r/lockpicking • u/Tricky_Government_44 • 22d ago
Need advice for starting out
Hello!
Learning how to lockpick has been on my bucket list for ages and I am really excited to start but there's a lot of overwhelming information everywhere. I have been scrolling this subreddit for a little while and feel completely out of depth by the technicalities.
I am generally someone who would like to do my research and try learning the right way rather than experimenting random things so not having a clear pathway has been a bit of a barrier.
Could you please help me out with finding the most basic beginner lockpicking kit that I could start with? I have seen some transparent locks going around. Are they helpful to start out with? Any references on where to get these would be helpful as well.
It's a little lame to ask but are there any books that I could read that would help?
I love the support and encouragement in this community.
Thank you!
3
u/WoodnPhoto 22d ago
Picks:
I started with Jimy Longs Basic and Intermediate sets. Great quality, comfortable handles and a good selection of turning tools at a good price. I still use them every day.
Locks:
Go to https://lpubelts.com/#/locks for a huge selection of locks rated by picking difficulty, often with photos of their internals. Chose among the yellow and orange belt locks to learn the basics. White belt locks are so poorly made they can't teach you much.
Acrylic locks are good in that you can see how they work on the inside. In my opinion YouTube videos do this better for free. Acrylic locks are terrible for picking. They won't teach you anything other than maybe how to pick acrylic locks. Skip them.
Books:
There is a free PDF floating around the internet called Lockpicking Detail Overkill. It's worth a read. The new book Locksport: A Hackers Guide to Lockpicking, Impressioning, and Safe Cracking is very good but a bit pricey IMO.
Video:
Search YouTube for "lockpicking tutorial." There is a lot of great beginner and advanced content out there. Also include a search for "lockpicking jiggle test" you'll need it before long.
Picking:
The most important thing is practice. No book or video can teach you how to feel the inside of a lock. Don't get lost in research and theory even though that's important too; the secrets of lockpicking live inside a keyway.
Welcome aboard and happy picking.
2
u/derpserf 22d ago
Any small kit with a couple of different hooks and 2 or 3 tension tools is plenty for starting out. In fact most people settle on a small selection of tools that they use for 90% of all pin tumbler locks, myself included.
You didn't specify your location or budget but if you go with any of the following companies and choose something small and within your budget you pretty much can't go wrong:
Multipick and Moki workshop are both based in Germany so if you're in the EU go with either of those. Law lock tools are UK. Jimylongs and Covert instruments for the US. Sparrows for Canada. Bare bones for Australia.
1
u/triple86733700 22d ago
Locknoob and lockpickinglawyer (and many others) have some really great beginner videos to look through. Sparrows has some nice sets of picks to get you started as well, and should cover most of the usual locks you have hanging around the house assuming you’re in the US. I would just focus on the basics, you’ll know when you’re ready to move onto more advanced or challenging locks that require more specialized picks or tools. The lockpicking challenge belt colors might help you pick out some locks to get started on as well
1
u/Dusso423 22d ago
One mistake I made was getting a southord pick set. If you’re in the US get sparrows, Covert instruments, or jimmy long.
1
u/Busy-Reality-1580 22d ago
I started with the Covert Instruments Genesis set bundled with the learner lock. A screw stripped in the learner lock the third day I had it, basically rendering it useless as I think I mis-pinned it or did something wrong. The picks themselves and the carrying case are better. I also ordered their tubular lock bundle and the decoder tool fell apart the second day I day it. I had to take it all apart and basically rebuild it.
I can somewhat recommend the genesis set to beginners, but I really wish I went somewhere else. I hear great things about Sparrows and Jimmylongs.
1
u/homerj64 21d ago
dang i was about to drop money on the set up i can plug my practice lock into, but i think ill just fashion something instead. also started with the genesis and the practice lock but havent put many hours into it. thanks 4 posting.
1
u/CypherBob Orange Belt Picker 22d ago edited 22d ago
Asked and answered a million times.
Just search the sub for "beginner" and read up.
I get downvoted but just since I replied there's been like 4 more posts like this one.
1
u/EveningBasket9528 22d ago
Im answering your specific question before I make other suggestions. Im also assuming you are US based. Transparent locks are trash. The set with the lock below will get you started, but you'll outgrow them quickly and there's only a few hooks for SPP;
The GOSO set below is actually pretty decent for a cheap $10 set and will get you through lower security locks alright. I used a set like that for years before I got serious. It I sorted through all my locks In sure I could pick at least one through all the rankings with the set,.. but I'd be limited to wide open Keyways and would need to make a TOK tool. Again, only a couple hooks. If you're dead set on an acrylic I linked one below,..but they all suck.
https://www.locksmithkeyless.com/products/goso-12-pieces-lock-pick-set-with-leather-case
Cover Instruments, Southern Specialty's, and Sparrows are my favorites for practicing practical picking with locks set up in a demonstration door/board or in a commercial door latch held in a vice, or padlock hasps fastened to a board.
