Seven Habitual Behaviors of Highly Effectual Lock Pickers

[kevinmccallister]

good advice thank you!

[maucifer]

perhaps a graphic novel version?
or compressed sun tzu style - canonized!

[camelgd]

Those are very good rules, I think I will refer to to them from time to time. Festus had the idea in general terms. I am new to the website, but I have noticed that some of the posts are talking about practice picking,. watching TV, or whatever. Add the ultimate ingredient- pressure. Put a hasp on the inside of your garage, and lock yourself in with only your pick and tension wrench. It will truly add some flavor to your game. If you open locks on houses and cars professionally, there will come a time when you have to rescue someone or or at least open something in a timely fashion. That adrenalin rush has to be controlled if you are going to be successful. I open about 5-6 cars a year with children locked inside. It is tough to stay focused , but so rewarding when someone tells you that it was a job well done.
Al D.

[newlocks]

Cool! I plan to look this page up once in a while just to make sure I am on track.
I am VERY new to lockpicking but I hope this will turn into a hobby as it seems like two of my favorite things (puzzles and working with my hands) mixed into one. I have already learned so much by reading the posts on this forum and I don't even have a pick set yet. hopefuly remedied soon.

[keysman]

I would have to agree with #7. I was out of the game for about a year and was surprised at how much "my feel" had slipped. Practice, practice, practice.

[NakOut]

You could sell the laminated posters to users on the site then.
lockpickshop.com should cater more to lp101 than just a discount. I think a package is in order. The lp101 beginners kit:
-1 short hook
-1 snake rake
-1 hald diamond
-2 tension wrenches (1 twist flex, 1 standard)
-1 laminated poster a la DB
-3 practice locks
-1 cutaway lock
-the lp101 "Certified Members exam"
-A printout of all the stickys on this site.

That would be an ultimate starter kit.

Should this ever actually come into existence, I will be the first to purchase this package.

[loganism]

Thanks for the great advice. I picked up a pdf. copy of LSS+ from a friend of mine and wow what a read (and I'm only half way through it)
I've been reading, practicing, and reading some more. I owe a good amount of my progress to your seven steps. The only down side is, I've completely dominated all the locks I own and know them inside out, upside down and backward, Springs coming tho' and with it yard-sale season, I can't wait.
Thanks again;
-Logan

[Nrhlmck]

I'm interested in picking up a copy of Locks, Safes and Security that was recommended on the first post. I've noticed there are several different versions and supplements. Does anyone have a good recommendation of where to pick up a copy of it?

I've found a copy for sale on Amazon for a pretty good price. I went to Mr. Tobias' website and thought I may just contact him for a copy? I would also like to pick up the "Open in 30 Seconds" on Medeco locks as well.

I have always found a great deal of success comes from research and reading as digital_blue suggested. Right now I'm trying to put together a good collection of reference/study material and the books I mentioned are the first on my list.

So if anyone could let me know of a good place to pick up a copy. I like to try to buy from those who are in the same industry. So if anyone has a copy please feel free to pm me.

Now, it's time to do some practice picking! Thanks for all of the great knowledge on the site. I've found so much helpful info on here. For anyone that is serious about picking I think registering and being active on here should be the first step. 20 years ago it would have taken you a year to learn what you can learn on here in a week, for free!

[bungy4motion]

I find it worthwhile to have a good selection of locks with different characteristics that I've found. The difference to a well used and low security lock through to one that offers high security and everything in between. I'm lucky enough to do this professionally and keep the locks that have "characters". When work is a bit quiet I pull them apart, impression keys or pick using different methods. Practice time is never wasted time.

[soundwave5150]

I found number 6 especially interesting as it crosses over into something else I do which Is dog obedience training, it's always best to finish practice with something the pups can definitely do

[jruno602]

Hi Everyone!

Just wanted to share some experience that i have learned when picking locks...

1. Lubricate, Lubricate, Lubricate..for me it almost cuts the picking time in half or makes difficult locks open up for me..and personally i use "tri flow" lubricant

2. Sometimes you got to walk away from the lock and come back after a short break..If your picking at the lock for more than 4-5 minutes your goin to get fustrated and sloppy and waste more time.

3. For the longest time i was using A-1 picks and had a hard time picking schalge brand locks and then one day i bought some peterson picks for sfic locks and then i started using them on schalge locks and BAM!! they started opening up like nothing...so trying diff brands of picks can also work for the experience lock pickers

4. You can never have enought tension wrenches...sometimes you have to make your own customer tension wrenches..so be creative

5. And treat your self to a nice lock pick case..you deserve it after so much practice

[Ozlocks]

Number 8:

Develop an obsessive compulsive disorder regarding all things lock related. You know you've achieved this when the kids have to remove all the lock parts and picks off the dinner table every night just to eat dinner...... Or when you sit in bed at night watching tv with the wife whilst absently SPPing the same lock over and over for hours.

[Mrelectric]

This is some awesome advice ,
remember u only get out of it what you put into it
Man I
Seriously gonna print them out. me and my brother In law just got hooked I've unlocked doors and pad locks like 5 different ones
Man I've been n it for 5 days and love it

[RubberBanned]

This is really inspiring. The more in depth I got with the information in locks, and picking here, the more defeated I felt. I saw people spout out names of locks, methods, etc, with me left bewildered. This was a good, solid grounding, to take it one step at a time.

[Phantom1016]

It may just be my newness, but I've found the best way to go at any lock is with a few options. Even if its just for fun to spp, I'll have a half diamond, hook, bogota, and even an electric pick. If one doesnt work in a minute or two, I'll go to the next. I've found that while you don't get as much experience with getting that 1 lock picked by that 1tool, you learn what tools work best and fastest and MOST IMPORTANTLY, you get confidence that you can do it. Thats where the electric pick comes in. Instead of getting frustrated, you feel like you can tackle harder and harder locks.

From what I've learned, confidence and not being frustrated while picking is just as important as skill/ability, especially when working on a brand new (to you) lock.