How to Pick Locks Like The Lock Picking Lawyer
If you've spent any time exploring the world of physical security, you've probably come across the Lock Picking Lawyer. With quiet confidence and a set of gleaming tools, he makes defeating even high-security locks look effortless. But there’s a secret behind that ease — and it has nothing to do with fancy gear or trick editing.
The truth? It’s all about how you practice.
Most videos about how to pick locks focus on the basic mechanics — how to apply tension, what a binding pin feels like, and how to use your lock picks. That’s important, especially for those exploring lock picking for beginners. But the Lock Picking Lawyer takes things a step further: he doesn't just teach you how to open a lock — he teaches you how to become a better picker.
The Difference Between Picking a Lock and Picking Locks
It’s easy to fall into a trap: buy a single lock, learn it inside out, and feel like you've mastered lock picking. But what you’ve really learned is how to exploit the quirks of one particular lock — its binding order, its sweet spot for tension, its feel.
And that knowledge? It doesn’t always translate to the next lock you encounter.
The Lock Picking Lawyer highlights this distinction often. Mastering one lock is not the same as mastering how to pick locks in general. To truly improve, you need to treat each lock like it’s your first.
Build a Rotating Practice Tray
Here’s the method that sets the Lock Picking Lawyer apart — and what you can start doing right now.
Rather than picking the same lock over and over, build a tray or collection of different locks. Mix them up. Pick one, set it aside, and move on to the next. Never pick the same lock twice in a row.
This approach forces you to engage with each lock fresh — without relying on muscle memory or remembered quirks. It’s how you build real, transferable skill.
Even better? You don’t need a fortune to start. Most of the Lock Picking Lawyer’s locks are secondhand finds — eBay is a goldmine if you’re patient. Think:
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Schlage key-in-knob cylinders for under 50 cents
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Tubular locks for a buck or less
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American 1100 series padlocks around $4 each
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Master locks for even cheaper
- Clear or Cut-Away practice locks (repinnables are great for practicing)
- Eurocylinders (the Brits have some amazing locks that are easy to hold)
Buy smart, sell them on forums, or swap them with people in the lock picking community. Over the years, I've built up a network of incredible people and met some amazing friends. Don't be shy, everyone was a beginner once, and we've all asked questions that still haunt us! Feel free to ask us at hello@lockpickworld.com we have a team of very experienced lock pickers always available to help you with any questions you might have.
Always Be Picking (ABP)
One of the Lock Picking Lawyer’s best habits is low-effort consistency. Watching a movie? He’s picking. Got a free moment? He’s picking. With a lock picking set and a carabiner of random locks, you can get in dozens of reps in a day without thinking about it. Taking the kids to the cinema? The perfect time to get your head around feedback! Suddenly, you'll realize there's a lot of time to be practicing, which can take the edge off of some otherwise very boring days!
I remember once I had to help a friend move house, which included an eight-hour drive both ways. I had this KABA dimple lock that had been frustrating me for years. Yes, bumps in the road and the occasional sharp braking maneuver also provided some frustration, but a few hours in, ping! And it was open. I only wished I'd packed some additional locks!
Just remember the golden rule: never pick the same lock more than once in a row. Keep your mind sharp and your technique fresh.
Learn from the Locks, Not Just the Tools
This is ESSENTIAL and at the heart of building a good practice.
Yes, good tools help. A quality lock picking set with tension wrenches, hooks, and rakes will smooth the learning curve. But when it comes to picks, your real progress comes from how you practice, not what you practice with. As long as the tools are fit for purpose, you don't need the best of the best with all the trimmings. To this day, one of my favorite lock pick sets came in a lock picking beginners set. Maybe I'm just sentimental since I opened most of my first locks with that set. I even based the design of this BEGINNERS SET on my original set since it was so ahead of its time!
If you're just starting out, here's a minimalist but effective beginner's kit:
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Some hooks and rakes
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A tension wrench (standard bottom-of-keyway is fine for now)
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A variety of low-cost padlocks and cylinders, clear and cut-aways too
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A tray or organizer to rotate your practice locks
Focus less on collecting every exotic pick under the sun, and more on learning to read what the lock is telling you. The binding pin principle, setting pins, feedback, and all the rest are what you're looking to learn as a beginner.
Final Thoughts: Practice with Purpose
Lock picking for beginners doesn’t have to mean slow progress. If you train like the Lock Picking Lawyer — with intention, rotation, and a steady diet of unfamiliar locks — you’ll level up fast. You’ll go from knowing how to pick a lock to mastering how to pick locks.
So grab your lock picks, build your tray, and don’t be afraid to fail. Every lock is a new lesson, and every mistake or failure makes you a better lock picker.
And remember: it’s not about beating the lock. It’s about learning how to listen.
Follow these very simple practices and soon you'll be sitting there saying: "Nothing on two, we got a click from three, a click on four, and it's open!"
Beginner's Lock Picking Set with Practice Locks, Glossy Guide, and Lock Picks
LEVEL UP: Tools + Techniques Every Beginner Should Know
LEVEL UP: How to Identify The Binding Pin
Best wishes, and happy picking!
Chris Dangerfield