Top 10 Best Beginner Padlocks - Get Good!

I have been asked countless times what some good padlocks for beginner lockpickers are and I have finally made a video on it! These recommendations will take you on a journey from beginner to a solid picker while also having a lot of fun. Let us know your suggestions in the comments!
Also a shout out to Bosnian Bill, who made a similar list some time ago.
See all these picked in real time over on my side channel! • Top 10 Beginner Padloc...
OR for full cringe, see me pick them over the years 😉
Master Lock 3
• (004) Single pin picki...
Master Lock 140
• (014) Master Lock 140 ...
Master Lock Excel/Magnum
• (152) FAIL! Master Loc...
Abus 60/40 Type
• ABUS T84MB Safety Firs...
Yale 125 type
• Yale P125/50 Padlock P...
Master Lock pro 5 pin
• Master Lock Pro 7035 P...
Master Lock pro 6 pin
• (279) Master Lock Pro ...
Federal 90A
• (325) Federal 90A Long...
PacLock
• Brass PacLock 95 Pick ...
PacLock Pro
• 7 Pin New PacLock Pro ...
Abus 72/40
• (574) Tyco Aluminium S...
American Lock 1100
• American Lock 1100 vs ...
Remember: only pick locks that are yours and that are not in use! Keep locksport legal!
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#locksport #lockpicking #locksmith #pentest #hacker

[@LockNoob]

I have been asked countless times what some good padlocks for beginner lockpickers are and I have finally made a video on it! These recommendations will take you on a journey from beginner to a solid picker while also having a lot of fun. Let us know your suggestions in the comments! Master Lock 3 kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2bJlaOknsuAmbc Master Lock 140 kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2Sbp52deqeErMk Master Lock Excel/Magnum kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKXVq6mdpL17q7s Abus 60/40 Type kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqq4Z4lvo62Ena8 Yale 125 type kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqG9p3dribGdms0 Master Lock pro 5 pin kzbin.info/www/bejne/epm6lat6ep2fg5o Master Lock pro 6 pin kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpupl5qrYtVrotk Federal 90A kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqKUlHZrn7Wojpo PacLock kzbin.info/www/bejne/famZYXiJobyijtE PacLock Pro kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3jPomh_fZKYftU Abus 72/40 kzbin.info/www/bejne/sISklmNmYqljkM0 American Lock 1100 kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpLIYpuJfcdrgLc

[@locknut5382]

That's a good spread of pin tumbler padlocks. There are some small locks bearing the Chubb brand name which are on a par with Master #3, but which have the challenge of a tiny keyway, which is too small for some tension tools. Small keyways teach beginners better pick type and lever size selection, whilst forcing pickers to learn how to pick, rather than raking.

[@al69420]

@LockNoob hey man, I’m really good at picking keyhole locks 4-5-6 pin but I cannot seem to get down the combination locks that you pick by using a small shim and pressing the lever down (for example the master lock 178). Any tips? I just broke a 178 in frustration… haha

[@BeercanBushcraft]

I was one of those BEGINNERS who has asked you several times for practice lock recommendations. So, this video is absolute gold. Thank You Very Much. Lots of Masterlock there! I will buy them and see how I get on, I really am a total N00bie 👍👍👍🍻

[@trapperjohn7571]

After you've gotten used to picking the 1100 you can leave it outside for a while and let it get rained on a few times. Then picking them becomes a real challenge

[@LockNoob]

For sure!

[@andrewburns3823]

Another group that might be worth a look are "Safety Lockout" or "Lock out-Tag out" locks. The Abus 72/40 has the same paracentric keyway as the 60/40, 6 pins, 5 spools and a low price point (usu. under $10 US.) The Master 410 LOTO lock has a moderately paracentric keyway 6 pins and the driver pins are 5 spools and one lightly serrated. This lock also has a low price (usu. under $9 US.) Neither of these locks are built for "security" but they are a lot of fun to single pin pick (which is the point) and they are cheap. Best!

[@LockNoob]

Thanks for the input!

[@samel88]

Thank you so so much! This is the perfect video for me. I was trying to buy some locks today, but couldn't find any in the shops I was in. And when I did, they were 1€ ones, which I don't want to buy, because they are just too badly made. I wondered where to buy some locks. And you even thought of the europeans! You're great. I'm from Germany by the way, so I'll definitely look at some of these locks. Thanks again, and warm regards from Germany, Samuel

[@LockNoob]

Thanks 😊

[@danstotland6386]

Outstanding video. Invaluable resource. Thanks.

