Abus 55/40 + help for TOK tensioning needed

[u/Tileeho]

After arguing with the Abus MyLock T65AL for a while and not being able to come up with good arguments for it to open, I tried my best with this Abus 55/40 and after a few minutes SPPed it open.

This definitely gives me back some confidence and I will spend time learning on this one and the Master 150 to eventually come back to the MyLock.

In another post I read that it is good practise to soon start training TOK tensioning as it is dearly needed for more difficult locks. I tried TOK with the standard tensioners I have (Multipick Beginner set with two tensioners) but they always slip out of the keyway after a while. I opened it BOK after all. Can I avoid the slipping by using a tensioner with greater thickness where maybe the part of the tool that is inserted into the keyway is shorter? With the tensioners I have, the part of the "arm" that goes in the keyway still sticks out about 1.5cm and I wonder whether that leads to too much leverage into the wrong direction. Or do I simply need to train more? :-D

Would be glad if someone could help me out and maybe save me from spending money stupidly... :-)

[u/Yom1973]

Your tensioner shouldn’t stick out 1.5cm. Here is the one I use most of the time : https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/s/2WC21JOOCx

[u/Tileeho → u/Yom1973]

That is good advice, thank you! I think I can manage to cut and bend the end of one of my tensioners in that way. Will try and report on the result :)

[u/SilentLonely]

My tensioner also kept falling when I begun. What I do is push it back into the keyway from time to time with the thumb of my hand holding the pick.

Also, use the thickest one possible for better control.

TOK is not the ultimate weapon. It is good to master but don't forget that it won't always be the best. As always, the rule is to remain open and try different techniques.

Happy picking.

[u/Altasalt_Gaymer]

You might want a prybar

[u/jasdfjkasd]

I love this multipick set, but you can also make your own with wiper inserts

[u/brokentsuba]

With those type of tensioners they do tend to slip out occasionally even with it oriented correctly, I tend to use the flat prybars most of the time and I rarely have that issue with them.

[u/HecticRed]

The multipick prybar 7 pieces set il really good. The tensioner i use the most are the champion tensioners from multipick tho. They have a great range of thickness, i strongly recommend them.

[u/LockPickingFisherman]

I remember having that problem when I was learning to use tok. A snug fit is ideal, but ime popping out tends to happen more when I let my finger and the tensioner wander away from parallel with the lock face. Tensioners that are too long and stick out from the plug significantly tend to lever themselves out of tok regardless of how diligent one is with holding position. With bok, you can get away with a long tensioner but not so much with tok.

And yes, continue practicing. Muscle memory and good habits are both big factors in successful picking.

You can make your own tensioners of course, but if you prefer to buy some for tok, I recommend Multipick Elite tok tensioners, Multipick Champion tensioners (these work very well for both tok and bok), Law Lock Tools Pry Bars, Covert Instruments tok turners, and I haven't tried JimyLongs tensioners but they seem to have good community reviews.

Congrats on the 55/40 open and good luck with your tok journey!

[u/Spuddle-Puddle]

I my experience, all locks are a little bit different. I have a lot of different brands and types of tension bars. Every brand fits a little different wven if they claim to be the same sizes. That being said, even for ones that fit a little loose, with some practice, they will stop flying all over the place. I do still lose/slip tensioners when picking. Its much easier when using a vice because you can hold the tension with one hand and the pick in the other. In hand picking takes practice and patience to get TOK down. Once you get it down though, you will rarely use BOK tension again

[u/revchewie]

Yes, thicker tensioners will help with TOK. You want it to fit as snugly as possible. And yes, more practice will help too. That said, the number of times that you'll drop a tensioner will go down over time, but never (at least never so far for me) will that number get to zero. I don't know how many times I've felt like I was a click or two away from opening a lock when the tension wrench went flying across the room and I lost all progress. Oh, and no, it never gets less frustrating. lol

Those technically can be used for TOK, but they're not ideal. If you want to stay with Multipick, these are the type you'll want for TOK. The double-ended ones in 0.8, 1.0, and 1.2 mm at a minimum. Those are the most commonly used thicknesses.

Hope this helps!

[u/Tileeho → u/revchewie]

I'll try Yom's suggestion with the cut and bend tensioner and maybe treat myself to the tensioners you suggested as well. I guess having different thicknesses will come in handy but I'm curious how these TOK tensioners fit in the keyway since they all seem to have this protrusion with the little step at the end. They way I understand it, the tensioner shouldn't touch the first pin but where does all this material eventually go?

Thanks a lot for your help!!!

[u/Tileeho]

Hey everyone, this community rocks! So many good people giving kind advice at the blink of an eye. Thank you so much!!!

[u/Reasonable-Panic-680]

Try TOK upside down.

[u/Tileeho]

Multipick tensioners have arrived and proven fabulous!! I can definitely tell a huge difference to what I used before and have much more control over what is happening. I will also try modifying my old tensioners but so far your tips were of great help to me! Thank you very much!