Easy lock to pick on a box for beginners

[SJF]

Hi all,

My wife has wanted to learn how to lock pick for some time. So this year for Christmas I've decided to get her the basics, to see if she likes the hobby. Got to start somewhere, right?

What I'm after doing is getting a box, putting all of her presents into it, and locking it. Then giving her the box, and a lock pick set, and leaving her to it.

However I need a box, with a lock that's easy enough for a beginner to pick. Not being able to lock pick myself, I don't know where to start.

Would any of you more experienced folk be able to point me in the right direction for purchasing such a box? It needs to be about 30cm x 20cm x 10cm, (L, W, D) but that's flexible, I'm more keen to learn about the type that I need more than anything.

Should it matter I'm based in the UK, should anyone find one that I could actually purchase.

Thanks!

[SJF]

I suppose the question I'm asking really is; I've read up on the different types of lock pick to purchase, and there's plenty of info that I can find about this. I've purchased a basic set for £16 delivered (About $24)

But what I need is information on what is a good LOCK for a beginner to start on. Ideally one that can be fitted to a box.

[buddykiller]

fitted to a box as in..?

if you want a lock that will actually go inside the box (similar to a lock/strong box) you can get a pretty simple 4 pin cam lock for a couple bucks online. if you want a padlock i'd go with either a master no. 3 or one of the el cheapo chinese clones. it'd probably be easier to install a hasp for the padlock then to actually modify the box for the cam lock.

also, while the cam lock should be really easy to pop (most of them that i've encountered zips open in one swipe) the padlock will be a better practice lock for her in the event that she does wish to pursue the hobby (and i find that i am also able to get feedback through the lock body it's self). i'm a noob, but this has been my experience.

[SJF]

I don't understand why you'd want a lock INSIDE the box??

Edit: I see what you mean now. Ignore me.

I'm thinking a hasp and padlock may be the better idea here.

Do you think something like padlock 1 or something like padlock 2 would be right? Obviously don't want something too complicated, but don't want something that you can open within 2 seconds.

?

[buddykiller]

hmmm, the silver one is a 140, and the brass one is a 120. idk about the 120, but folks have found 140's with spools and i find my 140 really hard to read, it doesn't give very good feedback at all.

i found these on the same site, they're a couple quid cheaper, and they're pictured with hasps (though given the price i'd double check with the site to make sure the hasps are included). this one is a 140 knockoff so i would highly doubt it contains any security pins although it might give the same feedback that a 140 does. however, this is what i would suggest. it's a no. 3 knock off and those give excellent feedback.

just remember to keep the key handy in case she gets frustrated. when i first started it took me a couple hours to pop my no. 3. the best advice i can give you for her would be to get on youtube and watch some videos from guys like bosnianbill, kokomolock, and schuyler towne. it seems like some folks find bill to be annoying but i've found his videos to be priceless because he explains what he's feeling for and what he's doing as he's doing it. i would also suggest she watch some of the lockpicking talks from the hacker cons specifically talks by deviant ollam, barry wels, schuyler towne, and jos weyers. jos tends to focus more on impressioning but he does a really good job explaining what goes on inside the lock when it's being attacked and knowing how a lock works and what exactly is happening inside the lock is important knowledge imo. at the very least she should watch this talk from hopex called "lockpicking, a primer & the many faces of locksport".

[SJF]

Fantastic! I shall get the one you recommended. Next up I just need to find a box.

Aye, I'd thought about a few links to tutorials in emails too. And yeah, I'll keep the key handy.

For a first attempt, would a little brass padlock not be better? They're that small that they can't have nay more than 3 pins maybe. I'm talking the really cheap and nasty ones... Like this.

Thanks for the advice BTW, it's appreciated.

[buddykiller]

you're welcome, knowledge grows stagnant if it's not shared

that is a great idea! judging by the bitting on the key in the picture you'd be correct (and idk if there would be room in a 20mm lock for 4 pins anyway ). that lock should pop rather quickly which should pique her interest in the hobby as well as bolster her confidence. i do, however, find that smaller locks give less feedback (but that might be due to my fat hands, a more experienced picker might say otherwise) so be a good hubby and throw a couple of 4 pinners in the box as i'm sure she'll get bored with the introductory lock quickly. one thing i've learned is that if you're having trouble opening a lock, try a different pick. interesting side note (at least it is for me), from what i've read females tend to be better at manipulating locks than males.

[SJF]

OK, sorted! Thank you!

Got a 20mm, a 30mm and a 40mm set of padlocks. Cheap, so shouldn't cause any problems, and different sizes to for her to try.

After that she can practise on the shed, and the front door.

Now all I need is a suitable box. ^_^

[buddykiller]

OK, sorted! Thank you!

Got a 20mm, a 30mm and a 40mm set of padlocks. Cheap, so shouldn't cause any problems, and different sizes to for her to try.

After that she can practise on the shed, and the front door.

Now all I need is a suitable box. ^_^

i'd nix the front door bit as accidents happen unless your good friends with a lockie or don't mind a nonfunctioning door lock <_<

[SJF]

Ah. Good point, well made.

[buddykiller]

it's very tempting though and she'll certainly want to try, i know i find myself eying my deadbolt from time to time.

[SJF]

Are Mortice locks tough?

Having said that, aren't you in USA? I don't think mortice locks are common there.

[buddykiller]

theoretically, i would imagine that they would be a little bit more difficult than a padlock with the same cylinder only because you're getting less feedback from the lock unless you're holding them in your hand. i personally haven't had the chance to pick any yet as i haven't made my way to the nearest thrift shop to see if they have any sans keys.

aye, you'd be correct, i reside in the land of cheeseburgers and over populated prisons. this is what most residential deadbolts are like here, or at least this is the kind of deadbolt that's ever been installed on any house/apartment i've ever lived in. a bit different than a mortice lock what can i say, we're lazy here XD

[SJF]

See to me that's called a "Yale lock". Simply because the biggest supplier of them in the UK is a company called Yale. Very common place. Not very strong either. Mortice locks on the other hand are a whole different ball park. I don't think they work on the pin/tumbler mechanism. The keys are MUCH stronger, as if they're shifting whole mechanisms around. I dunno though. We'll see.

[buddykiller]

i think the difference is in the installation and hardware, not the actual lock it's self. mortice and rim cylinders are really popular for picking so they do come in the pin and tumbler variety but i also know there are still lever type mortice locks produced and used today. i know that mortice locks have a lot more steel (and thus require a mortice to be cut into the door) and all the ones i've seen have a much bigger bolt.

oh! about the box, check around some thrift shops for some old small trunks, hell, you might even find something suitable for your needs at shops like poundland (albeit at dubious quality).