Lock picking falls within the scope of what is called physical bypassing. A bypass is nothing more than a technical term for going around or through something by means other than normally utilized.
However, bypassing typically takes advantage of a flaw or weakness in the lock’s design.
For example, we normally use a key to get through a padlock. However, if that particular model of padlock utilizes a spring-loaded bolt to hold the shackle, we may be able to very simply and quickly bypass it by sliding a thin sheet of metal between the bolt and shackle — thus releasing the shackle and unlocking the lock. This method of “shimming” is very commonly practiced among bypassers and can even be accomplished by cutting up a soda can.
Another example would be taking a more violent approach and melting the padlock to a frothy liquid with a blowtorch.
Regardless of the method, the goal is the same — to get through the lock without using the key.
When it comes to physical bypassing, the sky is the limit. Your only restrictions are your imagination and innovation. Any and every lock can be bypassed, it is only a matter of how and when — there is no such thing as the perfect lock.
However, in the vast multitude of bypasses possible, lock picking is the apple that falls furthest from the tree. Unlike any other known method, lock picking has an extreme elegance about it — being both highly subtle and strikingly artful.
Lock picking is simple and very addicting, with over a million lock picking enthusiasts around the world — no joke — all seeking that fresh challenge a new lock provides!
This lock picking guide will instill within you a deep foundation of how locks work and how you can begin to defeat them! Let’s get started and dabble in some lock picking!
In today’s world, buying things is harder than ever.
With so many options plaguing the market, choosing between products feels like pulling a number out of a hat – you never know what you are going to get.
Deciding which types of lock picks to include in your first lock pick set is no exception!
This question is often met with conflicting answers. However, this is not to say people are being deceptive nor have any true knowledge of the craft.
People’s answers are relative to how they understand the question and this is completely dependent on what their philosophy of learning lock picking is.
The learning of lock picking can either be:
1. Easy: Acquiring the basics, thus having “learned” to pick locks.
2. Hard: The continual process of learning till mastery, and beyond.
Let’s quickly cover each.
Picking up the basics of lock picking is a very quick and uncomplicated task. Locks are very simple and stupid creatures based on ancient technology so old, we haven’t an inkling of whom first invented them and when.
After understanding the fundamental principles behind locks — again very simple and stupid creatures —, acquiring the appropriate tools, and with a little proper guidance in technique, most can expect to pick their first basic lock very, VERY, quickly.
From my own personal experience, I picked my very first lock — a Master Lock #3 — in under 3 minutes using an 8-page pamphlet that came with my lock picks. Within an hour of practice, I was able to pick this same lock within seconds.
To center our expectations, it is important to understand that lock picking — like any skill — will only get you as far as you practice.
While basic locks — which are the majority of locks — will fall quickly to your mighty picks, anything containing additional security features will require some proficiency and a more sophisticated understanding that only practice will deliver, thus placing us on the “harder” road to mastery.
The mastery of lock picking is a long, but wondrous, road and — like any skill — requires a certain degree of dedication, persistence, and passion.
But the difficulties of this road are not due to the act nor craft of lock picking. These difficulties instead live in the strife and struggle of discipline required and the consistent, but necessary, failure that will occur.
The basics of lock picking are easy because they require very little investment and very little failure. But mastery craves investment and it demands for failure — hours and hours of failure.
Getting stuck on a lock for hours — even days — is the type of failure you will encounter. But this is the price of proficiency and the price of mastery. Every attempt you make and every failure you encounter, you will add something new to your toolbox and come back better as a result.
So to those looking to master this skill, never be discouraged by your inability to open a lock. Each failure is a lesson and each lesson will bring you closer to picking that lock and every lock that follows!
The cost of success is failure and every individual that travels the road to mastery must pay their toll.
The most deterring aspect of lock picking is its fundamental nature. Its very purpose is to bypass means of security and, as such, it’s completely understandable why it would be thought of as an illegal or unethical craft.
However, just because something can be used maliciously doesn’t mean it will nor does it mean it is unlawful or wrong in any way to learn or utilize.
In comparison, martial arts also has the same underlying nature and capacity to be used in a harmful manner. However, few learn it with the ambition to use it maliciously. It is instead a means of discipline, self-mastery, and self-awareness. Lock picking also develops and demands of these traits.
The act of lock picking is not illegal, so long as you are picking your own locks or have permission from the owner of that lock, which you absolutely better — Serious!
However, there are locations, including the US, that have restrictions on owning locksmithing equipment — such as lock picks and bump keys.
For instance, there are 5 states in the United States with regulations towards owning lock picking tools — Mississippi, Nevada, Ohio, Virginia, and Tennessee.
Of these 5, only Tennessee strictly prohibits owning lock picks. The rest fall under what is called prima facie evidence, which basically means intent to commit a crime — or guilty until proven innocent.
WANNA DABBLE IN MORE?
Great things come to those who dabble in new things. Join our newsletter and never miss our exclusive guides, articles, tips & tricks, and other awesome stuff!
Other Dabbles
Recent Dabbles
Before learning how to lucid dream, there are a few things people want to know: What is a Lucid Dream? What are the Benefits of Lucid Dreaming? What are the Dangers of Lucid Dreaming?
Showing that people believe lucid dreaming is real, is not that difficult. But some will not ever believe until they experience it for themselves. The lucid dreaming phenomenon occurs naturally during REM sleep, but some
Teaching your mind how to take a cold shower should seem like a simple task — just turn the handle to cold and jump in right? If only it was so easy. The reality is
It takes less than an hour to prepare to have a lucid dream tonight, so why not give it a try. Lucid dreaming is when you become so self-aware during your dream that you know
Oddly enough, turning the handle to blue can provide you with some extraordinary health benefits in a very short period of time!
Let’s look at 15 awesome cold showers benefits that might change the way you think about the temperature of your next shower!
Throwing cards are cards that are actually designed to be thrown. Card throwing is an awesome skill where a person learns to throw a card with great force and skilled accuracy. Learning how to throw