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006/100 LOCKSPORT: When Lock Picking Becomes a Sport

2025-03-23T13:32:20+01:00By |Categories: All posts, Interesting, TOP 100 Blog news 2025|Tags: , , , |

LOCKSPORT: When Lock Picking Becomes a Sport Introduction to Locksport Locksport is a fascinating hobby and competitive discipline that involves opening locks without using the original key but only through non-destructive methods. Although it might seem like an activity associated with illegal practices, the reality is quite the opposite. Locksport focuses on studying security mechanisms and their vulnerabilities to improve skills, understand the mechanics of locks, and ultimately help enhance security standards. The history of locksport dates back to the 19th century when locksmiths publicly demonstrated their ability to defeat locks to showcase their quality or highlight their weaknesses. [...]

005/100 Ethics in Lockpicking: Why Honesty Matters and How to Maintain a Good Reputation

2025-03-23T13:31:08+01:00By |Categories: All posts, Interesting, TOP 100 Blog news 2025|Tags: , , , |

ETHICS IN LOCKPICKING: Why Honesty Matters and How to Maintain a Good Reputation Introduction: Lockpicking is Not About Crime – It’s a Challenge and an Art Lockpicking is often viewed as something secretive and illegal. Many people imagine burglars in black gloves sneaking into houses under the cover of darkness. However, this stereotype is far from reality. The lockpicking community is built around curiosity, technical skills, and ethical responsibility. In reality, lockpicking is a fascinating discipline that blends problem-solving, technical knowledge, and fine motor skills. It’s a way for people to train their minds, develop patience, and refine [...]

004/100 The Most Common Types of Locks and Their Weaknesses

2025-03-23T13:30:54+01:00By |Categories: All posts, Interesting, TOP 100 Blog news 2025|Tags: , , , |

The Most Common Types of Locks and Their Weaknesses Locks are an essential part of our daily lives, protecting our homes, cars, offices, and valuables. While they may seem like impenetrable barriers, the truth is that every lock has its weaknesses. Criminals, security professionals, and lockpickers alike study how locks function to uncover vulnerabilities, improve security, and create better protection systems. Understanding these weaknesses can help us make informed decisions about the locks we use and ensure that our belongings remain safe. This article explores different types of locks, how they work, the methods used to bypass them, and [...]

003/100 The Basics of Lockpicking: How to Get Started with This Fascinating Hobby

2025-03-23T13:30:49+01:00By |Categories: All posts, Interesting, TOP 100 Blog news 2025|Tags: , , , |

THE BASICS OF LOCKPICKING: How to Get Started with This Fascinating Hobby Lockpicking is not just a practical skill—it is an art, a science, and even a sport. Although it is often associated with illegal activities, it is actually a legitimate hobby and an essential tool for testing security systems. Lockpicking requires patience, fine motor skills, and analytical thinking, making it both a challenge and an excellent form of mental exercise. Enthusiasts around the world study lock mechanics to better understand security systems and help improve lock designs. What Is Lockpicking? Lockpicking is [...]

002/100 The History of Lockpicking Through Prominent Figures: Ten Masters Who Changed the World of Locks

2025-03-23T13:30:29+01:00By |Categories: All posts, Interesting, TOP 100 Blog news 2025|Tags: , , , |

THE HISTORY OF LOCKPICKING THROUGH PROMINENT FIGURES: Ten Masters Who Changed the World of Locks Lockpicking, the fascinating art of opening locks, has a rich history shaped by exceptionally talented and inventive individuals. Here, we introduce ten influential figures whose inventions, discoveries, or skills have significantly impacted the world of locksmithing and security. Theophilus Presbyter (circa 1070 – circa 1125) Theophilus Presbyter was a Benedictine monk best known for his work De diversis artibus, one of the oldest surviving manuals on locksmithing techniques. While his work did not focus directly on lockpicking, it described advanced [...]

001/100 From Ancient Locks to Modern Masterpieces: The Evolution of Locksmithing Through the Centuries

2025-03-23T13:29:50+01:00By |Categories: All posts, Interesting, TOP 100 Blog news 2025|Tags: , , , |

FROM ANCIENT LOCKS TO MODERN MASTERPIECES: The Evolution of Locksmithing Through the Centuries Lockpicking—the art of opening locks without the original key—has a long and fascinating history. This skill, often shrouded in mystery, reflects the constant battle between the human desire to protect valuables and the ingenuity of those seeking ways to bypass security. From the earliest wooden locks in ancient Egypt to the complex mechanical systems of medieval Europe, locks have evolved alongside technological advancements and increasing security needs. As locks became more sophisticated, so did the skills and techniques of those attempting to open them. In modern [...]

