A Cut-Away
Practice Lock with a Schlage keyway.
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Prized by beginning locksmith
students and hobbyists alike, the cut away practice lock is the best
way to quickly gain an understanding of pin tumbler locks . . . both
in terms of how they work, and from the standpoint of learning to pick
locks.
Being able to SEE what happens when a working key is inserted
into a pin tumbler lock instantly educates, and being able to see what
happens when you try to pick one is even more enlightening. The
top chamber, otherwise known as the 'pin bible', has been precisely
milled in a manner which exposes a good portion of the top pins and
springs. Just enough brass is left to prevent these parts from
slipping out of the lock. In addition, there is a slot cut right
at the shear line. As the photo on the left demonstrates, this allows
viewing of the bottom pins when a working key has been inserted and slightly
rotated. The pins are aligned with the top of the lock plug (the
shear line), allowing the plug to rotate past the top pins which ride atop
them.
It is also helpful for a student lock picker to monitor his
or her progress with the picking tools by keeping an eye on the milled
side of the lock as they work. This shortens the learning curve dramatically
and produces hand/eye coordination faster than if the student is blindly
trying to feel what is going on inside the lock.
We recommend every beginner have one cut-away practice lock.
It is probably overkill to own more than one, as its primary purpose
is to provide a window into the workings of the lock. After one has
developed a feel for lock picks, and is familiar with what is happening
inside the cylinder, he can concentrate on using the lock in the same
way he would a standard practice lock.
For a greater variety of pinning options, we recommend you check out
our alternate site, Lock
Picker's Mall.
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