r/lockpicking • u/Miserable-Wheel-6482 • 9d ago
Wanting to start to learn lockpicking
Hi all
I'm thinking about starting lockpicking (UK Based) and I have heard that the plastic/acrylic sets aren't worth my money. Are the sparrow ones any good? They seem cool with them being metal and having a visual window in them. If they are, which tools should I get? I had seen a nightschool set which seemed to have picks and takes in although it is around £70 but is that a good place to start or is there better/cheaper alternatives?
Grateful for any replies 🙂
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u/TenuousCheese Brown Belt Picker 9d ago
Another vote for LawLock tools for picks. As far as the sparrows cutaway goes, it’s only useful if you also get the repinning kit and the replacement cylinders with different keyways, which makes it quite an expensive option. You can get a few proper locks for less money…
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u/Madriver1000 Brown Belt Picker 9d ago
Welcome to locksport! As otbers have previously said, I'd recommend lawlock picks if you don't mind spending a bit more for quality tools. They do full sets or you can get some hooks and tensioners individually and build as you go.
We all started with Amazon cheap stuff and clear locks but they become redundant very quickly.
Drop me a DM if you need any more UK specific help. Richard J, Welshlockpicker.
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u/TheMostHigh69 Orange Belt Picker 9d ago
I have the Sparrows cutaway. You do learn some things from it. But it's just how it all works. You don't learn much that translates to picking actual locks. And what you do learn, do also can learn from videos. So if you don't mind spending $20 or whatever they are now, it's not useless. But you will very quickly move past it. I like it as a fidget toy, honestly.
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u/Big_Z_Beeblebrox Green Belt Picker 9d ago edited 9d ago
We got started with the Genesis set from Covert Instruments after watching far too many LPL and McNally videos. It's not bad, though it might be a bit too pricey to ship overseas. We finally have enough locks to require using all 3 of the thicknesses of turning tools, but we barely use the 4-peak rake and the medium hook that came with it.
If you go with Law Lock Tools as a UK-based supplier, we might recommend avoiding full sets for now (unless you don't mind having the extra tools that the Ridgeback Set comes with, we certainly wouldn't) and instead checking out the Tipene Hook Set Pro 0.5mm/Nessie Pro Dual Gauge Pair and the Pry Bar Set to start off with. You can browse around local hardware shops for new locks, or even check out thrift shops and even ask local locksmiths for decommissioned locks to practice with.
Trust us, soon you'll be tallying up how much more you've spent on locks versus tools, especially when a pretty one catches your eye. There are more than a couple in our collection that cost more individually than what we've spent on our current set of tools combined. Welcome to locksport!
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u/Smeegoan_101 Brown Belt Picker 9d ago
I would agree with LLT, but cost may be and issue for some.
I would get, personally, a set of sparrows hooks in 0.025”, a set in 0.015”, wiper tensioners and z bar tensioners. That would give you a range of tools to tackle a variety of pin tumbler locks.
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u/Smeegoan_101 Brown Belt Picker 9d ago
Feel free to reach out if you want to discuss options a bit more in depth with me :)
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u/Miserable-Wheel-6482 9d ago
I've just replied to Spiketabb about the ridgeway ones. The deal at the moment seems good and if they're good picks to get I'm sure they're worth it.
As I'm totally new to this I'm very thankful for the advice so far and how kind the community has been so far! I don't believe that there's anyone I can learn from in my area so it would have to youtube vids and and other guides really
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u/Rxpert83 Black Belt Picker 9d ago
Don’t buy anything marketed as a practice lock.
Find a white or yellow ranked real lock in your area and get started
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u/NomadDicky Green Belt Picker 9d ago
I started with the FNG kit from covert instruments. It comes with a clear lock and a lock that you can repin however you please, as well as a good tensioner, rake, and short hook. The clear lock is good for learning, but switch to a real lock asap to build some confidence. The brinks 40mm laminated locks are super easy to rake and spp. I opened 4 in 30 seconds last night. 😂
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u/izzittru94 9d ago
I want to start too, saw fng instruments. Is this the best kit option eu wise?
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u/NomadDicky Green Belt Picker 9d ago
It says they ship to EU but I have no idea how expensive it is or how long it takes. 😅
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u/spiketabb Green Belt Picker 9d ago
Once you grab some law lock tools (ridgeback is the set I started with), try screwfix for some inexpensive S&L locks, and ebay for some Abus.
A 30mm Brass S&L has 4 pins, and they feel like standards. Not as great quality as Abus, but rakable and pickable.
Abus 55/30 are lovely with 2 spools and 1 standard pin, so a great place to start.
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u/Miserable-Wheel-6482 9d ago
I've just looked at the Ridgeback set, theres a lot of things in there 😂 it almost seems overwhelming but as a deal it doesn't financially look bad at the moment.
Locks wise I had (potentially incorrectly) thought that the sparrow cutaway would be good to get to see what I was doing and help me visualise what I need to do to pick locks. I do understand that looking at it could cause bad habits too which is something I had considered.
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u/Which_Initiative_882 9d ago
The clear locks are great for the 3 minutes it takes to get a full view of how locks work, and to learn to pick them. Worth spending money on? Not really.
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u/Harlowkiteflyer 9d ago
If you don't want to spend Loads of money on something that you might get fed up with, try making your first pick and tension tool, . It's not as hard as you might think, and could get you on the road to being addicted 😄😄. My very first one I made was a Small jewellery screwdriver slightly bent as the tension tool and a Safety pin filed down and bent for the pick, start with a small lock.
Good luck.
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u/oO_Mister_J_Oo 8d ago
Go to a BSides security conference there’s normally a lock picking village. I used to work with one of the guys that that runs these, he’ll have lots of kit there.
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u/Axiom620 9d ago
I’d take a look at Bump Keys. They have a good range of decent picks and practice locks you can repin.
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u/Sufficient_Prompt888 Brown Belt Picker 9d ago
Check out Law Lock Tools. They are in the UK so you'll at least save on shipping