Just Got Into Picking - Need Some Help

[Sportbike5000]

What do you normally use to open your locks, picking or raking? I dont have a test lock to work on, but Ive been working at the Best locks that they have installed on the floor of my dorms.

Its my lock by the way.

[roboman]

I personally do a lot of raking to begin with. What I've been doing to try to improve my skills at picking is give a lock a rake or two and then pick the rest.......

[GateTwelve]

Single pin picking with the half-diamond (steep), and shallow-hook, of course. Beginners usually find it easier to rake, and then single-pin pick the remaining one or two pins. Personally, though, whenever spool pins are involved, I have to single pin pick, or I will never get it open.

[digital_blue]

Sportbike: I don't want to discourage you, 'cause this is a great hobby and a ton of fun, but you really shouldn't be picking the Best locks that are installed in your dorm. You don't own these locks, and therefore, you don't have the right to be picking them without the expressed permission of the legal owners (in this case, the administration).

I know this may sound like it's no bog deal, but consider this. If the administration discovered you were practicing picking on their locks, how do you suppose they would react? We in this community have a keen interest in making it more generally accepted by those people, most people, who assume that there is some devious motivation to our interests. The only way we can do this is by maintaining a very strict moral position. The last thing we need are people saying "See, I told you its a criminal activity." Every person who gets caught picking a lock they shouldn't does a disservice to all of us who work to legitimize it.

So please, go find some old locks. Search this forum and you will find my suggestions on how to get all the practice locks you want for free. But please, for the sake of all of us, don't pick locks you're not supposed to.



(I really never intended to be moral guardian here. Sorry guys if you're getting sick of my rants... I just think it's a pretty important issue. )

db

[vector40]

Sport, I'll usually start with raking once or twice or thrice, then gently scrub a bit, as much to set pins as to "feel" what's up; if I notice a pin that seems unset, and obviously so (meaning that most of the others probably ARE set), then I'll pop it up manually. Some more of this, including pushing on pins that seem to be set but are maybe just snagging on the edge of the plug or something, and if it's not open, I'll release tension and restart.

[bigbike]

Can anyone give me some advice? The five starter locks were very simple and now I can't get anything else open! [/quote]

Not trying to pass judgement here but raking is only one form of picking (and not true picking in my humble opinion). If you are really interested in learning to pick, then learn to pick. This means going back to your practice board and actually learning the mechanics of the locks you have by actually picking them (setting the pins individually, manually with one of your picks). When you have mastered it, then it is time to move up. The advantage you have with the board you have is you can see (if I understand the set up you currently have) when you have each pin set right. You want to concentrate on "feel" for what it feels like to have the pin set, and some people can hear it also. Hope this helps. Some of the books that this sites sponser sells may also be helpful. Just remember to use the LP101 in the discount code area of the order form and get your discount!