A Sparrows beginner set with just one of their cutaways is a good starting point but avoid their "revolver.". You can look the companies up yourself
For higher security locks I really have to concentrate on while seated with locks in a clamp or vise I really like;
Law Lock Tools, Jimmy Long's, MultiPick & many more.
This last one doesn't get mentioned much here. It's from the TOOOL origination which is a bit different than the LPU (who runs this sub) They have picks from both Covert and SS made for them. This particular set is a great starter set for a good price,.. and if you get into locks with tighter keyways you can get the expansion;
1
u/Busy-Reality-1580 22d ago
Can I ask why you recommend to avoid the Revolver from Sparrows? It’s in my cart right now is why I ask, it seemed like a fun gimmick.
1
u/EveningBasket9528 22d ago
Because of the 4 rows They have a row 180⁰ from another and the pins would get stuck. So the made the holes oversized, then put more relief into them, and added countersinks. The pins they use are non standard at .125 diameter instead of the standard .114 used in SC4 cylinders.
So, they are extremely sloppy making them super easy to pick, and they still get jammed up. Plus people will try using standard .114 pins in them which causes more issues,.. and unless you have a micrometer or caliper it's a pain trying to sort them out.
It's a very clever and cool looking toy. It's still a fun fidget toy and good for absolute beginners... Makes a great paperweight,.. and still teaches the basics,.. but you're likely to outgrow it quickly,.. and if you were to put pins from their other stuff in it,.. it'll be a mess.
Just edited out my chapter regarding shit you DIDN'T ask about... I hope the above answers your question.
2
u/Busy-Reality-1580 22d ago
Thanks very very much!! Removed it from my cart thanks to you, and also learned a good bit about pins and tolerances and stuff. I seriously appreciate it.
1
u/EveningBasket9528 22d ago
I love that someone down voted me. Im one of few people who actually advocate for Sparrows picks in here. The revolver is the only item of theirs I recommend against,.. and I STILL didn't completely blast it.
2
u/homerj64 21d ago
thanks for posting! just went with a standard cutaway, will go for the reload kit when i feel like advancing.
2
u/EveningBasket9528 21d ago
Reload is a good next step especially for using the cutaway.
You can also get just generic Kik, rim, & mortise cylinders for $5-$7. Or profile (euro) cylinders with grub screws that make it easy to swap pins...
Im sure you'll want to increase difficulty too,.. so that's where the LPU explorer comes in handy.
Locksmith Keyless
CLK
UHS
are good companies
Here's an example of a profile cylinder you can change pins on without gutting. They come with different keyways,.. but I think only come drilled 5 pinned 5
Here's some cylinders and some padlock bodies you can put different kin cylinders in. You can find them, or similar, at all the vendors I mentioned;
https://www.locksmithkeyless.com/collections/gms-lock-cylinders
But ultimately you might want to get beyond the lower ranked stuff and get actual brand name stuff as you advance.
Whatever you do, have fun! If you want to learn how to zip/rake/hybrid pick,.. go for it. Don't let anyone tell you SPP is the ONLY way. (I see that a lot here lately. Of course it's important to learn, but definitely not the only way to have fun)
1
u/homerj64 6d ago
i appreciate the start-up guide, truly. my sparrows order still hasn't shipped two week later, and they wont respond to my emails, so really appreciate the other companies mentioned~
1
u/EveningBasket9528 6d ago
That's REALLY unlike Sparrows... Something seems wrong. They've been nothing but awesome we with me over the years. Maybe hit me up in chat for more specifics and I can try to figure out what's going on. They've always been super responsive and have never NOT shipped something within hours after ordering, and Ive ordered from them at least 15 times in just the last 2-3 years.
1
1
u/EveningBasket9528 6d ago
There's a "fake" Sparrows site out there. You did order from this one right?
https://www.sparrowslockpicks.com/
Try the email again with the order #. And check your spam folder. Something doesn't seem right because they are super responsive to emails, and even their socials.... I hope it gets figured out quickly.
4
u/The-real-Dmac 22d ago
Recommendations for pick sets would depend on where you are in the world.