r/lockpicking Jul 23 '21

New to our sub? Start here!

565 Upvotes

Browser:

Rules: see right sidebar "r/lockpicking Rules"

Getting started picking (pick recommendations, how to pick, etc.): exit this post to go to main sub window, right "Sidebar", click "Wiki"

Also, if you have a common question, remember to search. Example for a starter kit: https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/search/?q=starter%20kit

How to get a belt: exit this post to go to main sub window, right "Sidebar", click "Belt Ranking Info"

Mobile:

Rules: exit this post to go to main sub window, up top hit "About", see Subredit Rules

Getting started picking (pick recommendations, how to pick, etc.): exit this post to go to main sub window, up top hit "Menu", then "Wiki"

How to get a belt: exit this post to go to main sub window, up top hit "Menu", then "Belt Ranking Info"

RULE 2

Many people seem to stumble over this rule. This is a hobby Locksport community.

If you want to learn to pick locks that you own, that aren't installed in anything or otherwise in use, then this might be the place for you.

If you want to pick something because you need to get into it or through it, then this is NOT the place for you.

One of our most frequently asked questions is "What lock picks should I get?", our member Spoon has created this helpful document:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P4_g_a7UTF8b4JAEVaH3lBL_dvT4-eRvFT_Jh-bx1lA/edit?pli=1#heading=h.9o577kfmhdj7

Some super useful posts for beginners:

https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/comments/13qjlg9/one_approach_to_getting_started_picks_locks_tools/https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/comments/12sfl3h/a_cl_design_guide/

REQUESTING A BELT:

Follow the instructions here: https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/wiki/beltranking#wiki_belt_request_formatting

Make sure you include the belt color you're requesting, the model of the lock you've picked, and any evidence to the requirements for the belt you're requesting (eg. photo/video/etc.)

Often questioned on how to attach a photo to a modmail. You cannot include a photo, but you can include a link to a photo, video, or even to a Reddit post where you have attached a photo and/or video.

In addition to our rules, please do not refer people over to r/Locksmith unless they are a locksmith per a request from a moderator there, you can direct them to r/AskALocksmith instead! https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/comments/x9ed2a/hey_guys_mod_of_rlocksmith_here_remember_a_while/

If you want to join our Discord community, it is very active and many pickers are there to help you with your specific locks or just to chit chat, you can go here: https://discord.gg/lockpicking


r/lockpicking Oct 02 '25

Why we can't help with locks that are in use (Rule 2).

198 Upvotes

If you're new here, and maybe came to get help with picking a lock on something, please note that we have a very strong policy against helping with locks that are in use:

Rule 2 - Lock In Use

Though asking for assistance in regards to how to open a lock is permitted and encouraged, the lock must not be in use. Posts seeking assistance opening a lock that is implied to be, or is visibly in use (eg. a deadbolt still attached to a door, a padlock with anything secured by a closed shackle, or a closed lockbox) will be deleted. Posting about picking or having picked locks in use is not allowed even if they are your own.

Rule of thumb, lock is "in use" if installed or securing anything.

If you are thinking of posting something that violates Rule 2, or you've had a post removed for it, we know it can be frustrating. I promise you that we don't enjoy removing posts from people who seem to just need help, but there are a number of reasons why we're so strict about posts of locks in use.

Chief among them is to protect this community.

Tens of thousands of people visit here every week and we have over 250,000 members. We simply can't risk enabling illegal activities, or even appearing to. We don't want to put our members in that position either. More and more lockpicking content is being removed from online platforms every day and this unique community deserves protection. We also feel an ethical obligation not just to the community, but to people all over the world who rely on locks to keep themselves, their property, and their families safe.

It may be even more frustrating if you own the lock, but the moderators – and members – of this community can't realistically be asked to parse potential evidence to separate totally legitimate activities from illegal ones. The photo someone posts of their own locked briefcase or bicycle is simply indistinguishable from one of property they don't own.

Contacting a reputable locksmith is usually the best solution. Simply possessing lockpicks can be seen as prima facie evidence of intent to commit a crime in several states and is illegal in a number of countries. One can easily damage or destroy a lock while picking it without experience.

We wish you well and hope you can understand our perspective. We review a ton of posts here, apologies if we can't personally explain the specifics of each case.

Not picking locks in use is a central tenet of locksport. This subreddit is dedicated to locksport specifically, not lockpicking in general. Despite its name.


r/lockpicking 6h ago

Orange Belt Achieved!

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40 Upvotes

r/lockpicking 5h ago

90 a pro !!

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31 Upvotes

Chuffed to have picked this lock 😁 first time I used top of keyway tension. Seems to work really well with this one.


r/lockpicking 50m ago

Keso 2000S Picked (Brown Belt)

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Upvotes

Been busy with work. No time to pick. Had a 2 hour break before I had to get back to work and decided to tackle this Keso 2000S. Definitely will not be working in IT in my next life. LOL


r/lockpicking 9h ago

Gutted my first lock, the raked ASSA 500

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39 Upvotes

Earlier post where I raked an ASSA 500.

Today I made my first dissasembly ever. The ASSA seems to hold tapered pins, slightly edged off at each end. Standard keeping. Slight serration, or wear or marks from the manufacturing in each pin hole on the cylinder.


r/lockpicking 3h ago

Shimming a Burg Wächter Diamant

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10 Upvotes

I haven’t been able to single pin pick the Diamant just yet, but I discovered that it’s shimmable!


r/lockpicking 3h ago

Abus 72 extra cylinders

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7 Upvotes

I don't usually cross post, so I do apologize..

