Comments on: Picking Locks For Sport, Not Sabotage

By: Han Fey

Han Fey — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:55:46 +0000

Hi Schuyler,

Very nice article, I like you way of working and your attitude.

Keep up the good work in de lockpick community.

Han Fey
The Netherlands

By: Bridget B.

Bridget B. — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:12:08 +0000

My son gave me a pick set for Christmas and I purchased a box of old locks on ebay. I very much enjoy puzzling them open. One of my clients was getting ready to drill out some locks on old file cabinets and I was able to pop them quickly. The hardest part for me is not to squeal “I did it!”.

By: Assertion Through Structure » Blog Archive » Schuyler Towne & Locksport on NPRis i

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:21:09 +0000

[...] Schuyler Towne of NDE Magazine & Open Locksport was interviewed for a short piece on NPR: Picking Locks For Sport, Not Sabotage, and it even feature a guest appearance by my brother Andrew Gagne. Overall, I thought it was a [...]

By: Steve L

Steve L — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:14:58 +0000

I very much enjoyed this article on the radio. I’m an Fleet Automotive Tech and work with locks. Locksmithing has been a curiousity of mine for many years. I realized long ago my knowlege could have a dark side. In the Auto repair trade there are competitions to diagnose car troubles. I see lock picking as simular.

By: Schuyler

Schuyler — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:16:36 +0000

Hi Bob,

I will not be screening the people we sell tools to. The simple fact is, you can buy tools immediately from several vendors big and small. A few have the line “We only sell to Locksmiths” on their checkout page, but it is an open secret that most do no screening whatsoever and will sell to anyone, anywhere. Others don’t bother with the statement at all. Unfortunately, the primary reason behind the “locksmith” line on those sites is to circumvent legislation against sending lockpicks through the USPS. We will be abiding by the law and using a service like UPS or FedEx to deliver our tools.

And as far as education is concerned, no, I don’t screen people before I speak with or to them about locks. I lecture everywhere from Universities to my living room and all are welcome to attend.

However, if a person wants to know destructive entry techniques, or methods of bypass, or is asking for information on defeating a specific class or model of lock, we cut them off. People can learn these things from any number of sources, so some people will happily chatter on to anyone and everyone about whatever they would like to learn. I try to keep aware of how a person or group is steering a conversation and keep it on track, or shut it down if it seems inappropriate.

But do I screen people before hand? No, absolutely not. Not only do I not have the resources for it, but as often as not I am a presenter by the request of an organization and don’t have any foreknowledge or control over who will attend.

If you have any other questions, I’ll do my best to answer them.

-Schuyler

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:55:56 +0000

My only question Mr. Towne is this. Are you screening the people you teach and or sell your custom made tools to, or do you not care.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:21:04 +0000

I enjoyed this article. When I was i H.S. my first job was in a library reshelving books and I was always finding interesting things to read about. I glanced over a book on this subject once, just enough to see what it was about, and learn about “scrubbing” the pins, and a couple other techniques I don’t remember. It seems no different than solving other mechanical puzzles, except that there is an endless supply of ready made “puzzles” for a low price. I find it strange that some people would have such a bad reaction to picking locks for fun when we have no problem calling a locksmith who does it professionally…

By: EndlessNameless

EndlessNameless — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:23:37 +0000

Wow, I must say it’s nice to see this kind of thing looked at upon with a open-minded demeanor. As with the world of computer security, physical security must have it’s limits tested in the same ways. Things will never become better until this happens in an environment like this.
Keep up the good work guys!

By: Schuyler

Schuyler — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:12:20 +0000

Hey, Gary, well put! If you’re in the area and have any interest in joining some like minded people picking locks, we’d love to have you out. You can shoot me an email if you like, it’s just my full name @ gmail.com.

By: Gary S. Engelson

Gary S. Engelson — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:59:54 +0000

In a way, I suppose I’ve been a locksport “lurker” for over 30 years – since my college years. I still practice, non-competitively, for my own amusement, simply because I enjoy the exercise of skill against mystery – the solving of the puzzle. Nice to see this coming of age in a productive way, Mr. Towne. Also, Mr. Pasco seems to have gotten it wrong. Does Mr. Pasco object to shooting sports (including pistol, for example) or fighting sports? These seem to be training grounds for violent, criminal activity, as well, but are well-accepted in modern culture. I’ll stick with the nice, non-violent little mechanical puzzles, thank you!

By: D.M.

D.M. — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:49:51 +0000

Have you found pipe smoking to help, distract from, or have no effect on your lock picking? Do you think there is a place for pipe smoking in the so-called “locksport”?