Heavy Tension Disadvantages

[Alsoar]

I've been reading some lockpicking pdfs as well as videos on Youtube. Every single one of them mentions using as light tension as possible, however it doesn't explain why i should be using light tension.

I been trying to pick some cheap Master padlocks at it seems heavy tension makes it easier to me. I can feel which pins are binding, and there's a nice tactile and auditory *thunk* when a pin sets.

When i try using light tension, i can barely feel anything (no doubt i need way more practice). Can someone kindly explain to me the advantages of using light tension?

Thank you.

[allan501]

Practice is important.

I also find that different tension wrenches behave differently. Right at the moment the peterson prybar is my go to wrench but if I have difficulty different wrenches sometimes give better feedback.

Some people seem to like heavy tension to find the binding pin then switch to light tension to lift the pin.

I find heavy tension during lifting gives too much friction so you have to use more force to lift the pin and lose the feel of the pin moving. I also find that using more force lifting makes me more likely to overset the pin.

[74TR6]

Being new (actually returning) to locks, I have read and watched everything I can find; also gathered as many types of locks as I can find. I have found some locks require a different degree of tension. I think your original comment is correct if a phrase is added: "... using as light tension as possible..." to feel the binding, movement, and setting of pins. I find excessive tension overcome with force of pick leads me to overset frequently

The prybars are great and I reach for them often. But I have found on a few locks I get a better feedback using a standard wrench---stainless with the twist Still new at this and trying to learn.

[FarmerFreak]

Using as much tension as possible while still being able to move the pins WITHOUT bending the pick is ideal.

Sometimes that's a lot of tension, sometimes it's a negative amount of tension.. Unless you are trying to pick something that is high security and has real pick resistance. Change the word "negative" to "light."

[ggpaintballer]

When I started getting into lock picking everything said to go extremely light. It worked for a while. One day ran into an american padlock that I detected had a bunch of serrated pins. Everything I'd heard about serrated said light as possible or they will catch. I fumbled with it on and off again for a few weeks. I finally picked it by applying much more tension than I had previously, like more than I was used to using on non security locks. I got definitive clicks and feedback was different depending on if I was in a serration or had a true pin set. I would guess that generally people go too heavy so the consensus for advice is go light, but for me it was the opposite, spurred on by the majority of the community always cautioning go lighter. It really will depend on the lock. Heavy handed for a master is fine. Also, you will bend picks. Generally from frustration but sometimes it's necessary when using lighter gauge steels.

[billdeserthills]

I like to start my picking using the lightest amount of tension possible. That means as little tension as it actually takes, to keep my tension wrench in position in the keyway.
Of course, as you mention, some locks do need more tension, but those are generally the exception, not the rule. I like to keep in mind that the actual amount of tension
needed is not really set in stone, and while probing a lock I can always add more, but it's difficult to add less tension without releasing all of it and starting over.

[Alsoar]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

From the sounds of things, i guess it really depends on the lock, and no doubt once i start picking better locks with security pins, i'll need to use less tension.

[docjon]

I believe the reason most people recommend using light pressure is because it is a good starting point. Yes, there are many locks that need a little more pressure. What I have found is that I continuously vary the pressure just a little. It is a dance between the pick and the tension wrench. The more you do the better you get. docjon

[docjon]

Absolutely start light. As the gentleman above said, it is a good starting point. I have two Wilson Bohannon that have to use a lot of tension. But they are the only ones. Some times the tension is so light it hardly turns. If you can't get the pins to set go to tkw or counter rotation tension. Diff pins will set. It is a constant learning process. Docjon

[Legion303]

The simple reason is that it's easy to overset pins when you're using too much tension. Ideally, you should only need as much tension as you need to turn the right key. Once you get a good idea of how oversetting feels, you can ramp up the torque accordingly.