Seriously? My new Pick Kit Arrives. Master #5

[MNcracker]

I'm crabby! LOL

My little picking tool kit arrived and after watching so many clips on youtube... I thought it would be so simple to pick a Master #5 I have. Ugh..... I've been at it for an hour and no luck!!!

I hope I can crack this dang thing or I'm gonna feel foolish!!

Any pointers?

[MrScruff]

One pointer: take a break, seriously. Just watch a few more videos, do some more reading, then go back and try in 24 hours. I guarantee a strategic retreat will not detract from that brilliant "ah-ha!" moment in any way.

[fastcat]

MrScruff has a brilliant point. Frustrating yourself usually doesn't help at all.


Another trick is to go back to a lock you can pick easily (For me it is a 5pin Viro I have managed to open with every pick I own, as well as several paperclips and hair pins). Play around with it, more importantly have fun with it, do something crazy with it.

Then go back to the lock you're having trouble with and try it again.

[MNcracker]

Thanks for the ideas guys!

This is my first attempt ever at picking..... I wont give up... the "break" sounds like good advice. It will be fun once I pick my first lock! Maybe a #5 Master isnt the best first lock to try?

I also have some quickset locks laying around here but maybe they are tougher than the Master... I'll have to try I guess!

[r0005]

To learn how to pick, it is best to start with 1 pin then work your way up to 5 pins. There is a good write up on this board about that.

[MNcracker]

To learn how to pick, it is best to start with 1 pin then work your way up to 5 pins. There is a good write up on this board about that.

Yes I saw that. Maybe I should buy one of those practice locks that lets you add the pins as you go.....

[Knute]

I am in the exact same position. I got a new 14 piece set and cracked a #3 twice in two hours with a short hook. So I picked up a #5 and have yet to get anywhere with it. Try try and try again is my plan, happy picking.

[Knute]

Update.. Still can't get my #5 open but I gave it minimal effort. I did however get a #170 with just 3 pins and opened it about 6 times in 15 minutes. If you can, try one of those as a confidence booster, worked for me!