Posted: 4/17/2015 11:57:37 PM EDT
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I read a thread on here stating how lock picking is a good survival skill. I've tried to grasp it before but it never "clicked" until I watched a couple videos last weekend. Within five minutes I had made my own hook and wrench from a couple hair pins, and successfully picked my first padlock. It hurt my hands so I ordered some real tools before attempting any more practice.
So I got my practice lock and pick set a couple days ago and have been making good progress with various concepts and techniques. However, as soon as I think I've gotta a padlock figured out inside and out, and can pick it in five seconds three times in a row, I hit a dry spell and go for hours without being able to pop the same lock! Is this normal? Is it because nearly all locks have spools now? One other question. I found a big old lovely Y&T padlock without a key in my barn when I moved in. It is really grimy inside so I tried brake cleaner and some lube, but it is still hard to feel the pins. It's the only padlock I havent cracked yet. How do I know whether it is broken or whether my skills just aren't up to the challenge? I think this lock may have three or more spools in it, which would make it a good practice piece if it isn't broken (although maybe the grimyness makes it not worth it anyways). |
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Some will never be picked. That's just the way it is. I once was pretty dam good at it. Most pad locks under 2 minutes. Most common House front door locks a minute but then I was humbled on several occasions with seemingly easy run of the mill locks...I soon learned that you will run into locks that just won't pick. No matter what you do.
Some people have the nack. Some do not ! |
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As far as a skill for survival my lock pick works 100% percent. A hammer, and or bolt cutters work really well. This right here. I've got a decent set and I've played around enough with them to get 'ok' with it. I can feel the pins and such but it is a giant pain in the ass. A good pair of bolt cutters will go through a padlock like butter. |
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Is your practice lock of the acrylic variety? Transparent mechanisms can really help you to develop a connection in your mind between what your hands, picks, and tumblers are doing (and how they feel along the way).
I haven't practiced in a long time, but I remember some locks that would almost seem to open themselves half of the time, and then seem impossible to pick the other half. Of course, I have never really learned how to pick some locks, like those with oddly-shaped security pins, and such. I'm curious to try the bump-key / o-ring trick. Placing a small o-ring over a bump key allows you to keep tapping it in-place, without manually repositioning the key after every tap. The key just rebounds off of the o-ring, so you can keep tapping until you set the pins. I do know that shims are a god-send for the average padlock. |
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Oh. Let me get my master key. http://www.tennieshardware.com/sites/default/files/rental/Bolt_Cutter_3C.jpg 
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Oh. Let me get my master key. http://www.tennieshardware.com/sites/default/files/rental/Bolt_Cutter_3C.jpg That's great, but bolt cutters won't get inside your house. A set of picks are cheaper than most windows. |
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Maybe this will help someone else trying to learn. I just decided the only way to take it to the next level (beyond trial and error) is to get a Schlage kit that I can change out the tumble pins and randomly insert spools. Only $35 on eBay.
For all you sledge hammer, wire cutter and breacher people, keep in mind that picking a lock does not damage the lock or door. In a survival situation this is useful because it leaves no evidence that a breach occurred, which is likely to buy valuable time. That said, I'm getting too old to likely ever need such skills, but I'm enjoying it as a hobby. |
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Update: Kinda cool, I did figure out how to "own" my padlocks within five seconds consistently, but not by single picking. I am getting pretty good a raking gingerly and slowly applying more pressure on the wrench, which works amazingly well on most locks.
It's only been a few days since I got my lock picking set. Progress is swift, making this an rewarding hobby. It's not quite as easy as they show it in the videos, even if you pay perfect attention and follow all their tips, but I suspect it won't take more than a few weeks to get to that level if you practice every day. |
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Oh. Let me get my master key. http://www.tennieshardware.com/sites/default/files/rental/Bolt_Cutter_3C.jpg LMAO. You can get an extra set of cutters and regrind them to make an AK riveting tool. |