032 This is how to pick your first Small Format Interchangeable Core

In this episode, you'll learn how to pick your first Small Format Interchangeable Core. Having received an SFIC Lock Voy padlock from Doctor Hogmaster last week, I set about learning everything I could find about Small Format Interchangeable cylinders.
They are not easy to pick because, as you'll see, they are designed to provide two independent sheer lines - one which operates the locking mechanism and another which removes the core.
We'll be looking at how this dual pinning system operates and how you can SPP or rake it to achieve an open.

[@ERROR-Musik404]

After 2 years i finaly FOUND a video explaining this. Thanks.

[@kramerberbon1804]

Damn you rake that boi in two seconds, I'm impressed!

[@fishpicks4531]

Thanks Kramer - suspect I got lucky with the bitting on this particular lock 😉

[@mattk9676]

i could listen to you talk about locks for hours. thankyou for the simple yet detailed explanation. keep up the good work!

[@fishpicks4531]

My pleasure Matt - thanks so much for the encouragement 🙏

[@ApacheFlame]

This is possibly the best explanation of lock internals & picking full stop, let alone having to explain the complexity of the two shear lines. Fantastic video!

[@fishpicks4531]

I really appreciate that - thanks so much 🙌 and yours is possibly the coolest user name on KZbin!

[@bmtlocksport5587]

Beautiful "lock voy" lock i want to get one so bad now! Saw this on facebook and had to follow the link to see it more!!!

[@fishpicks4531]

It is a beauty! 😉🙏

[@RubberBanned]

You’re coming along so quickly! Great work, Fish!

[@fishpicks4531]

Thanks mate - working on developing my impressioning now and once I have something worth sharing, I’ll include a review of your handle and starter kit 🙌

[@jeffandthings77]

I love your clear descriptions and graphics! As a teacher (algebra) you've got my appreciation every time you explain things!

[@fishpicks4531]

Well, as an English teacher Jeff, that is high praise indeed. I have always admired my colleagues in the Maths and Science departments for their precision and concision of expression! Thanks 🙌

[@firepicker5174]

So awesome explain! I enjoy every video you make!

[@fishpicks4531]

So glad you are finding value from the channel - thanks for taking the time to comment 🙏

[@Irondrgntp]

Beautiful demonstration. Very professional.

[@jamkpa]

A good explanation of the lock system. The core removal opening process is similar to a grand master or master key system like you would find in a hotel setting.

[@fishpicks4531]

Yeah - haven’t explored that area yet but I can see the cross overs between the systems 😉

[@Dmaclocksport]

Great video as ever buddy. Have a good weekend! 👍🏻

[@fishpicks4531]

Cheers buddy - you too.

[@FriedPi-mc5yt]

Excellent video as always Fish!

[@fishpicks4531]

Cheers mate - hope all is well 👍

[@auroraringz]

Your explanations of the process are top notch. I like the illustrations as well. I'm trying to get the wife to pick but she learns visually and gets rather flustered easily. I have a feeling this will help her understand a little better. Have a good day!

[@fishpicks4531]

Hope it helps and thanks for the feedback 😉🙌

[@nealarmstrong6068]

High production value, good transfer rate (not too slow that someone might lose interest, not to too fast where the information goes right over the viewer's head), interesting perspective very different than the usual lock sport vids. Sharing solid data, graphics, and what looks to be tension wrenches developed by Chris C. Stay with the format. No over the top glitz for open and close, more like clean branding. Entertaining, educational and a pleasure to spend time on your channel. You got a class act going.

[@fishpicks4531]

Thanks Neal - amazing feedback 🙌

[@mikehooper3392]

As always another wonderful video

[@fishpicks4531]

Many thanks Mike 🙌

[@DoctorHogmaster]

Very nice explanation, and thanks for the shoutout! I’m glad you’re enjoying this very interesting type of lock. 🙂

[@fishpicks4531]

Thank you mate - I literally couldn’t have done this episode without your inspiration and generosity 🙌

[@DoctorHogmaster]

@@fishpicks4531 while I’m sure you would have stumbled upon one at some point, I’m glad to have been able to make the introduction. And well done getting opens at both shear lines! Those locks can be funny; some of them seem to prefer the operating shear line , and others the control. Some places sell a special tension wrench that’s supposed to help pick to control, but I’ve never had any luck with those. Oh well. 🐷🍻🐟

[@chriscapune7873]

Great explanation on these very cool cores!!!!! Stay safe my friend 🐾🐈🐈‍⬛🐾😷🇬🇧👏👏👏👏👏🍻

[@fishpicks4531]

Thanks Chris - I'm at work and my laptop doesn't give me access to emojis so please imagine the relevant additions to this message!

