JustBeginning
Beginner's guide

So you're getting into locksport

Locksport is the hobby and sport of picking locks for skill, not crime. It's a tactile puzzle where the feedback lives in your fingertips. The gear is affordable, the community is unusually welcoming, and most beginners pop their first lock within an hour of holding picks for the first time.

By Colin B. · Published June 7, 2026 · Last reviewed June 7, 2026
person picking lock

Photo by Ariel on Unsplash

The 60-second version

If you only buy 3 things to start:

  1. SouthOrd PXS-14 Lockpick Set — American-made, 14 pieces, everything a beginner needs to start picking. The go-to starter set on Amazon.
  2. Varspo Transparent Practice Padlock — Watch pins set in real time through a clear padlock. Worth buying alongside your first pick set.
  3. Abus 55/40 Solid Brass Padlock — The community's accepted next target after the Master Lock 140. Tighter tolerances teach fast.
Budget total
$40
Typical total
$120
A starter pick set and a few practice locks gets you going for $40-80. A proper collection with quality picks and a pinning kit lands around $120.

We earn commission on qualifying Amazon purchases — see our affiliate disclosure. Price tiers and budget totals shown above are editorial estimates; actual Amazon prices vary.

At a glance

Our top pick in each category

The fastest path through this guide — each best-starter pick by category. Scroll for the budget and upgrade alternatives.

CategoryTop pickPriceWhere to buy
Pick SetsSouthOrdSouthOrd PXS-14 Lockpick Set$ See on Amazon →
Practice LocksVarspoVarspo Transparent Practice Padlock$ See on Amazon →
Tension ToolsECSiNGECSiNG 6-Piece Double Head Tension Wrench Set$ See on Amazon →
Practice SetupLocksportXPCLocksportXPC 3-Skills Deluxe Practice Stand$$ See on Amazon →
Before you buy anything

A few things worth knowing first

Don't overthink your first pick set. A 10-15 piece set with a hook, a short hook, a couple rakes, and a few tension wrenches is everything you need for the first six months. The $20 price difference between budget and mid-tier picks is irrelevant at this stage.

Start with practice locks, not real locks around your house. Transparent training locks let you see the pins moving in real time, which collapses the learning curve. Once you can open the training lock confidently, real padlocks feel straightforward.

Locksport is completely legal in most of the US and Canada. Owning picks is only illegal when you can prove intent to commit a crime. The community's cardinal rule: only pick locks you own or have explicit written permission to pick. Stick to that and you'll never have a problem.

The gear

What you actually need

Pick Sets

Your pick set is your most important purchase. A good set includes several hook profiles for single-pin picking, a few rakes for faster technique, and multiple tension wrenches. You'll use maybe 3-5 picks regularly; the rest cover edge cases. Most beginners start with raking to get that first open, then graduate to single-pin picking for harder locks.

Pick Sets — what's the difference?

A few common shapes, each making a different trade.

Flat Steel Handles

Budget-friendly, stiff picks. Fine for learning raking and basic technique.

Handle
Flat steel
Feedback
Minimal
Price
Lower

Best for Beginners who want to start without overthinking handle preference

Tradeoff No wrist rotation feedback; you feel pick angle with fingers instead

↓ See our pick
Metal Handles

Better tactile feedback. The step up for serious single-pin picking.

Handle
Metal
Feedback
Good
Price
Higher

Best for Pickers ready for tighter locks where subtle feedback matters

Tradeoff Bulkier profile won't enter every narrow keyway

↓ See our pick
Best starter
SouthOrd

SouthOrd PXS-14 Lockpick Set

$

SouthOrd has been making picks in the US since the 1960s. The PXS-14 is their 14-piece flat steel starter set, covering short hooks, rakes, and tension wrenches in one kit. Flat steel handles give no wrist rotation feedback, but that's a minor tradeoff at this price point. The most accessible quality pick set on Amazon from a manufacturer with a real track record.

What we like

  • American-made by a locksmith supplier with six decades of experience
  • Amazon Prime eligible; arrives in days, not weeks from Canada
  • Flat steel is stiff and doesn't flex under normal picking pressure

What to know

  • Flat handles give no rotational feedback, takes getting used to
  • Thicker profile than premium picks; won't fit every tight keyway
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
SouthOrd

SouthOrd MPXS-14 Lock Pick Set with Metal Handles

$$

Same 14-piece pick variety as the PXS-14, but the metal handles change the experience. You can feel the pick's orientation and flex in your hand, which matters a lot when single-pin picking on tighter locks. Once you've built a technique base and find flat steel limiting, the MPXS-14 is the natural next step.

