Is Lockpicking a Viable Hobby?

Lockpicking, Yay or Nay?

  • Yay!

    Votes: 50 90.9%

  • Nay!

    Votes: 4 7.3%

  • What's a Lockpicking?

    Votes: 1 1.8%
  • Total voters
    55
Dog--

Dog--

The Freeman
Joined
Apr 16, 2005
Messages
9,741
Reaction score
25
I just had an urge the other day to research lockpicking, how to do it, etc; I was wondering if it is a viable hobby, as in practicing it not being a locksmith, and no intent on breaking into peoples homes, just for fun.. I read it's challenging, like puzzles, and I do enjoy those steel ball puzzles they sell at the dollar store..

I bet it'll come in handy one time or another, anyways (being locked out of house/car/losing a key.)
 
Actually I googled it and no, lockpicking is not a viable hobby. Sorry.
 
I worked as an apprentice locksmith for a while, and it's definitely a fun hobby. Different locks will give you a great challenge, but after a while the excitement fades. I'd never recommend it as a job. Like most hobbies, it takes a lot of practice to get good at it. You have to understand the inner workings of the lock.
 
I recall seeing a bit on TV somewhere (Discovery? FOX News?) about a gild of hobbyist lock pickers. I think they were based in Germany and dang if there wasn't a lock they couldn't get into with a quickness. They'd challenge each other to see how quick they could open locks of various difficulties and of course, when new lock technology comes out, they'd see who could crack it first.
 
Yorick, you say you know locks?

I just want an explanation about how the tension wrench works.. No guides or anything explain it, and it's pissing me off.. I'm using a really tiny allen key btw. I think it's used for repairing glasses.. As soon as I figure out how it works, I think I can pick my front door..
 
bumping locks takes almost no skill and makes lock picking pretty much obsolete
 
Cave Canem said:
Yorick, you say you know locks?

I just want an explanation about how the tension wrench works.. No guides or anything explain it, and it's pissing me off.. I'm using a really tiny allen key btw. I think it's used for repairing glasses.. As soon as I figure out how it works, I think I can pick my front door..
Click to expand...

im not sure about your specific case and im not really an expert but the tension wrench just applies tension that would normally be supplied by the turning of the key. you should start off with a bit of tension and then tap at the pins on the inside of the lock until you feel the tension getting weaker ,then just keep at that until you finally open the lock.
 
Pretty much what Mindless said. The key's "Teeth" fit into the specifically sized pegs inside the lock. When you pick a lock you're lifting each of those pegs, and you have to use the tension wrench to keep turning the mechanism so that the pegs don't drop back down after being lifted. Once they're all set, you can turn it enough to have it unlocked.
 
I know how it works, but I want to know how to use the tension wrench.

I know pin locks pretty good now, I've read about 15 pages about the workings of them.
 
ah, that's not what you said. ;)

You use it exactly as it sounds. With one hand you keep the tension wrench pressed against the lock, always lightly forcing. And with the other you use something to push the pins upward.

It takes practice to get the whole two-handed thing down. Using a lock that's already in a door the first few times might be uncomfortable after a while.
 
Breaking into your OWN locks (eg car, house, cupboard, chest - whatever it may be) should be legal and a hobby of some sorts. Plus you can help others get into their own stuff if they have GENUINELY lost their keys (broke into a room here at Uni and she claimed she lost her keys outside of the room to avoid suspicion from security etc).

BUT if youre breaking into people's homes, even if its just for a laugh, you should get thrown in jail as far as im concerned.
 
What the hell kind of question is that? Only you know if something sounds like it might be enjoyable to you. Try it out and then tell how it works out, not ask if we think it'll work out.
 
Lockpicking is really fun, but if you're in trouble (like zombie hordes coming to get you), you might want to break the lock; it's way faster.
 
Kamikazi said:
I blame rich folk, if they wernt so greedy and hoarded their money, they wouldn't need locks. no greed, no hoarding. no hoarding no locks. no locks, no temptation.
Click to expand...

videogames like OBLIVION!!!!!
 
Bah, just buy a shotgun. That'll take care of all your lock picking needs. And it'll be much faster and louder too!

But yeah, I dont see why it cant be a viable hobby...
 
Anything can be considered a hobby really... Why did you have to ask the internet?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

CptStern
A Year of living a literal translation of the Bible
Replies
11
Views
1K
Sloth
Sloth
Back
Top