Need Bump Key Advice

[ragebot]

Maybe 10 years ago I got the MIT guide and a nice set of store bought picks with locks to play with. Got to the Kwikset level and sorta feel good about Schlage if I have lots of time and not much coffee. Back in the day bumping, both with a hammer and a mechanical device, came with the warning that damage to the lock was likely to happen so I never really even tried it. But I have seen some youtube vids of guys bumping locks in seconds and am kinda interested in knowing more about it.

First off is should I spend my time and money on getting better with picks. Next is if I do get involved should I go whole hog and get one of the 30+ sets of bump keys or maybe get a starter set for just padlocks. Or maybe even get one of the mechanical lock picking devices. Probably more of a philosophical question since I mostly cruise on my sailboat and quite frankly don't have much contact with locks other than the set I spend a small amount of time learning to pic. Fair winds and following seas.

[Squelchtone]

[EDIT: Moved to Lock Bumping sub forum for better visibility]

[billdeserthills]

I've never had any luck with bump keys, likely cause I don't practice
however I have noticed recently that some bump key sets are being sold with O-rings
those look to minimize the outside damage done to the see able part of the lock

Far as picks go, I think you should def practice more, maybe with a dif lock

[ragebot]

The set I bought long ago had three locks/cylinders to play with. One was Kwikset, one Schlage, and a cut away Kwikset. Recent practice would definitely help. But I have never seen anything work as fast as some of the bumping on youtube. This was the basis of my interest in bumping. Maybe I am watching too many bonsibill vids, but the only thing I have seen close to the speed of bumping was the Multipick Kronos. But I have also seen comments about the need to practice with bump keys and mechanical picks like the Kronos. So I am still back to the original question of should I spend my time with traditional picks or try and make the switch to bumping or mechanical bumping. I would love to be able to do it all but I have other obligations like paddling my SUP from my catamaran to the beach to skin dive.

[greengrowlocks]

If your interested in bumping you can pick up a set of bump keys for the most common keyways for around $10. I'd say there is some skill involved and on certain locks it will work instantly. Lock picking is a much more valuable skill though. If you care about the locks you'd be bumping I'd recommend just using lock picks. Bumping is really harsh on locks and many times you'll see chunks of brass fly out of the keyway while your doing it.

GGL

[ragebot]

If your interested in bumping you can pick up a set of bump keys for the most common keyways for around $10. I'd say there is some skill involved and on certain locks it will work instantly. Lock picking is a much more valuable skill though. If you care about the locks you'd be bumping I'd recommend just using lock picks. Bumping is really harsh on locks and many times you'll see chunks of brass fly out of the keyway while your doing it.

GGL

I have seen bump key sets on line and some of the reviews describe things like needing to use a wire brush to get rid of burrs. Also seen claims that brass will not last as long as nickle; but that made me think brass might also be easier on locks. In any case I am gonna get a bump key set; just not sure which one.

On another note I was watching a youtube vid where a guy was picking a Brinks R70. He did it in a hurry and then raked it even more quickly. He said he could not recommend the R70 because it was so easy to pick; but went on to say he also could not recommend it as a practice lock because he had to put so much tension while picking that he was not getting much feedback.

So it is not just that I need to figure out which bump key set to get but also which lock(s) to get to practice on with bump keys. I am thinking the Brockhage Professional Bump Key Set (30-Keys) (BRASS) is the one if I wanna go whole hog; but I have also seen some padlock sets that might be good to learn on (even if they are lesser quality) with the R70 since that lock might teach me more than ones easier to unlock. Anyone wanna suggest a different course for me to start out please weigh in. In any case I did get out my old lock picking set and am spending time with it till I figure out what to do about bump keys.

[Squelchtone]

In the world of hobby lockpicking bump keys are akin to a cheap party trick. They have their place but are only fun for like 5 minutes, where as picking can keep you occupied for much longer.

Most common keyways in the USA are Schlage SC1, Kwikset KW1, and Master padlock M1, so you don't need to get a set of 30 bump keys that opens things like Sargent, Arrow, or other brands that you may not encounter every day.

