What have you picked today

[MartinHewitt]

Now I think I can write here, that I have picked my first lever safe lock (for small values of "safe"). It is a Willenhall CT12 with seven levers and in my case a total of two(!) false gates, which were so far never a problem. My problem with the lock is that the binding is never really strong. My last pick after reshuffling the levers was now about 5 minutes with a plain and cheap Hobbs'. This was possible due to coaching by ratlock as in Germany lever locks are not that common.

[ratlock]

Very well done on your first safe lock. Beware its addictive buying bigger and more challenging ones. Stuck a picture in lever locks gutted for the guys to see.

Well done.

[Patrick Star]

Any suggestions for getting into lever locks?
I have picked a few but my biggest trouble is finding tools - unfortunately I don't have the ability to manufacture anything but the simplest. Are there any reasonably priced sources of various Hobbs picks for example?

[MartinHewitt]

I am using the Dino pick for all my locks so far, which were with solid stem keys. It is available e.g. here https://www.sks.co.uk/dino-2-in-1-safe-pick-set and at many other shops. I got mine from somewhere in Germany. It comes with four pick sets which can be cut down to the desired length and filed down to the desired thickness. I have also glued on a small piece of a pipe to enlarge the diameter. But there are probably cheaper tools than that available although not as widely. If you want to open hollow stem key locks, then it gets much more complicated because the diameter is then much more important. (To small diameter won't fit over the key post, to big diameter won't fit into the key hole.)

If ratlock gives and advice regarding tool, follow it.

[madsamurai]

Contgrats, MartinHewitt! I feel like we're running neck-and-neck with our chosen targets, tho I'm going to have to get back to spinning dials to catch up with you again on that front

I'm trying to decide what's a good followup to the S&G 6804. My original plan was to try the S&G 6824 double-bitted 7-lever, and then move on up the chain to the 6860/70/80, but I read you can't pick the 6860+ with a hobb's tool... apparently a pin & cam tool is required? Not sure if that applies to the 6824 or not. I'm curious how much more difficult double-bitted locks will be to pick, assuming they can be picked with normal tools. Any other suggestions for a good challenge?

[MartinHewitt]

Contgrats, MartinHewitt! I feel like we're running neck-and-neck with our chosen targets, tho I'm going to have to get back to spinning dials to catch up with you again on that front

But lever locks seem to me more difficult than combination locks. At least until you get into 2M.

I'm trying to decide what's a good followup to the S&G 6804. My original plan was to try the S&G 6824 double-bitted 7-lever, and then move on up the chain to the 6860/70/80, but I read you can't pick the 6860+ with a hobb's tool... apparently a pin & cam tool is required? Not sure if that applies to the 6824 or not. I'm curious how much more difficult double-bitted locks will be to pick, assuming they can be picked with normal tools. Any other suggestions for a good challenge?

I have read that the 68x0 locks are very difficult, but nothing is unpickable and you can start with fewer levers. Standard safe locks here in Germany are of the double bitted key like this one http://wiki.koksa.org/Cawi_Optima_2648 . This can be opened with a Hobbs' and this is my target. But most of them have pipe keys. So I will need a different tool.

[madsamurai]

I'm curious... has anyone picked the LaGard 2200 series locks? Their key intrigues me... I think I could make a pick for it if it works the way I think it does, but I've never had one in my hand...

[MartinHewitt]

I have read about a pick for the 2200. So it should be doable.

[Patrick Star]

I am using the Dino pick for all my locks so far, which were with solid stem keys. It is available e.g. here https://www.sks.co.uk/dino-2-in-1-safe-pick-set and at many other shops. I got mine from somewhere in Germany.

Definitely seems like what I'm looking for! Hm, got a more specific place to buy it?
All I can find are 3 places in the UK. 2 only sell to actual locksmiths and 1 is Walker, which I'd rather avoid after reading about their business practices and customer (dis)service here.

[MartinHewitt]

Definitely seems like what I'm looking for! Hm, got a more specific place to buy it?

I think I bought mine here:
https://www.zieh-fix.com/en/safe-openin ... ckset.html
They definitely sell to anyone. I think there was a UK site, where they were cheaper and which had a second set similar to the Dino which might be worth a try.
At the moment I am in the process of buying a locksmith-only book in the US. Let's see how this works via one of my lock suppliers.

[ratlock]

Walkers are Ok.
Honest appraisel so far. lever padlocks pick set out the box dont work very good. here are pictures,Before and after modification.




And their wire pick for the fortress pre lift pick, didnt lift the levers high enough, which is a pity, as the pre lift tension tool is a good item. with a little more after care they could be good.

[iiFlynRyan]

Master Lock #5... twice

[GWiens2001]

I'm curious... has anyone picked the LaGard 2200 series locks? Their key intrigues me... I think I could make a pick for it if it works the way I think it does, but I've never had one in my hand...

Have not picked one, but the lock works like a dial-type safe lock. But no flys. The key turns all the wheels at the same time, lining up the gates under the fence, which then falls into the gates. Guess you could think of it as being similar to an Abloy Classic, but the sidebar is the fence, which moves the bolt.

Gordon

[madsamurai]

I'm curious... has anyone picked the LaGard 2200 series locks? Their key intrigues me... I think I could make a pick for it if it works the way I think it does, but I've never had one in my hand...

Have not picked one, but the lock works like a dial-type safe lock. But no flys. The key turns all the wheels at the same time, lining up the gates under the fence, which then falls into the gates. Guess you could think of it as being similar to an Abloy Classic, but the sidebar is the fence, which moves the bolt.

Gordon

Thanks, Gordon... that's what I was thinking. I have ideas, I think I may have to pick one up and try it.

[ratlock]

Here is todays pick. After making adjustments to a bangood pick.