[@chriscapune7873]

@@fishpicks4531 thank you!! Will do!

[@qutube100]

Fluffing awesome video MrFish well presented and excellent content Thankyou very much!

[@fishpicks4531]

haha 'fluffing' might be my new favourite cuss word! Thanks mate :)

[@paulwareing7993]

Great video as always Fish, thank you.

[@fishpicks4531]

My pleasure Paul - thanks for checking it out 🙌

[@PocketWomen]

Great demonstration and very well explained. Thanks for this video, cheers

[@fishpicks4531]

Glad you liked it - thanks so much :)

[@ppipowerclass]

If you pick one to control, you can take the core apart and decode the pins, then you can get your own key made.

[@SadisticPicker]

Hell yeah! What a care package. I’ve had luck with a few sfic’s. But don’t own a padlock sfic. Think I’ll look for one soon. Very cool content👏👏👏😎

[@jackfoxlock]

Thanks for your excellent explanation of a SFIC core. I did not know what they were until now. Great video👍🦊

[@fishpicks4531]

Ah glad you liked it Jack - hope all is well 🙌

[@robertbates3737]

This is the first time that this core format has ever been explained to me properly and in a way I can understand... you rock!! Can anyone recommend a good SFIC padlock that is readily available in the UK? I'd love to have a bash at picking to both shear lines. As always, an excellently produced video, thanks for sharing 👍

[@fishpicks4531]

Robert - if you can't find a readily available source in the UK, I'd be happy to send you this one to play with for a while. Just email me if you want me to send it across to you.

[@warrenjansen7096]

Excellent and impressive as always Fish. Your learning curve and grasp of concepts is amazing. I also appreciate the fact that, while you truly are an becoming an expert in the field, you are not trying to pass yourself off as something you are not. In my opinion, a lot of KZbinrs that would be in your position, would be trying to present themselves as having done this for years with no room for self improvement. Not forgetting where you were less than 6 months ago, and where you are today, is more impressive to me than any skill that you currently have. I hope that makes sense, but you are quickly becoming one of my favorite pickers. Stay humble my friend!

[@fishpicks4531]

Thanks so much for the feedback Warren. I think I am very much influenced by my early grounding in traditional martial arts where my sensei encouraged us to always adopt a 'beginner's mind', no matter what colour belt we had around our waist. There is always more to learn and 'failures' along the way teach us as much as our successes. I am really happy that this comes across on the channel.

[@busyhandspicking9421]

Cracking video as always mate 👍 Not done any picking for a while but Brummies Corbin is heading my way so I'll have to get the picks and camera out again 🤣

[@fishpicks4531]

I’ll look forward to seeing that mate 🙌

[@blackdotkiller1]

you do make some great videos mate keep them coming 👍🔑

[@fishpicks4531]

Thanks mate - I’ll keep working at it 😉

[@gantry289]

As always a well thought out and educational video. Great to have the graphic showing the pin stacks.

[@fishpicks4531]

Glad you liked it - thanks 🙌

[@DonzLockz]

Great videos Mr Fish. Superb explanation and graphics as we now expect from you. Those are not so common down here but they are great for large installations.🍺🤓🇦🇺

[@fishpicks4531]

My pleasure - I don't think they are too typical in the UK either so it was great to get the chance to play with this one :)

[@lloyd1934]

Fish, are you also a teacher? Your ability to explain things, the graphics you use, and the words you choose are superb.

[@MrOpineault]

Thank you Fish, that was very informative. I won an eBay lot of 8 SFIC cores (Best and Arrow) with no keys a while back as they looked great to practice with. I had no idea what an SFIC was, and wondered what the little protrusion on the side was. I've picked two of them once so far but that part did not move. I had no idea they had two shear lines, that's super interesting! My biggest challenge has been holding them, the vice often compresses it too much and binds the pins. I need to find a padlock body for them now that I've seen that!

