Increasing susceptibility to lockpicking?

[EddieBro]

Does repeated picking increase a locks susceptibility to lock picking?

[raimundo]

probably not, in fact practice locks get very scarred inside from the digging and prying with sharp edged tools, this leaves the pins with a lot of vertical lines on the sides of them that interact with the scars on the plug where the pin chambers are drilled. the interface between the plug and the cylinder probably has a lot of fine brass dust building up in it making any lubrication less effective, and the lube itself will dry or otherwise be removed on the pick shaft along with the usual brass filings from a rough tool.

One problem will definitely make the lock difficult to pick and this is the scarring of the cylinder wall at the bottom of the keyway that comes from the tensor resting one of its 90 degree edges there, when a significant groove erodes here it will cause all tension to simply be grounded in the cylinder wall and not rotate the plug,

so maybe your just getting better at picking that lock, learning to use light tension rather than frustrating youself with heavy handed picking.

[EddieBro]

Ok, I was kinda hoping that was the case. No matter where I move the pins, I can pop this lock with all my picks (all 4 ) in just a few seconds. So should I get a Schlage deadbolt or security pins?

Thanks for your advice.

[r0005]

When I first started picking I also had a cheap lock that I thought the same thing about. I didn't find that to be true with most of the other practice locks I have.

[EddieBro]

My apartment maintenance guys gave me 7 KwikSet locks they had replaced, no Smartkey, just regular 5 pin locks, and I can go through those pretty quick. From searching this forum looks like next step is Schlage 5 pin, I'll pick me up one of those, and look around for some security pins to get ready for next step, that seems to the suggested progression, please correct me if I am wrong.

Thanks

[Squelchtone]

My apartment maintenance guys gave me 7 KwikSet locks they had replaced, no Smartkey, just regular 5 pin locks, and I can go through those pretty quick. From searching this forum looks like next step is Schlage 5 pin, I'll pick me up one of those, and look around for some security pins to get ready for next step, that seems to the suggested progression, please correct me if I am wrong.

Thanks

Don't get the Schlage with a + sign on the front of the keyway, that's not a normal Schlage. I also heard they are pulling that Securekey from the market because it sucks (and because Kwikset sued them)

Walmart has a nice line of Brinks brand deadbolts, they have security pins and are a little better made than Kwikset original locks, and most Brinks have security pins! =)

At Home Depot, Defiant is about the same quality but will actally have a security pin or two and offers more of a challenge. Either brand costs $12-$18 dollars for a deadbolt, get a double sided one, so you can keep one for picking practice, and one for taking apart and pinning progressively.

Happy Picking!
Squelchtone

[EddieBro]

Excellent thanks for the info will check it out today!

[EddieBro]

Wanted to thank you for your suggestions on the Brinks, I bought a Brinks Deadbolt, and their high security pad lock. Nice challanges, picked deadbolt as it came 3 times by luck, re-pinned to just one spool pin and I am now getting much better feel for spools, still a challange right now. The pad lock seems easier to me because the false set seems to be very obvious which helps me to pick the lock.

No Schlages yet as all the ones I have found around here are the smartkey versions. Trying to find a good place to find old locks, nothing yet will keep looking though.

Again thanks.

[Squelchtone]

You're welcome! Glad the Brinks are working out, I always found those locks fun to pick =) Good job getting better and better with spools. It's feels nice when it "finally clicks"

I merged your new post with the original thread for continuity.

Happy Holidays and Happy Picking!

Squelchtone