I'm making a #LearnLockpickingWithAlice zine for Fedi, and to hand out at an upcoming conference where I've been asked to host a lockpicking village.

@alice My biggest question: As a newbie, how do I tell if a given padlock is a good one to learn on, or really difficult?

I'm making a #LearnLockpickingWithAlice zine for Fedi, and to hand out at an upcoming conference where I've been asked to host a lockpicking village.

It's intended to answer "what should I know about lockpicking (and Alice) in the first 5 minutes?". Then I can explain concepts, teach techniques, and run hands-on demos from there.

If Fedi is excited about this, I'll likely do more in-depth ones on specific aspects of lockpicking and related skills, like: improvised tools, decoding combo locks, slipping latches, etc.

I'll make the finished versions available on my Codeberg page for free.

---

# 1 Alice Watson's Itty-Bitty Intro to Lockpicking

## 2 Picks

Slim teardrop-tip short hook for small keyways, sturdy gem-tip medium hook for bullying, a w-rake for luck, and several turning tools. I've opened 10x more locks with those three picks than all others combined.

Sketches: each of the 3 pick profiles, and a double-ended wiper-insert turning tool

## 3 Lock Types

Warded: wards stop wrong key from turning
Wafer: flat wafers prevent core turning
Pin-tumbler: pin stacks prevent core turning
Tubular: pin-tumbler, but circular arrangement

Sketches: a key and keyway for each of the 4 lock types, a wafer, and the inside of a pin-tumbler lock

## 4 Pins Types

A pin-stack consists of a spring, driver, and a key pin. Driver pins have different shapes, key pins have different lengths (bitting).

Standard: plain cylinder
Spool: like a thread spool, causes false-sets
Serrated: like standard pins, but clickier

There are many others, but they're much rarer.

Sketches: each of the 3 pins

## 5 Techniques

Torsion: rotates core, use just enough force to balance a few coins on your fingertip
Single-pin picking: find binding pin, set it, repeat
Raking: generate random bitting guesses—try rising, falling, flat, and rocking motions

Sketches: turning tool & pick setting pin in cutaway pin-tumbler lock, raking motions

## 6 Practice Locks

Clear: good for first 10 minutes, terrible feedback
Laminated Master: good until trivial
Master 140: has spools, good until trivial

Sketches: each of the 3 padlocks

## 7 Bypasses

Keys (TSA007, CH751): they just work
Combs: open some locks as fast as the key
Shims: good for cheap padlocks

Sketches: TSA007 & CH751 keys, comb, padlock and door shims

## 8 About Alice

Alice is a love-lock enthusiast, professional lockpicker, and lockpicking instructor who has been in the sport for nearly a decade. In that time, Alice has taught at several security conferences, hosted workshops, become a brand ambassador for Red Team Tools, and opened many thousands of locks.

Sketches: Alice's profile pic, heart-shaped love lock

LGBTQIA.space/@alice
[email address]

I'm making a #LearnLockpickingWithAlice zine for Fedi, and to hand out at an upcoming conference where I've been asked to host a lockpicking village.

It's intended to answer "what should I know about lockpicking (and Alice) in the first 5 minutes?". Then I can explain concepts, teach techniques, and run hands-on demos from there.

If Fedi is excited about this, I'll likely do more in-depth ones on specific aspects of lockpicking and related skills, like: improvised tools, decoding combo locks, slipping latches, etc.

I'll make the finished versions available on my Codeberg page for free.

---

# 1 Alice Watson's Itty-Bitty Intro to Lockpicking

## 2 Picks

Slim teardrop-tip short hook for small keyways, sturdy gem-tip medium hook for bullying, a w-rake for luck, and several turning tools. I've opened 10x more locks with those three picks than all others combined.

Sketches: each of the 3 pick profiles, and a double-ended wiper-insert turning tool

## 3 Lock Types

Warded: wards stop wrong key from turning
Wafer: flat wafers prevent core turning
Pin-tumbler: pin stacks prevent core turning
Tubular: pin-tumbler, but circular arrangement

Sketches: a key and keyway for each of the 4 lock types, a wafer, and the inside of a pin-tumbler lock

## 4 Pins Types

A pin-stack consists of a spring, driver, and a key pin. Driver pins have different shapes, key pins have different lengths (bitting).

