A comprehensive, fully illustrated guide to the fascinating sport of picking locks, Locksport is authored by five of the field’s foremost champions. Together, they’ll show you how to ethically, efficiently, and effectively bypass anything—from simple locks and safe dials to deadlocks and vaults.
Welcome to the world of locksport, the sport of defeating locks. Whether you’re new to the challenge of lockpicking or aiming for championship gold, this book serves as your definitive guide, packed with practical advice from a team of experts.
DIVE INTO THE ESSENTIALS WITH LOCKSPORT FOUNDATIONS
How various locks work and how to maintain and disassemble practice locks
What makes some locks more secure than others
The laws, competitions, and communities that make up the world of locksport
MASTER YOUR CRAFT WITH HANDS-ON TECHNIQUES
How to pick pin tumblers and lever locks, make impressions or craft a working key from a blank, and manipulate open combination safe locks
How to work with picks, rakes, tension wrenches, files, magnification tools, safe-lock graphs, and depth-measuring instruments
The intricacies of security pins, wards, dimple locks, keyways, and antique locks
GAIN THE COMPETITIVE EDGE WITH COMPETITION INSIGHTS
The ins and outs of competition setup and tools and how to host your own competitions
Expert strategies for managing your nerves and gathering lock intel
What it’s like to participate in timed head-to-head competitions, PicTacToe™, escape challenges, and other lockpicking contests
From mastering your first padlock to conquering a competition, Locksport will show you how to take your skills to the next level—and have endless fun doing it.
Author(s): Jos Weyers, Matt Burrough, Walter Belgers, BandEAtoZ, Nigel Tolley
Edition: 1
Publisher: No Starch Press
Year: 2024
Language: English
Pages: 419
Cover
Praise for Locksport
Title page
Copyright page
Dedication
About the Authors
About the Technical Reviewer
Brief Contents
Contents in Detail
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I: The Basics
1. The World of Locksport
The History of Locksport
Lockpicking Groups and Hackers
Competitions
Rules
Legality
US Laws
Dutch Laws
UK Laws
German Laws
Australian Laws
Groups and How to Find Them
US Groups
Dutch Groups
UK Groups
German Groups
Australian Groups
2. Types of Locks and Cylinders
Padlocks
Cylinder Locks
Euro Profile Cylinders
Key-in-Knob Cylinders
Interchangeable Core Cylinders
Rim and Mortise Cylinders
Mortise Locksets
3. Lock Mechanics
Elements of a Lock
The Housing or Cylinder
The Shackle or Bolt
The Plug
The Core
The Keyway
Pins, Wafers, Discs, and Levers
Springs
The Bible
The Wheel Pack and Drive Cam
Cams, Tails, Latches, and Ball Bearings
Locking Mechanisms
Pin-Based Locks
Wafer Locks
Combination Locks
Lever Locks
Warded Locks
Disc Detainer Locks
4. High-Security Lock Elements
Off-Axis Pins
Side Pins
Trap Pins
Security Pins
Spool Pins
Serrated Pins
Chisel-Tipped Pins
Pin-in-Pins
Other Pin Shapes
Sidebars
Wards and Paracentric Keyways
Interactive Key Elements
Magnets
5. Lock Maintenance for Locksporters
Disassembling Locks
Useful Tools
Step 1: Unlock and Remove the Lock
Step 2: Orient the Plug
Step 3: Remove the Plug’s Retaining Mechanism
Step 4: Install the Pinning Shoe (Euro Profile Cylinder Only)
Step 5: Remove the Plug
Step 6: Dump the Key Pins
Step 7: Release the Driver Pins and Springs
Repinning Locks
Reassembling Locks
Step 1: Insert the Springs and Driver Pins
Step 2: Populate the Plug
Step 3: Check the Key
Step 4: Insert the Plug
Step 5: Lock the Lock
Step 6: Install the Plug-Retaining Mechanism
Step 7: Test It Out
Applying Lubrication
Part II: Pin Tumbler Lockpicking
6. Pin Tumbler Lockpicking Tools
Tension Wrenches
Raking Tools
Picking Tools
Dimple Picks
Pick Guns
Comb Picks
Tool-Buying Advice
7. Pin Tumbler Lockpicking Step-by-Step
Tensioning
Using the Tension Wrench
Tensioning the Cam
Using a Vise
Raking
Using a Rake
Determining When to Rake
Single-Pin Picking
Picking Standard Pins
Picking Security Pins
Overcoming Single-Pin-Picking Challenges
Combining Raking and Single-Pin Picking
