WHAT’S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW? LOCKPICKING GOES VIRTUAL
As we all know, we’ve had to retreat into the virtual world for a while. But there’s a silver lining—our community is growing stronger! Lockpickers are training more, and thanks to online platforms, we’ve made even more friends. This article highlights the achievements of lockpickers during the COVID era in both the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Lockpicking in the Digital Space
We share photos and videos in our Facebook group “Lockpicking nás baví”, which now has nearly 200 members. Some are newcomers who have only been practicing lockpicking for a year but are already breaking unbelievable records. We even send lock cylinders to each other by courier or post for practice. Additionally, LockCon was held as an online video conference at the end of October, lasting all night and featuring participants from the U.S., Australia, and Europe. LockCon is a gathering of lockpickers where discussions revolve around modern security trends, non-destructive entry methods, and shared expertise. In our Czech online lockpicking bubble, we’ve successfully picked locks such as: CISA SP, ASSA Twin, EVVA ICS, Stealth Key, MIWA U9, FAB Dynamic, DOM iX, and many more.
Lockpicking Achievements During the Pandemic
Miloš, a Slovak lockpicker and professional doctor, has been practicing since February but has already achieved remarkable milestones. He successfully picked a MIWA lock as well as the Stealth Key. The Japanese MIWA laminar lock took him 30 hours of dedicated practice, using a classic hook pick and a Pry Bar tension tool. He is currently training on the ASSA 700, describing it as one of the toughest challenges so far. His next goals include ASSA dp4400, MIWA PR, and Kaba 20.
Ondra from ACL is not only studying master key systems and lock standards (as he is currently training to become a professional locksmith), but he also: practices lockpicking while watching TV and enjoys crafting his own picks and tension tools by hand.
Marek achieved a significant milestone by picking: a first-generation BiLock from Australia. He spent hours analyzing the lock’s functionality before finally opening it in 20 minutes. This lock features 12 pins (6 on each side). The latest version of BiLock in just 30 minutes. Unlike its predecessor, this version includes two additional axial active elements. His next targets? The Australian Galaxy and Guard Supra locks.
Martin has successfully picked 200 locks this year. His most rewarding challenges were: Mul-T-Lock, EVVA, Titan and however, he finds older FAB locks unpredictable—some open easily, while others remain stubbornly difficult.
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!
We actively share our lockpicking experiences in our Facebook group, “Lockpicking nás baví”. If you’re passionate about lockpicking, we invite you to join!
However, there are entry requirements:
- You will need to answer a few questions, such as: How long have you been practicing lockpicking?, Why are you interested in lockpicking?” and confirm that you are at least 18 years old.
- Agree to the statement: I acknowledge that I will not misuse the information I learn, nor will I violate the ethical code of lockpicking or use my skills for criminal or illegal activities and accept the complete group rules of “Lockpicking nás baví.
GROUP RULES – “LOCKPICKING NÁS BAVÍ”
This group is intended for those who practice lockpicking as a recreational or competitive sport.
The Three Core Principles of Lockpicking
1. We only pick locks that we own or have explicit permission from the owner to open.
2. We never pick locks used to secure property.
- Do not practice on locks securing homes, storage units, motorcycles, etc.
- Attempting to pick such locks can damage them, reducing their security and making them easier for criminals to bypass.
- Insurance companies may refuse to cover losses if a lock has been tampered with.
3. We do not share information that could be misused for illegal activities.
Prohibited Topics in the Group, for security reasons, the following topics are strictly forbidden:
1. Destructive methods of lock bypassing.
2. Bypassing security measures other than the lock itself (e.g., forced entry techniques).
3. Picking locks intended for motor vehicles.
4. Picking safe locks.
5. Bypassing methods other than traditional lockpicking (e.g., decoders, impressioning, bypass techniques). While these methods are part of lockpicking and competitions, they carry a higher risk of misuse and are not permitted in this group.
Additionally, promoting products or services for profit is prohibited. We strive to provide impartial information. If you are unsure whether a post is appropriate, please ask the group administrators first.
This article was also published in Zámkař Magazine (Issue 03-04/2020, AZKS) and was written by our ACL members.