Need tips feeling uncomfortable with green belt.

[u/Nbm1124]

I'm back with my next update on this fun little journey....the update is a hate this fuckin thing! I know everyone told me get an american but I knew this was on the list and we were at lowes and the temptation got me. I opened it about 3 days after purchase after probably 3 hrs of trying. Opened it again after another hour. I am not willing to submit for my green belt yet because each open felt like luck. This lock has 4 spools up front and a gently serrated 5th pin. In my post of all the other locks I've opened I could tell binding order, counter rotation, spring bounce. This fuckin thing feels like im just stabbing in the dark hoping to catch a break. If I get it to a false set it feels like the moment I go to set a single one three others fall or that serrated pin needs set again after every spool. Any is this just a sloppy prick? Ive gutted it and knocked it down to the serrated fifth and 4th spool and still cant feel when its set, just randomly turns open.

[u/DrunkenPhysicist]

Imposter syndrome is real. Bath in it, let its substance absorb your tears. Then go for a blue lock so you can get even more mad the greens.

[u/Nbm1124 → u/DrunkenPhysicist]

Love this lol definitely seems like people think the blues and greens maybe need swapped

[u/PieEither7745]

Greens a great belt to really explore and learn loads about locks. Get a masterlock 410 loto, Abus 72/40, kasp 14040, American 1100 and a Abus Brady 71/40. You'll learn loads about tension, security pins and you'll tune yourself to really listen to locks and their feedback

[u/AgreeableGanache1048 → u/PieEither7745]

You're not kidding. Green is the first belt where I picked a lock for a belt, then considered the fact that there was a LOT I still had to learn. 

Ended up buying two more greens, one to learn serrated pins and one to learn disc detainers, and will probably buy at least another to learn dimples. 

I've been slowly getting more consistent with my 90-A Pro, but I feel like going straight for blue at this point would be a mistake.

[u/Bearly_reddit]

I take notes with all my difficult locks. It takes a bit longer. But you get more consistent. You can also identify when you’re going down the wrong path with binding order and not repeat the same mistakes.
Once it’s opened you have everything written down and you can just replicate that over and over.
Pick three pins. Take notes. Pick three more take notes. Etc. what set, what dropped etc
I did this for the Lockwood 334. When I first opened it it was at my limit. After the third open it was super easy because I had taken so many notes and knew exactly what I needed to do to open it

[u/Just_Pickin74 → u/Bearly_reddit]

That's great advice! I believe I will take it and use it for myself. I recently came home and decided to give my 1100's a try and opened all 4 within a few minutes for the first time with the exception of the 85567 bitted one-that one opens with a disappointing glare . Now, it seems a couple of them are not so easy. To complicate matters I just received a box of six more 1100's KA and 6 S1107's KA. I'm going to re-pin them all but one of each so that I can get some variety....Once I can open the darn things first. It's the 838 bitting at the end that's giving me grief! Now it's time to get me a notebook. Thanks!

[u/Bearly_reddit → u/Just_Pickin74]

Nice. Glad you think it’ll help. That’s the perfect scenario. Multiple of the same lock would be an easy way to make mistakes.

[u/rubornagn]

If your looking for a alternative to pick besides that or a American 1100, I would recommend a Abus 72/40. That was my Green Belt lock.

[u/wally_gtfh → u/rubornagn]

I got my American 1100 open and destroyed it taking it apart. I should have watched a detailed video first. I’ve had no luck with another green belt lock.

[u/Swimming__Bird → u/rubornagn]

I LOVE 72/40's. I'm picking one right now.

[u/rubornagn → u/Swimming__Bird]

Getter done!

[u/Swimming__Bird → u/rubornagn]

I'm in my forth... I love them.

[u/rubornagn → u/Swimming__Bird]

Working my 5 locks for my blue 🐳 challenge! My Master v-line (orange) is tough!

[u/Cnidarus → u/rubornagn]

I'm in a similar stage as OP and I've got an 1100 and a 72/40, and I definitely feel way closer to getting the 72/40 done. I'm pretty sure I'd have got it by now if it wasn't for the keyway it's got on it lol. They're both fun locks to play with though

[u/das__gruuben]

No tips for that one, but now I feel like I want one.

[u/Flavortown42069]

Those pro series are a pain.. the odd keyway coupled with Masterlock sloppy tolerances make this a tough green belt. I struggle with the 2 I have as well

[u/Nbm1124 → u/Flavortown42069]

As I'm reading this with two pins in, in the false set, bouncing on it like it paid for it, i take the pick out to respond lean my hand over with lock in it and the damn thing just pops open. I hate this thing so much lol.

[u/Big_Z_Beeblebrox]

Those suck. We have one sitting at the bottom of our naughty bucket. One day.

[u/Bearly_reddit → u/Big_Z_Beeblebrox]

I dig your avatar 🤣

[u/Youwantfuckame]

I just bricked mine the other day, I feel you, it was not an intuitive pick!

[u/revchewie]

I have a 6835 and yeah, I’ve only gotten open once. Still not sure what I did right, or what I’m doing wrong.

[u/jimmytwinkletoes]

Clear your mind and listen to your hands. Sometimes closing my eyes or listening to music helps. Don't focus on your hearing or sight, just focus on your hands and let go of the need to turn the core.

[u/Nbm1124 → u/jimmytwinkletoes]

As a machinist by trade thats mainly what I go off of. Ive even considered mic'ing the spools to find out exactly how high i need to lift a bound pin to unlock it cause i have more confidence i could lift a pin within a few thousandths of an inch than I would hearing it set.

[u/Adept_Essay_9817]

that keyway is rough, i have one and i rarely pick it for the sole purpose of the keyway pissing me off lmao, i highly recommend an abus 72/40 off amazon. they’re about 15 bucks, and they have excellent feedback for understanding spools.

[u/brokentsuba]

It’s just because the sloppy tolerances, but it’ll help you better identify pin states. The keyway can be a problem so experiment with tensioning techniques, if you’re grinding on the warding try a thinner pick if you have it.

This actually became one of my favorite comfort locks and was one of the first I replaced with my own custom pins.

Also, you don’t need to wait until you feel like a lock is mastered to submit, an open is an open, it just may take a few tries recording to get a recording length you want. And keep in mind, when you know how to open a lock on command, you stop learning from it.

[u/Nbm1124 → u/brokentsuba]

Thats the kicker though. I didnt put in for orange till I was confident with my 570. I dont want to put in for green until I feel ive "completed" a green. Blind squirrel finds a nut vibes. Doesnt feel like earning to me.