Standard: plain cylinder
Spool: like a thread spool, causes false-sets
Serrated: like standard pins, but clickier

There are many others, but they're much rarer.

Sketches: each of the 3 pins

## 5 Techniques

Torsion: rotates core, use just enough force to balance a few coins on your fingertip
Single-pin picking: find binding pin, set it, repeat
Raking: generate random bitting guesses—try rising, falling, flat, and rocking motions

Sketches: turning tool & pick setting pin in cutaway pin-tumbler lock, raking motions

## 6 Practice Locks

Clear: good for first 10 minutes, terrible feedback
Laminated Master: good until trivial
Master 140: has spools, good until trivial

Sketches: each of the 3 padlocks

## 7 Bypasses

Keys (TSA007, CH751): they just work
Combs: open some locks as fast as the key
Shims: good for cheap padlocks

Sketches: TSA007 & CH751 keys, comb, padlock and door shims

## 8 About Alice

Alice is a love-lock enthusiast, professional lockpicker, and lockpicking instructor who has been in the sport for nearly a decade. In that time, Alice has taught at several security conferences, hosted workshops, become a brand ambassador for Red Team Tools, and opened many thousands of locks.

Sketches: Alice's profile pic, heart-shaped love lock

LGBTQIA.space/@alice
[email address]

@alice I’m very interested in what you have to teach.

I'm making a #LearnLockpickingWithAlice zine for Fedi, and to hand out at an upcoming conference where I've been asked to host a lockpicking village.

It's intended to answer "what should I know about lockpicking (and Alice) in the first 5 minutes?". Then I can explain concepts, teach techniques, and run hands-on demos from there.

If Fedi is excited about this, I'll likely do more in-depth ones on specific aspects of lockpicking and related skills, like: improvised tools, decoding combo locks, slipping latches, etc.

I'll make the finished versions available on my Codeberg page for free.

---

# 1 Alice Watson's Itty-Bitty Intro to Lockpicking

## 2 Picks

Slim teardrop-tip short hook for small keyways, sturdy gem-tip medium hook for bullying, a w-rake for luck, and several turning tools. I've opened 10x more locks with those three picks than all others combined.

Sketches: each of the 3 pick profiles, and a double-ended wiper-insert turning tool

## 3 Lock Types

Warded: wards stop wrong key from turning
Wafer: flat wafers prevent core turning
Pin-tumbler: pin stacks prevent core turning
Tubular: pin-tumbler, but circular arrangement

Sketches: a key and keyway for each of the 4 lock types, a wafer, and the inside of a pin-tumbler lock

## 4 Pins Types

A pin-stack consists of a spring, driver, and a key pin. Driver pins have different shapes, key pins have different lengths (bitting).

Standard: plain cylinder
Spool: like a thread spool, causes false-sets
Serrated: like standard pins, but clickier

There are many others, but they're much rarer.

Sketches: each of the 3 pins

## 5 Techniques

Torsion: rotates core, use just enough force to balance a few coins on your fingertip
Single-pin picking: find binding pin, set it, repeat
Raking: generate random bitting guesses—try rising, falling, flat, and rocking motions

Sketches: turning tool & pick setting pin in cutaway pin-tumbler lock, raking motions

## 6 Practice Locks

Clear: good for first 10 minutes, terrible feedback
Laminated Master: good until trivial
Master 140: has spools, good until trivial

Sketches: each of the 3 padlocks

## 7 Bypasses

Keys (TSA007, CH751): they just work
Combs: open some locks as fast as the key
Shims: good for cheap padlocks

Sketches: TSA007 & CH751 keys, comb, padlock and door shims

## 8 About Alice

Alice is a love-lock enthusiast, professional lockpicker, and lockpicking instructor who has been in the sport for nearly a decade. In that time, Alice has taught at several security conferences, hosted workshops, become a brand ambassador for Red Team Tools, and opened many thousands of locks.

Sketches: Alice's profile pic, heart-shaped love lock

LGBTQIA.space/@alice
[email address]

@alice You missed a bit in section #8 Alice is awesome.

