Describing how to lockpick in as few words as possible...

[reboot_zero]

Just as the title suggests. I have a few birthdays coming up, and they have always been intrigued with my lockpicking. My gift to them is handmade lockpicks in a nice case. I want to include a fantastic introduction to their new hobby written on a piece of paper so they can jump right in. Obviously, I'll have a few significant URLs at the end of everything (like for LP101), but I just wanted to make it clear that they shouldn't pry, nor anything like that before they find the community.

Anyway, I tend to try and explain everything in great detail, but I'm coming up with about 3 sheets of paper. I've found some great guides that word things better than me, but they're still too lengthy. Is there a light-weight tutorial that could give me some ideas? Do you have any suggestions besides this plan? I just want it to focus on proper technique without getting too much into it... sort of like a synopsis of a book. Thanks a bunch for any help!

[GWiens2001]

Give them a link to Solomon's guide.

Password is evva3ks

Gordon

[Squelchtone]

The key is a multi purpose tool. The cuts of the key lift individual pins and push spring loaded driver pins out of the plug so that it is free to rotate. The bow of the key is a convenient handle that then allows you to turn the plug and unlock the lock.

In picking we have picks that lift the pins to the correct heights, sometimes a single pin at a time and sometimes several pins at a time and we have to use a wrench which allows us to rotate the plug once the lock is picked. A key normally keeps the pins lifted, but in picking there is only open space under the key pins, so the spring above the driver pin will force the whole pin stack back to start. To make the pins stay up where we lifted them, press on the tension wrench or turning tool as some call it and that will distort the pin stack chambers just enough to make the pins bind against the side walls.

Insert the pick straight in like you would a real key and only press on the turning tool only as hard as you would press on the real key while turning the lock.

If your finger is turning white, or the pick wont insert into the lock, lower the amount of pressure you have on the turning tool.

Man, that got wordy... Lol
Squelchtone

[FarmerFreak]

First they need to know how many and where all the moveable elements are that make contact with the key. A cutaway is nice for that.

Then all they need to know is to apply rotational pressure to the plug, find the binding element and move it until it isn't binding and is springy. Rinse and repeat until the plug turns.