Lockpickers United (LPU) – Belt Ranking System & Community

In this amazing lockpick hobby, our friends from Lockpickers United (LPU) have created an incredibly fun community. This guide from LPU takes you through the unique Belt Ranking System and how you can participate in this global community.

Learn how to improve your lockpick skills, share insights with like-minded individuals, and enhance your ranking! You can take on the challenge with the many locks we have available in our Lockpickings. Let’s get started!

What is Lockpickers United (LPU)?

Lockpickers United (also known as LPU) is an English-speaking community with a shared interest in locksport. The goal of locksport is to challenge the lock manufacturers.

You are constantly looking for the flaws in the lock that the manufacturer has created.

It is a huge art to find a new challenge each time and to conquer it all on your own. For this reason, groups have been established to help you, such as Lockpickers United.

Join Lockpickers United

Joining this group is very easy! Visit LPU’s open platform on Reddit without any obligation.

Reddit is a platform where people from all over the world can share information with each other. It works like a kind of forum and contains various “sub-reddits”. A sub-reddit is essentially a forum on its own, dedicated to a specific topic.

So there is also a lockpicking sub-reddit from LPU that is incredibly popular and where people from all over the world exchange tips and tricks related to lockpicking. (Also many Dutch people..)

History of LPU

For everyone who has always wanted to join a lockpick group, Lockpickers United is the solution. Chat casually about locks and learn from each other’s tips.

The rules for entering the group are very accessible; you just need to be a good person and have an interest in locks. If you have never touched a lock but find it very interesting to learn about locksport, then this is the place for you.

Let’s quickly go through all ten rules, because we have nothing but respect for Lockpickers United.

The Belt Ranking System

What’s so cool is that Lockpickers United has developed its own ranking system! Based on which locks you can open, you can achieve a certain rank. This gives others an idea of your experience with lockpicking.

It’s an advanced system where you must be able to open specific locks to achieve a certain rank.

This entire system is explained on this page:
https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/wiki/beltranking

🎥 All About The Lockpicking Belt Rankings System – Jon Lock

Jon Lock explains the complete Belt Ranking System in this extensive video. With over 9,855 views, this is a must-watch for anyone serious about getting started!

Note: The second page of the Purple Belt list in the video is incorrect. Check the current list on Reddit.

It’s really great to see how they have fully developed this! They have carefully researched which locks are suitable for certain levels of lockpickers.

This provides a bit of a guideline to see how good you are compared to other lockpickers.

Because there is quite a taboo surrounding lockpicking in the Netherlands. It’s nice that there is a way to find like-minded individuals and discuss locksport with each other.

The LPU Belt Explorer – Your Digital Guide

The Dan System – Beyond the Black Belt 🥋

Master’s Projects for Dan Points

Dutch lockpickers can distinguish themselves through projects in these categories:

🔨 Challenge Locks

Create custom challenge locks with at least 6 modifications. Portfolio of 3-40 locks possible for different tiers.

Points: 5-50 per project

🛠️ Pick Making

Design and make your own lockpicks. From 2 good picks (Tier 1) to 10+ professional picks (Tier 5).

Points: 5-50 per portfolio

✂️ Cutaway Making

Create cross-section locks for education. 1 good specimen to a portfolio of 10+ different mechanisms.

Points: 5-50 per project

🤝 Community Involvement

Organize Dutch lockpicking events, create educational materials, or start a TOOOL chapter.

Points: 5-50 depending on impact

Available at Lockpickings

It can be quite difficult to find these locks online and to ensure that you have the right lock.

That’s why we have already sorted this out for you:

I was surprised at how fun this is. It creates a certain connection to see how good you are compared to other lockpickers.

This way, it is possible to share your hobby with like-minded individuals.

If more people enjoy these locks, we will certainly offer more and perhaps also develop a rewards system so that people with a higher rank receive discounts or extra gifts.

