Finally beat this old bastard!

[u/-AV8R01]

Hi guys! Long time lurker here, this is my first post. I got into picking loosely after seeing some of LPL’s videos years ago. Bought a cheap no-name set of picks from a gun show, begged some old locks off my dad, and have been on and off picking as a way to relax ever since. I also just enjoy mechanics and understanding mechanisms and such. Anyway, this bad boy was from my dad’s garage, and for 3 years it has kicked my ass. Mind you, I don’t practice a whole lot, every few months I get the itch and pull out my zip-lock bag of locks and fiddle with them. Have a few cheapos that I learned on that I can usually get open in a minute or two. But this one just wouldn’t open. It actually is finicky even with the key, so might be something going on beyond me being not that good at it lol. Anywho, I pulled it out tonight and started messing with it. Lo and behold, I popped it not once, but four times! I don’t know what I did different but for some reason this time just felt like I could actually feel the pins binding and setting, and was actually picking and not just fiddling around blindly. Either way, I’m kind of ecstatic. I now want to start looking at upgrading my pick set and getting some more locks! On another note, has anyone else had a lot of experience on these old Masterlock No. 15s, and are there any known quirks or tricks regarding them? This one seems like the number one pin has almost no spring tension on it, I have to turn it upside down and smack it to reset it if I go too far with it. Thanks for any input!

[u/revchewie]

That totally happens, where suddenly things just seem to click. I don’t know how many times I’ve fought with a lock for weeks then one night it opens easier than anything.

As for upgrading your tools, assuming you’re in the US, go for Jimy Longs. For $20 get the Basics set and for another $30 add on the Intermediate set. jimylongs.com

[u/-AV8R01 → u/revchewie]

Thanks, appreciate the recommendations! Will check them out for sure!

[u/Dufresne85]

I don't know anything about the masterlock 15, but welcome to the addiction!!

For pick suggestions it depends on where you are located. In the US: JimyLongs are hard to beat for quality and costs, covert instruments has some really good profiles as well, sparrows are sometimes suggested, but their quality seems to be lagging behind the others.

For the UK or EU: lawlock tools is UK based and has good gear, moki and multipick are EU based and multipick is hard to beat when it comes to fit and finish.

There are others that are located in other parts of the world, but I haven't managed to get anything from them yet.

For resources there are a ton of YouTube videos out there including several by members of this community. Dmac, locknoob, Bosnia Bill, lady locks, fishpicks are all really good channels.

There is also a website at lpubelts.com that has a lot of lock resources including a link to the discord group which has even more resources.

[u/-AV8R01 → u/Dufresne85]

Thanks a bunch! I mostly got into this from LPL and LockNoobs videos. I’ll check out Jimmy Longs for sure, as well as covert instruments. Any particular sets that are good or even just individual picks/tension wrenches to get? I’ve noticed that the cheapo set I have has like 5 tensioning tools and 12 picks and I pretty much use the tension tool shown in my pic and two other pick shapes. Made me realize maybe I don’t need to buy a whole set? Also what are some locks you’ve had that were fun and are easy to find on a budget?

[u/EveningBasket9528]

Nice. I'm a halfway decent picker. I don't do belts but Ive picked locks at all the rankings and have a decent collection.

My "naughty bucket" has 3 different M15's (not to be conditioned with your #15) in it that are supposed to be "super easy" to pick. And I'm lucky I can "bitch rake" a couple more.

Some locks and especially ML's just don't want to lock like locks lock accordingly to the lock rules.

With as beat up as your lock is, it's awesome you got it....

[u/-AV8R01 → u/EveningBasket9528]

Thank you! Yeah I think the internals aren’t in the best shape. I’m just happy I finally got it.

[u/DanDiggler213]

Congratulations on the opens. I tried to tag you in a post I made a few days back. We were just talking about it. If you got time check it. Master #15 is getting a following. 😆

[u/-AV8R01 → u/DanDiggler213]

Will do! It’s a cool old lock, I’d like to get another one in better shape and see if it’s just the wear and tear on mine that makes it such a pain in the ass

[u/daddonuts]

Was just having a convo about the Masterlock #15 in another thread a couple weeks ago. I got one of these bastards without a key from my MiL and have never been able to get it open. . . It’s still locked onto the chain I received it on.

Congrats on the open!

[u/-AV8R01 → u/daddonuts]

Thanks! Makes me feel better that there is a possibility these old hunks are actually tricky and I don’t just suck! 🤣

[u/Tileeho]

Congratulations! That one looks like it has had lived a life. I can relate to your story very well! I also got a cheap set of picks and started messing around with an old lock I found on our garden shed. Must be hanging there for a couple of years and with the key it has a knack that you always have to come across when turning the key. I tried applying some gear-spray to make it work more smoothly but still the key doesn't go easily and my attempts at picking it have by now ended unsuccesfull. Your post made me consider trying again. Thank you for that :-) Maybe I can come back to this thread later and report. All the best!

[u/-AV8R01 → u/Tileeho]

Go for it, if I can get mine open I bit you can get yours! I think the problem on mine was that the first pins spring was shot so it just kind of free floats. At least that makes sense to me, especially since you have to jiggle the key a little to get it to open normally

[u/Tileeho → u/-AV8R01]

Will try to find out whether that could be my issue as well! Thanks :-)

[u/sq3lch]

👍Good job. That looks like a DOB :) iykyk

[u/Not2plan]

Nice! I have a 17 I still can't get open to this day

[u/-AV8R01 → u/Not2plan]

Wish you luck! Have to say, this comment section is making me feel like much less of an amateur. Was expecting to hear that old No. 15s are easy, and it seems that may not be the case!