Learn To Pick Locks And Avoid Beginner Mistakes 

I just realized instead of throwing it, I can make a tension wrench out of the underwire of my bra if it pops out and stabs me

I got a lock picking kit and quickly picked the practice lock, then masters, then picked the schlage locks in the house, then some unbranded lock on my french door... BUT there was one lock I could not seem to pick. An older brass lock I had. Your comments on tension was enough to make it possible - I guess I am a little heavy handed as it needed a soft touch. Thanks for this video.

9:13 tip for life if you don’t want your lock to get picked make it rusty and bath it in sand

"When I had co-workers"

I got a practice lock and a lock pick set for Christmas, so I could learn to pick locks, I looked at allot of videos but this is the only one that really helped me.

THANKS FOR THE NEW BIKE

I've got my first set of tools and practice locks today. I practiced a bit on them, then tried my apartment front door and, after 10 minutes, i was able to unlock it. Yes, it is probably a very low quality lock but, still... that sensation...

You are a very skilled teacher. I am waiting for my lock pick set to come in the mail and I have been watching TONS of “lock picking” videos (it is something that I want to learn how to do). I just wanted to tell you that I actually learned a lot from watching this video. You definitely cleared up some misconceptions that I had about lock picking. Thank you very much.

Great video. About 12 years a friend of mine bought a cd at a gun show simply called "Locksmith" It showed how to make picks out of the large bobby pins. Three of us made the picks and started picking locks. The third guy could pick any lock in seconds. The guy who purchased the disc usually could get one in minutes. Myself hours. But all of us have a lot of fun doing. I can sit watching TV and be playing with locks and I'm am much better at doing it now. Thanks again for a execlent video. Keith

Master locks can be opened by staring at them.

My first time picking locks was in university with a gun lock I got for free from a safety fair that the university sponsored. Two paper clips and many hours later, I was able to pick that lock very quickly. Roommate admitted it wasn't very impressive, and then challenged me to unlock an old master lock on his bag that he'd lost a key to. He left for spring break and the weekend before he came back, I unlocked it and left it on his desk. Paper clip lock picks hurt to use, but at least they work.

You did a Damn Great Job. You were modest, and truthful. I started at 14 with metal rake tines. Moved to street sweeper blades, i found on the corners of streets. It is a fun hobby, and can save some money.

Bike spokes flattened and ground are another option. Wiper tines and sweeper brushes are excellent as you say. Free tools are all over in dumpsters, too.

As a newbie, I noticed a few things. The first pick I was using had a slightly wider shaft and I was opening a number of padlocks, thinking I was single pin picking. Later on when I started getting better at feeling each pin, and using a pick with thinner shaft was that I was picking out where the shaft set a pin while I also was setting the target pin at the same time. Suddenly locks I was opening in 20 seconds, I’d be working at for much longer. Also noticed even with the same pick, sometimes (spools? And chance?) the picking order for successfully opening it was different. I wasn’t sure until I began to feel each pin and kinda know where I am in the lock. Sometimes the last pin would be one, sometimes three... Lastly, I have a simple master lock knock off, I get three distinct clicks just when I tension it. Have opened it picking pins 1,2,3,4 right on down the line, other times tried less tension, when I wasn’t getting the 1,2,3,4 binding order, and pick with super light tension. I like this lock. Sometimes I can open it in no time, other times I’m spending 30+ minutes on it with no success. Figure when I finally get it consistent, it will help.

I made myself a couple paper clip picks. I'm ready to go.

I really like the way you explain everything. You’re right about needing confidence in starting any new endeavor.

Thank you for your easy to unlock a lick lesson. With ur video i was able to learn under 30 seconds on how to unlock a lock. I was so impressed. Thank you again.

I have just started in this hobby (only a couple weeks) but I personally find springy tension wrenches problematic. I find stiffer wrenches give me a finer feedback feel and helps me adjust the tension more easily. Especially for pins that cause minor counter-rotation when being set. They also seem to help reduce the number of false sets due to being able to feel a very minor pin click. Just my personal experience from a very new hobby picker. Keep at it, guys.

