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Lockpicking Books & Resources

A hub for lockpicking from beginner to advanced.

Lockpicking Books

Beginner Lockpicking Books

Easy Pickings

Easy Pickings - Rita Phillips & Bill Phillips

Explains basic lock mechanisms, tension control, and basic picking techniques.

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Visual Guide

Visual Guide to Lock Picking - Mark McCloud

Illustration-focused guide explaining lock mechanisms visually with diagrams and step-by-step visuals.

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MIT Guide

MIT Guide to Lock Picking - Theodore T. Tool

Focuses on understanding physics and mechanics behind lock picking and pin binding.

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Intermediate Lockpicking Books

Complete Guide

The Complete Guide to Lock Picking - Eddie the Wire

Structured overview of pin tumbler, wafer, and disc detainer locks, plus tension techniques.

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Advanced Lockpicking Books

Advanced Secrets

Advanced Lockpicking Secrets - Steven M. Hampton

Advanced manipulation techniques and specialized lock designs.

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Secrets of Lockpicking

Secrets of Lockpicking - Steven M. Hampton

Practical techniques, binding order, and real-world lock analysis.

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Police Guide

Police Guide to Lock Picking

Non-destructive entry techniques for investigative and law enforcement use.

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Locksmith Training Books

Locksmithing

Locksmithing, Second Edition - Bill Phillips

Key cutting, installation, master key systems, and lock servicing.

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Master Locksmithing

Master Locksmithing - Bill Phillips

Comprehensive coverage of mechanical locks, safes, electronic locks, and professional tools.

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Complete Book

The Complete Book of Locks and Locksmithing

Broad overview of lock technologies, repair, and locksmith techniques.

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Security & High-Security Locks

Modern High Security

Modern High Security Locks - Graham W. Pulford

Advanced engineering of high-security locks including restricted keyways and sidebar mechanisms.

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Specialized Guides

CIA Guide

CIA Lockpicking Field Guide

Practical covert entry techniques using minimal tools.

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Improvised Tools

How to Open Locks With Improvised Tools - Hans Conkel

Opening locks using everyday objects and simple techniques.

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100 Deadly Skills

100 Deadly Skills - Clint Emerson

Survival and covert entry skills including basic lock bypass concepts.

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YouTube Channels

LPL

LockPickingLawyer

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Bill

BosnianBill

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Sandman

The Sandman

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Lock Noob

Lock Noob

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Helpful

HelpfulLockPicker

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PickLocks

Pick Locks Dot Com

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Best Lockpicking Tools

Jimy Longs Lock Picks

Ergonomic handles designed to reduce hand fatigue and improve control.

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Peterson Picks

Professional-grade picks with durable construction and molded handles.

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SWICK Lock Pick

Compact folding pick set with multiple profiles and tension tools.

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Covert Instruments APEX

Ergonomic glass-reinforced nylon handles for precise lock control.

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Covert Bypass Kit

Air wedge, pry bar, and dead bolt turner.

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Lishi Residential Picks

Lishi 2-in-1 Decoder and Picks for residential locks.

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Cutaway Locks

Cutaway locks have part of their bodies removed to observe the internal mechanisms inside the lock. They allow you to visualize pin stacks, shear lines, and counter-rotation, and to develop muscle memory while seeing realistic feedback.

Find the best cutaways at:

Picklocks.com Cutaways LLC

External Resources

Reddit Lockpicking Community