I'm making a #LearnLockpickingWithAlice zine for Fedi, and to hand out at an upcoming conference where I've been asked to host a lockpicking village.

It's intended to answer "what should I know about lockpicking (and Alice) in the first 5 minutes?". Then I can explain concepts, teach techniques, and run hands-on demos from there.

If Fedi is excited about this, I'll likely do more in-depth ones on specific aspects of lockpicking and related skills, like: improvised tools, decoding combo locks, slipping latches, etc.

I'll make the finished versions available on my Codeberg page for free.

---

# 1 Alice Watson's Itty-Bitty Intro to Lockpicking

## 2 Picks

Slim teardrop-tip short hook for small keyways, sturdy gem-tip medium hook for bullying, a w-rake for luck, and several turning tools. I've opened 10x more locks with those three picks than all others combined.

Sketches: each of the 3 pick profiles, and a double-ended wiper-insert turning tool

## 3 Lock Types

Warded: wards stop wrong key from turning
Wafer: flat wafers prevent core turning
Pin-tumbler: pin stacks prevent core turning
Tubular: pin-tumbler, but circular arrangement

Sketches: a key and keyway for each of the 4 lock types, a wafer, and the inside of a pin-tumbler lock

## 4 Pins Types

A pin-stack consists of a spring, driver, and a key pin. Driver pins have different shapes, key pins have different lengths (bitting).

Standard: plain cylinder
Spool: like a thread spool, causes false-sets
Serrated: like standard pins, but clickier

There are many others, but they're much rarer.

Sketches: each of the 3 pins

## 5 Techniques

Torsion: rotates core, use just enough force to balance a few coins on your fingertip
Single-pin picking: find binding pin, set it, repeat
Raking: generate random bitting guesses—try rising, falling, flat, and rocking motions

Sketches: turning tool & pick setting pin in cutaway pin-tumbler lock, raking motions

## 6 Practice Locks

Clear: good for first 10 minutes, terrible feedback
Laminated Master: good until trivial
Master 140: has spools, good until trivial

Sketches: each of the 3 padlocks

## 7 Bypasses

Keys (TSA007, CH751): they just work
Combs: open some locks as fast as the key
Shims: good for cheap padlocks

Sketches: TSA007 & CH751 keys, comb, padlock and door shims

## 8 About Alice

Alice is a love-lock enthusiast, professional lockpicker, and lockpicking instructor who has been in the sport for nearly a decade. In that time, Alice has taught at several security conferences, hosted workshops, become a brand ambassador for Red Team Tools, and opened many thousands of locks.

Sketches: Alice's profile pic, heart-shaped love lock

LGBTQIA.space/@alice
[email address]

I'm making a #LearnLockpickingWithAlice zine for Fedi, and to hand out at an upcoming conference where I've been asked to host a lockpicking village.

It's intended to answer "what should I know about lockpicking (and Alice) in the first 5 minutes?". Then I can explain concepts, teach techniques, and run hands-on demos from there.

If Fedi is excited about this, I'll likely do more in-depth ones on specific aspects of lockpicking and related skills, like: improvised tools, decoding combo locks, slipping latches, etc.

I'll make the finished versions available on my Codeberg page for free.

---

# 1 Alice Watson's Itty-Bitty Intro to Lockpicking

## 2 Picks

Slim teardrop-tip short hook for small keyways, sturdy gem-tip medium hook for bullying, a w-rake for luck, and several turning tools. I've opened 10x more locks with those three picks than all others combined.

Sketches: each of the 3 pick profiles, and a double-ended wiper-insert turning tool

## 3 Lock Types

Warded: wards stop wrong key from turning
Wafer: flat wafers prevent core turning
Pin-tumbler: pin stacks prevent core turning
Tubular: pin-tumbler, but circular arrangement

Sketches: a key and keyway for each of the 4 lock types, a wafer, and the inside of a pin-tumbler lock

## 4 Pins Types

A pin-stack consists of a spring, driver, and a key pin. Driver pins have different shapes, key pins have different lengths (bitting).

Standard: plain cylinder
Spool: like a thread spool, causes false-sets
Serrated: like standard pins, but clickier

There are many others, but they're much rarer.

