Can't feel the pins, am I doing this right?

[xxlockpicker123xx]

Hello forum members,

I recently picked up lock pick as a hobby a few days ago and ordered a lockpicking set from Amazon. I also went to Homedepot and grabbed a Kwikset double deadbolt lock model 600 or 650. For the most part it was easy to pick, I had it open within 2 minutes, now I have it in a matter of seconds. I also have picked a Popular Mechanics padlock, it is much hard to pick than the Kwikset locks. I rearranged the pins in the Kwikset lock, still it was pretty easy to pick. The problem is that when I pick I can't feel what I'm doing. I watched Schuyler Towne's videos on YouTube and he mention something about how I should feel what I'm doing. I'm starting to think it may be the lockpicks, or just the Kwikset lock. The Popular Mechanics lock has a very small keyway so I'm not complaining that I can't feel anything in there. What am I doing wrong? Should I buy and new set? (I primarily use the hook and the half diamond I would also like to have a few rakes such as the L rake.) What locks should I start picking? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
xxLockpicker123xx

[xylac]

I would recommend digital_blue's Beginner lock picking exercise here http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=10677.

It really helped me learn to feel individual pins. The Kwiksets you have will be just fine for learning, since they have a nice, maneuverable keyway and give good feedback. It also sounds like you know how to take it apart, which means it'll be easy for you to take out all but one stack, or two, etc.

It's easy enough to get Kwiksets open, but as long as you practice, follow the exercise, and make sure you know how you got the lock open each time, you'll make great progress and will be able to feel what's going on in a lock quite naturally.

Best of luck!

[glens_1999]

Try using as little tension as possible. You should feel the pins "click" in as you hit the shear line. Try some of the exercises suggested here with 1, 2, 3 pins etc. It helps to know what is happening inside.

Hope this helps. Keep practicing.

Glen

[ThatOtherGuy]

I know it's been 10 days now, but hopefully we didn't lose you. Lockpicking is fun, and many people give up for almost the exact reason that you're facing now. They open a lock, maybe a few, and then they find a lock that they just CAN'T seem to open.

While it sounds incredibly cliche, the best advice (beyond what the two above me have posted) I could give you is to keep trying. Take your time. Sit there, close your eyes without too much distraction (tv, music, etc) and just try and visualize where your pick is and how the pins are moving when you touch them. One of the ways I learned to visualize the inside of a lock I'm working on was to just count the pins. If you know how many are in the lock, you can touch them in backwards order (my way is to start at the back ), and once you've gotten to the front you can decide "I will now lift the 3rd pin". Stick your pick in, and see if you lifted that third pin. This is why I advocate people buying practice locks. You can learn to visualize, and then actually confirm your actions.

Focus completely on the task at hand, and keep trying.

If you do that, eventually, it will become second nature. The transmission (feedback) you get from your picks will be clear and noticeable. It will even be possible for you to "feel" a security pin, if you keep at it. The small give in tension of a spool pin, the double bind of a serrated pin, etc.