Art of Lock Picking

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Improvised Lock Picking

The Pin Tumbler Lock: How it Works

In this guide, we will completely dismantle the pin tumbler lock into its simplest form and introduce a true understanding of how each component works, why it’s there, and how it all works together.

9 Parts of a Key and How They Work

The key is used to move internal components to the correct positions within a lock. In this guide, we'll cover in-depth the 9 parts of a key and how they work.

4 Ways Lock Picking Can Damage Your Lock

There are many ways in which lock picking can permanently damage a lock. Several common ways include breaking the springs, eroding away internal components, or even breaking your pick in the keyway. For these reasons, and more, you should never pick a lock that is currently in use.

The Truth About Transparent Practice Locks

If you are just getting into lock picking and are looking at snagging a transparent lock for your first practice lock, you probably aren't going to like what I’m about to say – but it is a truth that is so important that it can very well determine your success or failure at learning lock picking.

9 Best Practice Locks to Quickly Learn Lock Picking

The purpose of this little guide is to give you a progression of best practice locks to help you quickly learn lock picking. Locks that will not only give you the greatest lessons but do so in an order that will prepare you for the next practice lock on this list.

5 Ways to Make Your Old Training Locks a New Challenge

What if there were some ways in which we could take a training lock that we finally picked and immediately turn it into a new challenge? Well, I have 5 quick suggestions that can do just that!

New vs Used Locks: A Picker's Guide to Practice Locks

Choosing your next practice lock to conquer can sometimes be more of a challenge than picking the damn thing itself. So many options, brands, and sometimes even colors to choose from. But a factor that is often overlooked is that of buying new or used? Is there a difference and if there is, should we even care?

Types of Locks - The Complete Guide

When it comes to advancing your physical security, it can sometimes be a daunting task as at first glance there appears to be an infinite number of different types of locks. And even more disheartening, trying to determine the degree of security these different locks offer.

When learning to pick locks, there is nothing more important than selecting the correct difficulty of lock.

If you pick one that is too easy – which can happen even as a beginner – you likely won’t learn much. However, if you get one that is too hard, you might be in for some pain.

It is the typical Goldilocks story; you need to find the lock that is just right!

While challenging yourself is crucial to getting better, picking locks that you don’t yet have the developed senses and skill to pick is only going to frustrate and perhaps even deter you from continuing to pick locks at all.

Patience has its limits, and its limits are like beating your head against a wall… one way or another you are eventually going to lose.

Lock picking is supposed to be fun, and the quickest way to get better is to make sure that it stays fun.

Having a little structure in what kinds of locks you should be picking — and at what stage — can make all the difference in the world.

This archive is dedicated to everything about locks to help you make more informed buying and picking decisions!

If you are just starting out, consider checking out my guide on the Best Training Locks For Lock Picking!