learning with keys

[Fuqua]

first off i apologize for the completely oxymoronic title.

as a new lock picker it is obviously somewhat difficult to pick even a basic lock consistently. i have a master lock (no clue which model) that i can rake open in about 2 seconds, however when i try to SPP i have trouble getting the pins lined up and inside it feels very sloppy.

so while at the hardware store today i picked up a master lock M46XD (designed for storage units but the same pin and tumbler design) and first used they key as a visual guide and quickly found myself able to SPP this lock. inside it feels much better put together also which may be the reason i can pick this lock easier.

so my real question is. is it a bad idea to look at the key while learning to pick a lock??? obviously i dont plan to continue this practice as i advance in the hobby, but am just concerned this may lead to bad habits that will hinder my progress.

[Fire Fox]

Fuqua,
Good question. I'm also using the key to my locks to figure out where the pins are. Very interested in what responses you get.

[LocksmithArmy]

NOOO this is not a bad idea in my openion... it will help you learn what a pin feels like when it sets because you KNOW, by looking at the key, when it will set, so you can pay more attention to feel and less about guessing where to stop... BUT you do need to pick without the key aswell, when you have the hang of that lock, toss the key across the room and pick it without looking... then move onto locks that have no key

also new locks do pick easier than used grimey locks... the grime messes with feedback aswell as pin movement and in real dirty cases they can mess with binding order and other stuff.

[TTrent]

I'm still quite an amateur myself, but I've found that looking at the key is a good way to check the feedback you're getting from your fingers and picks. I'd suggest trying to pick it first without looking at the key, try and figure out as much info as you can (such as the binding order) and if you still have problems check the key to see how close your visualization is from your feed back. I usually don't look unless I've played around with it for a while. Sometimes I even wait until I've opened it a few times but I feel it's more from luck than from understanding feedback.

Looking at the key has been a great tool to tell me what I'm doing wrong, but I wouldn't use it right off the bat to show me how to pick the lock. Take what I say with a big box of salt, I'm still quite new to this and can only tell you what worked for me. I know there are some amazing locksporters on here that say they need to analyze the key in order to have any chance at some crazy locks.

[meastabrook]

looking at the key is a good reference of where the pins will set at when your learning so then it sets you know what to feel for.

[UEDan]

I'm with lockpickarmy, Looking at a key throws off my concentration and I stop feeling for the pins. No keys for me.

[damaso]

also new locks do pick easier than used grimey locks... the grime messes with feedback aswell as pin movement and in real dirty cases they can mess with binding order and other stuff.

I am wondering what one can do coming across such a grimey lock to make it getting picked easier.
I have one like this, (which is very easy kind of lock to pick when in normal condition), once inside with picks, dont feel anything of what is going on with the pins.
Maybe inserting some grease or oil inside would make it possible to pick?
Any ideas?
thanks in advance

[Wizer]

Yes, allways lubricate the lock throughly to save your picks and nerves.
I was just picking this no-name 6-pin euro, and alltho it looked cheap it felt like there was serrated pins in it. Took it apart, and found two pins covered in green rust like oxydation. Just normal pins not sliding well in their chambers.

[damaso]

Yes, allways lubricate the lock throughly to save your picks and nerves.
I was just picking this no-name 6-pin euro, and alltho it looked cheap it felt like there was serrated pins in it. Took it apart, and found two pins covered in green rust like oxydation. Just normal pins not sliding well in their chambers.

Is there any lubricant(or other stuff) i can just inject inside the keyway and solve this rust/oxidation thing.
Or i must disassemble the whole lock and clean it "lock, stock and barrel".

[pin_pusher]

graphite is great...not with any of that petroleum though. taking it apart might be excessive, unless it feels real dirty.