Using the Waltering Technique
Using Pick Guns
Picking Other Types of Locks
Dimple Locks
Locks with Multiple Rows of Pins
Locks with Passive Key Control
Locks with Sliders
Locks with Rotating Pins
Disc Detainer Locks
Locks with Unusual Keyways
Specialty Locks
Creating or Adapting Tools
Getting Experience
8. Pin Tumbler Lockpicking Competitions
Competition Basics
At the Competition
Inspecting Your Locks
Feeling the Lock
Doing Lock Recon
Organizing Your Knowledge
Observing Your Competitors
Being a Good Sport
Keeping Your Cool
The Competitions
TOOOL US
TOOOL Netherlands
SSDeV, SPASS, and the ACZ
TOOOL Australia
ACF France
Part III: Impressioning
9. Impressioning Tools
Key Handles
Purpose-Built Handles
Custom Handles
Improvised Handles
Files
Cuts
Shapes
Sizes
Key-Cutting Machines
Magnification
Lights
Power
Vises
Workbenches
Depth-Measuring Tools
Calipers
Key Gauges
Space-Measuring Tools
Locks and Blanks
Other Accessories
10. Impressioning Step-by-Step
Setting Up Your Gear
Mount the Lock
Mount the Key in the Handle
Prepare the Key
Impressioning Road Map
Impressioning an ABUS C83
Secure Your Key
Make the Initial Marks
File the First Cut
Repeat the Process
Impressioning a Schlage
Using Other Tips and Tricks
Spacing and Depth Guidelines
Filing Tips
Mark-Reading Techniques
11. Impressioning Competitions
Honing Your Contest-Level Skills
Do One Thing Well
Calibrate Your Technique
Keep Up Momentum
Break Keys
Listen to Your Body
Optimizing Training
Packing
Understanding the Competition Environment
Arriving at the Venue
Registering to Compete
Choosing Competition Tactics
Going Through a Competition
Round One
Finals
Organizing an Impressioning Competition
Part IV: Safe-Lock Manipulation
12. Safe-Lock Manipulation Tools
Choosing a Lock
Lock Classifications
Lock Recommendations
Lock Sources
Gathering Other Safe-Lock Manipulation Supplies
Lock Mounts
Graphing Charts
Index-Line Stickers
Performing Lock Disassembly and Assembly
Making Your Own Cutaway Lock
Setting the Combination
Using Other Resources
13. Safe-Lock Manipulation Step-by-Step
Dialing with Precision
Design Tolerances
Wheel Rotation
Finding Contact Points
Graphing to Find Your First Number
Moving All Three Wheels
Running Only Wheel 3
Finding True Center
Running High Low Tests
Finding Your Second Number
Brute-Forcing to Find the Last Number
14. Safe-Lock Manipulation Competitions
Considerations for Organizers
Registration and Divisions
Timing and Combination Setting
Lock and Personnel Distribution
The Competition Environment
Considerations for Competitors
Consistency and Speed
Graphing Charts
Simplified Dial Reading
Pregame Decisions
Game-Time Tips
Competition Rules
Example 1: The Czech Lockpicking Championship
Example 2: The Safe & Vault Technicians Association Competition
Part V: Lever Lockpicking
15. Lever Lockpicking Tools
Single-Acting Warded Locks
Types of Wards
Double-Acting Lever Locks
Lever Lock Keys
Lever Lock Precision and Tolerances
Hobbs Picks
Lever Lockpicks and J Wires
Practice Locks
Lever Lock Disassembly and Reassembly
16. Lever Lockpicking Step-by-Step
Lever Lockpicking Overview
Tension the Lock Bolt
Locate the Lever Pack
Probe the Levers to Determine Their State
Move the Binding Lever
Repeat the Process to Open the Lock
Troubleshooting
Pack Compression
Antipicks
Decoding the Lock
17. Lever Lockpicking Competitions
The Competition Setup
Competition Tools
Competition Locks
European Competition Locks
UK Competition Locks
Improving Your Odds of an Open
Controlling Your Nerves
Getting Intel on the Lock
Competition Dos and Don’ts
Running Your Own Lever Lockpicking Competition
2014 LockCon
2019 LockCon
2022 LockCon
Other Hosting Considerations
Appendix A: Other Locksport Games
Timed Head-to-Head Challenge
Timed Challenge Tips
DIY Set Instructions
PicTacToe
PicTacToe Tips
Escape Challenges
Escape Challenge Tips
Direct-Entry Chain and Cable Locks
The Room
The Belt System
Appendix B: Where to Get Equipment
Picking Tools and Tensioners
Impressioning Tools
Safe Locks and Accessories
Lever Locks
Lock Maintenance Tools
Miscellaneous Items
Other Books and Papers
Index
Back Cover