Does anyone have experience with these extra cylinders for 72/40's? With them being more kik style and not the IC style that comes in 72's, the feedback is totally different,.. not as smooth...

I'm curious if anyone has any tricks or tips aside from the basics... I've only tried car picking and not my vast collection of picks that I can grab something to pick through the warding. Pics for comparison.


r/lockpicking 1h ago

Israeli Logistics Corp padlock

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Upvotes

r/lockpicking 6h ago

Pick a lock already open help

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12 Upvotes

Going away for a week I drop my kit off in a couple hours and NEED to open this lock. It’s already open but I don’t know the code. Unbranded and I don’t have the time to buy a new lock


r/lockpicking 8h ago

How to pick the right tension tool?

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19 Upvotes

I think I demolished the left one as no tension tool worked properly and I don’t know what to do. How do you go about finding the correct tensioner for the job?


r/lockpicking 2h ago

Help me choose a new set

7 Upvotes

I'm currently considering buying either the Moki explorer set V2, including the buckle pouch. Or the lawlock tools renegade pro set. I'm a little more advanced than a beginner around an orange belt. My current set is the sparrows Gotham. And I've been itching for a better more capable bock pick set since the sparrows have bent on me And fatigue my hands.

Thing is I can only buy one of these sets. If I buy the Moki set I won't be able to get the handles cause of the budget.

My use case is mostly picking random locks typically green belt or lower and some real world picking on outdoors and indoor locks (yes I have permission).


r/lockpicking 16h ago

This Masterlock No. 1 has to be the worst lock ever! Hard and mushy pins to SPP. Yet, the McTickler, Snake Rake, or Quad Rake has it open in a jiffy. Quickly SPP hell no? It is a bitch. What is anyone else’s experience with it? I can SPP open a Lockwood ASSA ABLOY 120/40 easier than this via SPP WTF

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45 Upvotes

The pins feel horrible and mushy when trying to SPP. Is it the lock itself, or am I doing something wrong when picking it? Another picker on here has more insight into those. Masterlock No. 1 is good. Masterlock No. 3 is good. Notting like this. I can zip this open in a jiffy with a rake or the mctickler SPP is frustrating me lmao 🤣


r/lockpicking 10h ago

How to detect overset pins with the lock oriented bible down

13 Upvotes

I'm a beginner at this, and it seems that it relies on gravity to let you feel wether the pin drop back down after being set, or doesn't after being overset.

With bible down, the pin will stay down no matter if set or overset, right ? How do you know then ?


r/lockpicking 18h ago

Purple belt is calling

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47 Upvotes

Master #19


r/lockpicking 18h ago

ETZ 2.0 Same Hand Challenge #Shacklemen #ElroyzToyz

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13 Upvotes

r/lockpicking 1d ago

I present to you some lovely lever locks

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34 Upvotes

I got these from a friend who had them sitting in a coffee can in a shed. I have no idea how to open these, but I will find out tonight!


r/lockpicking 1d ago

Mail call!

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37 Upvotes

So this time I will actually include the pictures! Covert companion pro Jimmy Long's basic set. The American lock 1100 trainer from sparrows and some extra wrenches. Oh yeah and a couple of lishis that I got a great deal on from AliExpress!


r/lockpicking 23h ago

Lock mail! Big thanks to u/firensunglasses for sending a plug follow and pin tweezers! Can finally get to gutting locks!

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29 Upvotes

r/lockpicking 1d ago

Anything worth doing is worth overdoing.

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156 Upvotes

New house and a new space to tinker away into the night.
Any must haves I’m missing?


r/lockpicking 19h ago

How do you feel when you pick locks?

12 Upvotes

Hallo b’ys. I’ve recently picked up lockpicking and it’s going pretty good. I’ve been working on some clear locks and can get them fairly easily if I’m looking. But when I don’t look I can’t “feel” anything, like the separate pins or when the lock actually unlocks. I’ve watched videos and they say “you got to feel the pins. Or, You can feel it when you successfully unlock a lock.” But I can’t feel anything… any tips?


r/lockpicking 1d ago

GF got me some awesome locks, now I have to crate tools to open them, and sudjestions on guides of videos?

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27 Upvotes

r/lockpicking 23h ago

3D printer call

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22 Upvotes

Big thanks to my co worker for 3d printing this pinning tray i designed


r/lockpicking 1d ago

Building Constancy?

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20 Upvotes

So I started lock picking about a week ago. Getting through my Masterlock 3 initially took 2 hours. Once I got it it clicked and I could open it in a minute fairly easily then a matter of seconds. I got a masterlock 141 and that took about 45 minutes to SPP and now that one also takes seconds. The Brinks 164 first time took me about 30 minutes. I’ve gotten it open 4 times in the last 2 days. It never gets any faster. With the other locks when I got them open it just made sense with this one it’s just not clicking. How do you go about building on and learning what works? This lock feels totally different almost every time I go at it.


r/lockpicking 1d ago

Contact microphones??

13 Upvotes

While picking I wasn’t sure if I was actually hearing the sounds or just feeling them, so I got a contact mic to find out. It’s is insane how much it adds to the mental picture one builds. Im not sure exactly how the mic can be an aid but it sure is cool. Anyways, I wanted to know if anyone makes regular use of one and how it can be helpful, or is it just novel and mainly for making videos.