[@chrisaviolist]

I got a master No. 3 on sale from Amazon, so I had no idea what the key bitting would look like until it arrived. Turns out, I might have just gotten one of the more difficult Master lock key bittings for these locks, as there are two ultra low cuts at the back and two ultra high cuts at the front. Very different from the average flat bitting keys normally sold with these Number 3's. For me at least, I've had difficulty in purely rocking, raking, and snapping it open. Picking often oversets the backmost pins. Perhaps the lesson with this one is to be ready to experiment with hooks of different depths and profiles. I can just imagine someone who didn't know the key bitting having some confusion when the normal techniques take longer than usual 😂

[@brendanstorzuk3759]

Quick tip if you want the American lock 1100, those locks are on basically every power box in ur local areas, at least where I'm from, I got like 12 now free of charge

[@adeh503]

I'm a total beginner and really struggling to open the master lock 140 and that's only at number 2 😂 do I just give up the hobby now and take up stamp collecting

[@rediscoveringamerica3003]

Great video! As another "noob" only a couple weeks into picking this is some valuable info. I've got a Master #1 that I can easily spp in only a few seconds now, and then tried the other lock I had sitting in my toolbox- an Ace hardware lock made in China. I thought it would be a simple pick, but I was very wrong. After finding a couple videos of this lock being picked, I found that even the pros had issues with it having serrated pins and spools. A real doozy of a challenge for only a 2nd lock! But after a time I finally got it picked, thanks in part to your instructional videos. Now for some real challenges, I have countless LOTO locks in several variations to work on, which Lockpicking Lawyer calls the lock paradox (cheapest possible body with the best cores). Also have several Everest tumblers and a Yale commercial with an extreme paracentric keyway on hold for when I finally get the Multipick Elite 39 pc Lock Noob Essential kit I ordered out of Australia.

[@gilessparkes2699]

Very interesting, great recommendation and discussion. Would be very interested in similar video on euro’s, dimple, lever locks, especially for beginners. Hope you have a nice weekend

[@LockNoob]

I’ll do more vids no worries!

[@geoffrymcgary]

I'd like to throw Brinks laminated locks as a recommendation. Here in the states they're common at Wal Mart and other big box stores for similar prices to Master Lock :D

[@LockNoob]

Noted!

[@seanb3516]

The BRINKS Security padlocks are easier to pick than your nose. I'm surprised not to see Guard padlocks mentioned. Excellent Spools.

[@LockNoob]

Not sure we get guard locks in the U.K.? Maybe we do

[@seanb3516]

@@LockNoob If you do they are wonderful for training. Spool City! Great counter rotation feedback.

[@derbmed1]

I have several of these locks already. I like to every so often go back and pick them just to get my mind off of a frustrating lock.

[@LockNoob]

I pick them all the time too!

[@cardiffpicker1]

Never hit my hands on an American lock, I might have had the master loto on the list as I find them a little more difficult than the 6 pin pro series.

[@LockNoob]

AL are a must

[@Leonslockpad]

Great choice of locks and defo the1100 Ash mate👍👊🇬🇧😊😎

[@LockNoob]

Thanks 🙏

[@parapicktog7734]

#11 master/American LOTO 401, 6 pins with lotsa spools and serated pins, slightly more challenging keyway than 1100s and usually have decent bitting. But first, before I even started with padlocks I would recommend actual practice locks with schlage keyway, they are cheap and easy to re-pin, and most come with extra pins including security pins. Get the ones with a cutaway and you can see what is happening so you can learn what different things feel like(this is how I learned to detect spools) Kwikset also makes practice locks and use the same pins as schlage, but schlage is more common. Stay away from the acrylic locks, they may be good to show how a lock works, but they are ridiculously sloppy and easy to pick and not a realistic example of how real locks "feel" . BTW: schlage and kwikset pins are a bit thicker than master/american pins making it a bit easier for beginners to feel and "find" the pins and the warding between them.

[@LockNoob]

Yes, Schlage are great beginner locks too

[@72cmcinc]

Excellent group of 10! I agree the American 1100’s are my favs!

[@LockNoob]

They are great

[@keithroberts5946]

Great information If you could you list the locks in comments

[@LockNoob]

Done

[@LockpickingsGal]

Awesome list!! Can you add a link to your side channel? Have a great weekend!!

[@LockNoob]

Will do. Probably publish tomorrow 😀

[@jeancerrien3016]

I like the Master Lock 570. They have security pins and a floating core. A bit easier than an AL1100.

[@LockNoob]

Yeah!

