So I’m just curious and I do not intend to slam or make fun of lock picking, I think it’s really cool and would love to get into, but I do not understand why you would carry them in say an edc it just does not seem practical to me as I personally have never been like “man, I wish I could pick this lock right now.” At least in a day to day sense. Again I do not mean to offend or be rude I’m just curious if anyone has had a practical use for lock picking.
luke_eidenThat's ridiculous! You must be a troll. How can you not see the usefulness of having a lock pick supply at hand would come in handy every day (In Skyrim)!
luke_eidenluke,
i'm reasonably serious into locksport (have led locksport villages at maker fairs, etc) and have a different edc set up. for most folks, it's not useful for legitimate purposes, but for folks who do pen testing or the like they're a tool of the trade. personally, i end up using automotive entry tools more often than the lock picks in my wallet to help friends locked out of their car, but a couple of times a year i'll end up opening a friend's shed, taking a padlock off their fence or opening a file cabinet in the office that has long lost keys. It's just faster and easier to pull out my wallet with a couple of picks than to run home to get one of: my tool rollup, the picking tool box, the lock/door hardware service kit, or the other tool boxes of parts and more specialized tools . 2 picks and 2 tension wrenches will get me into most things that I *should* be getting into with owner's permission.
If I was in pen testing i'd add a few tools to the pocket, and a few more to the bag. If I was a locksmith, doing handyman work (installing locks) or working in law enforcement with non-emergent warrants I'd carry an entirely different rig than this, but it's a good starter kit.
metisTo be honest I do not know even half of the things you just mentioned but I can understand being skilled enough to take care of (I assume basic) locks that you *should* be getting into.
luke_eidensome quick explanation:
--locksport is hobby lockpicking/ lock study
--pen testing is penetration testing - folks who test security systems - they get paid by a company to break in to that companies own facilities and infrastructure to test their security systems and protocols.
--automotive entry tools are specific locksmith/locksport tools used for motor vehicles to deal with/bypass those kinds of locks
--locksport village - at maker fairs/hacker/security conventions there is often a tent/room set up to practice/learn lock picking.
--I keep different types of tools together based on task and necessity of use. If I'm going to a locksport event I'll bring my tool roll (it's got what I need to pick most things for fun) but if I'm leading an event I'll bring a more in depth kit (with some basic service parts for when a lock is broken), and if I'm helping someone install/fix a lock there are different tools I'll need.
daily use? no, I don't use the picks in my wallet even weekly. They probably see light a couple of times a year. But they take up about the same space as a credit card, and are totally worth having hauled about when I need them. If I carried a backpack full of stuff, I'd probably carry a couple more.
luke_eidenI was locked out of my house one night, drunk, with nowhere to go. Luckily I always have my lock picks, so i got in the house (clumsily) within 5 minutes. Similar situations happen occasionally with me, so it's an easy edc for me.
luke_eidenA lot depends on your daily activities. One day at work I forgot the keys to a piece of equipment and the lock for my cooler. I had the picks with and ran the equipment for the day and got to take my cooler with me.
inspector_gidgetGet a paint scraper, about 2"wide, shape one side rounded and the other into a hook (use a grinder). That will get in quicker and easier. It's like a slim jim for houses instead of cars.
luke_eidenUnless you have locksmith license, you don't want to get caught carrying lockpicks, as you will be charged with possession of burglary tools.
Which reminds me, I have some hidden in my wallet I've had for years and totally forgot about. It's a Readyman Hostage Escape card. It has 2 lockpicks, tension wrench, handcuff shim and a saw for plastic handcuffs, all stainless steel. I don't know how many times I've gotten through courthouse security with it.