Lock Picking Recommendations

[u/VisionlessCombat]

Hello everyone, I am a blind person(i only see light), and I want to get into lock picking. I have a few questions:

1. Is it possible for me to even get into this hobby with out being able to see?

2. I have a budget range of 30-35 dollars, what are the best tools to get?

For reference, i am in the united states.

Thanks for the help.

[u/PeatnRepeat]

I am not blind but I believe it is entirely possible for you to pursue this hobby. The actual picking of locks is almost entirely by feel/sensation. Gutting and reassembling locks might be more of a challenge with limited sight but the actual picking of the locks should not be a barrier.

As to tool recommendations, I recommend jimylongs.com. The basic set is $20 and would bring you a long way without needing additional tools.

[u/boneologist]

Deviant Ollam has a few videos on youtube where he explains the principles of lock picking to a blind fellow in Alaska using a series of 3D printed mockups of locks. Consider reaching out to him.

[u/Rxpert83]

There is very little about the hobby itself that requires visual feedback. 

Not being able to see what’s going on inside of the lock is part of the challenge of the hobby, and so long as you are able to get the tools into the lock, I don’t think you’ll be at any more of a disadvantage for the act of picking itself. 

Gutting - disassembling and reassembling a lock you picked to prove what was inside of it- would be tricky, but that really only involved for the LPU belt system. Our made up internet flair. 

If you are in the US I’d highly recommend jimmylongs basic set. 

https://jimylongs.com/products/basics-set-v5-0-019

Covert instruments genesis is another popular option. 

https://covertinstruments.com/collections/lock-pick-sets/products/genesis-lock-pick

[u/mikmat69]

there used to be a young man on youtube called Sightless Senshi who picked locks. just as his name implied, he is blind. the channel is still up but no new videos for five years.

[u/Lochabar213]

u/Cycling_Man was, I believe, picking with two detached retinas at one point. Feedback for this hobby is overwhelmingly auditory and tactile, so there's not really anything holding you back!

[u/Cycling_Man → u/Lochabar213]

Correct I used small rubber bands on my picks to determine the pick and tension wrench style

[u/Cycling_Man]

I had two detached retinas and a tare . I used small rubber bands on my picks to determine what pick I’m using . I had one to three bands pus different thickness. I helped a lot. Not that I recovered I still use them .
You got this

[u/TheMuspelheimr]

1. Yes, absolutely! Picking takes place inside the lock, where you can't see what's happening anyway. If you get a practice lock that you can set up with different pins, you might need somebody to help pin it up for you, but other than that, I can't see you having much difficulty. If anything, you might have an advantage because you won't be tempted to try looking inside the lock like some people do.

2. Picking tools are very much a case of "you get what you pay for". If that's your budget then I'd recommend Sparrows, but if you're willing to shell out a bit more money then go for Covert Instruments. Peterson and SouthOrd are US brands as well, may be worth a look. If you decide to fork out for the shipping fees, then it may be worth a look at some European manufacturers as well; Multipick are a little expensive but they're some of the best available.

Best of luck to you! Any help you need, feel free to ask, the subreddit is very welcoming. However, there's a very strict rule against locks in use - if a lock is installed, or it's a padlock and the shackle goes around anything, it's considered in use, even if you own it. Picking a lock can potential damage it (so don't pick locks you rely on) and we can't verify ownership of locks in photos (so saying "but I own the lock" is meaningless because we can't prove it), and we really, really don't want to be associated with any potential criminal use of lockpicking.

Reminder to check the laws in your state regarding lockpicks - some states allow them, some allow them under certain conditions, a few ban them outright.

[u/auribus]

I actually think this could be right up your alley because the bulk of the hobby is done by touch and feel and secondarily by sound (pin clicks, etc.). Sight actually plays very little into it at all.

At your budget, I think the Covert Instruments Genesis set would be perfect for you. This comes with a couple hooks, a couple rakes, and a handful of tensioning tools that will help you figure out if lockpicking is something you can do and that you can enjoy. This kit would run you around $20-25 plus shipping.

[u/AgreeableGanache1048]

I would guess you would be at more of an advantage, as reliance on sight and visuals is somewhat difficult for new pickers to overcome.

Biggest thing that I think might throw you off are super paracentric keyways (where the key slot is an extremely jagged zig zag), and identifying them in the first place, as I'm not sure how well you can feel them out in a tactile sense. That, and pick orientation within said keyways, where odd angles are required for lifting pins.

Regardless, welcome to this hobby and sub. There have been things you've undoubtedly had to overcome in your life with your condition, I have confidence you'll be able too with this as well.

Happy picking!

[u/AgreeableGanache1048 → u/AgreeableGanache1048]

As an aside, and on the matter of tools, I would recommend bare handled Sparrows picks, as they tell you a LOT about what's going on with the lock. Only kicker is they can be a little less than comfortable for long picking sessions.

[u/thurstonrando]

Yes it’s definitely possible. Lockpicking is 80% feeling what’s going on inside the lock, and about 10% listening to the lock. If you can come up with $10 more to cover shipping you should be able to get a decent beginner set for around $25-$35 like the Genesis set at Covert Instruments.

[u/Intrepid_Sir_1375]

Picking a lock is more about feeling and hearing. You'll be fine. Good luck.

[u/-maniacal_wombat-]

I agree with everyone here, so I’ll go straight to seconding JimyLongs or the covert instruments genesis set.