Wore out pins?

[Cowboy71]

I am new to picking and in a week i definitely have the bug. that being said, I don't know what the normal learning curve shouid be. I set up a practice board with two deadbolts (Kwikset) and a week ago it took hours to pick. Now it's almost like anything I put in there I get it in about 10 sec or less. Sooo, do the pins wear out or am I really learning this? also, with those same rakes (s-rake, bogota, snowman) I can't even pop a master lock.

Any feedback?

Thanks
Cowboy

[Divinorum]

I have heard that picking a lock over long over a long period of time will cause the lock to become easier to pick. I don't think that is the case in your position though because you say you have only been picking a week and it would take a lot longer to see that effect if any. I would say that after practicing for a week you are seeing progress in your technique and awareness of what is taking place inside the lock. As far as the master locks are concerned, what model master lock do you have? This thread has a growing list of master locks and the number of pins as well as if any are security pins.

viewtopic.php?t=23712

You should look into learning how to SPP (Single Pin Pick). Rakes are great but they will only go so far. Practice your single pin picking and I bet you will have that master lock open in no time.

[KPick]

You can't rake all locks. You can also wear out key pins, but I doubt you have done that at all. I've been picking a master-lock #5 for about 3 years on and off, and it hasn't even fouled on me yet.

The learning curve varies with person to person. I took forever, and trust me. You're probably quicker than me on this one because I didn't know how to even rake a lock open under ten seconds when I first began with my first Master Lock.

[Onz]

I'd suggest you have a look at: http://www.lockpickingforensics.com/lockpicking.php and the other links on that site by the intelligent datagram. It shows the pins once that have been picked and what it does to the pin. Most well manufactured locks will last a good 5 years of wear and tear. Try some Single Pin Picking since some locks have security pins and make racking much harder (Though some people can do it with feather light tension).

[Cowboy71]

thank you all for your replies and suggestions This forum is an awesome resource for new guys like me thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. By the way the master locks that I was talking about our number threes.

Cowboy 71

[KPick]

I'd suggest you have a look at: http://www.lockpickingforensics.com/lockpicking.php and the other links on that site by the intelligent datagram. It shows the pins once that have been picked and what it does to the pin. Most well manufactured locks will last a good 5 years of wear and tear. Try some Single Pin Picking since some locks have security pins and make racking much harder (Though some people can do it with feather light tension).

Good post Onz. I would have never thought about forensics taking worn out pins into consideration. That would be specially helpful in a case were someone used it on a crime.