Lockpicks - What you need to get started
Posted: 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.
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.