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Lockpicks From Razor Blades

When it comes down to it there is nothing better than manual tools for your Lock pick Set, whether they be retail, homebrew, macgyver style. DIY'ers look here.

Lockpicks From Razor Blades

Postby Emrys » 10 Oct 2012 20:19

Not sure if anyone has tried this yet, but let me start of by saying that I have had great success with these new lock picks. I have found that "snap-off" razor blade replacements to be a cheap, plentiful, and high quality source of material for homemade lock picks.

For the most part, the harder the metal is, the better the feedback but lower the "springiness", and vice versa. So there is obviously a middle ground here. IMHO the characteristics I've found in these razor blade replacements are better than the spring steel offered with commercial lock picks.

While I have experimented with windshield wiper inserts, hacksaw blades, and street sweeper bristles, I have found all of these far too ductile to work with. If this sounds familiar to anyone, give this a try! Besides... It's cheap :)

I apologize for the picture quality. These were done with an Ipod.

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These are the replacement blades I bought. Any brand will do, but I recommend buying as cheap as you can get :)

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As you can see, there is still a fair amount of flex in the metal. Far more than I think any experienced or inexperienced lockpicker will need. And the scored edges for the break points won't break unless EXTREME pressure is exhibited on the blades. So if the blade happens to break while picking....you were probably doing something wrong in the first place.

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The pick flexes naturally.

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And returns to it's original shape. I have yet to distort these picks.

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These are the only picks I've made so far. I actually like the signature "break points" in the picks. IMO it adds a little bit of style.

I hope this writeup was helpful!
"That lock? I could pick that with a finger nail and a piece of laundry lint."
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Re: Lockpicks From Razor Blades

Postby vinnie » 10 Oct 2012 20:47

looks excellent. This seems perfect for my budget. definitely would be a huge upgrade from my bobby pin picks..

Did you shape them by sanding back with a dremel? or actually cut them with something?
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Re: Lockpicks From Razor Blades

Postby GWiens2001 » 10 Oct 2012 20:57

Don't knock bobby pin picks! I used nothing but them for over 2 years when I started, and opened a LOT of locks with them. :) Granted, that was about 30 years ago :roll: , but they worked.
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
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Re: Lockpicks From Razor Blades

Postby GWiens2001 » 10 Oct 2012 20:58

By the way, good idea with the razors. Never would have tried it without the suggestion - too worried about them breaking. I may have to try them some day.
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
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Re: Lockpicks From Razor Blades

Postby vinnie » 10 Oct 2012 21:09

GWiens2001 wrote:Don't knock bobby pin picks! I used nothing but them for over 2 years when I started, and opened a LOT of locks with them. :) Granted, that was about 30 years ago :roll: , but they worked.


they're great! and very useful to know how to make/use well if you're in a pinch. It's all I've used for about 5 years of sporadic picking. But now I'm really getting into lock picking I'm looking for something a bit more comfortable to use. I think I'll definitely try making them out of razors.
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Re: Lockpicks From Razor Blades

Postby Squelchtone » 11 Oct 2012 2:29

Hi Emrys,

Would you please cover the process, especially the part of how to safely do this and how to remove the super sharp edge before someone here slashes their hand open while making picks out of such a sharp stock? I'm all for finding new pick making materials, but I honestly can't say I'm a huge fan of this one, mainly for the fact it starts off as a sharp blade made to break into smaller sharp blades...

Thank you,
Squelchtone
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Re: Lockpicks From Razor Blades

Postby femurat » 11 Oct 2012 3:31

Interesting idea. I'm worried too about the pick breaking while in the keyway. Those break points are made to concentrate force and break the metal. I see those are on the sides, and the pressure is applied on top. I may try this so I'll discover on my own if it's better than my usual bristles.

Squelchy, I guess that the first thing to do is to grind away the sharp edge. But I'll let Emrys speak for himself.

Cheers :)
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Re: Lockpicks From Razor Blades

Postby Emrys » 11 Oct 2012 5:30

Right. Thanks for the backup Squelchtone. And yes, the absolute first step would be to GET RID OF THE SHARP EDGE.

#1 dull the edge however possible. I actually just drag the edge on the concrete really good until it has been completely dulled.

#2 dull the sharp corners. I don't think I need to go into the how-to's of homemade pick making, but I've had good success with either a vice&dremel or vice grips & a grinder.

#3 with the 25mm blades, you can actually get 2 picks out of it. Cut the blade in half longways. Again, this is where a dremel & vice come in.

#4 now just shape ur picks as needed. I highly recommend sand paper and polishing compound for final touches.


I was also worried about the scored edges snapping on me but like I said, it really does take A LOT of pressure to break them. Hope this helps!
"That lock? I could pick that with a finger nail and a piece of laundry lint."
Emrys
 
Posts: 134
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Location: Chesapeake, VA

Re: Lockpicks From Razor Blades

Postby Emrys » 11 Oct 2012 5:33

Another tip I can give you guys is when shaping the pick, keep the scored break points where the handle will be. If you look at my picks, the tangs have no break points across it.
"That lock? I could pick that with a finger nail and a piece of laundry lint."
Emrys
 
Posts: 134
Joined: 26 Nov 2006 18:36
Location: Chesapeake, VA

Re: Lockpicks From Razor Blades

Postby femurat » 11 Oct 2012 6:39

Emrys wrote:Another tip I can give you guys is when shaping the pick, keep the scored break points where the handle will be. If you look at my picks, the tangs have no break points across it.


Thanks for pointing that out, I haven't noticed it :)
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Re: Lockpicks From Razor Blades

Postby Squelchtone » 11 Oct 2012 8:10

femurat wrote:
Emrys wrote:Another tip I can give you guys is when shaping the pick, keep the scored break points where the handle will be. If you look at my picks, the tangs have no break points across it.


Thanks for pointing that out, I haven't noticed it :)


ohhh I get it.. I originally thought every 1/2 inch there was a break point on the entire length from the tip of the pick to the end of the handle..

How does one normally break off the blade if using it as a blade? pair of pliers or something?

Thanks,
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Re: Lockpicks From Razor Blades

Postby femurat » 11 Oct 2012 8:28

I'm surprised you've never done this Squelchy. To break the blade there's a slot on the back cap of the handle. You slid out the blade till the first edge, remove the back cap and put it on the blade, slightly bend it with your hands and the blade breaks. Now it cuts like new.

Cheers :)
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Re: Lockpicks From Razor Blades

Postby Squelchtone » 11 Oct 2012 8:41

femurat wrote:I'm surprised you've never done this Squelchy. To break the blade there's a slot on the back cap of the handle. You slid out the blade till the first edge, remove the back cap and put it on the blade, slightly bend it with your hands and the blade breaks. Now it cuts like new.

Cheers :)


I'm a Stanley Classic 99 man. Reversible blades, and spares inside the handle.

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great for any kind of carpentry work, cutting drywall to install computer and telephone outlets, etc.

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Re: Lockpicks From Razor Blades

Postby femurat » 11 Oct 2012 8:47

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Re: Lockpicks From Razor Blades

Postby Emrys » 11 Oct 2012 9:34

I've used the smaller razor blades to make pick tips for my pocket xacto knife pickset. They work great too.
"That lock? I could pick that with a finger nail and a piece of laundry lint."
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