there are some higher end kwiksets that I hear are more of a challenge.. Do a search for more information.

Hmmm.... this is a little different than the bic pen trick.. You're just "rocking" the lock open as you point out in the video... The rocking technique works well on most master padlocks that are similar to the no. 1 as well as your kwikset, of course. The bic trick with kryptonite tubulars is more similar to tubular picking than picking a deadbolt, but I guess there is a slight similarity except that the motion for the pen trick is probably more circular than straight back and forth.

It has been said that every lock is a puzzle and I tend to agree. You have solved that particular puzzle. Your kwikset is most vulnerable to a rocking technique. Good work! Just remember that not every lock opens the same way, even if it is the same brand. (There may be exceptions, hehe)

Anyway, thanks for taking the time to make a video clip and congratulations on opening that kwikset consistently! Good work, now you can move on to something more challenging. Welcome to LP101 if you are new here or have just been lurking for a while and most importantly enjoy the hobby!

Oh, and don't forget to read the general information section of the board including the rules, faqs, etc... You will be glad you did!

[S3rratedSp00L]

I assume you haven't read rule number four yet as mentioned in the other thread, but anyway, I followed a link or two and I liked the macro photo of your fish. Nice detail! I don't know how much you enjoy basic metalwork, but have you tried the art of pickmaking? Pickmaking and picture taking go hand in hand around here.

Back on topic, If you haven't taken that lock apart already, I would definitely recommend you take it apart and mess with it. You will gain a far better understanding from that then anything else in my opinion. Try to figure out exactly what happens when you are opening this lock so quickly and why it works this way. If you enjoy taking locks apart, then you will learn very quickly!

[Kodack]

you probably cant tell from the video but I had that lock mounted in the side of a cardboard box. This made it harder to pick and rake (until I figured out the trick) because it kept bending in and out.

Should I just vice it to my desk, or do you think I should make a mockup out of wood?

I would try to pick my schlage but It's my deadbolt and is in use. What would the neighbors think if they saw me picking the lock? Hehe.

I'm trying to find a cheap way to get practice locks and a way to mount them so they don't move around.

[Chucklz]

A search will turn up quite a few lock mountings. Personally, I like to pick just mortice cylinders, or padlocks, so that I can hold them quite comfortably in my hand. Euro cylinders, I suspect, can also be picked quite nicely like this. Dump the rest of the lock for now, and just practice with the cylinder. Kwikset key in knob locks, and most (I guess the ones with "Grade 1" bolts may be acceptable) deadbolts are trash. You could offer to replace them for friends/family. They get a better lock, you get kwikkies to practice with. For now, stay far away from that Schlage. It is going to have security pins in it, if I remember correctly. Learn the basics first. Master locks that do not have anything exotic in them are #1, #3. They both use the same cylinder, so it doesnt matter which one you buy.
DO NOT buy the 1UP or 3UP locks, as these have a kind of serrated pin.
DO NOT buy an import "knock off" brand, or an American brand lock that looks like a Master padlock. The American definately has security pins, and the import probably does.
As a side note, even though they are rather good locks as they can take alot of abuse/force even though they pick quite easily.
You may also want to consider the lock package that Varjeal offers. It may seem a bit pricey for one lock, but it is a very high quality kit that will take you all the way up to and including security pins.

[MrB]

Chucklz: Which ones are the "rather good locks as they can take alot of abuse/force even though they pick quite easily"?

You mentioned a few different locks in your post and it is not quite clear what your comment is referring to.

[Kodack]

I can open it as easily as a key with that particular rake. So since raking is the easiest to do, I'm sticking with the Kwikset and now I'm trying to pick it the harder way, one pin at a time. Once I master that, what would be a good intermediate lock to try?

Is this "Master 1 or 3" a combo padlock or a padlock?

[Chucklz]

Oh sorry, the Master laminated padlocks, #1, 3, 5, 7 etc.

[Cman22]

With my kwikset i have to pop the back pin then the middle one and bacg its open.

[Kodack]

I figured how to pick my 1st kwikset one handed using nothing more than my index finger. Using almost any rake, insert, push down on pick handle so it pivots at pick entrance, lock opens.

[zam]

tkank