Awesome Lockpicking
:unlock::sunglasses: A curated list of awesome guides, tools, and other resources related to the security and compromise of locks, safes, and keys.
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This page lists names, links and short descriptions. The original list on GitHub is the source and belongs to its authors.
General
is the art of opening a lock without the key and without damaging or destroying the lock or its door. If you want to contribute, you are highly encouraged to do so. Please read the contribution guidelines.
Books
Information on locks, safes and security by Marc Weber Tobias.
Detailed instructions and exercises designed for professional physical security specialists, consultants, and red teams.
Contests, conferences, and events
CCC hosts the German Lockpicking Championships.
Annual infosec industry conference which is popular with many lockpickers featuring a locksport contest.
In 3 lists
Annual conference often featuring a locksport competition and presentations on physical security.
In 2 lists
Open community event focusing on physical security in Australia, which hosts a lockpicking and handcuff evasion competition.
Annual, invitation-only international conference about locks for members of respected locksport organizations.
Hobby projects
Print lock picks made of plastic materials that, while weak, will survive at least several uses. (Find more digital models.)
Illustrated guide to building a custom lock pick and tension wrench from windshield wipers.
Instructions for using discarded street sweeper bristles as material for dual-sided turning tools and picks.
Instructions for turning old windshield wipers into any of a variety of lock pick types and turning tool styles.
Short guide to constructing an under-door ("lever opening"/"Mule") tool using material available at a typical hardware store.
In this dice-based locksport game, as a budding lock maker you have set out to test your designs against your peers.
How-to lockpicking guides
Educational website with animations detailing the process of picking locks.
Short article guiding beginners comfortable with picking padlocks towards an understanding of more complex locks.
YouTube playlist of selected instructional videos sorted in order from first principles to techniques for specific locks.
Guidebook covering terminology, tool use, and techniques for picking the vast majority of pin and wafer tumbler locks.
Collection of physec talks and locksport advice for all skill levels from a world-reknowned expert.
Widely-distributed beginner's manual with diagrams showcasing how to pick various entry-level locks.
Famous introductory text by Ted the Tool.
Exceptionally thorough guide "for those who want more than just the basics."
Complete start-to-finish course from basic tensioning to speciality lock techniques.
Locksport primer in the style of a comic book, with photographs and speech bubbles.
Locksport associations and organizations
Lock picking club established to serve Bloomington, Indiana and surrounding areas.
Worldwide association of lockpickers with national, regional, and local chapters.
International association of lockpickers who offer help starting new locksport clubs and groups.
German lock picking sports club who hosts the german lock picking masters and offers workshops on how to pick locks.
Novel lock attack techniques and research
Acoustic-based physical key inference.
Online communities
Bustling online forum for the discussion of lockpicking and locksport.
One of the longest-running online communities "dedicated to the fun and ethical hobby of lock picking."
Community-driven reference for both beginners and professionals in the security industry.
Subreddit dedicated to the sport of lockpicking.
Online resources
Personal website of a knowledgable hobbyist discussing a variety of picking and bypass tools.
Website "dedicated to the science and study of forensic locksmithing."
Raking techniques illustrated with awesome animations.
Lockpicking videos and security talks.
Hobbyist's website with detailed pages about locks, tools, and picking techniques.
Vendors
Retailer of speciality practice locks, lock stands, and more.
Canadian retailer carrying a wide range of manufacturers, including Souber dimple lock picks, a manufacturer that only sells to other businesses.
Retailer notable for their lockpicking accessories featuring earrings and other jewelry that also function as sturdy tools.
Manufacturer of precision lock picking tools and accessories; their top-of-keyway turning tools are famous but overpriced (you can make your own).
Retailer for safe-opening tools who also offer paid training courses.
Retailer of numerous high-security, collector, and cutaway locks who also maintain some informational pages about locksmithing.
SouthOrd® is a manufacturer of lock picks and professional locksmith tools; individual replacement picks as low as $1.50 USD.
Retailer of numerous lockpicking sets, pick guns, and more.
Manufacturer of specialty and quality lock pick tools; their King Pin pinning tweezer is particularly useful.
German retailer of lock picking tools, tool cases and locks.
Awesome Lockpicking
:unlock::sunglasses: A curated list of awesome guides, tools, and other resources related to the security and compromise of locks, safes, and keys.
Lock pickingis the art of opening a lock without the key and without damaging or destroying the lock or its door. If you want to…
Eddie the Wire booksExpedient B and E: Tactics and Techniques for Bypassing Alarms and Defeating Locks - Carl HammerKeys to the Kingdom by Deviant Ollam, 2012Lock Picking: Detail Overkill by SolomonLocks, Safes and Security: An International Police ReferenceInformation on locks, safes and security by Marc Weber Tobias.
Practical Lock Picking by Deviant Ollam, 2012Practical Lock Picking: A Physical Penetration Tester's Training GuideDetailed instructions and exercises designed for professional physical security specialists, consultants, and red teams.
