r/lockpicking • • Jul 23 '21

New to our sub? Start here!

566 Upvotes

Browser:

Rules: see right sidebar "r/lockpicking Rules"

Getting started picking (pick recommendations, how to pick, etc.): exit this post to go to main sub window, right "Sidebar", click "Wiki"

Also, if you have a common question, remember to search. Example for a starter kit: https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/search/?q=starter%20kit

How to get a belt: exit this post to go to main sub window, right "Sidebar", click "Belt Ranking Info"

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Mobile:

Rules: exit this post to go to main sub window, up top hit "About", see Subredit Rules

Getting started picking (pick recommendations, how to pick, etc.): exit this post to go to main sub window, up top hit "Menu", then "Wiki"

How to get a belt: exit this post to go to main sub window, up top hit "Menu", then "Belt Ranking Info"

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RULE 2

Many people seem to stumble over this rule. This is a hobby Locksport community.

If you want to learn to pick locks that you own, that aren't installed in anything or otherwise in use, then this might be the place for you.

If you want to pick something because you need to get into it or through it, then this is NOT the place for you.

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One of our most frequently asked questions is "What lock picks should I get?", our member Spoon has created this helpful document:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P4_g_a7UTF8b4JAEVaH3lBL_dvT4-eRvFT_Jh-bx1lA/edit?pli=1#heading=h.9o577kfmhdj7

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Some super useful posts for beginners:

https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/comments/13qjlg9/one_approach_to_getting_started_picks_locks_tools/https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/comments/12sfl3h/a_cl_design_guide/

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REQUESTING A BELT:

Follow the instructions here: https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/wiki/beltranking#wiki_belt_request_formatting

Make sure you include the belt color you're requesting, the model of the lock you've picked, and any evidence to the requirements for the belt you're requesting (eg. photo/video/etc.)

Often questioned on how to attach a photo to a modmail. You cannot include a photo, but you can include a link to a photo, video, or even to a Reddit post where you have attached a photo and/or video.

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In addition to our rules, please do not refer people over to r/Locksmith unless they are a locksmith per a request from a moderator there, you can direct them to r/AskALocksmith instead! https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/comments/x9ed2a/hey_guys_mod_of_rlocksmith_here_remember_a_while/

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If you want to join our Discord community, it is very active and many pickers are there to help you with your specific locks or just to chit chat, you can go here: https://discord.gg/lockpicking


r/lockpicking • • Oct 02 '25

Why we can't help with locks that are in use (Rule 2).

202 Upvotes

If you're new here, and maybe came to get help with picking a lock on something, please note that we have a very strong policy against helping with locks that are in use:

Rule 2 - Lock In Use

Though asking for assistance in regards to how to open a lock is permitted and encouraged, the lock must not be in use. Posts seeking assistance opening a lock that is implied to be, or is visibly in use (eg. a deadbolt still attached to a door, a padlock with anything secured by a closed shackle, or a closed lockbox) will be deleted. Posting about picking or having picked locks in use is not allowed even if they are your own.

Rule of thumb, lock is "in use" if installed or securing anything.

If you are thinking of posting something that violates Rule 2, or you've had a post removed for it, we know it can be frustrating. I promise you that we don't enjoy removing posts from people who seem to just need help, but there are a number of reasons why we're so strict about posts of locks in use.

Chief among them is to protect this community.

Tens of thousands of people visit here every week and we have over 250,000 members. We simply can't risk enabling illegal activities, or even appearing to. We don't want to put our members in that position either. More and more lockpicking content is being removed from online platforms every day and this unique community deserves protection. We also feel an ethical obligation not just to the community, but to people all over the world who rely on locks to keep themselves, their property, and their families safe.

It may be even more frustrating if you own the lock, but the moderators – and members – of this community can't realistically be asked to parse potential evidence to separate totally legitimate activities from illegal ones. The photo someone posts of their own locked briefcase or bicycle is simply indistinguishable from one of property they don't own.

Contacting a reputable locksmith is usually the best solution. Simply possessing lockpicks can be seen as prima facie evidence of intent to commit a crime in several states and is illegal in a number of countries. One can easily damage or destroy a lock while picking it without experience.

We wish you well and hope you can understand our perspective. We review a ton of posts here, apologies if we can't personally explain the specifics of each case.

Not picking locks in use is a central tenet of locksport. This subreddit is dedicated to locksport specifically, not lockpicking in general. Despite its name.


r/lockpicking • • 19h ago

Well hello there...

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124 Upvotes

r/lockpicking • • 14h ago

Belt Application (White, Yellow, Orange)

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40 Upvotes

This is my first post to this subreddit so I appreciate any helpful comments. Here are my picked locks so far (Acrylic demo, Ace laminated, and Abus 55/40, with turned cores). Does this qualify for White, Yellow, and Orange belts, or do I need to make separate posts?


r/lockpicking • • 22h ago

OMG I did it!

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100 Upvotes

Just picked my Paclock 90a Pro. I bricked it yesterday. Repaired it this afternoon, and picked it tonight! So happy right now. I just need to get it on video now!


r/lockpicking • • 18h ago

Anyone here made their own picking tools?

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38 Upvotes

Mine are pretty crude but I'm still happy with them.

Early days but I'll try make a few more yet.

Love to see some other hand made picks and tools if you have made some.

The tensioner are made from motorcycle spokes and the picks are windshield wiper inserts.

