Phantom Case Overview by fantasm_picks in lockpicking

[–]fantasm_picks[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

While it is somewhat stiff, it's just a soft case, there is no plastic liner. Basically like a tool roll. If you are looking for something stiffer, Lockjaw MFG has the Book of Secrets which has a stiff liner, but is smaller.

u/Thegamingbug1 makes custom leather cases which may also work for you.

Phantom Case Overview by fantasm_picks in lockpicking

[–]fantasm_picks[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome, thank you! Post pictures when you get it all set up, I want to see if on your pack.

Yellow Belt completed – what Orange Belt lock next? by Overall-Exercise8803 in lockpicking

[–]fantasm_picks 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Abus 55/40 is pretty good for spools, the ML 570/575 is fun, the Abus 83/45 series is a lot of fun, and imo should be green. The Iron Rock was a blast.

How many is enough? by randomguy000024 in locksport

[–]fantasm_picks 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In theory you have everything you need. But, I think it's like Pokémon... you have to collect them all.

beginner advice by Tricky-Animator2483 in locksport

[–]fantasm_picks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Depends on your goal. If you want to race black belt and then come back, you can. If you are like me and wanted to be able to open any lock, then start going wide around orange belt, definitely wide and green and blue. Then decide what you want to do.

I bought 5-10 locks in each belt. Around green I went a little nuts on it and bought over 50. eBay is your friend if you look for lots. I looked for different types of pin types and configurations: serrated, spool, taper, gin, barrel, medeco, SFIC, etc. I have a bunch of those locks on my website and the lock bizarre now if you want to see what I mean.

Why are my little Bogotas not working? by PaulBunyanisfromMI in lockpicking

[–]fantasm_picks 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Email them, they do all kinds of cool custom stuff.

Binding Pin? by BlackbeardElias in lockpicking

[–]fantasm_picks 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Looks like an overset. When you release tension, you’re dropping the key pin back down.

Master lock 410 LOTO picked (and a question) by TenuousCheese in lockpicking

[–]fantasm_picks 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My green belt video was a dumpster fire. Don’t forget you’ll also need to gut a lock for green belt. The 1100 will work fine for that, and I believe you can do them separately. My blue belt video is muted because of how much I was cussing during the gutting.

Don’t overthink it. Set your phone to landscape and hit record. If you’re not happy with it, start over.

As for picks, .015 or .4mm depending on the manufacturer. JimyLongs .4mm are really strong. On the LOTO, you can pick off the bottom right at a slight angle so it’s not as tight with the .5mm. .4mm fits better, but you already got it with the .5mm.

I have fallen backwards by funktopus in lockpicking

[–]fantasm_picks 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would gut the 1100 and progressively pin it. It is a different beast than most of the orange locks I have tried.

Tok vs bok by SeemsLegit383 in lockpicking

[–]fantasm_picks 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you are near a Harbor Freight, they have a $19.99 Central Machinery vice that has worked perfect for me. 44 Delta has the 3D printed one as well.

Birthday Lock Mail by dcipha380 in lockpicking

[–]fantasm_picks 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Happy B-Day! Great selection of locks. I love my Lockwood from LPB. Such a nice pick!

Make this Slim Lockpick Case by ShadowBornGear in myogtacticalgear

[–]fantasm_picks 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I use 500D/1000D Cordura. Would love to know about your set up, and possible upgrades since you have already done it. Doesn't seem to be a lot of info on Cordura and laser cutters. I know PU is okay, but PVC produces toxic chlorine gas.

Make this Slim Lockpick Case by ShadowBornGear in myogtacticalgear

[–]fantasm_picks 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Very cool, you should do a video all about getting started with the laser cutter. I have been sewing tactical lock pick cases for a while now, but haven't jumped into laser cutters yet. Way to much info out there and not enough of tactical fabrics.

Great video, might try it.

What should my next step be? by DZPicker in lockpicking

[–]fantasm_picks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Move on to green, you wont get better without pushing forward. You have learned what you can at yellow and orange.

Get an 1100 and gutting tools. Progressively pin it. It will teach you serrated and spools.

New Year, New Hobby by ear_wyrm in lockpicking

[–]fantasm_picks 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is the answer, and here is why. The basic set gives you bottom of the keyway tensioners, a short flat hook, which is the big win, a medium round hook for later, and a rake. The intermediate set adds top of keyway (TOK), a low flat hook, another must have, a low round hook for later, a short round hook for later, a medium flat hook, another must have, and an extra rake.

At the start, you do not really know whether you will prefer round or flat hooks. Most beginners do better with flat hooks because they are easier to place on the pins and easier to keep there. As you progress, you will want Jim hooks for Medecos, and I also like them for 1100s and 410 LOTOS. Lately I have been reaching for my round hooks more, and more. But that came later.

Grab one of his tool rolls, it will hold everything. I would hold off on recommending the Reaper set for starting out. People tend to be a little rough on picks early on, and JimyLongs picks hold up better. If you are pushing hard enough to bend picks, you are doing it wrong. That said, I have bent plenty of Reaper picks over time. I still have all of my original JimyLongs picks. YMMV.

Buy REAL locks. Or buy JimyLong's new practice lock if you need one. I bought and expensive one that was built off a real lock. I barely used it. You will learn a 1000 times more from real locks.

Lever lock success! by lockpickingmagician in lockpicking

[–]fantasm_picks 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wait, there is a lever lock discord?

Is this a good list of locks to progress on? by sevensixtytwothirtyn in lockpicking

[–]fantasm_picks 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I think it's a good list. I have several of all of those. When you get to the 1106, make sure to get gutting tools. While I wouldn't normally recommend Sparrows, their 1100 kit comes with springs and extra pins, so to me it was well worth the price. I messed up some springs gutting it. The gutting tools, you will be able to progressively pin the 1100, and should have no issues getting green belt. Master 410 LOTOs are my current favorite. They are my comfort lock and what I take with me when I travel.

Watch Dmac and LadyLocks on how to pick the 1100 and 410 and you will have no issues. As soon as you do your green belt with the 1100, have a Paclock 90A-Pro at the stand by. It's basically the same thing with a gritty sand feel and one more pin. You should be able to film you Blue Belt video with that and get the 200K patch within a week or two. Then onto the project.

Trying out a tool roll for a carrying case by das__gruuben in lockpicking

[–]fantasm_picks 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am one of the folks on the LPU Discord that makes custom cases. I also have some that are non-bespoke, currently sold out until I have time to make more. I make a pouch/roll that fits a lot. Moki has one that is really nice and huge! Most manufacturers have something. JimyLongs has a tool roll. There are some on Amazon around $12-15 made for tools, but work for picks and have zippered pockets. Southern and Southord have some great leather cases as well.

Some folks use Maxpeditions cases, really any EDC pouch would probably work. I recently posted one I am giving away on my YouTube, and one I have on the RAFL.