Accidentally picked a lock today haha

[Rickthepick]

I just accidently picked a lock also. Well, maybe accidently is the wrong term. I was trying to pick this lock, but didn't realize that it wasn't locking what I thought it was. I just got my first lockpick set, and wanted to try it out. So I saw what appeared to be an electrical panel in my lab, and resolved to pick its lock and look at what was inside. I struggled for 45 minutes, raking and not really knowing what I was doing. Then, when I wasn't really paying attention, it suddenly clicked and turned. I was excited! Then I tried to open the door, but nothing would swing open. It suddenly dawned on me that this wasn't a breaker box or anything like it.

I had turned a switch.

And I had no idea what it did. I panicked, tried to look up the code at the top of the box and figure out what I'd done. I couldn't find out what it was, though. I pictured security guards racing in through the door to investigate the cause of this switch being triggered, and finding me with a very incriminating lockpick set. I was horrified. I frantically set to work picking the lock AGAIN so I could return it to its original position. Somehow, under pressure, and with my previous attempt's experience guiding me, I was able to do it much faster. Ahh, the adventures my lockpick set and I will have...

shame it wasnt a self destruct button

[loki-aka]

Hate to say this, but now you probably know why so many people on this site say- " Don't pick any lock in use ".

Probably made for a great adrenaline rush though.

[Schuyler]

Hate to say this, but now you probably know why so many people on this site say- " Don't pick any lock in use ".

Probably made for a great adrenaline rush though.

Haha - this is true. I would have enjoyed watching this on a sitcom of some sort =P

[archie_summers]

It wasn't a self-destruct button It was indeed the breaker panel, in my excitement, I just hadn't figured out how to open the panel. I learned this later.

As for saying you shouldn't pick locks in use, because you might break it: Honestly, how often do you break a lock attempting to pick it? It's a rhetorical question by the way, I know it isn't often. I hadn't realized it was a faux pas to be open about why we find picking locks exciting on these boards. The thrill is in having an exclusive power to get at things which are locked up. Without a key, without authorization. And without having to resort to brute force to break in.

If you want to say you enjoy lock picking because of the puzzle solving aspect, and you say that is the MAIN reason, then why don't you have a pile of these



mixed in with your locks? Or perhaps if you say, "well those are easy, locks are tough," then why don't you have other tough puzzles?



I realize that it may be alarming to think that some newbie might turn your hobby into a criminal activity, and mar its reputation as an honest, fun, and harmless past time. Well, I assure you, I'm not going to be doing anything bad. I believe that the misuse of power is ultimately a thugish .. thug-like? behavior. Anyone who takes advantage of the benefits of society by stealing, lying, and otherwise doing things because they consider themselves "outside" the rules is too stupid to understand that everyone must depend on each other.

Too hungry to try to explain my trustyiness any better right now.

[Schuyler]

I broke the first lock I picked. On the door of my apartment. It failed secure, I couldn't get in and didn't have any other means of entry.

I've seen locks broken in my workshops and classes routinely.

You are picking locks that don't belong to you and are in use. Those are the only rules we have. Literally the only 2. I don't even pick the locks on my apartment doors because I don't own them. I rent, so they are not mine to pick.

The gall of your willful ignorance is astounding.

[Josh K]

The thrill is in having an exclusive power to get at things which are locked up. Without a key, without authorization. And without having to resort to brute force to break in.

Why do you want to "get at things" that are locked away if you don't intend to steal or screw with them? What's the point?

"Thrills" I get enough of a thrill watching the plug click over. I don't need to be wondering if the police are going to knock on my door later on top of it.

Like Schuyler said, we only have two rules and you're breaking both of them.

[archie_summers]

Why do you want to "get at things" that are locked away if you don't intend to steal or screw with them? What's the point?

There is no point. I don't intend to steal things or screw with them. Not beyond harmless pranking anyway.

But I am curious what you think is the point of picking locks. Why do you do it? I think, ultimately, the point has to be to open the lock. Right? And why open a lock? If you just get off on just opening things, why aren't you sitting in front of your kitchen cabinets giggling with glee?

Clearly, the thrill of opening a lock, is that it is LOCKED, and that you, through your skill and ingenuity, have the power to trespass. Even opening an unmounted lock that you have the key to, is exciting because you have overcome some perceived resistance. You've beat that Medeco.

If I am wrong, please explain to me why it is that people get into lock picking. Note, I am not saying it is because of any intent of criminal activity. I am saying it is because we enjoy the power of being ABLE to do things. To be somewhat cheesy and quote Spiderman, "with great power comes great responsibility."

[mhole]

Even opening an unmounted lock that you have the key to, is exciting because you have overcome some perceived resistance. You've beat that Medeco.

You've explained it perfectly here. Which makes your other statements a bit confusing really. The kick is beating the lock, not opening the door. Unless I'm working, in which case the kick is very much opening the door, and seeing the smile on the face of the customer who can finally get in!

I'm sure we've all picked the occasional lock we shouldn't, and got into sticky situations as a result, but that doesn't make it right, or mean we should attempt to justify it.

