Malf on 31/1/2014 at 12:46

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Much like many folks here, when the option presents itself in games, I usually play a sneaky type.
There's always been something about using stealth & skill to overcome ingenious situations that's appealed to me.

One of the things I've been particularly interested in is how a game interprets lock-picking. While RPGs mostly automatically resolve lock-pick attempts based on character statistics, I've always enjoyed seeing how various games implement minigames to interpret picking a lock.

So recently I though to myself "Why not try picking locks for real?".

To that end, I bought myself a set of picks and practise locks. I also brought them to work, and the guys have all been fascinated.

Today, my buddy was the first to pick one of the practise locks using a rake then picking the last tumbler, so I just had to do it then.
I repeated his technique first of raking the lock first, then picking the final tumbler. But that wasn't enough for me!
I then proceeded to pick the lock without any raking at all.

We then turned our attention to a real-world application, and attempted to pick the lock on our safe box, which we use to store software dongles. This turned out to be even easier, with only a couple of tumblers.

It's an incredible and unique feeling when you do successfully pick a lock, a real sense of satisfaction.

I'd definitely recommend you taffers give it a shot, but I'm also guessing a bunch of you have tried it.
So go on, fess up :D

PigLick on 31/1/2014 at 13:58

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I know HOW to pick a lock in theory, but have never tried. Where did you get the tools btw, online?

DDL on 31/1/2014 at 14:10

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I'll just rent one of Yakoob's NPCs.

catbarf on 31/1/2014 at 17:49

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(http://enterthecore.net/equipment.html) The CORE Group sells a good twelve-piece beginner's kit for thirty bucks. The main problem with a lot of cheap kits is durability. You do not want a tool to snap in half when you're trying to open a lock, because they can be under some pretty serious force.

You can make your own tools, by the way. A tough paperclip, dental pick, or thin screwdriver can work to move the pins, and an allen wrench can easily serve as a torque wrench to force the lock. Tools just make it easier to see what you're doing and not worry about breakage, and facilitate techniques like scrubbing.

Malf on 31/1/2014 at 21:20

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I think that's the thing we've all realised in the office. While we've had great fun picking the locks, we've all noticed that the easiest to pick is identical to the ones we have on our flats / houses. Which has made us a bit nervous to say the least!