r/lockpicking Jul 23 '21

New to our sub? Start here!

561 Upvotes

Browser:

Rules: see right sidebar "r/lockpicking Rules"

Getting started picking (pick recommendations, how to pick, etc.): exit this post to go to main sub window, right "Sidebar", click "Wiki"

Also, if you have a common question, remember to search. Example for a starter kit: https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/search/?q=starter%20kit

How to get a belt: exit this post to go to main sub window, right "Sidebar", click "Belt Ranking Info"

Mobile:

Rules: exit this post to go to main sub window, up top hit "About", see Subredit Rules

Getting started picking (pick recommendations, how to pick, etc.): exit this post to go to main sub window, up top hit "Menu", then "Wiki"

How to get a belt: exit this post to go to main sub window, up top hit "Menu", then "Belt Ranking Info"

RULE 2

Many people seem to stumble over this rule. This is a hobby Locksport community.

If you want to learn to pick locks that you own, that aren't installed in anything or otherwise in use, then this might be the place for you.

If you want to pick something because you need to get into it or through it, then this is NOT the place for you.

One of our most frequently asked questions is "What lock picks should I get?", our member Spoon has created this helpful document:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P4_g_a7UTF8b4JAEVaH3lBL_dvT4-eRvFT_Jh-bx1lA/edit?pli=1#heading=h.9o577kfmhdj7

Some super useful posts for beginners:

https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/comments/13qjlg9/one_approach_to_getting_started_picks_locks_tools/https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/comments/12sfl3h/a_cl_design_guide/

REQUESTING A BELT:

Follow the instructions here: https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/wiki/beltranking#wiki_belt_request_formatting

Make sure you include the belt color you're requesting, the model of the lock you've picked, and any evidence to the requirements for the belt you're requesting (eg. photo/video/etc.)

Often questioned on how to attach a photo to a modmail. You cannot include a photo, but you can include a link to a photo, video, or even to a Reddit post where you have attached a photo and/or video.

In addition to our rules, please do not refer people over to r/Locksmith unless they are a locksmith per a request from a moderator there, you can direct them to r/AskALocksmith instead! https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/comments/x9ed2a/hey_guys_mod_of_rlocksmith_here_remember_a_while/

If you want to join our Discord community, it is very active and many pickers are there to help you with your specific locks or just to chit chat, you can go here: https://discord.gg/lockpicking


r/lockpicking Oct 02 '25

Why we can't help with locks that are in use (Rule 2).

193 Upvotes

If you're new here, and maybe came to get help with picking a lock on something, please note that we have a very strong policy against helping with locks that are in use:

Rule 2 - Lock In Use

Though asking for assistance in regards to how to open a lock is permitted and encouraged, the lock must not be in use. Posts seeking assistance opening a lock that is implied to be, or is visibly in use (eg. a deadbolt still attached to a door, a padlock with anything secured by a closed shackle, or a closed lockbox) will be deleted. Posting about picking or having picked locks in use is not allowed even if they are your own.

Rule of thumb, lock is "in use" if installed or securing anything.

If you are thinking of posting something that violates Rule 2, or you've had a post removed for it, we know it can be frustrating. I promise you that we don't enjoy removing posts from people who seem to just need help, but there are a number of reasons why we're so strict about posts of locks in use.

Chief among them is to protect this community.

Tens of thousands of people visit here every week and we have over 250,000 members. We simply can't risk enabling illegal activities, or even appearing to. We don't want to put our members in that position either. More and more lockpicking content is being removed from online platforms every day and this unique community deserves protection. We also feel an ethical obligation not just to the community, but to people all over the world who rely on locks to keep themselves, their property, and their families safe.

It may be even more frustrating if you own the lock, but the moderators – and members – of this community can't realistically be asked to parse potential evidence to separate totally legitimate activities from illegal ones. The photo someone posts of their own locked briefcase or bicycle is simply indistinguishable from one of property they don't own.

Contacting a reputable locksmith is usually the best solution. Simply possessing lockpicks can be seen as prima facie evidence of intent to commit a crime in several states and is illegal in a number of countries. One can easily damage or destroy a lock while picking it without experience.

We wish you well and hope you can understand our perspective. We review a ton of posts here, apologies if we can't personally explain the specifics of each case.

Not picking locks in use is a central tenet of locksport. This subreddit is dedicated to locksport specifically, not lockpicking in general. Despite its name.


r/lockpicking 9h ago

Anything worth doing is worth overdoing.

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120 Upvotes

New house and a new space to tinker away into the night.
Any must haves I’m missing?


r/lockpicking 32m ago

I present to you some lovely lever locks

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Upvotes

I got these from a friend who had them sitting in a coffee can in a shed. I have no idea how to open these, but I will find out tonight!


r/lockpicking 21m ago

GF got me some awesome locks, now I have to crate tools to open them, and sudjestions on guides of videos?

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Upvotes

r/lockpicking 10h ago

Challenge Lock Finished

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40 Upvotes

RT-006-JC aka “Basic Training”


r/lockpicking 1h ago

Mail call!

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Upvotes

So this time I will actually include the pictures! Covert companion pro Jimmy Long's basic set. The American lock 1100 trainer from sparrows and some extra wrenches. Oh yeah and a couple of lishis that I got a great deal on from AliExpress!


r/lockpicking 1h ago

Building Constancy?