[@jacko717]

Master Lock 9140 was a nice introduction lock for me.

[@LockNoob]

Nice 👍

[@manipulator9210]

Thank you very much for uploading this. I have trouble getting an American 1100 but I did get the Abus 72/40 since I have been opening many standard Abus and some Yale locks already. Let's see how I will fare against it. The limit I just broke was a Burgwächter Profi 116/50. It had been sitting in my locks drawer for about a year now and was the last commercial in my naughty bucket.

[@LockNoob]

Thanks 😊

[@martin64ist]

As a daily pick i grad a yale of some form a go round the revolver and one of my dont tell her how many abus 80ti they give such good feedback and deep false gates Great video as always

[@LockNoob]

Thanks 😊

[@JohnnyWrongo-b9l]

I have a master lock no.1 that I am having real trouble with because of the bitting. Two very deep cuts followed by two very shallow cuts.

[@1970pizza]

brillliant video , i will be writting down this list and trying to open them as i probably have most if not all these padlocks in my collection already

[@chriscapune7873]

😅 you have them 😅🐈🐾🐈‍⬛🐾

[@LockNoob]

They are are all fun picks

[@doriWyo]

I have a few transparent locks, which are good for seeing something, and learning how it feels. My two Master Locks both have "40mm" on the bottom, as their only marking. I am slowly accumulating practice locks.

[@WalterReade]

A guy at a local hardware store gave me a few lock cores that they kept in a box after people had their locks redone. Beats buying them!

[@doriWyo]

Yes. I checked with a locksmith, here, and he won't do it. He says he's lost too many from borrowed ones that were never returned.

[@P_RO_]

Ask carpenters to give you old door locks- we usually swap these on houses fairly often. Thrift stores (and in the US Habitat for Humanity "Re-Stores", Salvation Army stores) sometimes have various locks cheap. Boot sales (Flea Markets in the US) can be another source. Ask friends, family, and co-workers too. It costs nothing to ask and the worst that can happen is hearing "No" for an answer.

[@davearmitage392]

I believe I am now a relatively competent pin picker and am now moving into disc and dimple locks. Would appreciate your top 10 on these locks… love and respect your work.

[@KeylessEntry]

Abloy and Mul-T-Lock👍

[@davearmitage392]

@@KeylessEntry this tells me nothing in relation to a top 10 level of difficulty as seen in this video regarding spp locks.

[@KeylessEntry]

@@davearmitage392 Abloy make DD locks and Mul-T-Lock make dimple locks. There’s heaps of info out there if you do the research.

[@KeylessEntry]

You should take a look at the LPU belt system which classifies locks by difficulty.

[@davearmitage392]

@@KeylessEntry this is very informative, thanks for the heads up

[@jameshall1300]

Thanks for posting this, almost perfect timing for me too. I've been wearing out my 2 re-pinnable locks and the few padlocks I already have, and was looking for a few more. Picked up a nice Abus 72/40, a Paclock Pro ( already had the standard 6 pin one from them ), and a Federal 90A. Managed a couple opens on the Abus already, but I finally had to break down and make a new TOK tension tool for that tight keyway like the one you always use. Side bonus is that it works great on the two Yale euro cylinders I also have.

[@Glynnclarkson]

Hi there, hope you can help. I’m trying to find out if the Multi-Lock Mt5+ has emergency feature to allow a key inserted from both sides. Hope you can advise. Cheers Glynn

[@kasper_429]

1:10 Aren't these the ones you can comb open? Lol. Granted, a beginner picker wouldn't necessarily know or want to know about bypass stuff.

[@butchvandyk1051]

Good day i am a supper new in lock picking and i saw you... did use sharpie marker to mark the pin placements... how standard are those distance between pins?

[@LockNoob]

Not very, but rough positioning is still useful on some locks

[@butchvandyk1051]

@@LockNoob thank you so much for your reply... so the "Lichy" tool sorry for my spelling is also guess work or how can i make it easer to pick that first lock?

[@paulcarlton8179]

I have just been given a set of beginners Lock cowboys with the 3 beginners see through locks... I have these old ones which are at least 15 years old which do you think I should try first.

[@DAdamTrammell]

I pretty much agree, but would put the Master 911 before the Abus and the Yale after the American 1100. I only have one Yale though, so maybe I just got lucky and got a tricky one.