The Use of Locks in Physical Crime Prevention - James M Edgar and William D MclnereyChaos Communications Congress (CCC)CCC hosts the German Lockpicking Championships.
DEF CONAnnual infosec industry conference which is popular with many lockpickers featuring a locksport contest.
Hackers On Planet Earth (HOPE)Annual conference often featuring a locksport competition and presentations on physical security.
OzSecConOpen community event focusing on physical security in Australia, which hosts a lockpicking and handcuff evasion…
LockConAnnual, invitation-only international conference about locks for members of respected locksport organizations.
3D Printed Lock PicksPrint lock picks made of plastic materials that, while weak, will survive at least several uses. (Find more digital…
DIY Lock Pick Set from a Windshield WiperIllustrated guide to building a custom lock pick and tension wrench from windshield wipers.
How to Make a Set of Lockpicks! (using street sweeper bristles)Instructions for using discarded street sweeper bristles as material for dual-sided turning tools and picks.
Making Tension Wrenches/Turning Tools From Old Windshield Wiper BladesInstructions for turning old windshield wipers into any of a variety of lock pick types and turning tool styles.
Under Door Tool Kit InstructionsShort guide to constructing an under-door ("lever opening"/"Mule") tool using material available at a typical hardware…
Lock DiceIn this dice-based locksport game, as a budding lock maker you have set out to test your designs against your peers.
Art of LockpickingEducational website with animations detailing the process of picking locks.
Beginner's Guide to Security PinsShort article guiding beginners comfortable with picking padlocks towards an understanding of more complex locks.
BosnianBill's Lock Picking for BeginnersYouTube playlist of selected instructional videos sorted in order from first principles to techniques for specific…
CIA Lock Picking Field Operative Training ManualGuidebook covering terminology, tool use, and techniques for picking the vast majority of pin and wafer tumbler locks.
Deviant Ollam's Lockpicking Video Presentations and AdvisoriesCollection of physec talks and locksport advice for all skill levels from a world-reknowned expert.
Easy Pickings - Mini Lockpicking ManualWidely-distributed beginner's manual with diagrams showcasing how to pick various entry-level locks.
MIT Lock Picking GuideFamous introductory text by Ted the Tool.
Lock Picking: Detail OverkillExceptionally thorough guide "for those who want more than just the basics."
LockLab's Lock Picking CourseComplete start-to-finish course from basic tensioning to speciality lock techniques.
Locksport International Guide to Lock PickingLocksport primer in the style of a comic book, with photographs and speech bubbles.
Fraternal Order of Lock Sport (FOOLS)Lock picking club established to serve Bloomington, Indiana and surrounding areas.
The Open Organization Of Lockpickers (TOOOL)Worldwide association of lockpickers with national, regional, and local chapters.
Locksport InternationalInternational association of lockpickers who offer help starting new locksport clubs and groups.
Sportsfreunde der Sperrtechnik - Deutschland e.V.German lock picking sports club who hosts the german lock picking masters and offers workshops on how to pick locks.
SpiKeyAcoustic-based physical key inference.
Keypicking.comBustling online forum for the discussion of lockpicking and locksport.
Lockpicking101.comOne of the longest-running online communities "dedicated to the fun and ethical hobby of lock picking."
LockWikiCommunity-driven reference for both beginners and professionals in the security industry.
/r/lockpicking SubredditSubreddit dedicated to the sport of lockpicking.
Dark Sim 905's Lockpicking pagesPersonal website of a knowledgable hobbyist discussing a variety of picking and bypass tools.
Lockpicking ForensicsWebsite "dedicated to the science and study of forensic locksmithing."
Raking TechniquesRaking techniques illustrated with awesome animations.
Schuyler Towne channelLockpicking videos and security talks.
The Amazing King's Lockpicking pagesHobbyist's website with detailed pages about locks, tools, and picking techniques.
Learn LockpickingRetailer of speciality practice locks, lock stands, and more.
Lock Pick CanadaCanadian retailer carrying a wide range of manufacturers, including Souber dimple lock picks, a manufacturer that only…
Lockpick ExtremeRetailer notable for their lockpicking accessories featuring earrings and other jewelry that also function as sturdy…
Peterson Locksmith Tools / Peterson Manufacturing, Inc.Manufacturer of precision lock picking tools and accessories; their top-of-keyway turning tools are famous but…
Safe Ventures, Inc.Retailer for safe-opening tools who also offer paid training courses.
Security SnobsRetailer of numerous high-security, collector, and cutaway locks who also maintain some informational pages about…
Southern Ordinance / Exit 10, Inc.SouthOrd® is a manufacturer of lock picks and professional locksmith tools; individual replacement picks as low as…
Southern SpecialitiesRetailer of numerous lockpicking sets, pick guns, and more.
Sparrows Lock PicksManufacturer of specialty and quality lock pick tools; their King Pin pinning tweezer is particularly useful.
SpooxeGerman retailer of lock picking tools, tool cases and locks.