Failing to notice when to lock opens.

[Nagelfar]

Today i got a new Abus 72/40 in the mail, and ofcorse i had to pick it at once. first pick took me maby two minutes, and after that i picked it again straight away. but htis time i set a few pins, but suddenly i got into a deep false set, but didnt get any feedback at all anymore. i strugled for maby three minutes before i decided to try realy heavy tension. And then the lock opend, since i had picked it some time ago without noticing it.
I do this a times, and it makes me feel like a fool, for trying to pick a lock that is already open. Just felt i had to get this of my mind, sorry for the whiny post

[Mighty]

Haha, I do this all the time, especially on cheap locks with stiff tension, and on my American 5200. Not sure what it's hanging on, or if its just that my tension just the right force to even it out. I think we just have to get in the habit of adding a step where, once we encounter all pins with no feedback, we apply increasing/heavy tension to check. I always get a good belly laugh at myself when this happens, because I get so frustrated right before, and then realize how stupid I was being when I realize its been open for minutes.

[Nagelfar]

Yea it realy makes you feel silly. it makes me think i might have given up on locks in the past, thinking i cant get them open, after opening them without noticing.

[kwoswalt99-]

Those American locks get me sometimes.

[ltdbjd]

I keep a small stubby screwdriver in my pick kit. If I work a lock for a bit and it feels like I've got it but it's not opening, I keep the tension on and at the same time use the screwdriver to attempt to turn the cylinder. That way I don't have to worry about tweaking my tension wrench. It's not uncommon for me to have a pick or two and the screwdriver in my hands free holder (between my teeth) while I'm working.

[rusirius]

Sorry for resurrecting an old thread, but I just had to throw this in there... I've done the EXACT same thing many times! Especially with heavier spring padlocks.

[Strigidae]

The screw driver idea is gold. Ill put that in my bag of tricks to use.

[OrMeanGene]

I took pics of my American 1100 regarding this issue, to show how small the turn is. Since i find the American 1100 and similar are locks that come earlier on in training. The spring tension is so strong you think its just false set, when its actually picked. Its a very small turn of the core to open. I find that since figuring this out i press heavier tension on and off while picking on most locks i pick. Like a feathering action, heavy pressure. I went a long time not knowing i had locks picked. You will be surprised how much it helps.