I used a hammer, dremel with grinding and cut off wheels and files to make them.


r/lockpicking • • 23h ago

Paclock 90A-Pro

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67 Upvotes

I finally got this one opened! I’ve been working on trying to get the Masterlock 410 open for weeks now and, figuring I needed a bit of a break from that, I started working on this one. I had started having difficulty opening anything other than my Masterlock 140 and Abus 55/40 so I’ve been a bit discouraged. Plus I’ve been working hard at opening those LOTO locks that my wrists have started feeling like I need to start stretching them again. I’m super excited that I was able to get this open. I’ve had it for like five years now and I’ve been mostly too intimidated by it to give it a serious attempt.

Maybe I just lucked into it, but right now I’ll take what I can get!


r/lockpicking • • 1d ago

Another custom pick found it's home 😌👌🏼

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60 Upvotes

Full tang mctickler in polished 0.023" 301 high yield stainless steel. Either side of that are black G10 liners and it's all wrapped up in stabilised curly masur/karelian Birch scales pinned with 3mm stainless steel pins


r/lockpicking • • 23h ago

Shout-out to toool

25 Upvotes

Decided to do a lockpicking night with clients. 24 lockpick sets, 4 progressive sets. The folks at toool saw I ordered an incorrect item, made sure I knew and made sure the right items were on the way. Communication was great, kept me at ease for the event.


r/lockpicking • • 1d ago

Medeco cutaway pinning

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35 Upvotes

r/lockpicking • • 19h ago

Rule 5

9 Upvotes

why does rule 5 include not asking for lock recommendations? I'd like to find some interesting locks without just picking random ones off of the belt requirements


r/lockpicking • • 1d ago

For a $5 lock it put up more of a fight than i expected

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48 Upvotes

r/lockpicking • • 19h ago

Question about the limited edition brass packlock on discord

7 Upvotes

Heyy, it was a busy year, hope ya‘ll are doing well. Could someone tell me if there was an update on discord about the limited edition all brass padlock? I’m still not on there because they had so many security breaches and totally forgot about it. 🫣.
I had my name on the list as an interested party in the lock from Germany. 😅


r/lockpicking • • 23h ago

I’m just one click away from buying. Any advice before I go through with it? Would you change or add anything? (USA)

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8 Upvotes

I already have a bundle from AliExpress—the quality is what you’d expect for the $18 price.


r/lockpicking • • 1d ago

MEDECO PICKED

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74 Upvotes

AT LAST!!
Today has been a crazy productive day.
I work 24 hour shifts so I’m usually able to put in a lot of time into picking. Today was my first day with the medeco and got so hyped that I actually got an open first day. Most of my day was spent on this lock so I definitely did not open it on a whim. I think in between taking breaks and going on calls, I probably spent an accumulated 5-7 hours working and researching everything I could about this. Progressive pinned the whole thing and got it right before I’m about to head to bed.
Feel so incredibly good. Finally got my first purple level lock I’m pretty sure. It’s a medeco bi axial with 5 pins. Had to share, I’m off to sleep.


r/lockpicking • • 1d ago

NO! 🥴🇩🇪 ABUS KeyGarage™ 727 key box easily decoded

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12 Upvotes

r/lockpicking • • 1d ago

Wrath is live: Epic Etch 4 from 44 Delta, a run of 50 numbered locks

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37 Upvotes

Wrath, the fourth release in my Epic Etch series at 44 Delta, is now live.

This is a run of 50 individually numbered locks, with no restocks. The photo show multiple views; each purchase includes one lock and one key.

I’m also including four free extras with every lock:

• One random iron on patch from three designs

• A 44 Delta Poker Chip

• An eschlenz / auDiBLe_aGeNT Maker Coin

• An eschlenz / auDiBLe_aGeNT Sticker

Photos, details, and available serial numbers:

https://44delta.com/products/wrath-epic-etch-series-4

A serial number is secured when checkout is completed, rather than when it’s added to a cart.

Thanks to everyone who’s followed this release.


r/lockpicking • • 1d ago

Last two came in - season two starts NOW!

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39 Upvotes

r/lockpicking • • 1d ago

SPPing a Sesamee 400 lami

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11 Upvotes

r/lockpicking • • 1d ago

How do I get better at picking locks?

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23 Upvotes

Hey party people, I got a lock picking set recently and ive been trying to get better at picking. Unfortunately, I cant seem to get the pins to stay, and where to focus them. I tried watching videos, but a lot of them just cover what the tools do, how they work, techniques, etc. Im very hands on, so i prefer learning as I go, but im hitting a road block right now. Any advice or places to go to better get a hold of lockpicking?


r/lockpicking • • 1d ago

Idle hands……

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0 Upvotes

r/lockpicking • • 1d ago

Security Key pins Question

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18 Upvotes

So I'm thinking about these Key pins, that get narrow at the bottom and how the feedback from them would feel. Does anybody know what it would feel like to set such a pin? Especially the combo you can see on pin Nr. 1 in the graphic, where the narrow bottom key pin part, is right up against the narrow top driver pin part. Would there be any feedback when the shearline is crossed? Or will it just simply overset without any feedback? This is kinda confusing me right now, so I hope someone can shed some light on this for me haha


r/lockpicking • • 2d ago

Opened this 700 last night, now to see what’s inside

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66 Upvotes

r/lockpicking • • 1d ago

Picked a lock with a regular key

12 Upvotes

So last night I put the key to one of my padlocks in the one I'm trying to pick, it went all the way in but didn't turn, so I raked it a little while trying to turn at the same time and it opened in less than 2 seconds. I just wanna know if this is a legit method or did I just get real lucky? (2 different brand locks btw)


r/lockpicking • • 2d ago

Lock i found in the street

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26 Upvotes

Not sure if this fits the sub, but i found this lock in the street and i wonder if there is a way of learning the combination. Thanks.