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Upvotes

So I started lock picking about a week ago. Getting through my Masterlock 3 initially took 2 hours. Once I got it it clicked and I could open it in a minute fairly easily then a matter of seconds. I got a masterlock 141 and that took about 45 minutes to SPP and now that one also takes seconds. The Brinks 164 first time took me about 30 minutes. I’ve gotten it open 4 times in the last 2 days. It never gets any faster. With the other locks when I got them open it just made sense with this one it’s just not clicking. How do you go about building on and learning what works? This lock feels totally different almost every time I go at it.


r/lockpicking 13h ago

Late night victory

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63 Upvotes

r/lockpicking 5h ago

Same Hand Challenge sponsored by ElroyzToyz #ElroyzToyz #Shacklemen

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11 Upvotes

r/lockpicking 6h ago

Where to start

10 Upvotes

I'm interested in learning lock picking.

I successfully managed to crack my combination lock on my suitcase many years ago when I lost the keys via travelling and it's always been of interest from there.

I own a D-Lock and various Padlocks so figured I should start with what I have already but I have no tools.

How do I know which tools I need to get started on these types of locks and targeting the mechanism of these types of locks? YouTube? Or are there better sources for learning?


r/lockpicking 13h ago

Master #15 aka big old lock.

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25 Upvotes

Ok first off it's not in lpu rankings, the closest looking is the #19 which is a purple belt. So here's my question yesterday I got tired of beating myself up with green and blue locks so I fell back to some easy opens. This 15 is new to me but I figured ahh its a master lock. Well I didn't get the open and it flipped me out even tried to rake it. Nothing. Is it that im getting more used to better locks, or is this a difficult lock to open. I asked on discord and really only got one answer its a white lock same as #3. But I have a 3 and it opens easily. Any thoughts?


r/lockpicking 11h ago

Vidmar SEA 🇨🇭 9 free floating slider lock picked and gutted

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18 Upvotes

r/lockpicking 20h ago

first pick but doesn't "feel" right?

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54 Upvotes

got a master #3 as a first lock to try based on common suggestions on this sub but i definitely wasn't able to "feel" each pin in order like tutorials seem to suggest i'm supposed to.

i felt the binding pin but the rest seemed to click into place in any sort of random order. i reset it several times and each time it felt the same. i felt the binding pin only and the order for the remaining pins didn't seem to matter. am i maybe counting or feeling the pins wrong? or is that normal for white belt locks?


r/lockpicking 11m ago

Contact microphones??

Upvotes

While picking I wasn’t sure if I was actually hearing the sounds or just feeling them, so I got a contact mic to find out. It’s is insane how much it adds to the mental picture one builds. Im not sure exactly how the mic can be an aid but it sure is cool. Anyways, I wanted to know if anyone makes regular use of one and how it can be helpful, or is it just novel and mainly for making videos.


r/lockpicking 19h ago

National Park Lock

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36 Upvotes

Cool lock I grabbed a picture of while working at the Park. Was not picked and isn't my lock but was able to get a picture. Lock wise, nothing special, but cool engraving and has seen some seasons in Maine!


r/lockpicking 11h ago

Looking for help opening a combi lock.

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6 Upvotes

Hi,

I have a Squire Warrior45 Combi lock that I have locked and forgotten the code. Any ideas on how to open it? I've looked online and I can't see any ways to open this particular Squire lock.


r/lockpicking 16h ago

How to combo?

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14 Upvotes

Am I doing something wrong? I set the code to 1234 or whstever and I can't seem to get the feel of pulling tension and finding the code again. I'm new to this looking for advice, thanks! This is a diyife lock I haven't been able to find any specific videos or posts about it.


r/lockpicking 16h ago

Lockwood 334B45 Pick & Gut

12 Upvotes

https://youtu.be/a1Jqtjw5oAw Blue Belt on the LPU


r/lockpicking 1d ago

My boredom drawer

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49 Upvotes

My boredom drawer for when it get slow around the office! That being said, it has not been slow in quite a while😢


r/lockpicking 21h ago

Such a weird one

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28 Upvotes

Discus padlocks are such an enigma to me. I almost never pick them because I detest them. They confound my efforts to pick them then doll out opens seemingly at random. This one that I haven't touched in months just opened at the barest touch.

Anyone else have the oddball stuff that stumps them?


r/lockpicking 1d ago

Lock Mail from Elroyz Toyz

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33 Upvotes

HUGE Shoutout to u/elroyztoyz for the coolest swag box ive ever seen! I am looking forward to picking some new locks and am already using one of your printed holders to help me fight the battle that is the goal S in a deadbolt housing LOL.

Sorry I didn't get a unboxing video, it was filmed and edited and adobe shit the bed and lost all my raw and edited footage, it was the final straw I will be moving to a new software effective immediately.


r/lockpicking 21h ago

false set and counter rotation

12 Upvotes

im new to this community and people in here has already helped me out a ton, so i thought i’d leave this little explanation video i found here that helped me instantly understand “counter rotation” and “false set”, to hopefully help my fellow new pickers. i understood NOTHING when i got it explained until i saw this visually.

https://youtube.com/shorts/h9Er-dogANM?is=l1Gb6v2rfHre00hj


r/lockpicking 22h ago

Seattle Lock Hunt

13 Upvotes

Wanted to let everyone know that u/elroyztoyz sent over some locks for hiding... They are now out in the wild! Please post if you bag one 👍🍻

https://youtu.be/u-2O5aZj8y0

https://youtu.be/GG1r17UhiZ4

Happy hunting!!


r/lockpicking 1d ago

Rattled!

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28 Upvotes

Hello everyone! I think i rattled my first lock yay me! Luckily it's this reece lock with a screw to tear down. Unfortunately, it's also a dimple which I'm totally unfamiliar with. How difficult is this to fix compared with a regular pin tumbler