Last week while hanging out at Jeff’s house, I pulled my lock pick kit out of my laptop bag to show it off. Offering up a demonstration on his front door’s deadbolt, I was one for two. On my first attempt I got the lock to open in around a minute; on my second attempt I eventually gave up after fumbling around with the lock for almost five minutes. I should have stopped after the first demonstration. It was much more impressive.
After suggesting we try another door, Jeff led me out to his garage at which point he locked the garage door behind us and said, “How about this one?” It was put up or shut up time. Fortunately we did not have to spend the night in the garage; I picked that one in under a minute. I retired with a 2 of 3 record for the night.
Today at work, a cabinet that no one seemed to have a key any more was discovered to be locked. One of my co-workers approached me and asked, “Do you have your picks with you?” Well indeed I did! The lock was cheaper and smaller than the ones I’ve been practicing on. The internal pins were very springy and I could easily feel which ones were seated and which ones weren’t. It only took a minute or so before the lock spun and we were able to open the cabinet doors.
“Should I lock it back after you guys are done?” I asked with a smirk.
“I guess don’t bother,” was the reply.
What do you have to do to get a set of those? Order them off eBay?
I got mine at Notacon. Jeff actually bought a set as well (his are much heavier duty) at the fair. Both of us paid < $20 for our sets. At that point it's all about downloading/watching videos, reading books, experimenting and practicing.
One of my neighbors in college picked the lock on my file cabinet with two paper clips. After that, I got real nervous any time I saw him anywhere near my car.
You were probably okay. Cars are unbelievably difficult to pick, at least for me. A normal house lock only has pins on one side (the bottom side of your key is flat). The technique involves pushing the pins back up in place with one hand (holding a pick) while applying turning pressure with the other. On cars doors, the locks are double-sided, which means when you get one side done, it still won’t rotate — you have to get both sides, without missing any pins. So far I haven’t been able to do it; I’m either missing pins, or I let go of the pressure while moving the pick from the top to the bottom.
I’m really surprised my neighbors haven’t called the cops on me yet. I’m sure they wonder why I stand around outside fiddling with my car locks from time to time.
Just promise to use your powers for good, never for evil.
I’m afraid he can’t promise that.
You can get a really nice lock pick kit at the tool warehouse places – we have one on SW 59th in OKC called Meridian Tool. I bought a set for Rob once – who knows where it is now.