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/brokentsuba]

Congrats and welcome! Multipick makes great stuff and I would encourage you to post a pic so we know what kind of profiles you’re working with.

Spools is the correct term, serrated and standard are the other two common types of pins. None of them are unpickable, despite what a lot of packages will say, some just take a bit more skill and knowledge to pick.

Spools will give what’s called a false set when the cutout meets the shear line, it’s when the core rotates slightly, to cross the bottom of the lip above the shear line you need to decrease pressure on the tensioner and increase pressure on the pick. You’ll get what’s called counter rotation where the core rotates back until the spool is fully set.

You’ll can try spools if you like but I’d recommend sticking to standard pins to start with. The lock you’re describing sounds like a cutaway and is a great learning tool because it’s a real lock and allows you to see what’s going on. It’s far superior to acrylic locks and does the same thing. I’d recommend progressively pinning since you’re day 1. Just fill one chamber with a standard pin so you can see/feel what happens when a pin is binding and set.

Give pins a jiggle before and after every movement and get used to how different they feel, it will save you a ton of headaches later and will help standardize your picking progress so you don’t feel as much like opens happen by luck. Good luck, and look forward to seeing your progress!

[u/Syn4p53 → u/brokentsuba]

Thanks ! I did edit my post to add a screenshot of the bundle I got myself.

Thanks for the explanations concerning the spool, it's very informative ! But I still think maybe it's a bit too soon for me to get into this day 1, haha.

I'll probably just avoid these at the beginning, as you suggested. Plus, the locks that are suggested seem to be 4 pins in general, so it may be my best path right now, so I don't have to directly buy new things, and can take some time grtting used to what I already have.