100 Key Topics on Lockpicking and Security

2025-03-23T13:51:37+01:00By |Categories: All posts, Interesting, News and events|Tags: , , , |

100 Key Topics on Lockpicking and Security Throughout 2025, we’re bringing you a unique blog series exploring the world of locks, security, and non-destructive entry. Every Monday and Thursday, a new article dives into a timeless, engaging, and practically focused topic. From the history of locksmithing to modern technologies, from security psychology to everyday risks – this blog is for lockpicking enthusiasts and anyone wanting to better understand what protects them. Below you’ll find all the articles published so far. Welcome to a world where a lock is not an obstacle, but a story waiting to be unlocked. [...]

15 Years of ACL: Looking Back at Our History and Looking Ahead to the Future 🔐🎉

2025-03-22T08:58:56+01:00By |Categories: All posts, Interesting, News and events|

15 YEARS OF THE CZECH LOCKPICKERS ASSOCIATION | LOOKING BACK AT OUR HISTORY AND LOOKING AHEAD TO THE FUTURE 🔐🎉 This year, we celebrate 15 years of the Czech Lockpickers Association (ACL) on both the Czech and international scene. Since our founding in 2010, we have made great strides in raising awareness about lockpicking as a sport while actively contributing to education and security testing. The pioneer and founder of ACL, Evžen Ivanov, played a key role in establishing the association and laying its solid foundation. Thanks to him, ACL has become a respected organization that brings together lockpicking [...]

12th Czech Lockpicking Championship 2024 – Eugene Ivanov Memorial

2025-03-21T06:39:18+01:00By |Categories: All posts, Czech Lockpicking Championship|

12th Annual Czech Lockpicking Championship – Spring 2024 Brings New Champions and a Fantastic Atmosphere For many years, the Czech Lockpicking Championship was traditionally held in the fall. However, 2024 brought a major change, as the 12th edition of this prestigious event was organized in the spring, from April 12 to April 14, 2024. This change allowed for greater participation of new competitors and added fresh dynamics to the event. Competitors from across Europe gathered to test their skills in the four classic disciplines – padlocks, pin tumbler locks, the speed challenge, and freestyle picking. As in previous years, [...]

You can already register for the 12nd Czech Lockpicking Championship 2024

2025-03-21T19:53:20+01:00By |Categories: All posts, News and events|Tags: , , , , , |

From February, 2024, you can register for the 12nd Czech Lockpicking Championship 2024, which will take place on April 12. 2024 in Marina Orlík. Find out more about the championship here.   The registration form can no longer be filled out.  

Marina Orlík – info about accommodation (Lockpicking 2024)

2025-03-21T19:53:03+01:00By |Categories: All posts, News and events|Tags: , , , , , |

INFORMATION ON ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING AT THE 12ND ANNUAL LOCKPICKING CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC 2024 This year's competition will again be held near the Vltava river, this time we will move a few tens of kilometers further from the Slap dam to the Eagle dam, again in a beautiful Czech landscape, approximately 100 km from Prague, near the town of Chrást (Kovářov) in the Písek district. To reserve accommodation at Marina Orlík or for other questions, send us an e-mail at info@lockpicking.team. ACCOMMODATIONS AT THE MARINA ORLÍK The price for [...]

LockFest 2023 is over!

2025-03-21T20:08:57+01:00By |Categories: All posts, News and events|Tags: , , , , |

Lockfest 2023: The Largest Locksmith Trade Fair in the Czech Republic Every two years, the Lockfest trade fair takes place at the Thermal Hotel in Karlovy Vary, bringing together professionals from the security, locksmithing, and lockpicking industries. The 2023 edition was no exception, as experts gathered once again to share knowledge, explore new technologies, and discuss the latest trends in the field. This year’s event was filled with innovation, professional seminars, and networking opportunities for security professionals, locksmiths, and lockpickers. Throughout the two-day event on Saturday and Sunday, visitors had the chance to explore a wide range of exhibitors [...]

