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Phillosoph

Lock Picks for Everyday Carry (EDC)

When you start a new hobby, it is highly likely that you will buy a number of items that ultimately are seldom used. This is certainly true of lock picking. One of the first purchases most beginners make is a cheap set of picks, often Chinese made. I was no exception to this, although I […]

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Phillosoph

Lock Picks: Snakes and Sparrows

It has been some time since I wrote about lock picking. Today I will share some thoughts on some lock picks that have appeared in previous posts but have not been discussed in depth. Snake Rake The snake rake is also sometimes called an “S-rake”. While the snake is dismissed by some lock pickers, I […]

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Phillosoph

EDC Lock Picking and Bypass Kits

As regular readers will know, the lock picking contingent of my EDC is rather small: — A pair of Bogotas. — A small snake rake. — A double-ended turning tool. Other items, such as the three-inch pocket prybar, may have applications in bypassing locks. When the barrel of my doorlock came out with my key, […]

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Phillosoph

Lock Picks from Soldier's Handbook.

Long ago, before we had the internet, one of the books talked about in certain circles was “The Soldier’s Handbook” by Anthony B. Herbert. This included information on how to make lock picks! It also came with a hefty price tag, so only serious/rich readers could dream of obtaining a copy. Wealthy people never misuse […]

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Phillosoph

Improvised Lock Picking.

No-SPP Hook Picking. The chances are that if you ever have to pick a lock “for real” you will be away from your lock pick kit. What tools you have you will have to improvise. It is possible to create a rake or half-diamond by bending in a key-way but it is more likely you […]

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Phillosoph

Fantasy Lock Pick Set

Version 1.1 Recently I described the lock sport kit I have built based around the Dangerfield Serenity kit. The Serenity kit gives a pretty good selection to build a kit around. A hypothetical challenge has been posed to me. If I was putting together a new kit, perhaps to be associated with this blog and […]

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Phillosoph

Mission Impossible Lock Picks

It is Friday so time for a more light-hearted post. A few weeks back I came across a webpage with the following image. These are props from the film “Mission Impossible 3” and were used in a scene in the Vatican. I cannot say I remember noticing them when I saw the movie. The original […]

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Phillosoph

Serenity Plus Lock Pick Kit.

Finally acquired the last component for my locksport kit, so it is time for a quick show and tell. I have come to think of this as my “Serenity Plus” kit. The Dangerfield pouch that was provided with the Serenity kit as a free upgrade. Note that I have added a small Photon II-style light […]

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Phillosoph

Universal Lever Lock Pick

Most of my lock picking has been geared towards cylinder pin locks. The same skills can also be applied to wafer locks. There are, of course, many other types of lock mechanism. Warded locks were discussed in a previous post. A lock mechanism I often see on the television is that of lever lock or […]

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Phillosoph

Bogota Lock Pick and Rake Review

I suspect that the readers of my posts on lock-picking fall into two broad camps. The first are those interested in lock sport, and that, like me, are relatively new to the field. The second are those who are not particularly interested in lock sport as a hobby but wish to add a new capability […]