I am looking to pick up a basic lock picking kit to fiddle around with. Wondering if anyone has any experience on tools that are good and websites that are helpful?
I would suggest getting a couple of transparent and cutaway practice locks starting out. These will help you understand the skill and get the feel for it. It's a hard skill to get proficient at. There are a couple of cheap padlocks I have laying around here that I have yet to be able to pick, while some of the more expensive locks I can get every time. Go figure. Basically, I'm not worth a damn at it but still keep a lock or two laying around with a pick and tension bar to just practice every so often.
Takes practice to get proficient at but comes in very handy at times. There's some you tube videos that show you how to do it with a paper clip.
Start out by picking the door locks and deadbeats on your house doors. If you're like most people you probably have Kwikset locks and they are the easiest lock to pick in the universe. I can pick my doors in about 10 seconds. Small padlocks are the hardest for me since the tension tool and size of pick has to be small in some cases.
http://www.sparrowslockpicks.com/ These guys sell some good stuff. They are out of Canada so prices are good for us in the US right now. Just ordered some basic carry picks from them and they are great quality.
I have a couple of ITS kits. They come in handy often enough that I bought an extra set just to keep at work. The transparent locks like Jeff has are great and if you know anyone in construction or apartment/building maintenance you should be able to get free used locks. If you really want a variety of locks to learn on find one of those bridges stupid people are putting locks with their names on because it's trendy and go to work. You'll be both getting practice and doing a public service. That's what I told the nice men with the badges at one of the bridges near me, anyway.
Awesome I was wondering If it was worth it to buy those transparent locks. I'll be sure to add one to my order.
I started with a cheap Dexter lock probably 8 years ago when I lived by myself. Took me a few hours to pick that, then I worked on picking faster. I successfully picked a few older car doors (pre chip keys ), I can pick my entire house all Schlage. The multi bump rake picks are easy to start with, then try with the single hook. I usually keep a cheap set in my car just in case.
I had a pack of those Brinks locks just to have on hand and picked 3 of the 4 in just a minute or two when I got my bogota set. I've bought two sets from SERE Pick. They've served me well through my bumbling practice with the skill.
Southord has numerous different pick sets available. There's a training company local to me that offers a defeating locks class that is very informative, and extremely cost effective.
I'd start of with a good hook pick and a few rake variations. Some locks I can defeat pretty fast with a rake and then there will be the same lock that I cannot get by raking and have to use a hook pick. I have never been able to use Bogotas with any repeated success. Just know that you sort of have to develop your own style and feel for this. There's a lot of good videos on the subject but I've found just practicing and playing gives you the best results. Two exact same locks may pick best with two different methods. None of the are the same from my experience.
I use Bogotas almost exclusively, I did actually make another tension wrench, as the one that comes in my set is a little too flimsy. All hail wiper blades!
Just ordered a 4pc starter kit from sparrowlockpicks, $26.95 shipped (usd) Was checking out videosfrom bosniabill on youtube last night. I think I found a new hobby