American Padlock trick

[Kheops]

I was wondering if any others ever tried this, picking Americans counter-clockwise. I find it's a lot easier, but can't find a logical explination as to why that would be... therefore, am wondering if it's all in my head!?

It doesn't open the lock, but if for some reason you need to open it, at least you could plug spin it...

[mseifert]

the ease or difficult of lock picking is pretty dependent on the picker.. I have locks (Wilson Bohannan) that I have struggled with since I received them where other people can pop them in seconds the first try...

[spandexwarrior]

I have some that are difficult for me to pick CW but relatively easy CCW. It's just the tolerances of the plug, pins, and the different binding order for that particular lock I guess. These are the locks where a plug spinner is worth it's weight in gold.

-Brian

[KPick]

Yeah. Once you get to American padlocks, you begin to come up with your own theories, believing that picking it is easier counterclock wise is just one of many of them. LIke most people said in this thread, the lock itself is dependent on the easiness of the picking process. I have had some that are "easier" on picking them counterclockwise, but some are just about as easy in the opposite direction.

If you want a tip, use a standard pick on those locks.

[Squelchtone]

I find them easier to pick in reverse by first overlifting all the sneaky serrated pins, and letting them drop into the correct position to create a shearline. Top of keyway tensioning as well.

Squelchtone

[Kheops]

Interesting replies.

Squelchtone, do you pulse your tension lightly to get them to fall one by one, and/or lightly touch the pins with a pick to get them to drop? or any other method? I haven't really had any success with reverse picking, yet...

[deolslyfox]

The "ease" of picking a padlock "forwards or backwards" is strictly a function of the mechanics of the lock, which controls the binding order .... ("Mechanics" = precision of the build, type / length / position of the pins, etc ...)

There is at least one video that I have seen by locksmitharmy where he picks an American 5200 backwards. He also gives a good discussion of binding order and shows how to move thru the CCW pick to an open.

I've done it a few time "just to say that I did". It works .... That's about all there is to say about it ...

Video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... j_W0_be-KM