In recent years, lockpicking has evolved from a skill that first responders use into a legitimate hobby. Those who partake in this diversion enjoy the puzzle-like process of opening a complicated lock. If you have taken on this hobby but are still struggling to improve your skills, consider these four tips for becoming better at lockpicking.
Practice With New Locks
One tip for improving your lockpicking skills is to not dedicate all your time to picking the same lock. Even though you may be getting faster at opening that model, you are not improving, but instead memorizing what you need to do to open it. Instead, keep your skills fresh by taking on new locks.
Make Sure You Have the Right Tools
Another tip for becoming better at lockpicking is ensuring you have the right tools. For example, if you want to buy a lock pick set, buy one that features tools that consist of quality material and won’t break or bend easily. Otherwise, you will practice with tools that will break and slow you down, wasting your time and money.
Ease Up on the Tension
One problem you may encounter is that you bind the pins in the lock so tight that they don’t move. Try using less force on your tension wrench to avoid this. Otherwise, you may break your picks as you try to push on the key pin, which will hit you in your wallet.
Stay Within Your Skill Level
After you open one lock, you may feel the temptation to jump up to a far more advanced one. But it is better to stay at your skill level so that you can avoid future frustration that might dissuade you from continuing with this hobby.
Staying at your level and moving to more complicated locks gradually will allow you to develop your skills better. So, be patient for now. You will get to that more advanced lock someday.
If you follow these tips, you can improve your chances of enhancing your lockpicking skills. You’ll get true satisfaction out of your hobby and grow talents you can be proud of.