Since bumping damages locks, get something like a Defiant double sided deadbolt from Home Depot for $12 and a Master No.3 padlock, and maybe a Schlage deadbolt if you want to drop $30-$40 for one.

just my 2 cents
Squelchtone

[AngryHatter]

In the world of hobby lockpicking bump keys are akin to a cheap party trick. They have their place but are only fun for like 5 minutes, where as picking can keep you occupied for much longer.

Most common keyways in the USA are Schlage SC1, Kwikset KW1, and Master padlock M1, so you don't need to get a set of 30 bump keys that opens things like Sargent, Arrow, or other brands that you may not encounter every day.

Since bumping damages locks, get something like a Defiant double sided deadbolt from Home Depot for $12 and a Master No.3 padlock, and maybe a Schlage deadbolt if you want to drop $30-$40 for one.

just my 2 cents
Squelchtone

Excellent advice.

If you plan on sitting next to the tiller picking locks I can foresee much more fun SPP with an assortment of locks to last your voyage.

(I was going to live aboard in the 1980s since I spent so much time on the water)

[ragebot]

In the world of hobby lockpicking bump keys are akin to a cheap party trick. They have their place but are only fun for like 5 minutes, where as picking can keep you occupied for much longer.

Most common keyways in the USA are Schlage SC1, Kwikset KW1, and Master padlock M1, so you don't need to get a set of 30 bump keys that opens things like Sargent, Arrow, or other brands that you may not encounter every day.

Since bumping damages locks, get something like a Defiant double sided deadbolt from Home Depot for $12 and a Master No.3 padlock, and maybe a Schlage deadbolt if you want to drop $30-$40 for one.

just my 2 cents
Squelchtone

Excellent advice.

If you plan on sitting next to the tiller picking locks I can foresee much more fun SPP with an assortment of locks to last your voyage.

(I was going to live aboard in the 1980s since I spent so much time on the water)

A few random thoughts. I went to the local Goodwill (a thrift store that sells used items) years ago and spent $US20 on two bags of 12 locks each. There were two Medicos and the rest were stuff like Schlage and Kwickset and four that I did not recognize. I spent an afternoon matching the mass of keys with the locks and later put the Medicos in the doors of my condo. This is sorta what started my interest in lock picking. I also have bought other locks at Goodwill over the years; some of them NIB. I should point out that the guys working at Goodwill have no concept of pricing and while there are many great deals some things are priced more than what you would pay at a regular store.

I get it that bumping damages locks. On the other hand I have a friend who is a LEO and he claims a knowledgable person can look, sometimes even feel (read try to pick) a lock and tell if there had been an attempt (successful or not) to try and pick it. Not saying the damage from bumping does not do a lot more damage; just that even picking can cause problems.

As for selecting stuff to buy I have to point out that while I am living on dirt now that will change soon. Once I am on my boat I often have no internet access or address where on line purchases can be delivered so I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Once on the boat it is uncommon to encounter any locks. My boat has a couple of el cheapo pad locks that only keep honest people honest. The theory being I would rather have someone use something like pliers to twist off the lock than use a hammer to destroy a hatch. As my brother says the fastest way to get into any car/house/whatever is a twenty pound sledge hammer. I also have some cheap cable locks to secure the outboard motor to the dinghy and the dinghy to the dock; again knowing it would be easy to defeat them. Most cruisers on sailboats have extra strong cable cutters to cut away standing rigging cables if the mast goes down; something that would make quick work of any lock I have ever seen. Mine can go through 3/4 inch SS rod rigging in seconds. So few boats have any locks even as good as a Kwickset.

On another topic I am still wondering about the recomendation for the Master padlock M1 over the R70. I have watched lots of youtube vids where Master padlocks are almost universially bashed for being trivial to pick, bump, or use a gun on. Quite frankly I have no personal experience with either (only thing I have ever picked is the stuff that came with my picking kit). The only padlock (I use that term losely) that seems to get any love is the Abus 20/70. The difference between the lower level ones (from what I have seen) is the amount of tension when picking.

In closing I will just say that while I do have an emergency tiller I can install on my boat by removing a cover I have never done so. Instead I steer with the wheel; and if the truth be known once I am out of port and on a passage I normally use the auto pilot to steer the boat and I sit in the salon watching the world go by.

Thanks to all the folks who have offered so much help to get me up to speed.