Lockpicking: A Strange Hobby.

[JuniorJammer]

I've always carried basic tools with me everyday. I don't believe in going anywhere without being at least a little prepared for life's basic problems. When something simple breaks, comes unscrewed, or falls apart at work I usually have a simple means of fixing the problem.

Last week, one of my coworkers locked herself out of her locker. I could have easily opened the 40mm plastic covered Masterlock she had used on the locker but I opted instead to stay quiet and let the maintenance guy use his bolt-cutters instead. Why? Because I could not come up with an easily explainable reason for carrying lockpicks on my person every day. In fact, I find my whole interest in locksport a bit difficult to explain to the average person who is ignorant of the hobby. After all, if I can open up coworkers lockers like "magic" then I might be the person to get blamed when someone loses something.

To those of you who pick locks as a hobby; how open are you about your ability?
How do you explain to people why you're able to open locks like some kind of magical lock wizard?
Thanks guys!
-C.J.

[GWiens2001]

C.J. - you have a great perspective, and are right about not showing off your skills. Most people think lock picking means you are a crook.

For me, most people who know me know I am into locks. Heavily. Some know that I help out at a reputable locksmith shop in my off hours. So it is a little different for me. But even then, I don't offer to pick locks for others.

Gordon

[blue60]

I am a in-house locksmith and I dont talk about picking outside of work except with a small group of friends and on the forums.
I dont want the hassle of everyone knowing (that and then whenever there is a break in I dont want to have to talk to the police)

a better way to look at it is, how safe would you feel if you knew the guy down the street can open your locked front door whenever they wanted?
sometime a little ignorance on other peoples parts is ok.

That's not to say I would not help someone out. but for most people that kinda know me think I just work as a Security Guard (I am A Certified Protection Officer with over 15 years in the industry and about 10 of them doing locksmithing) so I can still talk locks but from a different angle and for most people that is good enough to talk them out of having a smart key lock on there house

I know that's not much help to you, my advice is just keep it discreet and enjoy forums like this one and you will never have a problem.

also Welcome to the forum

[JuniorJammer]

I am a in-house locksmith and I dont talk about picking outside of work except with a small group of friends and on the forums.
I dont want the hassle of everyone knowing (that and then whenever there is a break in I dont want to have to talk to the police)

a better way to look at it is, how safe would you feel if you knew the guy down the street can open your locked front door whenever they wanted?
sometime a little ignorance on other peoples parts is ok.

That's not to say I would not help someone out. but for most people that kinda know me think I just work as a Security Guard (I am A Certified Protection Officer with over 15 years in the industry and about 10 of them doing locksmithing) so I can still talk locks but from a different angle and for most people that is good enough to talk them out of having a smart key lock on there house

I know that's not much help to you, my advice is just keep it discreet and enjoy forums like this one and you will never have a problem.

also Welcome to the forum

Thanks a lot Blue & Gordon!
I'm glad, but not surprised that you guys validated my feelings on that.

[Joshua904]

I had a similar incident recently, and did the same. I carry my small set to work every day just in case I get some free time to work on my skills. The other maintenance guys know about my new found hobby because I openly discuss it as well as openly pick their locks and toolboxes.
The other hundred or so people? Nah.
And for the same reason. Someone misplaces something then expect to find it the next day and it's not there... Yeah, I'm not putting myself in the crosshairs.
The other guys I work with know I won't take anything, I just leave stuff behind for them to find.
Plus we have grinders, oxygen acetylene torches.. Plasma cutters.
If any of us really wanted to rob the other, a silly lock isn't going to stop us.

[cj101]

Lockpicking is a hobby, I would agree with the others here, which should not be shared easily with other people.
People have prejudices, because they do not know lots of stuff.

My impression here in germany is, nobody cares if you tell them, that you can open 1 € padlocks and drawer locks. Most people know they cannot expect a lot of security from such cheap stuff and most office assistants already opened drawer locks with a paper clip.

However, if it comes to door locks, must people cannot believe, they can be opened easily and are somehow annoyed if they know you could open their door.

To all people, I told of my hobby, I already brought a used Wilka (a renowned brand name here) door lock of a master key system and let them try to open it. I must admit, this lock is extremely easy to open. Usually if the other guys try to poke around for a minute, the lock pops open. This experience usually destroys instantly their illusion of door lock security and afterwards I could discuss my hobby openly with them.

After explaining, that lock picking is just a mechanical puzzle and that there are high and low quality locks around, they do not have any longer the impression you are a crook.
As they already opened a brand nake door lock themselves within minutes, I also believe the problem of coming into their cross hair fades a bit away.