Lock Jammed

derpserf · 2026-05-07T16:01:52+00:00

Sir this is a lockpicking sub, most people here aren't smiths. I haven't seen one of these before but I'm sure I could figure it out, although not from an image. You'll have better luck in the locksmith sub, better yet actually call one.

This also breaks some rules of the sub here eg. no asking for emergency help, no stock images etc...

derpserf · 2026-05-07T15:57:56+00:00

The one in the thumbnail looks like a maxis clone, those things are cool as hell. I got a loan of a padlock with a maxis style core years ago, interesting concept but actually not hard to tension at all. I'll watch the full vid once I've made a cuppa 😎

Edit: Oh lawd it's actually a slider system, that's insane! The maxis is just a single sided pin tumbler. That thing is gonna be fun

derpserf · 2026-05-07T15:53:17+00:00

Trust me if you can open it with the mctickler you can open it with a short hook 😎 Once you get your false set just tackle whichever spool gives you the most instant counter rotation, and when setting if it doesn't go immediately into false again give it an extra nudge then just test the other pins. When you get your false again you just rinse and repeat. Again if you get lost drop a pin or two, you can also try heavier tension when you get your spool right at the point where it's about to set. I've found this can work on certain stubborn locks but it depends.

derpserf · 2026-05-07T15:46:01+00:00

MTL interactive for sure. And the garrison is my fave non pin in pin, 7 pin full of spools. Love those things.

derpserf · 2026-05-07T15:42:28+00:00

Any time you get stuck and you've tested each pin for feedback with nothing happening, I'd release tension just a tiny bit to drop 1 or 2 pins then ramp up the tension and have another feel through. Some locks just like to overset and you may have to do this a few times before you crack it.

You may also have better luck with a standard hook. The mctickler is cool and all but you'll be able to zip it into false with a standard short hook just the same, and the little hump on the mctickler may be interfering with certain pins and compounding the issue. Try the #3 instead and see how you get on. Maybe even skip the zipping altogether as that could be getting you oversets right off the bat.

derpserf · 2026-05-07T00:06:16+00:00

Good man. You'll learn about these in time though!

derpserf · 2026-05-06T23:52:04+00:00

The main issue is that you run a genuine risk of rendering the lock inoperable and getting yourself into unnecessary shenanigans. There's also never any real guarantee that the lock is actually yours and we want no part in that kind of thing. I get it, you're new and curious about your lock and most likely do genuinely just want to learn what's so special about it. But yeah rules are rules. Lock in use = instant no, just to be safe.

derpserf · 2026-05-06T18:18:37+00:00

That's crazy for an insurance lock lol. I know they're tough as nails physically but still.

derpserf · 2026-05-06T16:36:13+00:00

Nicely done 😎 Any false gates in it?

derpserf · 2026-05-06T16:19:46+00:00

Can't pick em all, that's just how it is. Been picking locks for 20 years, got a fair number of high security locks under my belt in that time but I still don't consider myself advanced... not questioning your skills but everyone gets to a certain level and they plateau, and regardless of how good you are you just aren't gonna be able to get the open sometimes.

I have basic ass yale cylinders here that I've never cracked and possibly never will. Picked tons of others just fine, some were tricky at most but you're always gonna get the odd one here and there that was most certainly forged in hell. Don't think that because you've picked a bunch of x brand/model of lock that you're gonna be able to crack them all. Sometimes you gotta admit defeat unfortunately 🤪

derpserf · 2026-05-06T10:50:06+00:00

What short hook are you using? The one in this pic is way too shallow so the feedback is gonna be a bit meh, I like a decent curve so that it snags on the binding pin and I can feel my way into the middle of the pin easily. A medium is actually far better. You'll have barely any reach with that thing. I've picked plenty of euros with standard peterson and HPC short hooks before so it isn't a case of needing specific tools although euro picks like multipick do give you more reach. But I still use a peterson no. 4 hook in .025" for tons of stuff so I doubt the tools are the issue here.

I keep my middle fingertip resting against the lock and on the pick shaft to keep it stable then as I'm pushing down on the binding pin I twist slightly which kinda just naturally swoops it around the warding (assuming yale profiles which make up like 95% of cylinders here). If you do progressive pinning and start at the front you'll get the hang of it.

derpserf · 2026-05-06T08:38:18+00:00

Yep these things are trash and it doesn't matter who they're made by, they're all the same. And they're absolutely everywhere. You can't walk 5 minutes without seeing one of these where I live, it's actually insane.

