Only 3rd pin needing picking?

[99atlantic]

I got into lock picking a while ago, and have been working on a variety of practice locks. However, this one basic bike lock (Dumas) has me stumped (in terms of theory) - it has 3 pins, and in order to open it I only need to pick the 3rd (last) pin.

Could the first two pins be fake (i.e., do nothing) ..... if I try to "pick" them, I get absolutely no feedback (plug doesn't give any indication of rotation). They obviously do nothing because like I said, I only need to pick the 3rd pin to open the lock, but I cna't figure out why they would make it a 3pin lock w/ 2 pins doing nothing ??

[fugi]

I had a lock that acted like that, just the rear pin needed to be set it seemed. but I found out when using slimmer picks, that when I inserted my pick to reach the back, it raised the first 3 pins just Very slightly to put them at the sheer line. maybe you have the same deal

[99atlantic]

interesting thought. i had a similar thought, but discarded it because the pins weren't sinking down deeply....perhaps you're correct and the first only need to be moved ever so slightly to set with the sheer line. It's too bad i don't have the key to the lock, then I could see if that were the case

[Sabin37]

Could the first two pins be fake (i.e., do nothing) ..... if I try to "pick" them, I get absolutely no feedback (plug doesn't give any indication of rotation).

I've never heard of fake pins, but the reason the plug doesn't rotate at all is probably because the pins are just regular pins and not high security pins (ie. spool or mushroom pins). It could also be because you're not using enough tension but be careful how much tension you use. Different locks require different amounts of tension, usually it is equal to the force needed to turn the key. A method that might work to figure out how much tension is needed would be to start with no tension and then slowly add tension as you push up on a pin repeatedly. When you've reached the required tension the pin will set.

As fugi said, the lock opens when only the third pin is picked because when the pick is inserted into the back of the lock it pushes the other two pins up.

Good luck!