Do I need warded lock picks?

[Lpjs]

My starter set of picks (Southord MPXS-14) has not yet arrived, but I was perusing lockpickshop.com and noticed these warded lockpicks. http://www.lockpickshop.com/WP-10.html

I ordered a few locks to start my learning: A master lock #3, a kwikset deadbolt, and a master lock warded padlock (500D).

So, my question: Can standard picks be used to pick warded locks, or do these warded picks need to be used (I understand that fashioning your own tools and impressioning are also options, but I'm speaking specifically of purchased tools)?

My thanks,

Jeremy

[gloves]

Some picks are useful for different kinds of locks, preferably ones with similar mechanics behind, though using a set of lockpicks for pin tumblers on warded locks would put them under high stress in the wrong way.

Even if ball or diamond picks share a closer silhouette to some warded picks, they may not yield a noticeable result due to different sizes involved, and even if they would I think not by a greater order of magnitude than a bent steel wire.

Using proper tools for everything may seem as overkill sometimes, though using a screwdriver to hammer nails into a wall doesn't look that smart either IMHO

Have fun

[Lpjs]

I don't mind spending the money, just wanted to make sure I needed to. Someone recommended that I start with a warded padlock to learn conceptually about the locking mechanism before moving on to pins. I'll order a basic set of warded picks.

Thank you for the input!

[MacGyver101]

Just a word of caution: warded locks and pin-tumbler locks use very different mechanisms. While warded locks are interesting to know about, knowledge of them (or practice with warded lock "picks") won't help you picking pin-tumbler locks.

It's not to say that you shouldn't get them if you're curious (but not /so/ curious that you want to spend time making your own tools); you may gain some more appreciation for locks and picking... but you may be disappointed if you're hoping to use it as a springboard for improving your skills with other types of locks.

[Lpjs]

Ok, thank you.

Any advice or reccomendation on learning picking vs raking first? I picked up two books and they differ in their reccomended order for learning...

[Squelchtone]

Ok, thank you.

Any advice or reccomendation on learning picking vs raking first? I picked up two books and they differ in their reccomended order for learning...

Return the books, we're a much better resource =)

Raking is the guilty pleasure we all learn when we are just starting out and just want to open that file cabinet or that Master Lock no.3. Single pin picking is of course way sexier and requires actual skill vs. a mixture of a little skill and a lot of luck, and some people will say you should learn pin by pin picking from the get go, but most of us are introduced to picking by wildly raking a pick in and out of a lock and getting really excited when the lock opens. I remember a file cabinet my boss and I would pick every day just for practice. It was so easy, we just used a snowman pick and raked it open in 5 seconds. Of course, eventually we stumbled upon this forum and figured out that picking locks we relied on was probably not the best idea, so we started buying locks and had a picking stash in our desks for when work was slow and we wanted to amuse ourselves.

More than anything, just have fun with it, rake a little and as you get a feel for locks, try to SPP some of the locks you've been raking, and get a rim or mortise cylinder (because they're easy to hold in your hand) and read DB's exercise on removing all the pins, and pinning it up progressively 1 pin, 2 pins, then 3, 4, 5. That's a great way to build up your confidence and skill level.

Happy Picking!
Squelchtone