For Your Urban/E&E Kit or BOB - Bogota Entry Tools

You can also check out http://toool.us - if you're lucky you find a group close to you.
While you can learn from the book and from forum entries, I found it inspiring to learn with others.
 
youtube has several videos on lockpicking-a lot of them were with everyday stuff-pretty interesting stuff and kinda scary.
 
well, the lock industry is 90% or more bullshit ...
(not my words, but those from an insider who witnessed more than 50 years of it)

just look at the opening times in lockpicking championships - they are way below 20 minutes which seems to be the industry consent on what to consider pick resistant.

Even filing a key from a blank having nothing other than the lock, the blank and some tools, without any filing code being available, has been done in just under a minute (that is a very recent record, though).
 
Cool stuff! That added a few pages to my bookmarks menu. :cool::thumbup:
 
I sort of part ways on this being a skill that should only stay within certain circles. I carry a pick and a tension tool because I've been in situations where I needed access and had permission to have access but someone forgot the key, or lost the key. I think any skill or tool will only be used for bad purposes by people who are already of the mindset to commit crimes, and even if they don't know how to pick a lock they will use some other method. Locks are for honest people. Same with guns. I don't think we should outlaw guns simply because criminals use them in crimes. Besides, anyone that wants to learn how to pick locks need not look any further than a simple google search.

With all that said, there are classes that we only teach to LE or others with a real need for the particular skills. It's not so much that we are teaching something that can't already be found on the internet but we're hoping we have compiled it in a manner that allows the officer to make quick judgments on how to deal with the situation. For example, if you're chasing a fugitive through the woods how do you know whether he's a highly trained "bad ass" or simply a common thug? E&E skills, as with anything else, can be used for good and bad purposes and I would hope anyone who travels to dangerous places or pursues dangerous people would have a basic knowledge when it comes to a wide range of these skills.
 
Absolutely. Lock picking is a handy skill for ANYONE. The tools themselves have no will of their own. They can not commit crimes. People commit crimes (and most people who commit crimes do not use lock picks, they use brute force).

The warning is on the SerePick website as a CYA move I think. They will sell to hobbyists. All you have to do is email them.
 
R.A.T Thanks on the Link Mit lock picking guide! I too added it to my flash drive card! A good keeper!
 
I was just searching around to see opinions on the RC-6 accessory pack and I was thinking "hmm perfect place for a set of Ray's Bogotas" when I saw this thread lol! It was the altoids tin that made me think that since he used to store them in altoids gum tins (if I remember correctly).

I'm a bit of a lockpicking enthusiast. I got a set of Bogotas from Ray back in the day before he had a site, just operated out of PMs, and at one point almost stopped filling orders. Nice guy, he even threw in an extra pair (Sabana and double hump) for free when I got mine. Check out the lockpicking101.com forums. That's where Raimundo hangs out. He created the design when he was in Bogota (go figure). To this day it is the most praised raking design amongst pickers. Black magic to most locks. I always keep a pair on my keys...oh the irony. He's got a great guide for those DIYers that want to make a pair themselves. Just make sure to use streetsweeper bristle.

Its a fun hobby and useful skill if you get into it. It just takes a lot of patience and a responsible attitude. The MIT guide is good but it can be a little hard to visualize everything at first so I recommend you watch Deviant Ollam's video and run through his powerpoint (google his name).

I actually just got back from MIT yesterday...I'm still kicking myself that I didn't pick a lock there just to say I did lol. If I go back next summer I'll have to. I think that might be the only exception to the otherwise strict lockpickers code of ethics.

EDIT: Oh and anyone on the fence, just get a set. If they are anything like the handmade ones Ray used to put out then they are a freaking piece of art. Mirror finished. I'm still a little upset that I actually use them and scratch them up. I'll have to get a vanity set some day.
 
matt-

got a pair based off of your recommendations as well as the praise from the ITS tactical site.

after maybe 20-30 minutes of fiddling, i was able to pick the lock on my side door. i think it's all in how you rake the pins and the amount of tension. after i picked it i couldn't believe how easy it was to keep doing it. i believe i'm getting closer to the masterlock i'm fiddling with, each time i try i know at least 2 pins were in the right position, because when i ease the tension i hear multiple clicks (which i assume are the pins slipping back into place).

great piece of kit to throw in your ESEE pouch for "just in case" moments. definitely want to check laws in your area before purchasing though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top