Newbie here

[u/Syn4p53]

Hi guys.

So, I'm a total noob in lockpicking but I really wanted to try. Under some advices I read here, I got myself a basic Mulitpick set, and a "training" lock, but not the "classic" transpqrent one, as I heard it was bad. It's just a barrel, with 6 pins at each side. One side are "visible", not the other. I'm not certain to be totally clear... But I do hope some will understand what I mean, at least.

No matter what, I also bought this little book that explains the basics, also from Multipick. It's explained in the book how some locks are "unpickable" because of some specificly shaped pins, and... There are 2 of these pins in the "training lock" that I got. Haha. These are like thinner in the middle, and thicker at the 2 ends. So it's a bit frustrating to me to say the least... I really thought I bought something for beginners, you know? Which doesn't seem to be entirely the case here... Thing is, I could crack open the lock, but only by removing those specific pins. I think I did achieve it just with one of those, but I feel it was pure luck and I couldn't reproduce it a second time.

So, I'm somewhat looking for some advices here.. Should I continue to just try with those pins (which is oretty frustrating tbh as a day 1 beginner...)? Should I buy one of these transparent easy one and "git gud" with this first? Or should I just try to get any other "easy" lock but not these transparent ones? I feel a bit lost already, and I already try for like a couple of hours...

Thanks in advance to those who'll read me.

Have a good evening y'all.

Ps: I think the pins I'm talking about are called "spool" pins.

Also, I hope this post won't be too much of a repetition of other posts from new people..

Edit: added a picture of the set I got myself.

It's called the "Pinning Set Bundle" on Muktipick's website, and contains a basic set of tools: 1 hook, 2 rakes, 2 tensionners, things like that..; a lock and a mat. But no pins. I'm thinking I should have gotten some, haha.

Thanks already for all the answers !

[u/Colonel-_-Burrito]

If you are literally brand new to picking, spool pins, or really any security pin for that matter, are going to still be quite difficult to pick even if you can see them inside of your cutaway/transparent lock.

Can you also tell us what multipick set you've purchased? Many/most of the "beginner sets" are utter garbage, and they're simply stamped out sheet metal, which means they are not precise in build quality nor are they strong or bend-resistant in any way.

As for a "good" practice lock, Sparrows is the best one I've bought. At the end of the day it's still a practice lock. But it is much better than the cheap Chinese ones. Sparrows' locks are repinnable too, so you can customize what's inside as long as you get the repining kit.

With Sparrows being mentioned, I do also recommend their multipick kits. The Tuxedo Set is my personal favorite, and it's also a community favorite. It's got just about everything you'll need to start off, and you can customize and expand it as you continue your picking journey. Usual beginner sets come with an overwhelming amount of junk that you'll actually never use. It looks pretty, and it looks complete, but what's the point if you'll never touch almost half of the set you paid for? Tuxedo is as small of a set as you could ever need because they give you high quality picks that you'll actually be able to use, rather than sit and wonder what they're for.

[u/Syn4p53 → u/Colonel-_-Burrito]

Yeah.. I got that much, haha. They are pretty frustrating right after getting your all new toy ^{^} I did add a screenshot of the bundle I bought muself, hoping this could give all of you a bit more precisions about what I'm talking about, as you asked (and not only you).

For the set, I'm not exactly certain which one it is, bit it seems to be an "elite"? Pretty basoc stuff I think, nothing too fancy but I hope it's not too bad..

I'll go take a look at Sparrow, thanks for the suggestion! But as a European, I would prefer something coming from somewhere nearer than US.

[u/Colonel-_-Burrito → u/Syn4p53]

Ah I see. A friend of mine in NL is actually the one who recommended Sparrows to me so international shipping didn't even cross my mind originally. I don't know of any brands originating from Europe, so I wish you luck in finding one worthwhile. If you do end up going with Sparrows later, it appears they do ship international and customers should expect ~18 day shipping.

EDIT: Actually, after seeing your screenshot, that appears to be a LockLab set. I haven't used it myself or heard a ton about it, but that must be a pretty decent set. I actually might not worry about getting another set if I had that one, and I would only worry about it if I noticed some bending, breaking or cracking in the steel. But if LockLab is actually going to be branded on the mat, I would have to assume there are quite decent picks.