Sketches: each of the 3 pins

## 5 Techniques

Torsion: rotates core, use just enough force to balance a few coins on your fingertip
Single-pin picking: find binding pin, set it, repeat
Raking: generate random bitting guesses—try rising, falling, flat, and rocking motions

Sketches: turning tool & pick setting pin in cutaway pin-tumbler lock, raking motions

## 6 Practice Locks

Clear: good for first 10 minutes, terrible feedback
Laminated Master: good until trivial
Master 140: has spools, good until trivial

Sketches: each of the 3 padlocks

## 7 Bypasses

Keys (TSA007, CH751): they just work
Combs: open some locks as fast as the key
Shims: good for cheap padlocks

Sketches: TSA007 & CH751 keys, comb, padlock and door shims

## 8 About Alice

Alice is a love-lock enthusiast, professional lockpicker, and lockpicking instructor who has been in the sport for nearly a decade. In that time, Alice has taught at several security conferences, hosted workshops, become a brand ambassador for Red Team Tools, and opened many thousands of locks.

Sketches: Alice's profile pic, heart-shaped love lock

LGBTQIA.space/@alice
[email address]

@diverdutch I could include a couple short testimonials for good measure

@diverdutch I could include a couple short testimonials for good measure

I'm making a #LearnLockpickingWithAlice zine for Fedi, and to hand out at an upcoming conference where I've been asked to host a lockpicking village.

It's intended to answer "what should I know about lockpicking (and Alice) in the first 5 minutes?". Then I can explain concepts, teach techniques, and run hands-on demos from there.

If Fedi is excited about this, I'll likely do more in-depth ones on specific aspects of lockpicking and related skills, like: improvised tools, decoding combo locks, slipping latches, etc.

I'll make the finished versions available on my Codeberg page for free.

---

# 1 Alice Watson's Itty-Bitty Intro to Lockpicking

## 2 Picks

Slim teardrop-tip short hook for small keyways, sturdy gem-tip medium hook for bullying, a w-rake for luck, and several turning tools. I've opened 10x more locks with those three picks than all others combined.

Sketches: each of the 3 pick profiles, and a double-ended wiper-insert turning tool

## 3 Lock Types

Warded: wards stop wrong key from turning
Wafer: flat wafers prevent core turning
Pin-tumbler: pin stacks prevent core turning
Tubular: pin-tumbler, but circular arrangement

Sketches: a key and keyway for each of the 4 lock types, a wafer, and the inside of a pin-tumbler lock

## 4 Pins Types

A pin-stack consists of a spring, driver, and a key pin. Driver pins have different shapes, key pins have different lengths (bitting).

Standard: plain cylinder
Spool: like a thread spool, causes false-sets
Serrated: like standard pins, but clickier

There are many others, but they're much rarer.

Sketches: each of the 3 pins

## 5 Techniques

Torsion: rotates core, use just enough force to balance a few coins on your fingertip
Single-pin picking: find binding pin, set it, repeat
Raking: generate random bitting guesses—try rising, falling, flat, and rocking motions

Sketches: turning tool & pick setting pin in cutaway pin-tumbler lock, raking motions

## 6 Practice Locks

Clear: good for first 10 minutes, terrible feedback
Laminated Master: good until trivial
Master 140: has spools, good until trivial

Sketches: each of the 3 padlocks

## 7 Bypasses

Keys (TSA007, CH751): they just work
Combs: open some locks as fast as the key
Shims: good for cheap padlocks

Sketches: TSA007 & CH751 keys, comb, padlock and door shims

## 8 About Alice

Alice is a love-lock enthusiast, professional lockpicker, and lockpicking instructor who has been in the sport for nearly a decade. In that time, Alice has taught at several security conferences, hosted workshops, become a brand ambassador for Red Team Tools, and opened many thousands of locks.

Sketches: Alice's profile pic, heart-shaped love lock

LGBTQIA.space/@alice
[email address]

I'm making a #LearnLockpickingWithAlice zine for Fedi, and to hand out at an upcoming conference where I've been asked to host a lockpicking village.