Recently, that same practice lock arrived in my mail yesterday. I wasn't expecting it to be super hard, but I also wasn't expecting it to be super easy. It's a great introduction for someone with no lockpicking intelligence.

Not a general critique on the video, as it makes excellent points. Just one important nitpick. Those acrylic locks are NOT practice locks. They are teaching locks, and there's a difference: A teaching lock just teaches how locks work, what picks do, and how to picks influence the pins. A practice lock is more commonly a cutaway lock, or one that can easily be pinned to ones skill level, i.e. start with one pin, then two, progress to security pins etc.pp. Aside from that, it's a really good, simple and concise guide for starting lock picking.

Omg I just picked my MK Hamilton bag pad lock!!!. The designer bag pad lock fell off in grocery store today. Back Story... Upon picking it up found it was on the hook was in down position outside the hole it goes inside.. Again thanks.

Great job on this video! As a 30+ year Tech Ed Instructor I found your presentation skills to be superb!

Was surprised to see that I was able to picklock a gun safe once (yes, I did this when I was young but hey.. My parents had my old iPod there so it was necessary).

"If it's old, full of sand or gummy it's going to be hard or impossible to pick" let's pretend that's the reason my garage door lock and backyard gate padlock barely work when using proper keys :v

when i was younger i was a hudlum...i use to call street sweeper bristles the "keys to the city"one of those and a concrete curb to grind it on,your locked up shit was mine:}

THANK YOU! You have no idea how hard I've been trying! I looked up as many vids as possible and thanks to you I have now managed to unlock my lock twice.

"Lock Picking: Detail Overkill" was my favourite guide to learning all the basics and some advanced parts. With that being said type what's in quotes in google and it will take you to a pdf file where you can view it

Thanks mate locked keys in storeroom at work, tutorial was excellent got in after a few attempts, thanks again.

I struggled a lot on my first lock which is super tiny. I made DIY tools to try to pick it and just couldn't open. After a lot of bruteforcing it eventually happened. What I realized is the most effective strategy is to just rake the lock with the tension tool. No fancy tools, no crazy setups, just put a bobby pin all the way and start turning and it will open easily. The main point is, sometimes the most effective strategy is incredibly simple. Just like opening a kind of lock with only a credit card.

Great video!!! In the past I was very proficient at picking locks and could pick lots of locks that people who you spoke of couldn’t but lock picking is all about practice and I hadn’t try to pick a lock in many years. I tried tonight after a few beers(probably not a good idea?) I really struggled to pick locks that I found so easy in the past? The thing you said about the cheap lock with a plastic core was interesting. You are completely right in my opinion, at my best I leant to deal with high security locks but the cheap locks were so sloppy that they would give false feedback and just jam. High security locks have security features but they are machines to such high tolerances that you get excellent feedback and know if you’ve set a pin or not, not guessing involved lol

Today I decided I wanted to learn how to pick locks, so I just got a couple paper clips and made some crude tools, got a lock nearly identical to that Chinese one you had there (I think it’s the same model), and actually got it after maybe an hour! I made some heavier duty tools out of bobby pins, which was hard as hell, but they actually have made great picks. I need to get a practice or training lock of some kind so that I can really practice it. I’m glad to hear that that Chinese lock is actually hard because of the plastic and it’s not just me. I almost had better luck with my back door deadbolt lock (I got 4/5 multiple times with the paper clips, and need to try it out with my bobby pin ones). Thanks for the tips!

You’re correct sir. Picking locks is not difficult. Like any learned skill set it just takes a little practice. It’s also amazing what you can do with a pick gun and a proper bump set.

whats kind of scary is that im just slightly above a novice in lock picking, but i am still able to pick my front door with a few minutes time. it just goes to show how unsecured you really are

When I first got in to lock picking (2012ish, really rough time in my life to be honest) master locks were one of my little social keys. I could pick one I carried with me infront if my friends and they’d be amazed when it would pop open.

springy tension wrenches might be comfortable and good for beginners, but try to switch to stiff ones. you'll feel the setting of the pins much much better

That time when you realize humans have been using the same formula for keeping our valuables and homes safe with no design variation for well over 2 decades... Its a miracle we're not all in jail '_'

I've been into this sport only two weeks and this was really useful to me. Thanks a bunch! Good on ya!

