Locksport: A Hackers Guide to Lockpicking

A complete guide for lock pickers, impressioning experts and safe crackers – by Jos Weyers, Matt Burrough, Walter Belgers, BandEAtoZ and Nigel Tolley.

Welcome to the World of Locksport

Welcome to the fascinating world of locksport, the sport of defeating locks. Whether you’re a curious hobbyist, a hacker or maker who wants to learn new skills, or a security professional looking for deeper knowledge – this book has something for everyone.

A Hacker’s Guide to Lockpicking, Impressioning, and Safe Cracking is a comprehensive, richly illustrated guide written by five of the most prominent champions in the field. Together, these experts show you how to ethically, efficiently and effectively bypass virtually anything – from simple padlocks and dial safes to complex nightlatches and bank vaults. This book is your definitive manual, packed with first-hand practical advice.

In this reference work you’ll learn:

• Lock fundamentals: How different locks work and how to maintain or disassemble practice locks. Discover why one lock is more secure than another, and which laws, competitions and communities shape the locksport world.
• Lock picking and opening techniques: Step-by-step instructions for picking pin cylinders and lever locks, impressioning (filing a key from a blank) to open locks without disassembling them, and manipulating combination locks on safes.
• Tools and tricks: How to work with lock pick sets, tension wrenches, rakes, files, magnifying glasses and specialized tools such as safe lock charts and depth gauges. Learn about security pins, unusual key profiles (such as dimple locks) and antique lock mechanisms.
• Competition and community: Get a behind-the-scenes look at lock pick competitions. Learn how contests are organized, which tools are used and how to organize a competition yourself. The authors share expert strategies for keeping your nerves in check and gathering intelligence about locks in preparation.

“Impressioning a lock gives a totally different sense of accomplishment than regular picking.”
— Jos Weyers

These words from co-author Jos Weyers – world record holder in lock impressioning – illustrate how versatile and satisfying the discipline can be. The book devotes extensive attention to such special techniques. From your first padlock to winning a championship: Locksport shows you step by step how to take your skills to the next level – and have fun doing it.

Why This Book Is an Essential Reference

A Hacker’s Guide to Lockpicking, Impressioning, and Safe Cracking is more than just a manual – it is an important reference work within the lock picking community. It covers all facets of locksport, including exotic challenges such as opening safes via dial manipulation and making keys via impressioning, which few other books cover in such depth. The authors do masterful work in conveying technical skills while guiding newcomers through the community, from competitions to events. Thanks to the combined experience of these experts, you save yourself hours of searching for tips and tricks they’ve accumulated over years of practice. Many reviewers rightfully call this book a complete “locksport course” and a must-have for every enthusiast.

The accessible writing style and many illustrations make complex subjects understandable without sacrificing depth. This makes the book suitable for both beginners who have yet to pick their first lock and veterans who want to sharpen their impressioning or safe cracking knowledge.

About the Authors

This book is written by five top experts from the international locksport scene:

• Jos Weyers – World record holder lock impressioning and driving force behind TOOOL Netherlands. He set his record by impressioning an ABUS lock in just 1 minute and 27 seconds during HAR2009. As chairman of TOOOL Netherlands (The Open Organisation of Lockpickers) he brings lock pickers together and contributes to the growth of the sport.
• Matt Burrough – A dedicated locksport hobbyist and professional red-team pentester. Matt has stood on the podium at lock pick competitions multiple times and achieved second place in safe manipulation at TOOOL US LockFest 2019.
• Walter Belgers – A pure hacker with decades of IT security experience. Currently security officer at Philips and honorary member of TOOOL and NLUUG.
• BandEAtoZ – Pseudonym of a GSA-certified safe specialist with years of experience opening safes worldwide. Active member of the Safe & Vault Technicians Association.
• Nigel Tolley – A creative maker with over 17 years of locksport experience who has trained countless enthusiasts including professional locksmiths.

EAN: 9781718502246 | ISBN-10: 1718502249 | English, paperback, 416 pages (No Starch Press, 2024).

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