[@fishpicks4531]

That would sound like a good way to go - good luck with the search 😉

[@KeylessEntry]

Another great video as always Fish👌 Excellent explanation of the SFIC core and love the graphics. Have a great weekend my friend😀✌️

[@fishpicks4531]

Thanks so much - you too 🙌

[@carlseiler6441]

So well explained

[@fishpicks4531]

Thanks Carl - appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment 🙏

[@PickedItMate]

Brill you're gonna have a lot of fun with that Paclock loto they're 7 pins of nastiness and imo by far harder than the master loto. Tha ksnfor the sfic video I'm working on a Corbin Russwin LFIC at the moment and still yet to get an open

[@fishpicks4531]

So many locks, so little time - right?! I have dabbled a little with the Paclock but no joy so far! Good luck with the Corbin :)

[@iyeetsecurity922]

At this point I think everyone's game plan for an SFIC is to rake hard and hope for the best!

[@bouncingmonk123]

I was asking about an sfic I've been playing with on r/lockpicking and I found that a CCW pick is always the operator because obviously that control piece has nowhere to go, I understand sometimes you can still get stuck in the control sheer but this has not been an issue with the core I was working. Thanks as always!

[@fishpicks4531]

Ah interesting - thanks for sharing this 🙌

[@bouncingmonk123]

@@fishpicks4531 I assume the way the pin stacks function, as described in this video, is identical in lfic, is that the case?

[@fishpicks4531]

@@bouncingmonk123 I assume so but haven’t had one of those in my hands yet.

[@forteandblues]

Great video I love the graphics

[@thecrappylockpicker4696]

I have a mako sfic that I can pick to control but not to operating for some reason great video 🐠 👍🏻👍🏻

[@fishpicks4531]

Glad you liked it - thanks for the feedback :)

[@1larrydom1]

Another wonderful video, Fish. So, it seems to me the only difference between this lock and a lock with master wafers is that the operator shear line releases the entire core, whereas the other would simply be another way of getting a conventional open.

[@fishpicks4531]

Yes that's my understanding too Lawrence :)

[@khx73]

Great vid and explanation... the graphics are such a big help. If you are still seeking to learn about these, check out Ken Nixon's vids on SFIC picking analysis and creating a control key... incredible stuff.

[@pugspickslocks]

Very cool! I've not had the pleasure of attacking one of these yet!

[@thekiltedlockpicker5270]

Great vid. Interesting info. Thanks!

[@fishpicks4531]

My pleasure - love tour user name btw 🙌

[@WRWhizard]

Do a search for a SFIC control tension wrench. It has small teeth that engage in the bottom of the keyway and aid in just picking to control. Not perfect but it's a thing.

[@wisebid]

What can i say Fish Another great video .Thank you

[@fishpicks4531]

My pleasure John - thanks for taking the time to watch it.

[@jeffyates2295]

Nice vid again mate, as you know my SSP is crap but raking .. not so much. Not seen that lock that i remember so will be looking out for one. Could make an interesting Challenge lock. 😎

[@fishpicks4531]

Cheers Jeff - yeah I’m sure you could turn it into something evil! 👹

[@Jethorus]

I am thoroughly addicted to your videos at this point haha. Thanks for the great content. Would it be possibly as an April fools joke to repin the lock so that the operator key opens the control shear line? (The control key would be useless in that state but I wonder if it’s possible)

[@fishpicks4531]

It’s certainly an interesting idea - glad you’re enjoying the content 🙌

[@Djohno2701]

Your videos must take hours to edit!!! Great content as always.

[@fishpicks4531]

They can take a while Douglas but I wouldn’t want to put something out that I’m not proud of - I appreciate you noticing the effort that goes into them 🙏

[@howardtoob]

If I have a control key will the next shear line be the operating shear line? The sfic cores I have are also master pinned?

[@leovongrimm]

I got locked out of the office today, and our "spare key" ended up being the control key.... so all i had to do was use tweezers or a screwdriver to turn the prongs? :[

[@MikkoRantalainen]

If you have two different shearlines picked for different stacks, how it will feel? Does this need different pick technique to e.g. spools or serrated pins?

[@fishpicks4531]

I’m still learning about this myself but I treat the picking process the same as I would a regular pin tumbler lock - the feedback on security pins feels the same to me.

[@bradleybenson13]

How are build up pins and master pins different from each other?

[@fishpicks4531]

Good question and not one for which I have an answer yet. Stay tuned though - no doubt it is something I will learn about at some point in the future. 😉

[@khx73]

Masters would be a fourth pin in there between the key pins and build-up pins. It's quite commonly done with SFIC systems. Master pins would typically be shorter to fit in the same total stack height and give you the extra operating bittings.