It's intended to answer "what should I know about lockpicking (and Alice) in the first 5 minutes?". Then I can explain concepts, teach techniques, and run hands-on demos from there.

If Fedi is excited about this, I'll likely do more in-depth ones on specific aspects of lockpicking and related skills, like: improvised tools, decoding combo locks, slipping latches, etc.

I'll make the finished versions available on my Codeberg page for free.

---

# 1 Alice Watson's Itty-Bitty Intro to Lockpicking

## 2 Picks

Slim teardrop-tip short hook for small keyways, sturdy gem-tip medium hook for bullying, a w-rake for luck, and several turning tools. I've opened 10x more locks with those three picks than all others combined.

Sketches: each of the 3 pick profiles, and a double-ended wiper-insert turning tool

## 3 Lock Types

Warded: wards stop wrong key from turning
Wafer: flat wafers prevent core turning
Pin-tumbler: pin stacks prevent core turning
Tubular: pin-tumbler, but circular arrangement

Sketches: a key and keyway for each of the 4 lock types, a wafer, and the inside of a pin-tumbler lock

## 4 Pins Types

A pin-stack consists of a spring, driver, and a key pin. Driver pins have different shapes, key pins have different lengths (bitting).

Standard: plain cylinder
Spool: like a thread spool, causes false-sets
Serrated: like standard pins, but clickier

There are many others, but they're much rarer.

Sketches: each of the 3 pins

## 5 Techniques

Torsion: rotates core, use just enough force to balance a few coins on your fingertip
Single-pin picking: find binding pin, set it, repeat
Raking: generate random bitting guesses—try rising, falling, flat, and rocking motions

Sketches: turning tool & pick setting pin in cutaway pin-tumbler lock, raking motions

## 6 Practice Locks

Clear: good for first 10 minutes, terrible feedback
Laminated Master: good until trivial
Master 140: has spools, good until trivial

Sketches: each of the 3 padlocks

## 7 Bypasses

Keys (TSA007, CH751): they just work
Combs: open some locks as fast as the key
Shims: good for cheap padlocks

Sketches: TSA007 & CH751 keys, comb, padlock and door shims

## 8 About Alice

Alice is a love-lock enthusiast, professional lockpicker, and lockpicking instructor who has been in the sport for nearly a decade. In that time, Alice has taught at several security conferences, hosted workshops, become a brand ambassador for Red Team Tools, and opened many thousands of locks.

Sketches: Alice's profile pic, heart-shaped love lock

LGBTQIA.space/@alice
[email address]

I'm making a #LearnLockpickingWithAlice zine for Fedi, and to hand out at an upcoming conference where I've been asked to host a lockpicking village.

It's intended to answer "what should I know about lockpicking (and Alice) in the first 5 minutes?". Then I can explain concepts, teach techniques, and run hands-on demos from there.

If Fedi is excited about this, I'll likely do more in-depth ones on specific aspects of lockpicking and related skills, like: improvised tools, decoding combo locks, slipping latches, etc.

I'll make the finished versions available on my Codeberg page for free.

---

# 1 Alice Watson's Itty-Bitty Intro to Lockpicking

## 2 Picks

Slim teardrop-tip short hook for small keyways, sturdy gem-tip medium hook for bullying, a w-rake for luck, and several turning tools. I've opened 10x more locks with those three picks than all others combined.

Sketches: each of the 3 pick profiles, and a double-ended wiper-insert turning tool

## 3 Lock Types

Warded: wards stop wrong key from turning
Wafer: flat wafers prevent core turning
Pin-tumbler: pin stacks prevent core turning
Tubular: pin-tumbler, but circular arrangement

Sketches: a key and keyway for each of the 4 lock types, a wafer, and the inside of a pin-tumbler lock

## 4 Pins Types

A pin-stack consists of a spring, driver, and a key pin. Driver pins have different shapes, key pins have different lengths (bitting).

Standard: plain cylinder
Spool: like a thread spool, causes false-sets
Serrated: like standard pins, but clickier

There are many others, but they're much rarer.

