Happy 2020! A lock a day keeps the doctor away

[edocdab]

You can't know, so don't worry and enjoy. Maybe keep some easier ones in case of a bad day? Keep it up! We're looking forward to the next pic.

[femurat]

I'm not worried about picking a lock. Im worried one day or another I won't have time to do it.
To be honest, these locks are already easy



Day 5 of 366.

Cheers

[edocdab]

Expectations just went up

[femurat]

Day 6 of 366. This one is for you, friends from the other side of the pond!

Cheers

[edocdab]

Just so you know, you are motivating me to spend more time with my half diamond instead of mainly hooks.

[GWiens2001]

Just so you know, you are motivating me to spend more time with my half diamond instead of mainly hooks.

I like the half diamond as well. Just be sure you thin down the neck of the pick so it doesn't move pins at the front of the lock when you are picking rear pins. Notice how nice and thin his is where it meets the half diamond, and stays fairly thin along the shaft.

Gordon

[edocdab]

Yes, it looks different from my southord slimline. If I zoom and compare the profiles, taking the shaft width equal, the half diamond is significantly higher and more pointy.

[MHM]

Just so you know, you are motivating me to spend more time with my half diamond instead of mainly hooks.

Yeah I've been thinking exactly the same thing as well...I don't use a HD nearly enough. This is because I learnt to pick with hooks and the technique really is very different.

@Femurat - what thickness is the pick, and how well does it deal with difficult bittings and difficult keyways?

[LockpickingChef]

Nicely done! Keep up the good work.

[femurat]

Thank you all for the encouragement. I'm happy I'm inspiring others.
Yes, I like half diamonds. And I really love this one. It's my favourite pick!
I made it with a street cleaning bristle I found laying on the road and a piece of bamboo I grew myself. It's thinner than all the commercial picks I've seen. Tomorrow I'll grab the caliper and measure it for you. There may be a post of mine with some info somewhere...



Day 7 of 366.

Cheers

[GWiens2001]

Doing well, Femurat.

Gordon

[femurat]

MHM, the pick is 0,65 mm thick. The diamond is 3 mm tall, including the shaft. It's my go to pick for 90% of the locks, paracentric keyways included.



Day 8 of 366. This rare old KABA 20 padlock was a present from a very good friend and I've never opened it before. It took me 30-40 minutes to study the lock and open it. What a pleasure!

Cheers

[edocdab]

Congratulations! Thanks for the dimensions. With the clear pics, the rest of the dimensions can be derived and I can compare or make one to try for myself...

[femurat]

Edocdab, it's the picker that opens the lock, not the tool... but having a good pick does help!



Day 9 of 366.

Cheers

[edocdab]

Indeed. I'm making good progress (according to myself) but I still have a lot of room for improvement in all areas. It's a very entertaining ride so far

I'm trying to focus more on skill improvement than tool gathering, but I also found you can learn a lot from changing tool every now and then and getting out of your comfort zone.

You're doing well every day so far. Keep it up!