Where to go from here?

[Electricestoc]

I have a Quickset and a Schlage that I believe I have reached proficiency in picking; What lock should I get next? Should I look for higher manufacturing quality, or more pins? Maybe a more restrictive keyway? I am looking to spend 80 USD or less, if possible.

[Electricestoc]

If this has already been asked and answered, could you point me to where?

[Jacob Morgan]

You can buy more locks and/or re-pin locks. If you re-pin then you can make the bitting more challenging and add also security pins. To change out pins you will probably want basic locksmith tools - at least a plug follower, pin tweezers, and maybe some shims. You can buy a pack of medium-length security pins and rearrange the pins already in the lock. CLKSupplies.com and MrLock.com are two places that sell basic locksmith tools and pins to anyone. They also sell cylinders--you should be able to get mortise cylinder locks for under $8 or $9 each. If you want a keyway more challenging than Kwikset or Schlage try Yale (may be listed as a Y1 keyway).

Also, some people on eBay sell 6 or 7 pin cylinders with kits of pins. Mr. Wizard was one--not sure if he is still around or not. If you go with one of those try to get one that uses set screws (that way it can be repined without locksmith tools).

[Squelchtone]

Whats a Quickset? You mean Kwikset brand right?

Try a Defiant deadbolt from Home Depot or a Brinks padlock from Walmart.

After that look into Master Pro Series, American Lock, and ABUS padlocks with spool shaped security pins.

Have you picked any 6 pin Schlage cores? How many different Schlage locks have you practiced on, was their bitting easy or hi-lo-hi difficult and have you changed the order of pins in your locks to add difficulty?

Squelchtone

[greengrowlocks]

For a comprehensive list of locks and their difficulty check out reddits belt ranking list. Compare what you picked to the category and purchase some above that level. I would also suggest something like the Abus Titalium, Master Pro series or Commando padlocks. Those three are easy to find online and relatively inexpensive.

Belt Ranking List
https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/wiki/beltranking

[Squelchtone]

For a comprehensive list of locks and their difficulty check out reddits belt ranking list. Compare what you picked to the category and purchase some above that level. I would also suggest something like the Abus Titalium, Master Pro series or Commando padlocks. Those three are easy to find online and relatively inexpensive.

Belt Ranking List
https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/wiki/beltranking

Granted we don't have 1 organized and updated list to offer here of which locks people should start with and progress too, I just looked at the reddit list and it seems very opinion based. No doubt a list here by you or me or whoever would also be full of personal opinions and experiences, but I wouldn't take the reddit list as the end all be all list to follow. We do however have this question posted and answered a few dozen times, so I do recommend the OP pokes around and Searches for those existing threads listing what lock to pick next.

Squelchtone

[Electricestoc]

Thank you all. I have Sparrows repinning kit, and I have picked the Schlage with as many different security pins and bittings as I could think of. I did try the search function, but I may have been using the wrong keywords, as little useful information showed up. I have not picked a 6 pin Schlage yet, as my local Lowes does not carry any, and I have picked several Brinks padlocks.
And yes, a comprehensive list of locks in progressing order of difficulty written and stuck somewhere on the forum would be extremely useful.
Again, many thanks.