Esoteric Question: Easier picking direction

[MiPo]

First of all I'm an analytical person but I want to share these observations with you and ask for opinions.
I know and understand that the direction of turning has an influence on the binding order and can cause a lock to pick easier or harder. So it should be evenly distributed across the locks whether it's easier to pick them clockwise or counter-clockwise. But now: I have observed that very often a lock picks easier clockwise and I have no explanation why this should be the case. I notice that, because (one of) my picking philosophy is to (try to) pick it counter-clockwise, just as I would unlock a door. What are your experiences with that?
In a sheet added to a dimple pick set, I read that user of the tools should start with picking the dimple locks clockwise as this is sometimes easier.

For me this is weird as I cannot see a reason for one direction being easier in general.

Thanks for your input on that in advance. Bye,
Michael

[LockPickViking]

Good question! I would think its probaly an illusion that its easier. Theoretically it should be the same, unless there some factors i dont know about. But there are many great mysteries in the world

[Silverado]

I don't have any experience with dimple locks but the only time I've ever noticed a difference in rotation of a cylinder was with a pin/tumbler challenge lock I put together. It'd turn clockwise just fine with the key, but would not turn counter-clockwise without some jiggling and fidgeting with the key. It'd pick either way without any issue though. Never had any locks I picked seem easier counter-clockwise than clockwise.

[billdeserthills]

Over the years I have noticed that as a lock is used, it becomes easier to pick, in the direction it is most often turned.
This can only be due to wear inside the lock cylinder, which increases the amount of tolerance found between the cylinder
and it's outer shell

[MiPo]

Isn't a lock turned in both directions equally often if in regular use?

Over the years I have noticed that as a lock is used, it becomes easier to pick, in the direction it is most often turned.
This can only be due to wear inside the lock cylinder, which increases the amount of tolerance found between the cylinder
and it's outer shell

[mhole]

The shape of the keyway also contributes - eg: the Yale 1a keyway that is ubiquitous in the UK is shaped such that moving the pick through it exerts a force anticlockwise. This means picking it clockwise is easier, as you automatically provide counter rotation to overcome binding pins, false sets etc.

This is the most common example, but I find a lot of keyways work this way - it is harder to pick if your pick movement and tension are not in opposite directions. Usually this is apparent from looking at the profile of the keyway, and visualising how you would move around it.

This is (I belive) particularly true of dimple locks, as the picking action involves rotation of the pick, and this is why these locks are often easier in one direction than the other.

[billdeserthills]

Isn't a lock turned in both directions equally often if in regular use?

Over the years I have noticed that as a lock is used, it becomes easier to pick, in the direction it is most often turned.
This can only be due to wear inside the lock cylinder, which increases the amount of tolerance found between the cylinder
and it's outer shell

Only if it is a deadbolt mounted on a regularly used door for entry and exit. Most of my clients only ever go out the garage door and
many of them never lock the garage door. They may lock the door with the t-turn, but that creates no wear on the cylinder
The front door may get opened once in awhile, but rarely locked with a key, from the outside

[MiPo]

Very good point with the dependency to the shape of the keyway. I will keep that in mind for my next observations. Thank you for that

The shape of the keyway also contributes - eg: the Yale 1a keyway that is ubiquitous in the UK is shaped such that moving the pick through it exerts a force anticlockwise. This means picking it clockwise is easier, as you automatically provide counter rotation to overcome binding pins, false sets etc.

This is the most common example, but I find a lot of keyways work this way - it is harder to pick if your pick movement and tension are not in opposite directions. Usually this is apparent from looking at the profile of the keyway, and visualising how you would move around it.

This is (I belive) particularly true of dimple locks, as the picking action involves rotation of the pick, and this is why these locks are often easier in one direction than the other.