The bathroom door is locked. There is no key. I'm trying to put the lockpick set I got last year to use. Not so easy.

Small tip guys, tension wrench is better, not springy because of feedback you will be needing later on when picking spools, you need to feel the false sets.

I freaking did it

These lock picking videos make me want to buy some picks and steal locks.

You learned to pick locks to fix the office coffee machine? You, sir, are an everyday hero.

I initially opened my master lock with a rake but then couldn’t do it again. I found this video very good as can now pick it within a minute !!!!

Im going to try it on all my neighbours house Yayy.

Just stopping by to say I just picked my first lock thanks to this video. Thanks for your advice!

6:40 "When i had co-workers..." Because since they leaned how to pick locks they all went where? ;)

just as feedback - I popped a lock after 15 seconds after watching this video - it was a lock where i had lost the key - thanks a lot

my favorite pick is the number 6 pick you have when you opened your case (the one under your left thumb) seems to be the easiest one to use for me in most locks

May the thieves be with you

I was able to pick file cabinet lock with 2 paperclips, it just felt so good!

Hey man, I’m new to your channel, site, blog er whatever y’all call it, and I really find your teaching very “learnable” your videos are very understandable and simplistic, easy to follow...for that, I thank you! Learning all the terminology or lingo, is almost as important to the lock sport as the actual picking, my name is Jeff Mercer, I reside in the Eastern Suburb of Cleveland Ohio, in the city of Mentor on the Lake (Lake Erie to be exact) at any rate keep up the good work! Respectfully, Jeffery S Mercer

Its currently 23:08 in north of Brazil and i was locked out my house due to heavy alcohool consume making me l lose my keys. Thanks for the help Gotta change dem locks tho

The uni in my little town has this elevator. If you climb up a pipe, and over a gate, you can activate it after the place is closed. It'll bring you inside. Then there's those gates with enough clearance to fit your hand through, and you can unlock it from the other side.

The black plastic handled pick with "Secure Pro" stamped on the handle is actually from a set of picks that's for picking automotive ignition switches.

I agree with the statement that homemade tools work. I learned how to pick with tools made out of common nails.

> "Haven't touched this one in years" > "I taught myself how to lockpick one and a half years ago"

Thanks for breaking this down Barney-style. Got the see-through lock in less than 2 minutes & the master (the old one like you showed last in less than 3.

I wanted to watch tons of videos to be REALLY ready, but this one was more then enough, thanks !

This video is so touching it made me to move my ass and dig up an old lock to try. My improvised hair pin lock pick were too thin to keep the tension on properly and the lock were too small to pick, but I manage to rake it open. Want to try MORE........

This was really helpful. Thanks. Wish it was up when I locked myself out of my apartment in college. I had to borrow someone's shoes to go get a replacement key...

Lock picking is an art and it requires skills. You can use a knife for harming people or cutting your veggies. The same with lock picking.

Thanks to this video and some stealth training from when I was a kid, I mad $2,000 in a single night! John if you’re watching this, thanks

This is 1 of the absolute best beginner's guides I've seen 👍

Thanks for the cool video and instruction as well as pointing out some things to think about before I start trying this. I think the bigger mistake I made was not picking this up earlier before I paid a locksmith $250 because I locked myself out of the house. And he had this automatic bumper tool that didn't do shizit. Look forward to practicing this and saving money.

This is exactly the kind of beginner video I was looking for. Cheers!

I didn't really want to buy a lock to practice on so I lock picked one, thanks for the video!

Wow, I was doing literally almost all the wrong things. I was using a very old master lock no3 with two paper clips for my wrench and pick, also I was thinking I had to push the pins out of the cylinder. Thanks for the tips! It sucks how my parents won’t let me get a beginner kit because they think I will become a criminal. All I want to do is solve it like a puzzle!

wanting to learn lock picking to have a fail safe plan when I go to a escape room

99 thieving has been achieved You can claim your cape of accomplishment from...

