Was wondering if what I am experiencing is common. I have noticed that the lock I am trying to pick will have a particular direction it likes best or is easiest to pick and whether it is top tension or bottom. It seems that if I am having trouble one way i can switch the direction and usually get the lock picked. Do others find the same thing? Or do you typically settle on one way after gaining a lot of experience. Thanks. Jon
Most locks definitely have a particular direction they prefer to be picked; this is why plug spinners were invented, as the direction the lock is easiest to pick is not always the direction which will unlock it.
Locks usually pick more easily to one direction than the other because of the binding order. I have Mul-T-Lock that picks like 1-2-3-4-5-6 CCW (CounterClock Wise) and is a total mess CW. Usually top tension makes the lock easier because the feedback is more clear and the rotation of the plug is more smooth. Look at this:
I personally pick the lock to the direction most "handy" for a few minutes. If I don't succeed I change it and go on from there. Since there are plug spinners, it doesn't really matter to which direction you actually pick a lock.
I've also been defeated by a cheap 4 pin for a long time, untill I remembered to change directions and picked it in 15 seconds 2 times in a row. It was because it had a freaking short pin behind a previously setted long one that kepted me from setting it. AFter changing, the short pin sets first and it's easy from there!
Go ahead, keep plugging away, picking on me! You will end up on bypass or with rigor mortise. - GWiens2001
I stick a tension wrench in the lock and turn each direction. The direction that moves the most is the direction I try first and have the most success with.
cledry wrote:I stick a tension wrench in the lock and turn each direction. The direction that moves the most is the direction I try first and have the most success with.
I gotta try this! Thanks for that!
Go ahead, keep plugging away, picking on me! You will end up on bypass or with rigor mortise. - GWiens2001
