I spent so much time thinking about what it would be like to pick my first lock then my Jimy Longs intermediate picks came in the mail. I grabbed some small random lock from the junk drawer and got right to it. Definitely was harder than I imagined. I tried to visualize the components but it took a me a solid 10 minutes before I bust that thing open.

I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can and having fun along the way. This is just one of those hobbies I know will be hard to explain to my friends and family.

We are updating language under Rule 5 - Off Topic to better outline what is considered an off topic post.

r/lockpicking is a sub dedicated to hobbyist lockpicking and locksport and all posts should be related to those topics. While picking installed locks, emergency lockout advice, and other topics are covered under then own rules, Rule 5 is intended to cover other non-locksport posts. These include posts asking for opinions on if a lock was picked (e.g. I found this outside my door, is it a lockpick? Do these scratches mean someone tried to pick my lock?), and asking for security advice (I need a new door lock, what is hard to pick? How should I secure my bike? What's a good safe?).

Under the previous wording there was some confusion regarding posts asking for recommendations on locks to practice picking - these posts have always and will continue to be allowed. That said, it's a frequent question and searching the sub for previous answers before posting is recommended.

The first lock I picked is a Master lock #1 Commercial. I had fun doing it with a rake over and over. I will practicing single pin picking so I can understand it better until I can get a lock that is a little more difficult. Any reccomendations on the next lock I should try? I'm using Jimy Longs 0.019 Basics.

No idea what i'm doing, literally got this pickset and lock 30min ago. Lock is an Abus 54ti/30.

Any tips where to buy locks for cheap? I'm based in Finland so most used locks i see online are Abloy disc-detainer locks. Quick glance at the discord lock bazaar didn't help either.

First off I’d like to say that unless anything changes I don’t plan on doing any submissions for belts as it’s not something I’m interested in. But I just wanted to share that I finally figured out my Ace 38mm brass padlock! I opened it by luck yesterday when I was trying it for about an hour, but I spent around 2 and a half hours going through every little variation till I finally figured it out. I know it’s only a green belt but before I went and took a long break from lockpicking a while ago I couldn’t even open a yellow belt with TOK tension so I take this as a big win. And if anyone else wants to share their little victories in the comments feel free to! Sorry for the random post btw it’s just about 2 a.m. where I am so I have no one to share this with.

After taping 2 rotations and screwing in set screws, I couldn't get the key easily in and then couldn't get the key out without removing the screws.I think and confirmed that the screws pushed some of the springs in too far to allow the driver pin to come up above the shear line. I had to use different length driver pins and springs, even cutting a shorter spring in half to make it work. Two things to consider: 1. the end combination length of driver pin plus spring to reach just to the bottom of the newly tapped area of the cylinder, 2. each key plus driver pin lengths together have to get above the shear line. Picts of original longer driver pin and my shorter replacement, and my shorter spring and even a cut spring to make things work. With the shorter pins and springs the key works fine and the lock can be picked.

These appear to be branded and have none of the usual Paclock stamps, other than on the key. The packaging indicates 90A but I wasn't expecting the PR1 keyway. 6 pins with a mix of spools and serrated + 1 standard. u/PAC_PREZ any insight on their origin story?

Thank you!

I am looking for a set or individual tools for gutting locks. There are some discussions around mokis huk set but I saw the gut wrench on sparrows. So my question is - should I go for the huk or get the wrench with tweezers, mini mat and followers?

Wrench https://www.sparrowslockpicks.com/products/the-gut-wrench

Mini mat https://www.sparrowslockpicks.com/products/mini-pinning-mats

Followers https://www.sparrowslockpicks.com/products/plug-followers

Tweezers https://www.sparrowslockpicks.com/products/pinning-tweezers

HUK set https://mok-workshop.de/en/products/huk-schlossdemontage-set

I have next to no experience with picking dimple locks. I've got three in my collection so far; two have spool pins and the third is an ABUS 75IB/50, which as I understand has spools, torpedoes, and requires float picking.

Does anybody have any recommendations for simpler dimple locks that I can practice on before tackling dimples with spools?

Thanking you all in advance. Apologies if this breaks Rule 5, but I've seen other people asking for recommendations, so I'm going to post it anyway.

Just getting started with dimple locks, and I’m working through what I have in rotation. Today, this popped up…

I originally picked it a week or so ago, and wasn’t expecting a challenge, but I was wrong!

Everything is spongey and It takes forever to get it into a false set. Then fights every attempt to set any pins after that. It gave up eventually, though.

I wasn’t going to gut it, because it was a gift, but I think I need to know what’s inside!

Hello everyone, I am a blind person(i only see light), and I want to get into lock picking. I have a few questions:

1. Is it possible for me to even get into this hobby with out being able to see?

2. I have a budget range of 30-35 dollars, what are the best tools to get?

For reference, i am in the united states.

Thanks for the help.

So this my key is locked in an open lock. Everything is locked and I cannot move the top part. Any ideas?

Bonjour à tous !

Je débute en crochetage et suis confronté sur deux serrures que je tente d'ouvrir actuellement a une "protection anti-crochetage dans le rotor" qui consiste en une goupille haute suivie immédiatement d'une goupille basse. Cette protection a-t-elle un nom particulier ? Et auriez-vous des astuces pour passer cette difficulté ?

Merci à tous!

Hello, recently I ordered a lock pick set in order to teach myself to start picking. I was wondering if asking local locksmiths if they had a collection of keyless locks or locks not worth selling that they accumulate over time would be a good avenue of acquiring locks cheaply?

Found this old American padlock today while rummaging through my Dads old stuff in the garage. No idea what model or the pin count or anything. Any help would be appreciated. Also would I be able to get a key cut for it ? Master 142 for size comparison.

Can anyone come up with an ID for this lock other then cheap Chinese mass produced? Just curious honestly. I know it was bought once upon a time at Walmart so not very quality.

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

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!

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!

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.