Any tricks to reduce/prevent hand pain?

[TheDave5150]

So, brand new to picking, been at it for less than a week, but proud of the success I've had so far.... but now everytime I pick up a lock and syart picking now, find my hands constantly cramping, and thumbs tender (one from acting as fulcrum and pushing at the pick, and the other from I guess pressure from tension wrench..). Am I just a weenie, or is there some trick or glove or something to make picking easier on my achey digits?

[billdeserthills]

Get a pick gun, then the only cramping will come from holding the tension
I like the manual ones, Majestic is the heavy duty gun, most others are the lighter
version. They both work the same. I got a great deal on one at banggood

[TheDave5150]

Pick guns kinda feel like cheating, lol... I prefer to get profficient in using standard picks, and perhaps picking with improvised tools as well... and then once I feel comfortable with my manual skills, may invest in a snap gun to more quickly pick locks I already know I can open manually

[jimu57]

Take a break. Your technique will improve over time.

[Mighty]

You're using muscles that aren't used to being used for endurance. They just need time and exercise to get stronger, so just keep on picking and it will slowly get better. You may also be too tense, as I often am. A gentle touch is usually beneficial when picking, so when you're feeling that cramp it may be a clue to ease off a bit (just don't ease off too much and drop your pins!)

[TheDave5150]

I had a feeling those kind of common sensicle and logical responses was what I would receive from you more experienced pickers.... thanks for the advise I do appreciate it ... guess I am just impatient and want the annoying pain gone now! Lol (yet patient enough to tinker with a lock for 30 mins to an hour... if usually watching tv or a youtube picking video)

[MBI]

Your hands will toughen up over time.

Just don't be brutal with your tools.
This is a job where finesse is usually better than force.

[cledry]

Soak your hands for 6 hours in Dettol. You won't feel a thing.

[soundchaos]

I used to get major hand pain when I first started, and after a couple of months, I realized I was using way too much tension on the wrench, and pressing way to hard with the pick. Relax your grip as far as you can. After that, its all about how much you do it! At this point a year later after picking every day, I can work for an hour on brutal tension locks like old rusted disc style padlocks, than need a super strong pick and tension to even move the pins, and my hands are fine.

[jbrint]

Your hands will toughen up over time.

Just don't be brutal with your tools.
This is a job where finesse is usually better than force.

This is the correct answer. Its like anything once you start getting your holding hand used to holding and your picking hand used to picking it just stops getting sore one day and you forget it ever happened. Don't clench the tools and do not death grip the lock. Everything else falls into place. If your hand starts hurting take a break and come back to it. After a while it will only be your significant others feelings getting hurt from you spending all your time opening locks.

[xSxAintNobody]

I'm glad I found this post. I've been picking for a couple months and cramping hands was almost a reason to quit. I thought it was just me. I guess I'm saying misery loves company

[kwoswalt99-]

Don't work a desk job.

[billdeserthills]

Tri-Boron reduces the cramps in my feet, prolly works on muscles in general

[Emma]

I love all the answers to this problem. All of them are very logical.

I'm new to picking and I just ordered my first set according to what the forums recommended plus a key extracter. My total cost plus shipping was $17.41.

There is one thing that no one mentioned that I would like to add that I know will help, even you veterans in the hobby of lock picking could benefit from what I am about to suggest.

The hands are just like the rest of your body. They have muscles, tendons, and so on. Would you just start working out your body at the gym without first warming up?

I think not. Then why would you not warm up and stretch your hands, wrists, and fingers before working with them for extended periods of time?

The hands are the most often neglected part of the body in this respect.

Simple and careful stretches and flexing of the hands, wrists, and fingers would go a long way towards reducing the discomfort of extended use that you are not used to doing. Loosening them all up.

And to you veterans in the hobby, if you are not careful, you could damage your hands with repetitive stress injuries if you don't stretch and warm up your hands before you begin work for extended periods of time.

Yes proper technique goes a long way towards your comfort while working. But proper care of your body does a lot also.

I would also like to add that stopping and periodically stretching your hands once you have them warmed up will help with recovery and stamina.

Just my two cents.

[Silverado]

I have carpal tunnel issues, I think caused by years of keyboard thrashing doing IT work. Emma has a very valid point. Try doing a lot of hand stretches and strengthen your hands with one of those grippers or a balloon full of sand.