Welcome to this in-depth introduction to the fascinating world of lock picking through LockPickers United. Whether you’re an experienced lock picker or just starting out, this guide will walk you through the unique Belt Ranking System of LockPickers United and how to get involved in this global community.
Discover how to sharpen your skills, share insights with like-minded individuals, and improve your ranking as you take on the many locks available in our Lockpicking store. Let’s get started!
LockPickers United (also known as LPU) is an English-speaking community with a shared interest in locksport. The essence of locksport is to challenge lock manufacturers by discovering the flaws they may have overlooked.
You are constantly searching for the weaknesses in the lock created by the manufacturer. It is a tremendous skill to repeatedly find a new challenge and defeat it on your own. For this reason, groups such as LockPickers United were founded to help you on your journey.
Joining this group is straightforward! Visit LPU’s open platform on Reddit, completely free of obligation.
Reddit is a platform where people from all over the world can share information. It works like a forum with various “sub-reddits,” each dedicated to specific topics.
For instance, there’s a lock picking sub-reddit that’s wildly popular, where people from around the world exchange tips and tricks about lock picking. (Plenty of Dutch participants too!)
Joining LockPickers United
If you’ve ever wanted to join a lock picking group, LockPickers United is the perfect solution. Chat with fellow lock pickers about locks and learn from each other’s tips.
The rules to join are minimal; you only need to be a good person with a genuine interest in locks. If you’ve never picked a lock but are intrigued by the idea of learning locksport, this is the place for you.
Let’s go over the top ten rules, as we have nothing but respect for LockPickers United.
Rule 1 – Possibly Illegal or Inappropriate
We do not facilitate illegal or inappropriate activities, including breaking into locks that are not yours. Be sure to be aware of the legal matters in your region.
Rule 2 – Locks Not Owned or In Use
Asking for help in opening a lock is allowed and encouraged, but the lock must not be in use. Any contribution asking for help with a lock that is in use, such as a door lock still attached to a door or a padlock with a closed shackle, will be removed.
Rule of thumb: A lock is “in use” if it’s installed.
Rule 3 – No Emergency Help
We do not offer emergency lockout services. This also often violates our rule about “locks in use”.
Rule 4 – Don’t Be a Jerk
No hate speech, intolerance, or personal attacks are allowed.
Rule 5 – No Astroturfing
Absolutely no astroturfing.
Definition:
Astroturfing is the practice of masking the sponsors of a message to make it appear as though it comes from grassroots participants. It’s a tactic used to give credibility by hiding financial connections.
Rule 6 – Stay On-Topic
Posts must stay relevant to the topic at hand. Off-topic content will be removed at our discretion.
Rule 7 – No Stock Photos in Lock Picking Advice
No stock photos of lock picking activities in an attempt to circumvent rule 2.
Rule 8 – No Posts About Broken Tools or Equipment
Posts discussing broken tools will be removed. This rule is in place primarily to address posts on product quality that contribute to tool failure.
Rule 9 – No Low-Effort Posts / Memes
/r/lockpicking is a subreddit for building a community around a skill. Low-effort posts and memes do not contribute to the skill or community.
It’s great if you join LockPickers United. Sign up via one of the links below:
Ranking System
What’s really cool is that LockPickers United has developed its own ranking system! Based on which locks you can pick, you can earn a specific rank, letting others know your level of lock picking experience.
It’s an advanced system where you must open specific locks to achieve a rank.
This entire system is explained on this page: https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/wiki/beltranking
It’s amazing to see how well this system has been thought out! They’ve carefully selected locks appropriate for each level of lock picker. This provides a guide for comparing your skills to others.
While lock picking is often misunderstood in the Netherlands, this system offers a way for like-minded individuals to connect and practice locksport together.
Available at Lockpicking Store
Finding the right locks online can be challenging, especially when you’re looking for the specific locks needed for your belt ranking.
That’s why we’ve sorted it all out for you:
| Model | Rank |
| ABUS 64TI/30 | Yellow |
| ABUS EC75/30 | Orange |
| ABUS 54TI/50 | Orange |
| ABUS 88/40 | Red Belt |
| ABUS 72/40 Orange | Green |
| ABUS 72/40 Green | Green |
| ABUS S6 Plus | Blue |
| Skylender Training Lock | White |
It has surprised me how fun this ranking system can be. It creates a sense of belonging by showing how your skills compare with others.
As more people enjoy these locks, we’ll be offering more of them, and perhaps even develop a reward system where higher-ranked lock pickers receive discounts or extra gifts. Stay tuned!
Lock Picking Belt Graduations
The belt you receive not only gives you online “karate flair” but also indicates how advanced your lock picking skills are.
There are nine belts available online. You start with the white belt, followed by the orange belt, green belt, blue belt, purple belt, brown belt, red belt, and finally, the black belt. Once you achieve the black belt, there is a special system in place to further grow your expertise.
To earn these belts, you must first create a Reddit account. Then, you can submit your application for a belt by completing the following tasks:
- State which belt you want to achieve.
- Submit a photo or video of the lock you picked.
Once done, your exam will be reviewed by moderators on the LockPickers United sub-reddit. You can submit it via this link.
White Belt
This is the beginning of your journey, which will test the limits of your mind, body, and spirit. Your belt is white because you are as pure as freshly fallen snow. You are ready to be forged into a lock picking machine.
Both photos and videos of your lock picking session are accepted for this rank.
Requirements:
Pick a lock using any tool.
A great example for the white belt is the European Skylender Training Lock.
Yellow Belt
For the yellow belt, you understand the basic functions of locks and how to pick them. Standard padlocks can be opened at a glance, and you are moving on to higher-quality cylinders, some of which may contain anti-pick pins.
Requirements: Pick any of the locks listed below, or visit the LPU Belts website for more options.
Orange Belt
Locks with anti-pick pins are now no match for you. Your family may be looking at you strangely as your collection of locks grows, but no worries—LockPickers United understands! Earn the orange belt to further confuse them.
Requirements: Pick any of the locks listed below, or visit the LPU Belts website for more options.
Green Belt
The green belt demands you pick higher-quality locks with even more security pins. Some of these locks have “dead cores” that require precision, and you may even start working on dimple locks.
Requirements: Single pin pick (SPP) one of the locks listed below, and demonstrate how to disassemble and reassemble the lock.
Blue Belt
In this transition phase, you leave behind the predictable world of standard locks and enter the bizarre world of high-security locks. You may be building your own challenge locks and helping newer members of the community as well.
Requirements: Pick one of the locks listed below, and demonstrate how to disassemble and reassemble the lock. You’ll also need to contribute to the community by helping others.
Purple Belt
At this level, you’ll be picking locks considered “unpickable” by many professional locksmiths, often containing two or more discrete locking mechanisms. You’ll also continue sharing challenging locks with the community and helping newer members.
Brown, Red, and Black Belts
As you progress through the brown, red, and black belts, you’ll enter the realm of ultra-high-security locks, where commercial lockpicking tools may no longer be sufficient, and you may have to craft your own tools. You’ll also mentor those in the lower ranks and even develop complex tools or strategies to open locks considered nearly impossible.
Completing your journey to the black belt is not the end. You’ll be required to take on “Epic Quests” that push your lockpicking and physical security skills even further.
To find out more, visit the LockPickers United wiki and start your journey today.
