Lockpicks - What you need to get started

Tools and equipment to get the job done.
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Ghost
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Lockpicks - What you need to get started

Post by Ghost » Mon Sep 28, 2015 2:30 am

This is a quick write up for folks in the US looking to get started with picking locks. There has been plenty written about "how" to pick locks, but not a whole lot about which tools a beginner should buy. Picking locks can be somewhat intimidating for the uninitiated, so I figured I'd post this quick little guide here on what to buy. I originally just wrote it up as a suggestion for a friend who was looking to begin picking locks, but wanted some tips on where to start. These are only suggestions, but they include the minimum amount of tools required to bypass anything you're likely to find while opping, with the exception of tubular locks. With that said...

Start out with regular/standard picks, as those will apply to most US made locks. All you should need is a set with a hook, a half diamond, and a few rakes, like a "C" and an "S". A ball pick might not be a bad idea either. Also, get two tension wrenches. A regular one, and a twisted one. I also prefer sets that have metal handles, even through they cost a few dollars more per pick, they are much more comfortable and easier to manipulate.

Starter set with metal handles: $30
http://www.southord.com/mm5/merchant.mv ... es-MPXS-08

Afterwards, some warded lockpicks are a good next step. Warded locks are common and cheap, and they can't be picked with regular picks. However, they are easy as hell when you have the right tools.

Warded pick set: $10
http://www.southord.com/mm5/merchant.mv ... d-Pick-Set

Following that, some basic slimline picks are good for euro style locks. They have slimmer keyways, and standard picks will not work well. Again, all you really need is a hook or two, a rake or two, a half diamond, and a pair of tension wrenches. It might be better to order these individually later. The only thing you will be missing then are some auto jigglers and some padlock jigglers.

Slimline pick set: $22
http://www.southord.com/mm5/merchant.mv ... iece-C-500

Jigglers are great for when you're trying to quickly bypass a lock, and you don't have a ton of time to go pin by pin. Jiggling is to the "raking" technique as "raking" is to going one pin at a time. Potentially faster, requiring less skill, but more limited in application. I like to keep jigglers around just because they take up almost no space at all, and they do come in handy. These are usually what I suggest as an alternative to carrying around a bump-key setup as well, just because of the reduced space they take up.

Pin-tumbler lock jigglers: $32
http://www.southord.com/mm5/merchant.mv ... ode=SDJ-13

Auto jigglers: $25
http://www.southord.com/mm5/merchant.mv ... e=SouthOrd

And finally, single lockpicks, for when you know what you need and would rather put a kit together yourself.

http://www.southord.com/mm5/merchant.mv ... eplacement

Notice that all my suggestions are through Southord. They don't care if you're not .mil/leo or a professional locksmith, they will ship to you regardless. They also make a very nice pick set, and they've been my go-to for over a decade now. I have never broken a Southord pick or tension wrench.
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Re: Lockpicks - What you need to get started

Post by Xanatos » Mon Sep 28, 2015 8:24 am

On the subject of handles, metal handles will allow you to feel the pins a lot better. Plastic handles absorb too much of the vibrations and you lose that extra bit of dexterity & sensitivity.
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Re: Lockpicks - What you need to get started

Post by Illusion » Thu Jan 14, 2016 4:04 am

Whilst on the topic, and as I'm hitting the basics again myself;

Storage

You can get tactical pouches that look like they could be useful, but another option is storing them in something like a Mini Maglite. Although I feel like the maglite love-in has had it's day, they're a really good size. You'll really only need two or three picks + a tension wrench when out and about. (A half diamon and a shallow hook go pretty far against most pin tumblers)

If you have metal ones without plastic handles then they can also be stored in phone cases behind the phone itself.

Perhaps you've also got a few bumpkeys too, in which case a key holder (which often appear to look like a folding knife or a pen knife) can be invaluable.

Reading and Watching

The obligatory reading materials are the MIT Guide and the LSI Guide. These should give enough knowledge to be able to start and tinker; although I wouldn't look to them as a complete course.

YouTube user BosnianBill - https://www.youtube.com/user/bosnianbill - also seems to be widely respected.

Training

For first pickings you can't beat cutaway/practice locks; there are some pretty good ones available on Amazon. These aren't good for the challenge as per se, but more for being able to visualise not only how the lock work (which there are many videos online for), but specifically how your picks interact with the pins. Note; they get easy very quickly though.

Next up is a brilliant exercise I found on LP101 - http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=10677 - this exercise relies upon being able to re-pin the lock you're practicing on. Specifically, it builds you up to picking a full multi-pin by lock by introducing a new pin at every stage. This is great, and the majority of locks used in doors etc are re-pinnable.

I'd suggest doing the above with normal/standard pins initially.. and then using the same programme but using security/mushroom/spindle pins.

TOOOL also do meet-ups in various cities, which depending upon your social preferences, may allow you to progress more quickly as part of a group.

Training Resources

Storage:

- http://www.amazon.co.uk/Omegakey-Compac ... B00ZGTMR1K (albeit for bumpkeys)

Reading:

- http://www.withoutakey.co.uk/lock-picking-pdfs/

Practice Locks:

- http://www.amazon.co.uk/Clear-Demonstra ... B014PET01Q

- http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cutaway-Practic ... B00QRR53WA

- https://locksaway.co.uk/6-pin-euro-cutaway-lock

Practice Pins:

- https://locksaway.co.uk/repinning-kit-68-piece
"I'm not worried about this because I am too strong, too good, too intelligent, but I want to say to the others 'don't follow the stupid'."

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