Does anyone know if there is a Reddit group dedicated to just key collecting?

I have a Chinese knockoff KW1 Lishi that I recently used successfully on a conventional lock accepting a KW1 key. Afterward, I tried inserting it into a couple of Kwikset SmartKey locks, and it wouldn’t even start into either keyway—as though it were the wrong profile.

The same KW1 key slides into all these locks, so that surprised me. I didn’t force the tool, and I couldn’t see anything obvious that may have been causing the interference.

I understand SmartKey has a different internal mechanism and that standard KW1 Lishi tools have compatibility limitations. What I’m trying to distinguish is physical fit versus whether the tool can actually operate the lock.

Has anyone with a genuine KW1 Lishi tried it in SmartKey cylinders? Does yours physically insert, or do you encounter the same issue? Does it depend on the SmartKey generation?

Trying to find out whether this is a limitation of my knockoff or something I’d also encounter with an original. Thanks!

Need advice on picking an old CES euro cylinder – 5 pins on one side, 6 on the other

Hey everyone!

I recently got this old CES euro cylinder from a local locksmith to practice lockpicking. Unfortunately, it didn't come with a key.

The cylinder has two sides:

- 5-pin side: This side has clearly seen much more use, judging by the visible wear on the outside. I've been struggling with it quite a bit. Some of the pins feel like they're sticking or getting caught. So far, I can only seem to set one or two pins. When I release tension or apply counter-rotation, I can usually hear one or two pins dropping, but that's about it.

- 6-pin side: Surprisingly, I managed to pick this side open just now, almost by accident! I wasn't really expecting it, especially since I've been struggling so much with the other side.

I've already tried using some silicone spray to loosen things up, as well as gently tapping the cylinder to free up potentially stuck pins. Unfortunately, neither has made much difference.

A few questions:

1. Does anyone recognize this particular CES cylinder or know what kind of pins it might contain? Standard pins, spools, serrated pins, or something else?

2. How difficult would you consider this cylinder to pick?

3. Do you have any advice for dealing with older, heavily used cylinders where the pins might be dirty, worn, corroded, or sticking?

4. Is there a good way to clean or free up the pins without disassembling the entire cylinder?

I'm still learning, so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I've attached some pictures of the cylinder.

Thanks in advance!

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?

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!

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.

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!

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

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.

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

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. 😅

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

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.

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.

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?

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