Census of Lockpickers 2021 – Results of the “Lockpicking and Me” Survey
The survey has been successfully completed! In 2021, following the national census of population, houses, and apartments in the Czech Republic, we decided to conduct the first historical census of lockpickers in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The aim of the survey was to find out who is involved in lockpicking, what their experience is, and what they enjoy most about this hobby. Based on the responses, we gained a unique insight into the Czech and Slovak lockpicking community. Below is a summary of the results.
Basic Information About Respondents
The survey was participated in primarily by lockpickers from the Czech Republic and Slovakia, with a smaller number of respondents from other countries. The Czech Republic had the largest representation, followed by Slovakia. Regarding age, all age groups were represented – from young beginners to experienced veterans who have been involved in lockpicking for decades.
The ratio of men to women in the lockpicking community was approximately 3:1, meaning that women made up about 25% of respondents. Although lockpicking is often perceived as a predominantly male activity, the growing number of women in this field indicates an increasing interest in security technologies and fine mechanical skills among women as well. The professional background of the respondents was diverse – the most represented professions included locksmiths, IT specialists, engineers, students, and security consultants, but we also received responses from doctors, lawyers, scientists, and other professionals. This proves that lockpicking is not just a technical skill but also a logical and intellectual challenge that attracts people from various backgrounds.
Experience and Training
A large portion of respondents started practicing lockpicking during the pandemic, which aligns with the trend of people seeking new intellectual and manual challenges. Many discovered the hobby by chance, while others had been involved in lockpicking for several years but began dedicating more time to it during the pandemic. Most respondents train regularly, either daily or several times a week. For many, lockpicking has become a daily part of life, whether as a hobby, a professional skill, or a way to relax.
Lockpicking Achievements
In 2020, most respondents opened at least 10 locks, while more experienced lockpickers reached 50 or even 100 opened locks. This shows not only active engagement in lockpicking but also continuous skill development across the community. Lockpickers focused on a wide range of locks, from standard cylinder locks to advanced and high-security mechanisms.
Why Do They Find Lockpicking Interesting? The most common answers included:
- The adrenaline and challenge of picking a lock – many lockpickers enjoy the satisfaction of successfully opening a complex mechanism without a key.
- Training patience and fine motor skills – lockpicking requires precision and focus, which helps improve manual dexterity and mental resilience.
- Interest in security and lock technology – many respondents stated that lockpicking helps them better understand security mechanisms and allows them to test different lock security levels.
- The satisfaction of solving a puzzle – lockpicking is compared to solving logic puzzles or solving a Rubik’s Cube, but with a real-world impact.
- The meditative and relaxing aspect of lockpicking – for some, lockpicking has become a way to relieve stress, similar to other hands-on hobbies.
- Connecting with an interesting community – many lockpickers appreciate the friendly and open community, where knowledge is shared and members support each other.
Interesting responses:
- Lockpicking helped me deal with stress at work.
- The best way to train focus and precision.
- Thanks to lockpicking, I understand security systems much better.
- It’s similar to solving a Rubik’s Cube – just with real-life applications.
- Lockpicking fascinates me because it shows how human ingenuity can overcome even the most complex mechanisms.
This first official census of lockpickers in the Czech Republic and Slovakia has provided us with a unique insight into this community. We see that lockpicking attracts a wide range of people, from complete beginners to experienced experts who have been honing their skills for over a decade. The survey results showed that:
- Many people see lockpicking as an intellectual challenge as well as a sport
- A significant number of respondents started lockpicking during the pandemic
- For most, lockpicking is a regular activity – from daily practice to training several times a week
- People are interested in lockpicking not just as a hobby but also to better understand security systems
- The lockpicking community is growing and bringing together people from various backgrounds and professions
This survey has shown us that lockpicking is not just a technical skill but also a hobby that combines logic, patience, dexterity, and analytical thinking. We thank everyone who participated and helped us create a statistical overview of our community. We look forward to many more years of lockpicking together! 🔑