[Josh K]

Why do you want to "get at things" that are locked away if you don't intend to steal or screw with them? What's the point?

There is no point. I don't intend to steal things or screw with them. Not beyond harmless pranking anyway.

Your definition of harmless is not one I would trust.

But I am curious what you think is the point of picking locks. Why do you do it? I think, ultimately, the point has to be to open the lock. Right? And why open a lock? If you just get off on just opening things, why aren't you sitting in front of your kitchen cabinets giggling with glee?

I like understanding how things work and finding ways around them. Picking locks satisfies this need for me.

Clearly, the thrill of opening a lock, is that it is LOCKED, and that you, through your skill and ingenuity, have the power to trespass. Even opening an unmounted lock that you have the key to, is exciting because you have overcome some perceived resistance. You've beat that Medeco.

Clearly you're delusional. "The power to trespass?" You have no "power to trespass" on anything. Lock picking doesn't give you the right, the privilege, or "the power."

If I am wrong, please explain to me why it is that people get into lock picking. Note, I am not saying it is because of any intent of criminal activity. I am saying it is because we enjoy the power of being ABLE to do things. To be somewhat cheesy and quote Spiderman, "with great power comes great responsibility."

Excuse my language. F***[edit- NOT FUNNY- do NOT do this again-unlisted] that.

I have already stated why I enjoy lock picking. You have stated why you shouldn't be trusted with any information.

[Schuyler]

I love locks. I love them. I smell brass and grease and find it invigorating. I can tell you, with no lie or irony, that my love of locksport comes not at all from being able to get into places I'm not supposed to be.

I love competition. I love the fraternity of it. I love teaching and looking up old patents and dreaming up new locks. I love research & picking down at the bar with my friends. I love being able to help someone out in the middle of the night when they didn't think they'd be able to sleep in their own bed or get back on the road. I love understanding something that few other people ever bother to understand and having friends and a community of people where I can discuss and grow in that understanding.

I joke, a lot, about being able to get into places. That's the extent of it.

There is an exciting taboo behind those jokes. Of course it feels good to think that if the situation arose you could get through some door. If your family were trapped or you were being hunted or whatever. But those are jokes and fantasies, they don't form the basis of a real love for lockpicking. It's far too shallow.

[archie_summers]

My definition of harmless is not one I require you to trust. That's the whole point. People aren't comfortable when they have to rely on trusting you to be good. That is why they rely on attempting to force you to be good. Not giving you a choice. And I understand that. But picking locks means you have the ability to circumvent that. As you said,

finding ways around them.

As in, finding ways around doing that which someone does not want you to do.

That's not to say that you would do something BAD because you now have the power to do so.

Let's be absolutely clear. There is a difference between having the right to do something, and having the ability. My using the word power seems to frighten you, so lets replace it with ability.

Lock picking doesn't give you the right, the privilege, or "the power."

It doesn't give me the right, or the privilege, but it does give me the ability.

You have stated why you shouldn't be trusted with any information.

If I wanted to be trusted with information, would have. But for my intents and purposes, I do not need any information.

From what I have seen, it seems that you are unwilling to face the idea that your enjoyment of locks in particular has to do with being able to do something you are not supposed to be able to do. Nothing you or anyone has said gives any reason that you enjoy locks, in particular, above something else. For example, challenge, camaraderie, teaching, learning, the smell of brass and grease, are ALL things that can be found much more easily in other areas. The fact that you like locks in particular must be due to something else, and you have not shown me a reason I can accept.

I do not expect you to agree with me. In fact I expect that the suggestion that you enjoy lock picking due to its inherent illicit nature will only make you more defensive, and generate more hostility. Consider this my last attempt to explain my opinion. I would suggest that any further response is probably a waste of your time.

[darklighterz7611]

id just like to point out a flaw in your original argument, that is that just because someone does crosswords it doesnt mean they enjoy solving a rubix cube or a sudo puzzle. they just enjoy crosswords.

i personnaly enjoy the skill it takes to excersize such minute motor skills along with the puzzle side of overcoming a locks design, sort of compitition between the lock designer and you.

which ultimately works out for the better as locks are redisigned to be better and better.

If i wanted to bypass security i would just buy a heavy duty tool for the job not piss ass around with a lock pick set, thats just the movies talking. Do you ever see rapid responce units or the military carrying lock picks??? no they just knock the door off its hinges.

Your obviously not in this for different reasons than the majority of this community, not sayin you are necesarily a thief just that your passion for this skill revolves around you wanting power over peoples security blanket. Which i personaly dont agree with, its like designing an xray machine to see through clothes for sexual pleasure rather than to enable a scan for concaled weapons....

And brass is soft, locks break.......

[darklighterz7611]

ugh i need to proof read my posts more.lol

*Your obviously in this for different reasons than the majority of this community,

[Schuyler]

Stop projecting your illicit nature onto us to feel better about it, buddy. Yeesh, what a creeper.

[rontgens]

MUWHAHAHA ALL YOUR PICKS ARE BELONG TO ME!