How to go about getting started?

[Vega]

Hi, all! First post here.

First, yes I have read the FAQ. This is a little more specific of a question.

I'd really like to get in to lockpicking as a hobby. I've always found it interesting, because I believe in the concept of "ethical hacking"; that is, knowing and exploring the vulnerabilities of your own possessions in order to make more educated decisions on how to fix them. I do not have, nor will i ever have, any intent of using a skill like lockpicking for any illegal means.

That being said, how does an honest, law-abiding, curious enthusiast begin to learn the hobby of lockpicking? Aren't there legalities that essentially prevent me (not a locksmith) from purchasing the tools necessary to start getting into it? I just always see people, even younger people, with pick sets and cutaway locks, practicing and getting good at it. I have to wonder how they all got their gear.

I'd really like to get into it, study and practice it just as a hobby. But I feel as if it cannot be done due to some legal restrictions. Any input?

[Squelchtone]

Hi, all! First post here.

First, yes I have read the FAQ. This is a little more specific of a question.

I'd really like to get in to lockpicking as a hobby. I've always found it interesting, because I believe in the concept of "ethical hacking"; that is, knowing and exploring the vulnerabilities of your own possessions in order to make more educated decisions on how to fix them. I do not have, nor will i ever have, any intent of using a skill like lockpicking for any illegal means.

That being said, how does an honest, law-abiding, curious enthusiast begin to learn the hobby of lockpicking? Aren't there legalities that essentially prevent me (not a locksmith) from purchasing the tools necessary to start getting into it? I just always see people, even younger people, with pick sets and cutaway locks, practicing and getting good at it. I have to wonder how they all got their gear.

I'd really like to get into it, study and practice it just as a hobby. But I feel as if it cannot be done due to some legal restrictions. Any input?

I think you're over thinking it. Just go to lockpickshop.com, or lockpicks.com, or lockpicktools.com and buy a lock pick set for $20-$30 bucks, then read lots and lots of posts here and ask some questions as needed, and if reading posts ain't your thing, then watch Schuyler's 24 video lock picking course on youtube and that's how you will learn.

Happy picking!
Squelchtone

[Rewt254]

Hi, all! First post here.

First, yes I have read the FAQ. This is a little more specific of a question.

I'd really like to get in to lockpicking as a hobby. I've always found it interesting, because I believe in the concept of "ethical hacking"; that is, knowing and exploring the vulnerabilities of your own possessions in order to make more educated decisions on how to fix them. I do not have, nor will i ever have, any intent of using a skill like lockpicking for any illegal means.

That being said, how does an honest, law-abiding, curious enthusiast begin to learn the hobby of lockpicking? Aren't there legalities that essentially prevent me (not a locksmith) from purchasing the tools necessary to start getting into it? I just always see people, even younger people, with pick sets and cutaway locks, practicing and getting good at it. I have to wonder how they all got their gear.

I'd really like to get into it, study and practice it just as a hobby. But I feel as if it cannot be done due to some legal restrictions. Any input?

I myself started the hobby rather simple: I found a lock without keys and wanted to open it. I had no tools/picks so I had to make simple torch wrench and a pick from paper clips. And after a while (let's say a week?) I opened it. After the first lock I purchased a lockpick set online and bought some cheap locks to work with. That's all. Well videos/articles/tutorials and so on are a necessity

I don't know which country you live in, but in many countries owning a lockpick is not illegal. You should be able to purchase one online without a problem. Carrying a lockpick in a public place on the other hand is usually illegal.

Cutaway locks, better tools (ie. disc detainer lockpicks) and such aren't necessary, at least not in the beginning. If you start to feel like going further into lockpicking then you might consider buying some extra tools. Getting your hands on special or high security locks can be hard if you are short on money.

Only limits to lockpicking hobby I know are special lockpicks and machines which can be only bought by a licensed locksmith. If there is a locksmith reading this post I hope he/she will tell about in more detail.

[bjornnrojb]

+1 to watching Schuyler's videos. They are amazingly well done and were indispensable when I was teaching myself locksmithing basics. I learned lockpicking by reading "the MIT guide to lockpicking" before I had found SchuylerTowne on youtube. It only took me thirty minutes after I finished reading it to get my first five pin schlage. I was using HPC lockpicks though. YMMV if you are trying to learn with bobbypins or whittled down carrots or something like that. It is best to learn on real lockpicks. They are cheap to buy anyway. You can buy them individually for a few dollars each and you only need two of them. You can make your own tension wrench easily. Good luck and have fun!