11th Czech Lockpicking Championship 2022 – Eugene Ivanov Memorial

2025-03-20T22:07:36+01:00By |Categories: All posts, Czech Lockpicking Championship|

The 11th Czech Lockpicking Championship – A Gathering of Enthusiasts and Professionals After several years of pause, the Czech Lockpicking Championship was held again in October 2022. This 11th edition was a highly anticipated event, not only for Czech competitors but also for international participants. Around 40 competitors from across Europe—representing the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands—gathered at Orlík to test their skills in traditional lockpicking disciplines. The first participants arrived on Friday evening, and the event quickly took on a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. After a long break, everyone was excited to reconnect, discuss not only lockpicking [...]

You can already register for the 11th Czech Lockpicking Championship 2022

2025-03-21T19:53:47+01:00By |Categories: All posts, News and events|Tags: , , , , , |

From 1 August, 2022, you can register for the 11th Czech Lockpicking Championship 2022, which will take place on October 28-30 2022 in Marina Orlík. Find out more about the championship here. The registration form can no longer be filled out.  

Marina Orlík – info about accommodation (Lockpicking 2022)

2025-03-21T19:53:57+01:00By |Categories: All posts, News and events|Tags: , , , , , |

INFORMATION ON ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING AT THE 11TH ANNUAL LOCKPICKING CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC 2022 This year's competition will again be held near the Vltava river, this time we will move a few tens of kilometers further from the Slap dam to the Eagle dam, again in a beautiful Czech landscape, approximately 100 km from Prague, near the town of Chrást (Kovářov) in the Písek district. To reserve accommodation at Marina Orlík or for other questions, send us an e-mail at info@lockpicking.team or fill out the registration form here. ACCOMMODATIONS [...]

Regular ACL training sessions in Prague 2022

2025-03-21T20:09:12+01:00By |Categories: All posts, Trainings and seminars|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

REGULAR ACL TRAINING IN PRAGUE, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! ACL training will now be open to the general public after prior registration. Come and take a look and get a glimpse into the world of this fascinating sport. If you like solving puzzles and have patience, we can help you open your first lock. Maybe it will be the first step on a long path to becoming a champion in competitions in this discipline, or a specialist who will help develop new, safer locks. In addition, you will certainly make many friends with a common hobby. Please note, the association's [...]

LockFest 2021 is Behind Us!

2025-03-21T20:09:55+01:00By |Categories: All posts, News and events|Tags: , , , , |

We can call it a successful weekend, but once again, it flew by quickly. After a long three-year break, the international exhibition LockFest took place on the last weekend of September at the Thermal Hotel in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. Friday morning started early, as booths had to be set up, exhibitors arrived throughout the day, and everyone was busy preparing. By the evening, we could finally relax and enjoy the Welcome Drink, which included a wine tasting of the Village series (Nové Vinařství) from the Mikulov wine region, near the Pálava Hills. A rich buffet with both hot and [...]

Mini Lockpicking Competition 2021

2025-03-21T20:10:20+01:00By |Categories: All posts, News and events|Tags: , , , , |

This year, we organized at least one small lockpicking competition as part of the international exhibition LockFest 2021, which took place on Saturday, September 25, 2021, in the afternoon at the Thermal Hotel in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. The main sponsors of the event were Locksmith Service s.r.o. and A. Wendt GmbH. The competition featured only one discipline, where participants tested their skills on more challenging locks and cylinders. This was reflected in the opening times—if they managed to open them at all. The time limit for opening was 5 minutes, and only picks and tension tools were allowed, with [...]

Lockpicking & LockFest 2021

2025-03-21T20:10:42+01:00By |Categories: All posts, News and events|Tags: , , , |

In the end, it passed quickly and finally we have a great event - LockFest. LockFest is a major international exhibition, a major event in the Czech Republic, where the security comes together. Foreign manufacturers and exhibitors, technicians and specialists from this field come here. The LockFest event is primarily intended for people dedicated to the security of persons and property, people in the services of private detectives or the government security area, providers of technical services for the protection of property and persons. After all, professional development is an integral part of each of us! And last but not [...]

SURVEY – Lockpicking and Me

2025-03-21T20:11:03+01:00By |Categories: All posts, Interesting|Tags: , , , |

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 [...]