Sketches: each of the 3 pins

## 5 Techniques

Torsion: rotates core, use just enough force to balance a few coins on your fingertip
Single-pin picking: find binding pin, set it, repeat
Raking: generate random bitting guesses—try rising, falling, flat, and rocking motions

Sketches: turning tool & pick setting pin in cutaway pin-tumbler lock, raking motions

## 6 Practice Locks

Clear: good for first 10 minutes, terrible feedback
Laminated Master: good until trivial
Master 140: has spools, good until trivial

Sketches: each of the 3 padlocks

## 7 Bypasses

Keys (TSA007, CH751): they just work
Combs: open some locks as fast as the key
Shims: good for cheap padlocks

Sketches: TSA007 & CH751 keys, comb, padlock and door shims

## 8 About Alice

Alice is a love-lock enthusiast, professional lockpicker, and lockpicking instructor who has been in the sport for nearly a decade. In that time, Alice has taught at several security conferences, hosted workshops, become a brand ambassador for Red Team Tools, and opened many thousands of locks.

Sketches: Alice's profile pic, heart-shaped love lock

LGBTQIA.space/@alice
[email address]

@alice @diverdutch "Alice shares her passion clearly and makes learning fun, unlocking potential wherever she goes"

@alice I would love to see this! An updated zine would be awesome. Have you seen Schuyler's from like 20 years ago? https://www.locksport.net/files/LSI_Guide_To_Lockpicking.pdf

@alice

I had no idea you were into lock picking.

I don't suppose you do or would consider a total beginners' course?

@DarkSheepArts I'd be happy to. Check out the hashtag in the parent post for a short series I did for Fedi.

Were you thinking something in person, remote, or materials for DIY learning?

I'm making a #LearnLockpickingWithAlice zine for Fedi, and to hand out at an upcoming conference where I've been asked to host a lockpicking village.

It's intended to answer "what should I know about lockpicking (and Alice) in the first 5 minutes?". Then I can explain concepts, teach techniques, and run hands-on demos from there.

If Fedi is excited about this, I'll likely do more in-depth ones on specific aspects of lockpicking and related skills, like: improvised tools, decoding combo locks, slipping latches, etc.

I'll make the finished versions available on my Codeberg page for free.

---

# 1 Alice Watson's Itty-Bitty Intro to Lockpicking

## 2 Picks

Slim teardrop-tip short hook for small keyways, sturdy gem-tip medium hook for bullying, a w-rake for luck, and several turning tools. I've opened 10x more locks with those three picks than all others combined.

Sketches: each of the 3 pick profiles, and a double-ended wiper-insert turning tool

## 3 Lock Types

Warded: wards stop wrong key from turning
Wafer: flat wafers prevent core turning
Pin-tumbler: pin stacks prevent core turning
Tubular: pin-tumbler, but circular arrangement

Sketches: a key and keyway for each of the 4 lock types, a wafer, and the inside of a pin-tumbler lock

## 4 Pins Types

A pin-stack consists of a spring, driver, and a key pin. Driver pins have different shapes, key pins have different lengths (bitting).

Standard: plain cylinder
Spool: like a thread spool, causes false-sets
Serrated: like standard pins, but clickier

There are many others, but they're much rarer.

Sketches: each of the 3 pins

## 5 Techniques

Torsion: rotates core, use just enough force to balance a few coins on your fingertip
Single-pin picking: find binding pin, set it, repeat
Raking: generate random bitting guesses—try rising, falling, flat, and rocking motions

Sketches: turning tool & pick setting pin in cutaway pin-tumbler lock, raking motions

## 6 Practice Locks

Clear: good for first 10 minutes, terrible feedback
Laminated Master: good until trivial
Master 140: has spools, good until trivial

Sketches: each of the 3 padlocks

## 7 Bypasses

Keys (TSA007, CH751): they just work
Combs: open some locks as fast as the key
Shims: good for cheap padlocks

Sketches: TSA007 & CH751 keys, comb, padlock and door shims

## 8 About Alice

Alice is a love-lock enthusiast, professional lockpicker, and lockpicking instructor who has been in the sport for nearly a decade. In that time, Alice has taught at several security conferences, hosted workshops, become a brand ambassador for Red Team Tools, and opened many thousands of locks.

Sketches: Alice's profile pic, heart-shaped love lock

LGBTQIA.space/@alice
[email address]