EH-Net

I would appreciate some advice on learning the fundamental basics of lock picking.

From what I've read the following books seem like they may be a good resource for me to start with:

http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Lock-Picking-Physical-Penetration/dp/1597496111/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346095105&sr=8-1&keywords=lock+picking

http://www.amazon.com/Visual-Guide-Lock-Picking-Third/dp/0970978863/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346096850&sr=1-1&keywords=visual+guide+to+lock

Are these good choices or are there better alternatives?

Also, any recommendation's for practice locks and pick sets for a beginner would be greatly appreciated.

There are a ton of youtube videos that will get you going in the beginning. I started on basic master locks, they're pretty easy to start on. I'm not advanced at all but I can get through the basics.

The Syngress book is really good. Just be prepared to spend some time getting up to speed with the background info it starts with. It doesn't dive right into the good stuff.

At DefCon 2011, I bought a set of the Beginner Blend Pick Kit and the Progressive Picking Training Locks: http://toool.us/equipment.html That's more than enough to get started with.

It's really something you just need to practice and learn to "feel." Books and videos will help you with the general concepts, but nothing's going to compare to hands-on experience.

Don't take that to mean I know what I'm doing though; I'm still fairly awful myself.

If you are not in a hurry, you might want to wait until October, when the second edition of Practical Lock Picking (http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Lock-Picking-Second-Penetration/dp/1597499897/) will be available. The first edition was a nice read, so it's most likely the second one will be even better. However, as ajohnson said, lock picking is really something you "need to practice and learn to feel".

It also might be worth doing a course if you have the money and depending on how much you want to learn.

This site maybe useful depening where you are in the world..
http://www.ukbumpkeys.com/videos.php (http://www.ukbumpkeys.com/videos.php)

Check to see if there's a local TOOOL or Lock Sport International (LSI) group near you. Easiest way is to go to a meeting and get hands on learnin'.  If there are no groups local to you, then see everything above this post. :)

Thanks for the replies everyone.

@rance I've managed to find a monthly lock picking meet at a hackspace not too far away.  :)

That's excellent, they should give you good learnin' from the get go. The last piece of advice I'll give is, don't learn to pick on a cut away. Use it to understand the inner workings of a/the lock, but te art of picking is in the feel, and if you rely on your eyes as you learn, you'll be at a disadvantage.

Keep us up to date on how your skills are coming along!

-rance

Thanks for the advice on the cutaway's, I'll make sure to follow it.

I happen to know, on good authority, that there will be a lock picking village at DerbyCon in September.  That is one of the best ways to learn I think.  Actually give it a whirl! :D

Check out Schuyler Towne's video series:

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL66CD42F86F3A1F85&feature=plcp

Other than that, Deviant's book is fantastic!!!

As much as I'd love to attend Derbycon, I can't  this year. A vast expanse of water and insuffcient funds are standing in my way.  :(


Thanks for the link. I thought I'd take a quick look, I ended up watching half the series. I'll finish the rest off tomorrow.  :)

There will also be a class with Deviant Ollam at DerbyCon:

https://www.derbycon.com/training-courses/

Looks like there are still slots left, as of now

While no doubt a good class, probably overkill for someone that just wants to learn to pick. :)

great resources thanx of-course physical security is always important

You can usually find someone not to far from you that knows how, runs a group, willing to travel too. Especially if you set it up with a local hacker space.

But cool that you found a local group.

All you really need though, is Deviant's book, a hand full of picks, an couple of quickset locks you can take apart and put back together (you'll learn even more making your own progressive sets), and go go go.

Like the guy above said the best way to get good really fast at lock picking is to get a progressive lock and practice. Lock your self in a room (no pun intended) for a day or so and do nothing but pick locks. And be sure to change up the configuration of the practice lock you are using, switch pins based on weight, size and type until you can pick anything that's thrown at you.

this is probably the best progressive lock out there http://learnlockpicking.com/ (http://learnlockpicking.com/)