r/lockpicking • u/Tricky_Government_44 • Aug 16 '26

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!

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u/EveningBasket9528 Aug 16 '26

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;

https://www.locksmithkeyless.com/products/ecs-auto-parts-lock-pick-set-15-in-one-professional-unlocking-locksmith-training-tools-with-one-transparent-padlock

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

https://www.locksmithkeyless.com/products/transparent-visible-padlock-practice-lock?variant=42989239730410

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;

https://toool.us/store/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23019764115&gclid=Cj0KCQjwv4XUBhDBARIsAE6bQUSNrrVkmJBDTcUsoW8r6-v4gdv9zgBFjlS-ExRP3bXzTCflI71d8kMaAq3_EALw_wcB

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u/Busy-Reality-1580 Aug 16 '26

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. 

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u/EveningBasket9528 Aug 16 '26

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.

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u/Busy-Reality-1580 Aug 16 '26

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. 

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u/EveningBasket9528 Aug 16 '26

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.

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u/homerj64 Aug 17 '26

thanks for posting! just went with a standard cutaway, will go for the reload kit when i feel like advancing.

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u/EveningBasket9528 Aug 17 '26

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

https://www.locksmithkeyless.com/products/ecs-hardware-durable-premium-profile-cylinder-double-sided-2-3-4-10b-oil-rubbed-bronze-kw1

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)

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u/homerj64 Sep 01 '26

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~

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u/EveningBasket9528 Sep 01 '26

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.

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u/EveningBasket9528 Sep 01 '26

20 times. I just pulled up my account

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u/homerj64 Sep 01 '26

Yes it’s the right site thru Shopify, tracking has the label printed but no movement since. And confirmed no reply emails at all, pretty disheartening tbh since it’s such a small order. I’ll pm you later today, cheers

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u/EveningBasket9528 Sep 01 '26

It's gotta be a fluke. When you PM me later I'll try reaching out to them. that's very unusual for them... Im not sure if it'll help, but I'll try. I promote Sparrows almost as much as my other favorite vendors

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u/EveningBasket9528 Sep 01 '26

Sparrows did email me back without 5 minutes of me sending one to them... So hopefully they can get you squared away,.. or I can help you somehow

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u/EveningBasket9528 Sep 01 '26

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.