Lock Picking
In my recent paper called “Simplicity and Padlocks” I covered picking the warded padlock. If you can open these locks with a key then you can open them with a pick and that is why I say start with these. You should also read “My Methods Of Deception” to explain how to use picking as entertainment. The main objection to full view picking is stated as against exposures but that is the lie. To be an exposure I have to show you how a trick works. Picking is still a mystery after you do it because it doesn't expose anything it simply demonstrates that you really do have some skill.
The real objection is because many of these guys don't have the nerve or the skill to stand on stage and pick cuff after cuff. It is one thing to pick in your house but another to do it on stage with real police cuffs in front of an audience.
This is real challenge work and you could be trapped. Don't let these people hold you back because they are limited. Eighty percent of those who post on line have no real background or highly developed skills.
One difficult area when starting is to wade through all the complete stupidity from “some” magicians and artists. One favorite statement of mine is from magicians who say things like give me a handcuff key and I will be an artist. Even with keys you have to know cuff work. Suppose you break the key? It happens. There are cuffs so dangerous if you turn the key wrong or too far it will become trapped and you will not get it out. So you need to know a lot more about cuffs than the key.
After you learn the warded lock picking system I suggest you get a manual on the wafer tumble locks as these are not hard and will help you ease into the pin tumbler locks. The picks are the same for both. You can learn on your own the basics of locks. You do not have to be a master locksmith. In the end however full view picking should be limited on certain locks and never should be a contest with an audience watching. I will write more about locks and cuffs in time. Start with warded locks to wafer locks to pin tumbler locks and you are on your way.
-N. Bigelow
