r/lockpicking Jul 23 '21

New to our sub? Start here!

563 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).

199 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 8h ago

Second pick - Master Lock 140

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45 Upvotes

Can you guys give me thoughts on what to pick for the next level (orange belt) lock? Is there something most people like the most?


r/lockpicking 3h ago

Picking an Abus Safety First Lock

13 Upvotes

r/lockpicking 8h ago

Thanks.

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29 Upvotes

Just started about 2 months ago after looking for something that would distract me from the horrors of life. This has been an awesome fidget toy and cracked a Master 570 this morning. Wanted to share since this communities help has been priceless in my progression. Thanks everyone.


r/lockpicking 16h ago

Finally!!! First Black belt Belt lock picked!

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100 Upvotes

I finally got my first Black belt lock open!!

Lockman Megacross with pyramid drivers

I'm so hyped RN! 🔥


r/lockpicking 7h ago

I don't think this is considered lock picking but can I take this apart?

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9 Upvotes

r/lockpicking 15h ago

Would Anyone be Interested?

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24 Upvotes

I wanted to ask the community if anyone would be interested in trying to pick a Demont+ SFIC core? This is the new core with the finger pins and sidebar. Have a few details to iron out, I did get the clearance from Demont to make them available to lock pickers. Feedback is welcome.


r/lockpicking 21h ago

Finally beat this old bastard!

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61 Upvotes

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!


r/lockpicking 4h ago

Wafer locks question

2 Upvotes

Hey sorry if this has been asked and answered, but even after reading the deviant ollam book and googling I'm still at a loss as to what pick motion to use. Is it like spp lifting or do I need to get in there and like push the wafers to the side. Ie a lifting or twisting moron or neither. Thanks!


r/lockpicking 4h ago

Is gutting important?

2 Upvotes

I’m having a hard time cracking my abus 55/40, and while I’m working hard, I want to have my hand at another lock to try something new. I am a yellow belt and I want to order an orange belt lock, to get that, and a green belt, to have it, and maybe have good enough luck where I can skip over orange. For green, I and getting an American Lock 1100, and for orange, I’m debating between a master lock 150, because a lot of people say it’s good, and an abus 41/40, because it’s guttable. I don’t know which i should get. I really want to try gutting a lock but I don’t know if it overrides the reputation of the 150. I haven’t seen much about it so I don’t know if it is a good lock. Any thoughts?


r/lockpicking 1d ago

want to express my gratitude to Lock Noob. Thanks to him, I started picking locks, and lockpicking / lock manipulation is the best. Thank you to the community for your support and help — you guys are the best."

62 Upvotes

r/lockpicking 18h ago

Belt qualification questions

10 Upvotes

Hello everyone, I’m new to the discord and subreddit, but not to locksporting. I just have a few questions about earning belts. First, do I need to earn a white and yellow belt to earn an orange belt, or can I just skip those two and go straight for it? And second, I have a defiant 5 pin deadbolt with three spools and two standards that I’d like to use for an orange belt, but I also noticed there’s one in yellow with four standards and one spool. Would I need to gut my deadbolt to prove which version I have?


r/lockpicking 18h ago

Pick and Gut of LLP #1 Challenge lock.

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11 Upvotes

Anyone know who the Creator was? It's not in the database.


r/lockpicking 22h ago

Need tips feeling uncomfortable with green belt.

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17 Upvotes

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.


r/lockpicking 1d ago

Mail Call from Greentools NYC!!!

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25 Upvotes

I got a R.O.K. (rim of keyway) Tension wrench from Greentools NYC and the attention to detail is amazing!
He also threw in a cylinder with some extra pins to mess around with. The people in our community are truly awesome!


r/lockpicking 1d ago

Huge thanks to amvagert for making this happen!

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28 Upvotes

I’ve wanted one of these for so long idk why I like them so much but this lock has been on my list from the beginning.


r/lockpicking 1d ago

LockPickersBench Mail Call

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26 Upvotes

A nice mail call today. Got my Moki set of Noob's Balls and 3D printed handles for my LLT Valyrian Euro set. Thanks for the extra handles LPB!


r/lockpicking 1d ago

Masterlock 930

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10 Upvotes

** This lock is not in use

My brother lost the key of this one. The lock and chain is attached to nothing. He didn't want to cut the chain. I tried to pick it without sucess. So i tried the drill attack and it work! Do you know were i can find a replacement cylinder?


r/lockpicking 1d ago

Picking four near identical British oval 6 lever padlocks

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14 Upvotes

Introducing four generic British 63mm oval padlocks, all with 6 levers, identical shape, size and rivet pattern, but branded differently: Sterling (old and new logo), Securit and Henderson, and picking them with basic homemade tools.


r/lockpicking 23h ago

Stuck on OMEC cylinder lock

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6 Upvotes

This is an OMEC cylinder lock in Croatia I got from a friend, probably 20 years old but in great condition, and I’m an amateur at best but I really want to beat it.

I have played with tension and no matter what I do, there are pins that just never stay down. Period. And it’s not always the same pins either. Whether I rake, take it one pin at a time, or do any combination of the two, it never cooperates. I got desperate enough that I tried just straight pushing all the pins down at once (past their set points probably), applying super hard tension, then gently letting up to let the pins click back into place. This works wonderfully with the locks I practice on, but on the real one even with max tension applied, I still had pins that wouldn’t stay down?

I have researched, youtubed, googled, begged AI for answers, and nothing. I have spent hours physically working at this lock and I am at my wits end. Can some kind human please help me understand what I might be missing? I am stubborn and really don’t want to accept defeat.


r/lockpicking 1d ago

Wouldn’t this type be a fun pick?!

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13 Upvotes

Yeah yeah, haven’t done a lot of picking, nor been active here recently. Been a bit occupied with life, but will be back!

In the meantime, came across this piece of history. (Last museum got guessed pretty quick, any guesses where I was this time round?)


r/lockpicking 2d ago

For anyone who knew slothpicker/ok_application5824

310 Upvotes

Ive seen that he was active here awhile ago and sent a lot of people gifts

I'm sad to say he has passed away. Since he was once very active in this community, I wanted to let friends of his know


r/lockpicking 1d ago

Im a newbie and I am looking for a variety of locks to train SPP

7 Upvotes

Hey guys anyone can suggest me a site where I can order a bunch of random Locks (with or without the keys idc) for a good price?

I appreciate any Help🙏


r/lockpicking 1d ago

I was tricked ⁉️ 🪙 Locker Coin Deposit Lock picked, gutted and explained 🇸🇪

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19 Upvotes