Lever lockpick sets!

by **insomniac** » 23 Oct 2004 1:25

Hi everyone,

I'm having real difficulty in obtaining some lever lockpick sets (the jiggler variety), I was looking for a set of 3 lever and 5 lever but can't seem to find anywhere that sell's them.
Does anyone know any online stores that supply them?
Also i'd appreciate your opinions on the effectiveness of these lever (jiggler) pick's to open 5 lever lock's that have a small guard protecting the key way and hiding the internal's of the lock, are the lock's with this guard in place modified in any other way so as to defeat entry attempt's? :roll:

Thanks Guys - insomniac.

by **EvoRed** » 23 Oct 2004 6:44

The jiggler keys are a bit hit and miss and time consuming.

The guard you are talking about is the curtain and, yes, it is there to stop access to the lock internals. You really need a curtain wheel pick (or 11 if you are Pinky) to pick these. There are a variety to chose from, you'll really need a 5g and 7g for different size keyways, and there are some that are made better than others, some that are more comfortable to use than others, some cheaper than others, some that will work on locks with the lowest levers and some that will not...

I have the Safeventures 5g and the Francis 7g at the moment but I'm probably going to go for the Francis or Belcher thumb/pocket curtain picks too as the two I currently have won't pick locks with the lowest levers present.

You can get them from Francis, Aldridge, SKS, Citysafe...

by **sidpick** » 23 Oct 2004 9:24

Start by identifying which type of lock you want to open, or is most common to your 'work area' ie- all union 2l wobbly keyway black cased mortice (union 2295) and get a couple.
You can make up your own 'jigglers' and make wire picks from wires that you can buy from model shops - but its a good idea to get the locks first so you can get the measurements.
The 'jiggler' keys work on quite a few 2 and 3 lever locks but 2 in 1 picks work much quicker. Some locks are not wide enough for the jigglers to fit in as I found out recently - namely era (it's on this site)
As for the 5 lever 'jiggler' kits I have never heard positive comments about them. Curtain picks or decode kits are the way forward for these.
I got the try out sets as a back up but for what you get there a bit overpriced Have fun

This is the kit I got a couple of years ago, works most of the time but there's a better try out kit at safeventures

by **EvoRed** » 23 Oct 2004 11:29

As Sidpick says, decoder picks are the way forward, a pretty much guaranteed non-destructive opening with a made up key.

These can be quite expensive and you need different kits for different locks but, for instance, the Securefast kit costs around Â£200 from Safeventures and you should have a near enough 100% success rate within 10 minutes with a made up key, should the customer require one cut. Worth it? Certainly, but how far do you go as the expense certainly mounts as you build your decoder pick collection up...

by **pinky** » 23 Oct 2004 16:35

the decoders and curtain wheels are the way forward, they are the dogs doodaas , they are guaranteed 100% openings, from 2 minutes for opening securefast to 5 - 7 minutes for a chubb.

the jigglers really are a waste of time and money for 5 lever locks, they just dont cut it, im sure you can pick a second hand set up for under Â£50, you will either resell them or grind them down for tension tools, not a wise or worthwhile investment.

yup 11 curtain picks in total, but looking at another at present, boys and their toys.

by **EvoRed** » 23 Oct 2004 16:57

As a matter of interest, which are you looking at Mr Pink and why?!

by **pinky** » 23 Oct 2004 17:07

because its their and i havnt got one.
no a new chap has been in touch and can supply a new curtain pick in both 5g and 7g, his claims are that it will pick bs locks with the lowest lever, without losing quality and feel.

he is guaranteeing that it has all the feel of the safeventures pick, but none of the springyness and loss of feel on the francis pick, though i wont comment until recieved and tested, rest assured it will be published if it lives up to its claims, and its to be priced at Â£45.

on curtain picks, mark francises picks will now only be available through duffells, as mark tells me that due to some stiring from a third party he can no longer supply direct, whether its jealousy or just spitefullness i think the third party shouldnt stir, also shouldnt try to ruin a man.
if what i have been told is true, the third party is well aware who they are, and i can see no reason why this has been done, it goes to show you can trust very few people these days.

by **pinky** » 23 Oct 2004 17:27

just wanted to add.

it does my old heart good to see the lever lock threads that are appearing now, so many of you seem to have the bug , you talk now of non destructive picking of bs locks, their is no more talk of drill points for this and that, no more talk of having trouble with bs locks, reading your threads is an inspiration now seeing you all helping each other with these locks, advising on picks and really moving forward on this subject, seeing it as the next challenge, this is the way forward.

im glad that its working too for you, at this rate il be redundant, but hey if that means there is more picking and less drilling, then that will do me.

keep it sweet , pick dont drill , no lever lock needs drilling, now you have got the x factor

by **EvoRed** » 23 Oct 2004 18:40

You are the inspiration Pinky. With regards to lever locks, I'm sure many of us wouldn't be none the wiser for, in particular, picking and decoding BS locks without either your course(s) or your helpful and honest comments on here.

Some like to keep it close to their chest and don't like disclosing 'trade secrets' but I very much admire your openness and willingness to help others, as I've personally found out on the numerous email conversations we've had.

by **frollard** » 23 Oct 2004 19:05

I'm just glad I havent had the opportunity to be graced with a lever lock here in Canada yet - they sound like a pain. *with the expensive tools and all

by **insomniac** » 25 Oct 2004 12:18

Hi There,

Thanks for the replies guy's, they were most helpful. I thought I knew almost everthing with regards to lock picking tool's on the market but i've never heard of the curtain wheel pick before.
How easy is this pick to use exactly?

Thanks - insomniac.

by **EvoRed** » 25 Oct 2004 14:45

Hi,

Check out Pinky's post here for info on the use of curtain picks...

Lever lockpick sets!

Lever lockpick sets!

2,3 and 5lever try out keys

Thanks!

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