Who keeps Lock Picks in their BOB

T. Erdelyi

T. Erdelyi

Joined
Feb 3, 2001
Messages
32,359
I have a small PSK that includes a small Medic Kit and included in this kit I keep a very basic Lock Pick Set 5 basic pick and a tension wrench.

It's come in handy a few times, which is why I keep it, ya never know worst case scenario I might have to pick a door lock or a pad lock, remember this would only be in a survival situation.

Now who here is skilled enough and have picks they carry for the same reason?

Here are a few links to lockpickin' it's not as difficult as you think, lockpicking101

Locksmith supplies
 
Nah, but a Bump Key and a tennis ball does much.


[Note on the tennis ball thing - Several people on an Auto forum said this only works with old cars. I don't know either way. I'm not into cars, especially not old ones]
 
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Pardon my ignorance, but what role would they serve well enough (in the context of a BOB) to warrant including them ? I could understand a set of needle files maybe, but I'm sure I've got something that will get me through a locked door...we are talking about when things get ugly after all.
 
I have some lock picking tools, but for a BoB scenario, I'm going through windows and kicking down doors if need be.
 
its something that i'm mildly interested in learning, but i'm not interested enough for the time being to get past the "that looks really complicated" stage.

i think it would be handy to know just for cases when you forget your keys or you lock yourself out of your car. or if someone else locks themself out of their car, etc.

in a survival style situation, i vote kick the doors in. of course, there can be cases that discretion would be preferred, but i'm not patient enough to learn to pick right now.

neat forum that you linked to by the way, but the stickies and bulletins make the busse forum look slim.
 
Lock picking simple locks is easy. For me it was more about practice and getting a feel for it. The theory itself is really easy though.

For a BOB that would prob be left at home until it was needed, I don't see why not although I think when the SHTF, breaking windows will be easier.

For an EDC PSK I would think that there would be too many legal issues.
 
VANCE said:
im think of the term "burglery tools" might come into question
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Depending on what side of the badge you are on they might also be called covert entry tools. But you are correct, at least in Calif. if your not a lock smith or L.E. they may be called burglery tools and are a felony to possess.

Anyway

As far as a survival situation, if necessary to gain entry to a building kicking a door or breaking a window would be faster and easier but may draw unwanted attention.
They may come in handy in an urban enviroment. Here in sunny Calif. where cities border each other and boundries change in the middle of streets, many flood control chanels, electric, gas and other right of ways are kept fenced and locked to protect us from ourselves and the deep pocket oweners safe from law suits.
It might be nice to have access those areas to take a more direct and unobserved route to your next destination.
There may also be other fenced areas that you may find it necessary to enter or pass throught.
Another possible use would be when the big one hits here in Calif.. When it does most or all of the streets and highways will be blocked. In that situation a bike might be a good mode of transportation. I am pretty sure you might find one abbandond but chained to a bike rack at one of the local schools.
 
here is a pic of my lock pick i carry in my BOB.... its the one on the left...

TOPS_Knives0001.JPG


TOPS Outfitter's Axe #06

--- Eric
 
i do keep them on my person, but they are in my wallet. i wouldnt really concider them a survival tool though, more to save money and not have to pay for a locksmith. i dont think that it is a bad idea to keep them in a BoB, sice that is somthing one would always have with them and they could come in handy.
 
There are situations when you don't want to leave any evidence that you have been some where. However, since the picks are so small I think that I would hide them on my person not leave them in a BOB.
 
I've been involved in runnin' my families salvage yard for awhile always had several sets on me for cars and when I was maintenance supervisor I always had them with me.

As far as legality IIRC most distributers of tools have a very broad definition of locksmith.

I've never used 'em illegally but I sure wouldn't want to be without 'em.

It's like a condom, I'd rather have 'em and not need 'em, than to need 'em and not have 'em.:D
 
Seahawk said:
There are situations when you don't want to leave any evidence that you have been some where. However, since the picks are so small I think that I would hide them on my person not leave them in a BOB.
Click to expand...


Like when? I don't mean to sound like a prick, but if SHTF, I don't care who knows where I am really...
 
My buddy Normark got me pickin locks, and I am glad he did,
About two years ago myself and two guys went to set bear baits up north and we were spose to meet up at the base camp with they guy that was setting them(my two buddies) up with spots for bears. We were about a two hour drive to this guys place and about an hour from anywhere,

Some how this guy didn't meet up with us,(truck broke) and the cabin was locked.
we had gotten supplies in town and had plenty of food,water ,beer. ect
but nowhere to sleep. so after a couple of hours of waiting I simply picked the lock and in we went, We had permission to be there, and the door was suppose to be open, so instead of an uncomfortable night with the three of us not so little guys sleeping in a F-150 with buckets of bear bait in the back .

If it were a real SHTF type thing yeah I would have opened the door with a boot but we knew the guy and really didn't want to break his stuff.

from there on I have carried a W rake and a tension lever in my BOB, they take next to no space and are one of the few things I have needed to use.
so why not. I have had to open several locks since( toolbox, lost keys. ect)
and it is just plain fun


cya
jimi
 
With enough whining, pleading and begging maybe one of the multi tool manufacturers could be persuaded to make a large-scale model equipped with bolt cutters, crowbar, machete, broad axe and pipe wrench. Kinda like a Crunch on steroids.;)
 
I also wouldn't mind an 8 lb. sledge, post hole digger and scythe model if they're taking notes.
 
Dougo83, for me the most likely scenario of having to use my BOB is if my aircraft goes down in bad guy territory. I'm going to have to put some distance between me and the wreckage and link back up with friendly forces. In the mean time I don't want the bad guys to know where I am or where I've been.

How you handle getting around locks will depend on your situation, but if you have a lot of hostile folks out looking for you I wouldn't want to make a lot of noise or leave evidence behind.

While I was writing this a few of questions came to mind. 1) If it was your door or window that somebody decided to break to get into your house, shed, barn etc. How would you respond? 2) If your response involves firearms, does this change your mind on how you would enter? Or to put it differently 3) Is it better to sneak in or announce your presence and possibly be on the receiving end of some gunfire?

Everybody's actions will be situationally dependent and their gear should reflect the situations they may find themselves in so I'm not saying one way is better than another. My questions are simply meant to generate some thought and discussion. In the mean time it is late and I hope what I'm typing makes sense.
 
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