Hi,

Does anyone know where I can purchase 'practice' locks in the UK? Basically, they're normal locks but with visible insides, allowing you to practice picking whilst viewing the workings.

Thanks,

...KAndrew

Hi Andrew,

Being a locksmith for many years taught me that feel is more important than sight when it comes to picking locks.

Get yourself some picks and pick every lock you come across, soon you will have the feel for it!

best of luck!

Hi kandrew,

Tony is right, "feel" is more important than "sight" in being successful with picking open a lock.

If you are wanting some information on how different locks work, how to pick them open, and purchase some to practice with, then you may want to order the Locksmithing course from http://www.foley-belsaw.com . Great info on various types of locks and they send you lots of hands-on work to help you learn.

If you want a pair of cuffs that are cut-away to see what you are doing as you pick them, go to http://www.cannonsgreatescapes.net and look for their handcuff manipulation kit.

Hope that was of some help.

Joe Marotta

Thanks for the tips.

I'll take your advice and not use a practice lock. Instead, I'll buy a number of different locks.

Thanks again.

KAndrew

Dear Kandrew, I would recommend getting familar with the inner workings of a lock, know how it operates and what interaction each part has on another. Lock picking is a hand skill which must be fully understood and a CUTAWAY will allow you to see what effect the lock picks are having on each part in turn as you pick the lock. You really need to know what the picks are doing within the lock and this is a short term teaching aid. To further your lockpicking, purchase a cylinder (not a padlock) so you can pull it apart and remove all but two pin tumblers, learn what it feels like to pick these, many times over and by turning the barrel( plug ) to the left and then the right. Add a third pin and prcatice as above, then the four and then the fifth.

Swap the combination of pins around and start again with two pins.

Try to learn more from those who pick locks as a living, there is a lot of misunderstanding on this skill and much misinformation.

best wishes

Ian

Um......Ian? Is this the Ian I think it is? If it is, listen to anything he has to say on locks and lockpicking....well, just listen to him!!

Hi Margarette

Have you looked at his profile? I think he might well be the Ian you think he is

Duncan

WOW!! Welcome Ian! Glad your here, your words of wisdom are always valued.

Matter of fact I gotta go to read your 2 new manuscripts.

Care
X

Ian, great to have you here. Unfortuantely, we did not contact you before we toured Australia. We were there performing at the Summer Olympics. We did get down to Melbourne, we won't let that happen again, we hope to be there again soon. We are great fans of your work and use them quite often.

Kevin & Kristen
Living Illusions
http://www.livingillusions.com

Hi Ian

Welcome from me too. I have only just been introduced to your work but, well, it looks VERY impressive. I look foward to your wise words here at the cafe.

Duncan

Hi everyone, yes it is that Ian. Richard Jones has just been visiting me for the last three weeks and I have finally found this site with his help.
Thank you all for your warmest greetings. Hi especially to "southern bell" ;-)You know who you are. I will offer assistance when and only if I have the answers.
I prefer that personal conection with inquiries so if you have a special question contact me at imccoll@sympac.com.au but I will drop in from time to time.

Thanks again from all of you whom I haven't met as yet (if only via the net) I am truly touched by the response.
all the best
Ian (jimmy C )