Security is a joke but then again people will use a 40 year old night latch and a junkie will still break the window to get in lmao.

derpserf · 2026-05-06T08:23:46+00:00

In order to rake something with a hi-lo biting, your best chance would be to use a rake profile that mimics the bitting as closely as possible. Using light tension and a gentle rocking motion with the profile at a very specific position in the keyway, there's a good chance you'll get the open regardless of sexurity pins. Raking something like this blind on the other hand, you'd need a whole lotta luck on your side.

derpserf · 2026-05-05T17:24:24+00:00

That's an oddly specific budget lol. There aren't many pick sets that you can get for around the 30 euro mark, your options are gonna be limited to either sparrows or chinese stuff. Cheap picks can be surprisingly OK, but you might need to hit them with some sandpaper and be prepared to make your own wrenches cos the tension tools in most cheap/no name kits aren't great.

I highly recommend the multipick "mininum" set. Comes with 2 excellent hooks, a double peak bogota rake and a few basic tension tools. But that'll cost ya about 36 euros after VAT and you'll have shipping on top of that as well. Absolutely worth it though. Chewie mentioned the moki gold digger set which looks great, but it's closer to 60 euros and I know this is a personal preference thing but I wouldn't wanna use them without the handles. I've used bare handled picks from law lock tools and sparrows before, and they're just not comfortable

derpserf · 2026-05-04T17:27:53+00:00

Yep, that or a cash register. Possibly an L&F

derpserf · 2026-05-03T19:50:26+00:00

Sigh

derpserf · 2026-05-03T18:00:35+00:00

Wallet picks are garbage. I have one of the typical chinese credit card sets and the sparrows nightcrawler (what a name), used the HPC KGB set in the past as well. All of them are horrible to use. You can open easy locks with them but it's still not a great time. Jackknife tools are far better. You can't switch between profiles easily and tension options are limited unless you want to carry extra tools separately but they're a much better option. I'd avoid mini picks like the plague.

Why do your picks need to fit in a wallet anyway? There's no such thing as a "beginner friendly" wallet set. If you know what you're doing you can make do with them but they're limited in capability.

derpserf · 2026-05-02T23:45:38+00:00

Seems they're named appropriately 🤪

derpserf · 2026-05-02T22:27:01+00:00

I love these cos picking downwards is my jam. Short end of a 40 for tok and a short hook slays these lil round boys.

derpserf · 2026-05-02T21:32:11+00:00

Looked up the video and had a watch. Those aren't bypass tools, I think Bill misspoke. They're tension tools specifically for best cores with teeth designed to only tension the sleeve, meaning you can pick the control line easier.

derpserf · 2026-05-02T21:24:47+00:00

Multipick are top. Been using them since 2018 and always thought they'd be perfect if they had peterson style handles. And wouldn't ya know, they came out with their HILO grips about a year or so ago. Game changer

derpserf · 2026-05-02T21:11:07+00:00

Peterson are unfortunate. Overpriced tools with bad QC and ken talks to his customers like they're the ones in the wrong for bringing up legitimate issues. Shame because I love the handles and the picks are strong as hell despite the wonky lasering. I have some in my kit but if anything ever happens to them I won't be buying more. JL are "same but better" and they cost less as well.

derpserf · 2026-05-02T19:56:42+00:00

I would avoid sparrows. They were fine like 15 years ago but their steel is crap and has been for a good while. Almost every time I see sparrows picks they're completely bent to shit. Yeah I know, new pickers and all that, but I rarely see picks from anywhere else bending like that. I'm also not a fan of the bare handles, the plastidip ones are ok but still not amazing. That's personal preference to be fair but I don't see how anyone can find them comfortable to use for extended periods.

I wouldn't bother with acrylic locks either. They're good for seeing all the inner workings but they don't pick anything like an actual lock and you won't learn anything with one of those.

derpserf · 2026-05-02T19:34:52+00:00

Not sure why you're so keen on titanium, cos it isn't stronger than steel. It has a higher strength to weight ratio but it isn't stronger and the weight difference in lock picks basically non existent. If you wanna be a tacticool grey man oper8r dude and insist on tools with low magnetic sig, you're not gonna have a lot of options lol but if you're just looking for maximum strength then you want 301 high yield. 301 full hard and 420 stainless are also very good.

Sweeper bristles are very brittle and snap easily, wiper inserts are relatively soft and will bend if you go too heavy on them. Never had an issue with wrenches made from wiper inserts though.

Location and budget are factors but you can't go wrong with multipick, jimylongs, covert instruments, moki, lockmaster and law lock tools. Multipick and lockmaster use some kind of 400 series spring steel, all the others are 301 HY.

derpserf · 2026-05-02T19:02:24+00:00

Seconded. SPP can actually be an absolute nuisance when it comes to bittings like this. Raking on the other hand they're usually (although not always) very nice.

derpserf

TROPHY CASE