What we like

  • Metal handles transmit pick position and flex to your hand clearly
  • Same proven SouthOrd 14-piece variety as the entry-level PXS-14
  • Better for single-pin picking where subtle feedback is everything

What to know

  • Bulkier handles won't fit every narrow keyway profile
  • Same pick profiles as the PXS-14, so upgrade only when handles matter
See on Amazon →

Practice Locks

Practice locks are the consumable of locksport. Start with a transparent keyed padlock that shows exactly what your picks are doing to the pins inside, collapsing weeks of guesswork into one afternoon. Once you open it reliably, move to a 4-pin padlock, then 5-pin, then security pins. Budget $5-15 per lock; you'll accumulate several over your first year.

Best starter
Varspo

Varspo Transparent Practice Padlock

$

The clear acrylic body shows the pin stacks in real time as you pick. Watch a pin set when your hook lifts it to the shear line, watch it drop when your tension slips, and immediately understand why light tension works better than heavy. Twenty minutes with this lock teaches more than a week of blind picking.

What we like

  • Clear acrylic lets you watch pins set in real time as you pick
  • Immediately shows why light tension and lifting technique matter
  • Cheap enough to buy without overthinking the decision

What to know

  • Too easy once you understand the mechanism; purely a training tool
  • Acrylic body doesn't simulate the spring feel of real metal locks
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Master Lock

Master Lock 140D Solid Brass Padlock

$

The community's traditional first real padlock target. Four pins with loose tolerances, no security pins, and you'll open it in your first week. Cheap enough to buy three for blind practice once you stop needing to see the pins moving.

What we like

  • Four pins with forgiving tolerances, the ideal first real target
  • Cheap enough to buy several for varied blind practice sessions
  • Available at every hardware store for same-day pickup

What to know

  • No security pins, so it doesn't prepare you for harder locks
  • So easy it stops being a challenge after a few sessions
See on Amazon →
Specialty pick
Abus

Abus 55/40 Solid Brass Padlock

$

The locksport community's accepted intermediate target. Tighter tolerances than the Master Lock 140, five pins, and a genuine step up in required technique. When you open a 55/40 reliably, you're ready to move on to security pins and harder lock types.

What we like

  • Community-accepted next step after the Master Lock 140 progression
  • Tighter tolerances teach proper tension control by necessity
  • Real build quality you could actually use as a working padlock

What to know

  • Significantly harder than the 140; don't skip steps or you'll stall
  • Still no security pins; next challenge after this is quite different
See on Amazon →

Tension Tools

Tension wrenches are half the pick: the piece that applies rotational pressure to the plug while your pick manipulates the pins. Most beginner sets include a small assortment, but a dedicated tension pack gives you the variety needed for tight keyways and unusual keyway profiles. The right tension (light, lighter than you think) makes more difference than any pick choice.

Best starter
ECSiNG

ECSiNG 6-Piece Double Head Tension Wrench Set

$

Six double-headed tension wrenches in widths from 0.6mm to 1.2mm, covering virtually every pin tumbler keyway you'll encounter. Double-headed means each wrench has two different widths, one on each end, giving you 12 effective thickness options in a pocket-sized pack.

What we like

  • Six wrenches covering 0.6-1.2mm, the full range for common padlocks
  • Double-headed design gives two thickness options per wrench
  • Compact pack fits alongside any pick set in a carrying case

What to know

  • Thinnest sizes snap under heavy torque; keep your tension light
  • Less familiar brand than SouthOrd; check product reviews on order
See on Amazon →
Specialty pick
Unbranded

Stainless Steel Double Sided Y Tension Wrench Kit

$

A Y-shaped tension bar that some pickers prefer for deadbolts and lever locks where a standard L-shaped wrench blocks the keyway. A different technique and different feedback from the BOK/TOK wrenches you learn on first. Worth having once you move beyond basic padlocks.

What we like

  • Y-bar style works in keyways where L-shaped wrenches won't fit
  • Stainless steel with no sharp edges, good build for a specialty tool

What to know

  • Different technique from standard BOK/TOK tension; learn standard first
  • Not useful as a primary tension tool for typical padlock practice
Find on Amazon →

Practice Setup

Picking a padlock while holding it with one hand works, but it's awkward and limits your technique. A simple vise or lock stand frees both hands for picks and tension wrenches. Add a pinning mat and extra pins and you can re-pin your locks to different difficulties, turning a $10 Master Lock into an infinite puzzle generator.

Best starter
LocksportXPC

LocksportXPC 3-Skills Deluxe Practice Stand

$$

A dedicated stand built for locksport practice that holds padlocks, cylinders, and practice boards. Frees both hands for your pick and tension wrench, and holds locks at the right angle for extended sessions without awkward grip fatigue.

What we like

  • Both hands free for picks and tension, removes one variable from practice
  • Holds padlocks and cylinders at the right angle for extended sessions
  • Built by a locksport-specific brand for this exact use case

What to know

  • Works best with standard padlock sizes; check fit for unusual formats
  • Primarily useful once you're practicing seriously enough to need both hands
See on Amazon →
Specialty pick
US Locks

US Locks Lock Pinning Tray for Locksport

$

A simple tray with indented cells that keeps tiny pins from bouncing across the room when you re-pin a lock. The cells hold driver pins, key pins, and spool pins separately so you can work methodically. Add a set of extra driver pins and you can re-pin any practice padlock to a new difficulty level.