[@LockNoob]

All of them are dependent on age/use and bitting, so it’s only a rough order ish

[@DAdamTrammell]

@@LockNoob true, but no Master Lock should ever be considered harder than an Abus 🤣😂🤣😂

[@LockNoob]

@@DAdamTrammell 😂😂😂 I know what you mean, but some of them Pro series and LOTO locks can be tricky

[@justinsmith3981]

abus 55/40 is pretty cheap and is an orange belt lock

[@jip3517]

Great content!!! Love the channel.

[@chriscapune7873]

Great recommendations!!!! Great locks to work your way through 😀 🐈‍⬛🐾🐈🐾🇬🇧🍻

[@LockNoob]

Thanks 😊

[@hariyanto8515]

You cant, open podlock from krisbow

[@jayybarra6236]

Great content. I might add the master 571.

[@LockNoob]

Sure!

[@jayybarra6236]

Sorry. 570.

[@SnyperMac1]

I found a LSDA 300, that particular lock is a SOB it has a couple spools and a serrated pin in it. Probably not the best for a beginner but i got through it a couple times. The first time it was a little bound up but some blaster penetrating oil fixed it right up

[@LockNoob]

Yes line is good for older locks

[@lauravictorylemuel63]

How can I pick a cross lock without all this item

[@rilledulu]

Abus 85/40 is a really nice series with very good feedback from the spools

[@LockNoob]

Yeah!

[@1polynation169]

my first lock was the first Master lock you mentioned ! Loved this one , huge fan of this channel !! Cheers

[@LockNoob]

Thanks 😊

[@vistahator]

im new in this and opened 4 or 5 times now my master lock no.3 and im very happy about it :)

[@LockNoob]

Awesome 😎

[@TheRugghead]

Masterlock no.7 is tiny

[@LockFumbler]

Very nice video, great list for beginners 👍👍 for me it was really helpful to be able to gut the lock and understand a bit why it behaves like it does while picking. That being said, in the very beginning one should not be troubled with gutting. 🤔 Anyhow very useful video, keep up the nice work 👍👍

[@LockNoob]

About 4/10 of these can be gutted, just not the first 6 :-)

[@LockFumbler]

@@LockNoob yes i know, sorry, i formulated badly above. Just wanted to highlight the benefits of a guttable lock 🙃

[@JimBailey]

Thank you Lock Noob

[@scottperson9487]

Great video. I have picked nine of these except I need to pick up the top one as I have not tried it yet.

[@LockNoob]

Thanks 😊

[@Richie_]

I'll try them all..

[@vicenterivera5693]

Very informative. Thank you for sharing.

[@LockNoob]

Thanks ☺️

[@johnbrennan7175]

I enjoy picking and like to challenge myself with new locks. Just wondered how the UK law stands on this. If I were to pick a lock to help a friend and had their complete agreement to do so. What type of written or otherwise contract do I need, for example a driving license of the property owner?

[@paulmcpherson5433]

Hi i came to you by a complete accident. never had any thought of lock picking but after seeing a few of you vids I find it totally absorbing can you recommend a book that explains the absolute basics such as what bitting means etc...

[@jacko717]

I wouldn't bother with a book personally. Lock Noob, Lock Picking Lawyer, Bosnian Bill and Helpful Lock Picker on KZbin will more or less cover all your needs.

[@LockNoob]

Look up the books by Deviant Ollam

[@paulmcpherson5433]

@@LockNoob thanks

[@zac_in_ak]

how about a video on white to blue belt locks?

[@LockNoob]

As far as I know, this covers white to blue. I know the al1100 is blue

[@LockPickingNewbie64]

What a great video. As a new picker, I have picked several from your list, including recently an 1100 series lock. There were a few I have not heard of and have ordered them. I even ordered two more 1100 series locks that are arriving today. The 1100 has become my favorite lock for sure as the first one I did proved to be a great challenge. Thank you for sharing this awesome video.

[@LockNoob]

Thanks 😊

[@seanfoltz7645]

Very useful - thank you!

[@LockNoob]

Thanks 😊

[@bradw0535]

Great list Ash! The pro-series 6121's and even the Master 911's helped me learn and conquer spool pins 👍👍

[@LockNoob]

Thanks 😊

[@MyTube4Utoo]

A great video at the perfect time for me, as I was just getting ready to order a few more locks. Thank you.

[@LockNoob]

Thanks 😊

[@LockpickingMasta]

That's what I needed! cheers bud, hope to see more beginner stuff from you :3

[@LockNoob]

Sure thing!

[@mzmknight]

4th

[@LockNoob]

Yeah!!

[@Gazz_R]

Great selection! Take care Ash and have a fantastic week mate.

[@LockNoob]

Thanks Gazz