Is there a place for me? - interested in picking and bypass

[9jack9]

I get the feeling that there are a lot of purists who think that anything but single pin picking is for the lazy or criminals, but I am interested in all of it - pick, rake, rock, bypass, etc.

Is there a locksport organization that embraces all of that?

[Squelchtone]

I get the feeling that there are a lot of purists who think that anything but single pin picking is for the lazy or criminals, but I am interested in all of it - pick, rake, rock, bypass, etc.

Is there a locksport organization that embraces all of that?

Did you somehow get the impression we only like single pin picking here? Many of us do all of the above, but as a member with only 10 posts here, we're not gonna be chatting about the latest bypass tools or methods with you over a drink , ya know?

And by organization, do you mean a locksport group such as TOOOL that meets on a regular basis in cities around the world or do you mean an online community such as this forum or keypicking forum or reddit's /r/lockpicking sub reddit?

I think you're free to talk about every type of picking and raking here that you want, but bypass stuff is for the folks with access to the Advanced area so that teens who visit this site don't learn how to break into places.

If I have misunderstood what you're actually asking, please reiterate.
Squelchtone

[tpark]

Perhaps single pin picking is discussed more because many locks are resistant to other attacks. I think that many of the people here are highly proficient with various opening techniques, but it's only the really noteworthy opens that are worth posting. The primary focus is on the harder locks or challenge locks, so there's less discussion about other picking techniques since SPP is often the only way to open these locks.

[9jack9]

Thanks for your responses. I meant an online community. Maybe if I have a little more patience I'll see what I want here.

In answer to your question I have seen a lot of pushback to questions about non-picking entry. In some cases it did seem blatant "help me get into my parents safe" but not all cases. And not everyone seemed hostile.

[Silverado]

For me this is the only community I have for the hobby. I cannot seem to find anyone around me interested in picking. No local TOOOL chapter, too expensive to try and start one...
I guess the question is, then; What qualities and attributes are you looking to find in an online locksport/lockpicking community?

[gumptrick]

Perhaps single pin picking is discussed more because many locks are resistant to other attacks. I think that many of the people here are highly proficient with various opening techniques, but it's only the really noteworthy opens that are worth posting. The primary focus is on the harder locks or challenge locks, so there's less discussion about other picking techniques since SPP is often the only way to open these locks.

That's been my experience as well, but I think it depends on what perspective we are talking about. For someone who is into picking as a hobby then SPP is the main thing we talk about. Sure, we use other techniques too, but there's not much satisfaction to be gained by raking a lock open or bypassing it (for most locks, anyway). SPP is the real test of skill and like tpark mentioned is often the only approach that works on interesting high security locks.

But from the perspective of a professional locksmith, military EOD, or law enforcement then the goal is simply to open the lock as quickly as possible without causing any unnecessary damage. I would think that things like bypassing or other picking methods would be of more interest to that community.

[demux]

9jack9, I think you'll find that this community, and probably most locksport communities, are open to anyone that embraces any aspect of that field. Some of us are professional/hobbyist locksmiths. Some are pickers. Many are both. Basically, if you're at all interested in picks, doors, locks, keys, hardware, tools, machines, electronics, computers, etc, you'll probably find that you'll fit right in here, at least if you're willing to put in the time and participate (ask and answer questions, join in discussions, have a bit of fun).

I've always found it to be more of a mindset thing. A big part of my day job is security for some very large computer systems. Many people that get into that field also get into the locksport field, because it's the same mindset. There are a lot of things (see my list in the previous paragraph) that society in general regards as voodoo - people don't know how they work, and generally don't care how they work. If you look at those things and instead think not only, "I wonder how that works", but also, "I wonder how I could break that. And having broken it, I wonder how I could make it better", then you'll probably feel right at home here.

Bruce Schneier, who is well-known in computer security circles, calls the above way of thinking the "security mindset", and it tends to be something you either have or you don't. At least in my experience, it's a very hard thing to teach.

At least, this has been my experience in my scant few months as a registered member of this forum. But it's also what made me decide to register and participate in the first place.

[Ralph_Goodman]

The lockpicking Reddit is very good. I would have to say it does seem a bit more impersonal. But I like being on both.

With something like the Reddit, you are going to find a lot of beginners. And you can ask pretty much anything as long as they don't suspect that you are going to use it for illegal purposes. I might be wrong about how open they are, but there seem to be no guidelines over there about discussing particular bypasses and security devices.

Take everything with a grain of salt, as the last two guidelines of that forum are:

3. The moderation team reserves the right to remove posts and comments at their discretion.
4. The moderation team reserves the right to remove posts and comments at their discretion.

I would say, to answer the question about this being the right place for you, it comes down to feeling comfortable. This community is large but rather tight nit (that's how I feel at least). And they have a particular way of responding to questions, which is either sarcastic or extremely in-depth. I think this forum is best for quality responses. Others are rather congratulatory and all about "good vibes". But that might be what you want. Sometimes that is what I want too. Depends on the mood and the question.

Best of luck!

[CarWashGuy]

From someone who is on both sides of the argument, I completely support the vetting process here. When I say both sides, I mean I am interested in picking and bypassing also, but I have had my own vending machines and bill changers broken into, as well as my buildings. Most of my attacks have been with brute force (mini sledge hitting locks) there have also been some guys that take the more methodical approach of bypassing. As someone who has hundreds of locks protecting not only buildings but also my equipment and money, I really appreciate the certain level of 'protection' this forum puts on bypassing information. As strong as my desire is to learn more about this hobby, I'm more interested in protecting my assets.