What we like

  • Keeps tiny pins organized so re-pinning doesn't become a carpet search
  • Indented cells hold driver pins, key pins, and spools separately
  • Opens up the lock modification layer of the hobby

What to know

  • Skip entirely until you can pick your current locks consistently
  • Tiny pins still escape surfaces if you rush; work methodically
See on Amazon →
Going deeper

Your first 5 hours of locksport

Most people assume picking locks is either impossible or instant. The reality is in between: with the right starting point, most beginners open their first real padlock within their first session.

Read the guide →
Save your money

What you don't need yet

Beginners get pressured to buy a lot of stuff that doesn't help them play better. Here's what we'd skip on day one.

  • High-security lock targets (Medeco, Mul-T-Lock) — These have security pins and tight tolerances. Work up to them; they'll be waiting when you're ready.
  • Dimple lock picks — A completely different pick geometry for a different lock type. Add these after mastering pin tumbler locks.
  • Bypass tools (jigglers, Lishi picks) — Useful for specific situations, not for learning fundamentals. Standard picks first.
  • An electric pick gun — Removes the skill entirely. Fun for a party trick, useless for developing real locksport technique.
  • A leather pick roll or custom carry case — The pouch that comes with your first set is fine. Buy a nice roll once you know which picks you actually carry.
  • Bump keys — A different technique, not locksport. Legal gray area in some jurisdictions and irrelevant to developing pick skill.
First week

Your first seven days

A short, real plan to get from gear-on-doorstep to actually playing.

  1. Order a starter pick set and a transparent training lock at the same time. · Buy
  2. Read the r/lockpicking community wiki. It has the best free beginner resource anywhere: lock rankings, technique breakdowns, and a legality guide by state. · Learn
  3. Pick up a Master Lock No. 140D at any hardware store, or order one online. · Buy
  4. Watch a LockPickingLawyer video for your first lock target. His technique walkthroughs are clear and beginner-friendly. · Learn
  5. Spend 20 minutes with the transparent lock, watching pins set as you pick. Then switch to your real padlock and apply what you saw. · Action
  6. Open your first real padlock. Photograph it open. You've earned it. · Action
  7. Find your local TOOOL chapter or join the online community. · Action
FAQ

Common questions

Is locksport legal?

In most of the US and Canada, owning lockpicks is legal. A few states have statutes that can restrict possession without a locksmith license, though locksport practitioners are rarely prosecuted. Check the r/lockpicking wiki's legality section for your state. The universal rule: only pick locks you own or have explicit permission to pick.

How long does it take to pick my first lock?

Most beginners open a transparent training lock within 30-60 minutes of their first session. A real padlock (Master Lock 140) typically takes 1-3 sessions. The tactile skill develops faster than most people expect because the feedback is immediate and you can feel progress in real time.

Do I need a pick gun or electric pick?

No. Electric picks and snap guns are useful for professional locksmiths in a hurry but don't teach you anything. The hobby is about developing the skill, not just defeating the lock. Skip them entirely until you're specifically curious about bypass techniques.

What's the best YouTube channel for beginners?

LockPickingLawyer is the most popular and his opening segments explain specific techniques. BosnianBill covers picking methodology more deeply. Both are worth watching. Once you've progressed, search r/lockpicking for your specific target lock; someone has almost certainly picked it and posted a guide.

Can I pick locks I don't own?

No. The locksport community is emphatic on this: only pick locks you own or have explicit written permission to work on. The hobby's reputation depends on practitioners respecting this rule. r/lockpicking enforces it strictly and will remove posts that suggest otherwise.

What's the community like?

One of the friendlier hobby communities around. r/lockpicking is active and genuinely helpful. TOOOL has in-person chapters in many cities. Locksport International hosts competitions. The culture leans toward technical enthusiasm and mutual progression rather than gatekeeping newcomers.

Going further

Where to next

Related hobbies

Browse by category

Authoritative sources

  • r/lockpicking — The community hub. The wiki is the single best beginner resource: lock rankings, technique breakdowns, tool recommendations, and legality by state.
  • TOOOL — The Open Organisation Of Lockpickers — The main international hobbyist organization, with chapters in many US cities. Check for in-person meetings and picking nights.
  • LockPickingLawyer (YouTube) — The most-watched locksport channel. His beginner technique series is the community standard for getting started.
  • BosnianBill (YouTube) — More technique-focused than LPL. Better once you have the fundamentals and want to understand lock mechanics more deeply.
  • Locksport International — Competition organizer and skills-ranking body. Check here when you're ready to compete or earn a recognized rank.
  • TOOOL at DEF CON — TOOOL runs a locksport village at DEF CON every year, a major annual gathering for the hobbyist community.

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