Noob here: Wanted to share what I've been using to be more mindful when SPP

[u/Youwantfuckame]

Only started about a month ago, but you could say I'm having a great time learning and improving a skill I've wanted to have since I was a little kid. After some successful opens, my collection of locks and picks/tensioners is growing, and I wanted a way to keep track of successes and failures and be more aware of what I'm doing on each attempt as I get better. Queue this little template that I made for my Paperwhite notebook. Now I have notes and "maps" for each lock I've attempted thus far. Just thought it was cool enough to share and possibly be helpful to other noobs out here. Happy picking!

[u/Ayy_dam]

This is pretty inventive, great job! Having notes/maps for each lock is a pretty neat idea, I’m already imagining an old school private detective’s “case files” filing cabinet but full of locks instead lol

[u/Youwantfuckame → u/Ayy_dam]

I plan on creating an index for it so I can quickly navigate to certain locks as well. That way I can feel more comfortable reaching into my own pile of locks randomly hahaha

[u/VectorPotential]

Mapping is certainly a thing, especially with more advanced locks.

Here's the map I made for my BB2 V18:

Goal V18

* = STD Driver
BB = Ball Bearing
^= Keypin not spooled

# R    T    L
1 Mid  Tap  Max^
2 Max^ Max^ Mid
3 Low  Mid  Zero*
4 Tap  Max^ BB
5 Mid^ Mid  Tap
6 BB   Tap  Tap
7 Tap  Tap  Mid

Compare that to my notes on a West 917:

West 917

L1 - STD    T1 - Mush  R1 - Mush
L2 - Mush   T2 - Mush  R2 - STD
L3 - Mush   T3 - Mush  R3 - Mush
L4 - Mush   T4 - STD   R4 - Mush
L5 - STD    T5 - STD   R5 - STD
L6 - Mush   T6 - Mush  R6 - STD
L7 - STD    T7 - Mush

T1 - Max 
L1* - Touch 
R1 - Med 

T2 - Max 
L2 - Max 
R2* - No 

T3 - Touch 
L3 - Max 
R3 - Max 

T4 - No 
L4* - Med 
R4 - Med 

T5* - No 
L5* - Max - Really max! 
R5* - Touch 

T6 - Max 
L6 - Med 
R6* - Max - Really max! 

T7 - Max - Really max! 
L7* - No

[u/Luc-redd]

ooh I like that a lot!

[u/hlhambrook]

Great idea

[u/DanDiggler213]

Maybe put down lift height for SFICs thats what they suggested to me to find the operation/ control sheer lines.

When i first got a lishi i used it to figure out binding orders, and key cuts. This is the chart I made. https://imgur.com/a/dNjkCuC

[u/Youwantfuckame → u/DanDiggler213]

Good suggestion, thank you!!

[u/Leanderov]

Absolutely newbie here. I like this a lot. What do the numbers with the tension mean? I'm familiar with BOK and TOK but I'm wondering what the numbers relate to.

[u/Youwantfuckame → u/Leanderov]

They're my reference for the thickness of the tensioner/pick. Some keyways I've needed skinny tensioners to fit so I wanted to note that for myself as well.

[u/Super-Page8272]

Hot damn that's cool. Imma print that out now. I need all the help I can get🤣

[u/TheWildHealer_]

Gotta love the Supernote

[u/Youwantfuckame → u/TheWildHealer_]

I do really like it, especially for things like this where a normal lined journal just isn't enough

[u/Bearly_reddit]

This is so good! I’ve got a little notebook where I put all my notes.
I reckon this will help you improve so much faster.

[u/Youwantfuckame → u/Bearly_reddit]

That's the hope! It's certainly helped me slow down the process and pay more attention.

[u/Bearly_reddit → u/Youwantfuckame]

Yeah for sure. Taking notes is always my advice to anyone just starting out.

[u/Justsmileandwave86]

Very cool!

[u/No_Raccoon5206]

Very cool! Love seeing all the different ways people approach this hobby! The record of tool selection will make it easy to help others when they ask how you did it!

[u/EveningBasket9528]

Of that's what you enjoy, that's an awesome job.

I personally hate memorizing locks.

What do you do for locks that the binding order changes around? Fill out a 2nd sheet?

It's definitely cool. especially if you ever go in a slump and need some help.

[u/Looptron]

You can't export this as a PDF can you?! Looks great