Are new locks harder to pick?

[daniel22747]

Ok, so when I buy a new lock it often takes me a while before I can pick it (unless it is a really basic easy one). Obviously some of this is just learning how to pick this specific lock.

However I have wonder if this may also be because new lock tend to be more "stiff". Is it the case that after picking a lock for a while, or even just using the key on it, things start to lossen up a bit inside? And this makes pipcking it a bit more easy.


There also seems to be a point after picking a lock a whole lot that it starts to become almost unpickable.

What have you guys experienced in regards to this?

[MrAnybody]

Personally, I don't find any common trend with new locks that make them any more or less easy to pick than non-new locks. For me, the real 'b*tch comes with old locks that have been out in all weathers for their lifetime or in really dusty environments.

If anything, newer locks for me are a cleaner pick as they usually have nicely functioning springs, maybe a little lubrication and no internal debris. I think that in the case of a lock that I've picked for awhile, things become easier since I get to know the lock rather than things loosening up. Could be a bit of both, I guess.

And I also find that I have times when a lock I thought I knew well just doesn't want to play fair and wants to act all unpickable. Man that drives me nuts! I've no idea what that trip is all about, but for some reason it just wont set right. In such cases, I've no choice but to put the thing in the naughty box before I end up freaking out and it ends up out of the window and on the yard!

[boggif]

New locks with tight keyholes might be a lot more difficult to manouver because of all the sharp edges that have not rounded yet, especially with a bit rough unsanded pick. A new locks seem to get a bit smoother in all parts as they get a bit of use.

I'm not sure if it gets generally easier or not and when it will start getting worse. Old rusty locks are another thing and they may be very nasty and difficult to feel.

[fgarci03]

Well, about being brand new I haven't built an opinion about what you've said. I don't really notice stiffness on brand new locks, but hey, maybe I haven't paid enough attention.

But about they becoming easier, what happens to me is that I sometimes take a lot of time to pick a new lock (new to me, not necessarily brand new), but when I finally do, it suddently becomes easier. Not that I memorize the binding order, it just gets easier. I start picking it so much fast. And when I pick a lock with the same brand as that one, even if I've never seen it before, it's easier also! I think it's because most brands are all different in some aspects. Spring pressure, tollances in the pins or any other things. And what seems to me that is setting a pin in one lock (and all others the same brand), may be an oversetting in another lock (from a different brand). So if I don't pay enough attention to what I'm doing (generally on a new lock I start by raking, then SPP without much attention, and if none works, I start paying attention ) I confuse things a bit. Then I start to realise what's really going on and it becomes easier (and of course, faster).

If they are really basic locks (and I see a lot of them out there), it goes either with raking or "first round" of SPP.


About an older locks, it also happens to me. My Ultimate Challenge Practice Lock has taken so much heavy torque (ohh, those beautifull times!) that it's a pain in the *** to pick it with only 4 pins now! But I find it a good training. I mean, to pick not a difficult lock, but one in a "notsogoodcondition". And doing that without damaging my tools!

But when I buy some more new locks, I'll pay attention to this, and I'll post something!

Be safe!

[Jeremym0411]

I do not believe that new locks are harder to pick. Like said earlier older worn out lock that have been in the weather are harder to pick to me. I also think that locks that are upside down are harder to pick. It may be just me but it seems that way.

[lp31]

I have been picking for a couple months and based on my experience every brand has its little intricacies that you learn. Like a lot of the schlages i have pick much easier ccw ( althought i have a few exceptions). And i think this is why you find it easier to pick locks after you have already picked one belonging to that company. In my experience also a newer lock is easier to pick for some of the reasons stated above. Once a lock is weathered it acts completely different. I have a couple master #3s (easiest lock to pick IMO) that are so weathered it makes it much more difficult.But that is also the fun in picking, finding out what works for certain brands and what doesnt. Finding what the lock likes is part of the quest and putting that information together for every brand you come across is the first step to being well rounded. I think thats why getting a new lock is like a christmas present

[sentientsentinel]

New locks are like a box of chocolates you never know what you are going to get.I just bought a masterlock chinese knock off called a tru-bolt
1 1/2.It has a very tight keyway tension wrench and pick barely fit at the same time,key is hard to turn.I have tried 6 differnt rakes and 5 different hooks but still not setting more then three or so pins its giving me fits.It has very low pins at 1 and 3 making it even tougher.I suppose I really got lucky that its a challenge though.Right now I am turning the key frequently and leaving the key in overnight and the springs seem to be loosening up.If anyone has any suggestions please let me know but keep it on the down low I wouldn't want it to get out a $5 dollar chinese knock off is kicking my butt.Thanx

[lockkiller1984]

it deppends wich lock you wan't to pick. its like asking do al hotdogs taste the same ofcourse not. on the other hand if you reffer to new lock . being a new and clean lock unused . Than it will be easier to find the shareline and bind the pins, just because the lock is clean new and unused.

[billdeserthills]

it deppends wich lock you wan't to pick. its like asking do al hotdogs taste the same ofcourse not. on the other hand if you reffer to new lock . being a new and clean lock unused . Than it will be easier to find the shareline and bind the pins, just because the lock is clean new and unused.

I disagree, I find a good quality new lock with tight tolerances will never be tighter & harder to pick than when it is first installed

[nite0wl]

New padlocks, particularly once you get out of the low end (or into the extremely low end) can be much more difficult to pick when they are new. Higher quality padlocks will often have factory applied lubricants which can harden or become gummy when they are sitting in the warehouses and on store shelves (American Locks used to be particularly bad about this).
On the extreme low end of things the quality of workmanship, materials, and even production methods can be so bad that they will stop you (I think BosnianBill had a video recently where he had to dump sand out of a brand new lock that had been made from sand-cast parts).

[Snowblind]

In my experience, brand new locks are easier to pick then old corroded ones. With some low-end locks lacking security pins, I find that they get easier and easier to rake open to point where just sticking the pick in all the way is enough to set all the pins.

Locks that are picked open all the time do seem to change character but I'm not really sure why. I think it could go either way.

[deralian]

It really depends on the lock and quality/key cuts. A new lock while clean 'should' have tighter tolerances because it hasn't been worn out. On the other hand a old lock even after cleaning it might have some 'issues' that would make it harder to pick. I think the keycuts, band, and individual lock are more important factors to the difficulty.

[deolslyfox]

You never know how long a lock has been on the shelf until you get it home and look up the date code if it has one. Factory lubes can get stiff, attract dust, etc and make the pins hang up, which isn't a big help, especially if you're just starting out.

When I get a new lock the first thing I generally do is rinse it out good with alcohol, then put a few drops of turbine oil on the bitting and run it in and out of the lock a few times to "slick up" the pins. If the shackle, bearings, cylinder are dragging, now's the time to lube them a tad as well.

[nite0wl]

You never know how long a lock has been on the shelf until you get it home and look up the date code if it has one. Factory lubes can get stiff, attract dust, etc and make the pins hang up, which isn't a big help, especially if you're just starting out.

When I get a new lock the first thing I generally do is rinse it out good with alcohol, then put a few drops of turbine oil on the bitting and run it in and out of the lock a few times to "slick up" the pins. If the shackle, bearings, cylinder are dragging, now's the time to lube them a tad as well.

American Lock padlocks are especially prone to this. I have had some that were on the shelf for 10 years, and others only a few months old, both had extremely stiff factory lube around the cam and bearings. Had to bathe them in WD-40, then high concentration rubbing alcohol to remove it. One was so stiff it nearly snapped the factory key.

[bonjour]

I think older locks are harder to pick because keys that went inside twist and turn and grind away the material inside over the years.