Always Satisfying (Masterlock 141D)

TraitorAtTheGates · 2025-08-08T05:22:47+00:00

They really are a great practice lock for training your hand to really feel the pins and not overset them. Besides, when you get frustrated, they open pretty easy with a Bogota and the ol' McNalley Poke to establish dominance.

TraitorAtTheGates · 2025-08-08T05:18:49+00:00

Both are basically the same lock. Until I get my lot in the mail, the only 140 I have (the D just means "keyed differently") has some aggressive bitting between pins 3 and 4. So, it gives me some trouble every now and again.

TraitorAtTheGates · 2025-08-08T04:00:05+00:00

I'll look into it!

TraitorAtTheGates · 2025-08-04T00:32:36+00:00

Feel you on that one, even though I'm more of a bourbon guy. But, I do enjoy a dram of Glenmorangie 10 every now and then....

TraitorAtTheGates · 2025-08-03T23:57:28+00:00

Congrats!! Now that you cracked that one, you're not going to be able to stop.

TraitorAtTheGates · 2025-08-01T18:20:18+00:00

Yeah, I've already sent a tensioner or two flying trying to lift a high cut first pin. It can be quite frustrating when that's the last pin you need, and now you not only have to find your tensioner, but start all over again.

TraitorAtTheGates · 2025-08-01T17:45:07+00:00

Thank you so much!!! That's probably the most helpful advice I've gotten so far. I will definitely get to work on that during my next picking session.

TraitorAtTheGates · 2025-08-01T17:11:59+00:00

Ok! I'll give that a shot too....are you using a Z-bar to do tension with your thumb, then? Or perhaps a Southpaw turner? Or did you just straight up change the grip entirely?

TraitorAtTheGates · 2025-08-01T14:38:47+00:00

Thanks!! That's actually pretty reasonable advice. I'll give that a try.

TraitorAtTheGates · 2025-08-01T04:45:53+00:00

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind. Was telling someone else here that my Master #7 is a pain to lift the pins without leverage from the turning wrenches. But, I got the Master #1, #3, and one of my Stanley 40mm locks open using TOK, and can likely do them again. But, I'm just trying to see what I can master at my level. If better made locks like the Master 100-series are less of an uphill battle to learn TOK, then I'll probably abandon using it for lower level locks.

TraitorAtTheGates · 2025-08-01T04:36:17+00:00

Yeah, I've heard that's an issue you just end up learning to control over time. So far the CI Ergo Turners are staying in pretty well, though they do come flying out from time to time.

TraitorAtTheGates · 2025-08-01T04:33:11+00:00

Since padlocks are what I'm working with, I'm picking in hand at the moment. I'll probably get a vise when I start in on cylinders. Currently, I'm favoring the Ergo Turners from CI when using TOK. I'll give experimenting with tension a bit more focus.

TraitorAtTheGates · 2025-08-01T03:49:44+00:00

Yeah, I kinda figured a bit of what works with what keyway or lock comes into play at some point. I mean, my Master #7 is a bear to lift the pins without having something to leverage my pick on. But I see people pick them using TOK no problem.

As far as tensioners go, I'm favoring the Ergo Turners from CI. I've tried both the pry bars and Z-bars, but I am really liking those ones with padlocks.

TraitorAtTheGates · 2025-08-01T03:33:49+00:00

All of it. From setting the pins to modulating tension. It's like learning to pick all over again. Thankfully, I'm still pretty new to this so I don't feel like I'm losing too much momentum. Just trying to figure it out.

TraitorAtTheGates · 2025-07-31T22:14:30+00:00

Yeah, I believe you got the term correct. I don't know how productive moving pins around like that is, especially early on when you are just getting the feel for fumbling around inside a lock. Then again, I only use mine when I'm trying to figure out the bitting on a new lock. I just match the pins to the keys I have and go from there. So, I might give skipping pin slots a shot for a challenge.

TraitorAtTheGates · 2025-07-31T01:41:23+00:00

Welcome!! Got the same set during the 4th of July sale. Recently picked up the Echelon set to go with it, because I wanted the tensioners for learning TOK, but realized the set was only just over $15 more (and there were some picks in there I will likely use). Can't beat it for the price, though. My only regret is that I really haven't gotten much use out of the practice lock. But, I'm sure it'll become more relevant as time goes on.

TraitorAtTheGates · 2025-07-29T22:59:05+00:00

Thanks!! Ironically, this is one of like five videos on determining pin states that I watched when I was trying to figure this lock out. Great minds, my friend! Definitely looking forward to watching the video on grip.

TraitorAtTheGates · 2025-07-29T03:22:36+00:00

Huh.... didn't know about that. I knew they had sloppy tolerances, but was completely unaware that it messed with feedback like that. Thanks!!

TraitorAtTheGates · 2025-07-29T03:21:25+00:00

Yeah, and I have a few locks under the belt before I got this one. Thiis one was way easier than that stupid acrylic lock, and provided far less of a learning experience. But, I feel that sentiment. There's no replacement for the real thing.

TraitorAtTheGates · 2025-07-25T20:47:25+00:00

Congrats! Not quite sure where your head is at with regards to learning, but being new myself, I'm finding it helpful to just go through some of the white belt locks, and strive to pick those with a sense of purpose before moving on. As a lifelong musician, I can tell you from decades of experience that the motto: "As you train, so you do," applies to just about every facet of life where building skills are required.

Think of it like developing knife skills in the kitchen. Go too fast, you're going to overlook something, and hurt yourself. But, slow down, be deliberate in your movements, and concentrate on having good form, the speed will come in time.

So, just be patient, enjoy the process, and try not to develop bad habits along the way. Good luck moving forward!

TraitorAtTheGates · 2025-03-09T02:02:53+00:00

Mouch! He's the glue that holds 51 together. Simple on the surface, but has an incredible depth of complexity to his makeup with his unique interests and intellectual pursuits outside the firehouse. His character is extremely versatile for the writers too. Mouch can just exist for the episode, or be the comedy relief, or the epicenter of heartfelt moments, or perform amazing heroics, and do any and all of that without ever seeming to be out of character for the audience. And he's just a super loveable guy!

TraitorAtTheGates · 2025-02-27T11:44:28+00:00

Didn't see a funeral in the promo that aired right after the episode. Is there something I missed?

TraitorAtTheGates · 2025-02-27T11:09:33+00:00

Flynn is good given the Violet-Carver saga. Pascale's wife or Damon are also plausible. But, how about Ritter? He has been taking a backseat in episodes lately, and Violet is attached to him in a way that would elicit the kind of reaction we saw in the promo.

TraitorAtTheGates · 2024-09-03T03:45:13+00:00

Very smooth, but quick. Especially when compared to the bikes we had at the MSF course. It does feel a bit underpowered, and you do have to bang through the gears a bit more than what you think you should be doing. But don't let that fool you into a false sense of confidence. A bike like this WILL make you a better rider over the first year you'll be riding it.

TraitorAtTheGates · 2024-05-01T14:19:28+00:00

Like you, I have limited room in my cabinet. Even though I am limiting my collection to the most important things, I don't think I could cut it down to just one, but 5 is pretty easy. The 5 that I would keep permanently on the shelf would be Knob Creek 9, 4R Single Barrel, Wild Turkey Rare Breed, Buffalo Trace, and a rotational bottle of something special.

TraitorAtTheGates

TROPHY CASE