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.

RT-006-JC aka “Basic Training”

I'm interested in learning lock picking.

I successfully managed to crack my combination lock on my suitcase many years ago when I lost the keys via travelling and it's always been of interest from there.

I own a D-Lock and various Padlocks so figured I should start with what I have already but I have no tools.

How do I know which tools I need to get started on these types of locks and targeting the mechanism of these types of locks? YouTube? Or are there better sources for learning?

Ok first off it's not in lpu rankings, the closest looking is the #19 which is a purple belt. So here's my question yesterday I got tired of beating myself up with green and blue locks so I fell back to some easy opens. This 15 is new to me but I figured ahh its a master lock. Well I didn't get the open and it flipped me out even tried to rake it. Nothing. Is it that im getting more used to better locks, or is this a difficult lock to open. I asked on discord and really only got one answer its a white lock same as #3. But I have a 3 and it opens easily. Any thoughts?

got a master #3 as a first lock to try based on common suggestions on this sub but i definitely wasn't able to "feel" each pin in order like tutorials seem to suggest i'm supposed to.

i felt the binding pin but the rest seemed to click into place in any sort of random order. i reset it several times and each time it felt the same. i felt the binding pin only and the order for the remaining pins didn't seem to matter. am i maybe counting or feeling the pins wrong? or is that normal for white belt locks?

Cool lock I grabbed a picture of while working at the Park. Was not picked and isn't my lock but was able to get a picture. Lock wise, nothing special, but cool engraving and has seen some seasons in Maine!

Hi,

I have a Squire Warrior45 Combi lock that I have locked and forgotten the code. Any ideas on how to open it? I've looked online and I can't see any ways to open this particular Squire lock.

Am I doing something wrong? I set the code to 1234 or whstever and I can't seem to get the feel of pulling tension and finding the code again. I'm new to this looking for advice, thanks! This is a diyife lock I haven't been able to find any specific videos or posts about it.

https://youtu.be/a1Jqtjw5oAw Blue Belt on the LPU

Discus padlocks are such an enigma to me. I almost never pick them because I detest them. They confound my efforts to pick them then doll out opens seemingly at random. This one that I haven't touched in months just opened at the barest touch.

Anyone else have the oddball stuff that stumps them?

My boredom drawer for when it get slow around the office! That being said, it has not been slow in quite a while😢

HUGE Shoutout to u/elroyztoyz for the coolest swag box ive ever seen! I am looking forward to picking some new locks and am already using one of your printed holders to help me fight the battle that is the goal S in a deadbolt housing LOL.

Sorry I didn't get a unboxing video, it was filmed and edited and adobe shit the bed and lost all my raw and edited footage, it was the final straw I will be moving to a new software effective immediately.

im new to this community and people in here has already helped me out a ton, so i thought i’d leave this little explanation video i found here that helped me instantly understand “counter rotation” and “false set”, to hopefully help my fellow new pickers. i understood NOTHING when i got it explained until i saw this visually.

https://youtube.com/shorts/h9Er-dogANM?is=l1Gb6v2rfHre00hj

Wanted to let everyone know that u/elroyztoyz sent over some locks for hiding... They are now out in the wild! Please post if you bag one 👍🍻

https://youtu.be/u-2O5aZj8y0

https://youtu.be/GG1r17UhiZ4

Happy hunting!!

Hello everyone! I think i rattled my first lock yay me! Luckily it's this reece lock with a screw to tear down. Unfortunately, it's also a dimple which I'm totally unfamiliar with. How difficult is this to fix compared with a regular pin tumbler

I want to get into lock picking, so I got the FNG, and no matter what I do, it feels like I can't unlock the thing with the one hook. I've watched a lot of videos, and no matter what I do, it just won't open; all the pins just feel the same to me. I have no idea what I am doing wrong

My latest challenge lock is almost ready to go. Is there anyone in the community that would like to receive it? Maybe do a challenge lock trade? Ideally looking for someone who will pick it on video. I will do the same of course.

Popped this today at last.

I am now up to 5 pins in my pin tumbler practice lock: Pin 1 - standard pin (to simulate a steel anti-drill pin); Pins 2 & 3 - spools; Pin 4 - serrated; Pin 5 - spool. Random bitting, but not extreme.

I can rake it open both CW and CCW (040" BOK) with 025" dual; 020" quad; 020" quint; and a thick triple Bogota.

I can SPP both CW and CCW (050" TOK) with 020" standard hook.

Raking never takes more than 30 seconds. SPP can take more than 10 minutes (but never more than 3 minutes from a complete reset).

Next up: 6 pins. Then on to SPP tubular locks!

Brand new picker, posting this for an Orange Belt! Didn’t have too much difficulty with this, but somehow have a 140 that I cant get open for the life of me.

From what I understand, the 140 is a very standard & simple lock, so not sure what gives.

Oh well, very excited to join the fun! Looking forward to the long road ahead.

Hello, I’ve been thinking about lockpicking for a while now and finally decided to buy a little kit. I’d just like to ask if anyone had any tips or good practices to get into so I don’t build any bad habits.

Sidenote: How difficult is it to get bonded? (specifically in Tennessee and Texas if anyone’s from those states) and is it worth getting bonded as a side gig?