I've picked the trial lock pin by pin but I'm not sure why

[normandi25]

I've attached a video of what I'm doing - I'm not sure what's going on in the lock, it looks like I'm successfully setting the last pin and with it the pins before get set too, then I move on to pin
number 1, push it up, apply more pressure, and then the lock opens.

https://streamable.com/9ny733

Can anyone make sense of this?

Also a 2nd question: if I know how a key looks like, would that make it easier to pick a lock?

[pemlock]

I've attached a video of what I'm doing - I'm not sure what's going on in the lock, it looks like I'm successfully setting the last pin and with it the pins before get set too, then I move on to pin
number 1, push it up, apply more pressure, and then the lock opens.

https://streamable.com/9ny733

Can anyone make sense of this?

Difficult to see, but my guess is that the pin wasn't completely set after all. There are always imperfections in locks (especially cheaper ones) and transparent ones in particular can be problematic. The plastic is a bit too soft and gets worn around the edges.

Also a 2nd question: if I know how a key looks like, would that make it easier to pick a lock?

It can. Knowing where you have very high or low cuts helps. You then know that a particular pin should be pushed really high, or not at all, and you can see if you need a deep hook to get around a low pin, for instance.

[prevariikation]

It looked like you might be using a dimple lock pick (a straight, very narrow pick with a small flag on the end.) If that's the case, the dimple pick won't be good for general picking, since it's pretty much a straight tool and will lift many more pins than you mean to. I'd recommend changing over to a medium hook to be able to pick single.pins at a time.