Lockpicking!

[iago]

Have we ever talked here about lockpicking? I got a set of picks awhile back, and have gotten somewhat good at using them. I had to break into my friend's apartment today, because he's out of town and wanted me to pick up a package for him, so I had to break into his place. It took me all of 5 seconds.

Anybody else played with lockpicks? Any good stories?

[rabbit]

It's illegal to posses and quite difficult to get a set of lockpicks without a locksmith's license in the US.  So....no.

[iago]

Lies++

In most states and provinces it's fine to buy, carry, and use them.

[CrAz3D]

Rabbit lies: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_picking#United_States

My cousin had some $100ish set and could pick anything.  I was pretty impressed with it.  Never bothered to buy one and use it.  I don't have a need.

[rabbit]

Well, it's illegal in New Jersey, and that's where I've lived almost all my life.

[Newby]

I plan to pick up a set now! This was enlightening.

[truste1]

I plan to pick up a set now! This was enlightening.

Same I feel like this could come in handy if I'm ever locked out. Is it a hard skill to pick up?

[Joe]

Trust, actually it comes with +5 skill gloves and a +10 skill hat.

[iago]

I plan to pick up a set now! This was enlightening.

I typed a reply to this last night. I was pretty drunk, and the reply made very little sense, so thank god I had the foresight to not hit 'send' till morning!

This is the set I have:
http://www.lockpickshop.com/MPXS-14.html

I'd recommend a book, too, The Visual Guide to Lockpicking = awesome.

The discount code lp101 (that's LP) is good for 10% off (or was when I bought mine).

I plan to pick up a set now! This was enlightening.

Same I feel like this could come in handy if I'm ever locked out. Is it a hard skill to pick up?

Picking an easy lock is surprisingly (and frighteningly) easy. I can teach somebody to pick the majority of my locks in about 5-10 minutes. I'd suggest reading up online a little to get an idea, or buy the book I mentioned earlier, then buying a few cheap padlocks and deadbolts. I have a small collection going on myself.

Doing it faster and more reliability, as well as picking good locks, takes a very light touch and careful hand.

It's a fun skill to have, and I love that I can carry lockpicks in my backpack (and wallet) everywhere I go, legally. You never know when they'll come in handy!

[deadly7]

OMG I KNOW WHY IAGO LIKES LOCKPICKS.

U PUT THE METAL BAR IN THE HOLE AND WIGGLE IT!

[iago]

There's no way to talk about lockpicking with out sounding dirty. Sticking two instruments in the hole at once, a gentle in and out motion to rake, keep a little tension but not too much, etc.

It's fun!