I've spent my whole life without knowing where those little metal strings found on the streets came from, so many years wondering why the fuck is the entire world filled up with these, surprisingly suitable for making lockpicks . A fucking street sweeper.

I've noticed in Arizona anyway, a lot of wiper blades are in the trash cans at auto parts placed, during monsoon season. Tons of that metal strip.

A stiff tension wrench will give you way better feedback than a springy one. Cool how-to none the less :)

Cant believe it had an electronic safe which i forgot the code too , thanks to your video and a set of pics from Wish I opened it , thanks very much for your video

Man this video is actually really well thought out and explained. Agreed all the way around. My question is do ya still enjoy picking? And how come ya only did this one video. I think you could make some really good content. Anyhow just a fellow picker stopping to see what ur channel was about. Hope to see ya make something new on lockpicking. Keep it Sadistic 😜!

Just watching your video, I picked my 1st lock with your advice. Eagle lock

Should have mentioned WHEN to pick a lock. If you don't own it or don't have permission: don't pick the lock. If you want to keep using the lock, don't pick it unless you have no other choice. Basically only pick locks intended for picking and in emergencies.

Had no idea what I was supposed to do with the practice lock, then I just realised I wasnt putting enough pressure on the tension wrench and a minute later it popped right open. That was very satisfying. Got it open within 24 hours so I think that technically counts as day 1.

Its not that hard your first lock picked will teach you much of what you need to know. When I was a teenager I picked into a Brinks firesafe using the metal clip of a pen and a safety pin. It was frustrating in fact Ill say it took quite a bit of time but in that time I learned what not to do and how its supposed to feel and be done. I did not bend the pens clip at first and learning to keep tension on the piece while picking came with trial and error but I did it! I years later more recently I was also able to crack open a TSA style Pelican lock. With over 1000 combinations it took me 10 mins. You just have to have patience and do it with purpose pay attention so you learn. I dont have any picks or fake locks or locks to practice on but Its nice to learn for later. That first lock taught me a great deal and I have no doubt about picking a lock today.

Thaaaaaaanks !!!! I finally opened my mailbox ! I love you mate

*lockpicking skill increased to 100*

I used to open midrange priced locks quickly. Then have trouble with a cheap slay maker lock.

I came here mainly because I lock my purse in my locker... Now I spending my time watch people picking the lock..

Gotta be honest it looked like fun.. I ordered a 20 dollar kit and picked all the padlocks and house doors in my house... side note wife REQUIRING new locks on doors lol

You're not kidding about the easeiness of those training locks. I got one with the set of picks from Wish.com and within 24 hours, I could pick it open with nothing but a tension wrench and a WOODEN toothpick!

Love your explanation on the use of a tension bar! That was really great!

Great video, in my limited experience a percentage of it is "feel" once you understand the fundamentals. Thanks! 👍

Metal strip from a ruler?

Best tutorial ever!

This is my favorite video from you so far.

Great! Now there will be a new generation of lock pickers.

Love your video, practical advice, with no BULL !!1

I think cheap picks would be great on anything that isn't a lock that you actually use. Locks made with inferior steel might be more likely to break off inside the lock.

Just started lock picking and your video really helped dude. Can you recommend where I can get some really good lock picking advice like yourself

You are very enjoyable to listen to. Thanks! Subbed.

Others to techniques pushing up each individual pin till they hit the sheer line or raking all of them simultaneously to get to the sheer line eventually to each his own as some people prefer one over the other but in the end it’s all about feel

Scary. I freed my Marlin .22LR from its factory "safety" lock in 23 seconds....first try on ever picking. Straight micro rod and bent tweezers.

Thanks for reply. Lets not forget that locks just keep honest people honest. They are a fun hobby. You have definitely educated me. PS:5G is a dangerous no go ...Ciao

zipping a lock is my favourite method of entry, I find it so cool that a kinetic force can do such a thing!

Being a locksmith, I can't believe this is allowed. Nice of you guys to show people how to break into our homes and things. Good job.

That is funny hearing about geometry not being important as I recall when they were making a big deal about computer designed picks and how they would pick better due to being computer designed