Lock Picking - Keeping Score?

[TriannaX]

Hello!

So...do you "kep score" when picking locks? How?

Seems like a simple question, but I have found the answer to be quite complex. For me, it's a hobby because I enjoy it. In a way, it's a type of "game" with the next harder lock being the next "level" and I want to see how far I can get. I have my locks arranged in a tackle box by what I perceive is the difficulty of each lock, with the ones I have not picked at the end.

Something interesting I ran across asking people about picking in this matter is that people count their successes differently. Some count it if they can get the lock open by any non-destructive means. Other, only if they truly pick the lock. Some people are adamant that bumping a lock is cheating.

What do you count as a success?
(I will add my thoughts after some responses come in, don't want to bias anything)

[LocksmithArmy]

Me personally, I only win when the lock is opened with spp. i dont rake except with a bogota but i dont count that as a success when hobby picking.

when on the job however, anything goes... as long as it opens...

I cant consider it a game with levels persay because its too hard to think about which locks are harder... but i do try and pick the hardest locks within a range that i concider my skills tobe at that time. I may wake up and say I wanna pick "X" lock today... and ill start with locks around that difficulty, but i cant assign a level number to locks because ther is alot more to consider than just brand... youve gotta think bitting and binding order awsell and these things are hard to gauge unless im actually picking.

I can say, this lock is harder than the last so i went a level up... but what about the next locks... how do i know it will be harder or not till ive already started... am i making since or rambeling... ill shut up

[raimundo]

Ya dont count the bogota openings as picking? Is that because its too easy?

[LocksmithArmy]

haha no its picking (cause its not the key) but its not a personal win... the tool beat thelock not my skills.

[Engineer]

I keep score in a way - I have a box of locks that I haven't picked yet and whenever there's some slack time, I pick one out and choose a pick to try out on it.

I now have a second box that it then goes into. This box is for the locks I've picked, but I think I can learn from learning to pick it with a very different pick...

Only when I think I've learned as much as I can from it (read: I'm sick of working on it...) does it go into my collection.

Raimundo and LocksmithArmy - I too count a rake as only a half-victory. LocksmithArmy you put it very well, I feel that a rake opening might be by far the best for a quick opening, so I do practise it. BUT I cannot help feeling it was either luck (the rake's profile was a close match anyway), or as you cleverly put it, the skill was in the tool, not my hands. The same goes for try-out keys, picks guns, destructive entry etc. They all have their place in the trade as they keep costs down by being quick, but when I am doing it for pleasure, I single pin pick, or impression. I personally feel these are what teach me the most about the feel of the lock, not just speed.

This is why I don't enter locksport competitions - For me it's not about speed for fun, it's about pitting my wits against the best lock engineers there have been over the years and slowly beating them pin-by-pin...