My other hobby

[mishele]

I wasn't talking about selling picks, silly! lol

 

[Josh66]

I wasn't talking about selling picks, silly! lol

I figured that. I'm too honest for that, lol.

 

[mishele]

I wasn't talking about selling picks, silly! lol

I figured that. I'm too honest for that, lol.

Hehe That is a perfect answer!!

 

[Josh66]

There is a term in the locksport community - "Security through obscurity". This is the idea that locks are secure because most people do not know that they aren't secure.

Some people swear by this. I think it's a bad idea though. People should KNOW that locks aren't as secure as they think they are. This will drive lock makers to make better locks.

 

[IByte]

There is a term in the locksport community - "Security through obscurity". This is the idea that locks are secure because most people do not know that they aren't secure.

Some people swear by this. I think it's a bad idea though. People should KNOW that locks aren't as secure as they think they are. This will drive lock makers to make better locks.

Yes even "Security through Obscurity" in cyberspace is pretty weak, oh how I love my job .

 

[manaheim]

Well odds are she won't ever pick a lock. She's an archangel with a sword. Lol I just need her to have a hint of competence in the space.

 

[Tailgunner]

You should check your local laws before buying, but as far as I know - owning picks is never illegal. CARRYING them can be though. In Texas, they are just like any other "burglar tool" (crow bar, for example) - possession is only illegal if you are in the act of committing a crime.

Intent is a gray area folks, according to the Texas Private Security Law, a person must be registered as a Locksmith with the Texas Department of Public Safety in order to operate as a locksmith and perform Locksmithing work. So you can state your intensions are admirable when questioned by the local PD but if you're not registered with the DPS, you could very well be view as a person holding burglary tools.

Times has really changed since my day as a Locksmith. Manufactures was strict about selling locksmithing tools to locksmiths only. You couldn't find photos of equipment or information on how to defeat a locking mechanism either. Now days anyone with a credit card and internet can order a set of locksmithing tools…or build a set based on photos posted on the internet. What is the point of a lock set if everyone has the means and know how to defeat it?

Anyhow, if you want a real challenge, try impressioning a key. Impressioning is the ability to create a key for a lock set by using a file, pliers, and a key blank.

 

[Josh66]

Intent is a gray area folks, according to the Texas Private Security Law, a person must be registered as a Locksmith with the Texas Department of Public Safety in order to operate as a locksmith and perform Locksmithing work.

The key word here is WORK. Yes, to be a locksmith, you must be registered and all of that (in Texas - other States have little to no requirements).

Times have changed. Secrets are spilling out into the open. I see that as a good thing - it can only lead to better security.

Picking locks is not a profession, being a locksmith is. There is a definite difference.

 

[Josh66]

Impressioning is another fun aspect of this hobby.

What is the point of a lock set if everyone has the means and know how to defeat it?

The point is to bring deficiencies to the forefront. Make the weak points public knowledge, make the lock manufacturers address and correct them. Everyone benefits.


This is basically EXACTLY what I was talking about when I mentioned security through obscurity. You would rather the secrets remain a secret, and thus - secure. I would rather everyone know that the lock on their front door is junk.

 

[Josh66]

The Commando Lock Company has reached out to the locksport community, given away sample locks for picking, improved their designs after hearing the feedback from lock pickers. More companies should do this.

Commando is the only padlock I can give an honest recommendation for. Their dedication to the community speaks volumes...

(Though I do like Yale, and to some extent, Brinks.)

Master is crap though, lol. Yes, bulletproof, but you can open it with a paperclip. They don't show that part in the commercials.

 

[Tailgunner]

Intent is a gray area folks, according to the Texas Private Security Law, a person must be registered as a Locksmith with the Texas Department of Public Safety in order to operate as a locksmith and perform Locksmithing work.

The key word here is WORK. Yes, to be a locksmith, you must be registered and all of that (in Texas - other States have little to no requirements).

Times have changed. Secrets are spilling out into the open. I see that as a good thing - it can only lead to better security.

Picking locks is not a profession, being a locksmith is. There is a definite difference.

Opening a lock or vehicle for someone, anyone, falls under the profession of a Locksmithing. Doing so without being registered with the DPS is technically violating the law. Having locksmithing tools on your person's without being registered with the DPS puts you at risk. It's food for thought.



As for secrets spilling over to the public sector helps create better security. Better secure lock sets has been around for decades and their still good today due to a lack of public knowledge.

Anyhow, There is more to locksmithing that picking a lock. Hell, I picked my first lock was I was 10 years old. If someone feels their okay using a Quickset lock instead of Medeco etc, what can you do? Heck, even Quickset is starting to install Mushroom pins and Schlag is incorporating Side pins. The other thing about about locks, their only half the battle. The old saying "a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link" holds true with securing a home. Installing a Medeco or Best lock set on a cheap hollow exterior door isn't going to do a person much good. That or installing a single sided lock cylinder on a set of french doors or does with windows near the inside knob. A thief can smash the window faster than you can gran your pick set.

 

[Tailgunner]

The Commando Lock Company has reached out to the locksport community, given away sample locks for picking, improved their designs after hearing the feedback from lock pickers. More companies should do this.

Commando is the only padlock I can give an honest recommendation for. Their dedication to the community speaks volumes...

(Though I do like Yale, and to some extent, Brinks.)

Master is crap though, lol. Yes, bulletproof, but you can open it with a paperclip. They don't show that part in the commercials.

So what makes a Commando special?

 

[Josh66]

I never said that locksmithing was merely picking locks. I know better than most what is involved. I won't belittle your profession, I actually have respect for it. I just think that we have different philosophies about security.

As for secrets spilling over to the public sector helps create better security. Better secure lock sets has been around for decades and their still good today due to a lack of public knowledge.

Lack of public knowledge can NEVER be used as an example of why a given lock is secure. That is where you and I part ways and take a different path. No lock is unpickable. If a key can be made, a pick can be made as well. You ought to know that. Some locks (abloy protec series, as an example) are not known to have been picked, but in theory - it's possible.

 

[Josh66]

The Commando Lock Company has reached out to the locksport community, given away sample locks for picking, improved their designs after hearing the feedback from lock pickers. More companies should do this.

Commando is the only padlock I can give an honest recommendation for. Their dedication to the community speaks volumes...

(Though I do like Yale, and to some extent, Brinks.)

Master is crap though, lol. Yes, bulletproof, but you can open it with a paperclip. They don't show that part in the commercials.

So what makes a Commando special?

The fact that they recognize that their locks can be picked, and that they look to the locksport community to make their locks harder to pick. That is extremely rare, maybe even unique.

They are the example that more companies should follow.

 

[Josh66]

They seek input from lock pickers, and they ACT on it.

They actually "want" to make a better lock...