Graduations in Lockpicking – From White to Black

The belt awarded to a lockpicker gives you the necessary karate flair online. It also indicates how advanced a lockpicker is.

There are nine belts online for self-classification. You start with the white belt, then the orange belt, followed by the green belt, then the blue belt, after that the purple belt, followed by the brown belt, then the red belt, and finally the black belt. Once you have achieved the black belt, there is a special system to continue growing.

To qualify for this karate flair, you first need to create an account on Reddit.

The Assessment
You can take an exam at any time to classify yourself for a lockpick belt. For this, you only need to complete the following two tasks:

1. Indicate which belt you want to achieve
2. Take a photo/video of the lock you have picked.

Once you have done this, you can have your exam assessed by the moderators of the lockpicking sub-Reddit via this link.

The Belt System
The further you progress, the more you need to demonstrate. Up to the orange belt, a photo is sufficient to show that you have been able to pick the lock. To qualify further, below is an overview of the exam requirements, so you can practice purposefully.

The table below shows exactly which techniques you need to master from when.

White belt

This is the beginning of your journey that will test the limits of your mind, body, and spirit. Your band is white because you are like freshly fallen snow. You are pure, true to your heart, and ready to be molded into a lockpicking machine.

Both photos and videos of your lockpick session are accepted for this rank.

Requirements:
Lockpick a lock with any tool.
An example of a good lock for the white band is the European practice lock Skylender.

Yellow band

You understand the basic functions of locks and the technique to lockpick them. You can unlock standard padlocks at a glance and have moved on to higher quality cylinders, some of which may even contain anti-lockpick pins.

Both photos and videos of the lockpick session are accepted for this rank.

Requirements:

Lockpick one of the locks below or check out the website of LPU Belts from Lockpickers United.

Photos and videos are accepted for the yellow band. You may skip the white band to unlock the yellow band.

• ABUS 64TI/30
• ABUS 75/30

Orange band

Anti-lockpick pins designed to stop you are powerless against you. Locks with this type of pins can now be easier for you to lockpick than locks that do not contain them.
Your family is also starting to look at you and your growing collection of locks a bit strangely.
Don’t worry, we understand you. Take the exam for the orange lockpick band to confuse them even further!

You must submit a video of your lockpicking performance for this rank. The videos must be recorded in one continuous shot.
Photos are only accepted for locks that cannot be disassembled.

Requirements:

Lockpick one of the locks below or check out the website of LPU Belts from the lockpicking sub-Reddit for alternatives.

You may skip the white and yellow bands to unlock the orange band.

• ABUS 54TI/50
• ABUS 82/63
• ABUS 82TI/70 Monobloc
• ABUS 64TI/60

Green band

This band requires higher quality locks with even more security pins. Some of these locks have a non-sprung core, known as a dead core, and that’s not just because you’ve lockpicked them dead. You may also have started with dimple locks by now.

You have also begun your development as a lock surgeon, as you have started to disassemble and reassemble locks.

For the green band, you must record a video of your lockpicking and gutting performance in a continuous shot. Photos are no longer accepted at this rank, even for locks that cannot be disassembled.

Check out this video on how to disassemble locks:

Requirements:

1. SPP (Single Pin Pick) one of the locks below or check out the website of LPU Belts from the lockpicking sub-Reddit for alternatives.
2. Show how you disassemble a lock and put it back together.

You may skip the white, yellow, and orange bands to unlock the green band.

• ABUS 75/50
• ABUS E60NP 10/30
• ABUS 80TI

Blue band

This is the transition phase in the lockpick grading. You leave the relatively calm and predictable world of standard locks and delve into the strange and bizarre world of high-security locks.
You are in the process of creating your own challenge locks and helping newer members of the lockpicking community to advance further.

You must show a video of your lockpicking and gutting performance in a continuous shot.

Requirements:

1. SPP (Single Pin Pick) one of the locks below or check out the website of LPU Belts from the lockpicking sub-Reddit for alternatives.
2. Show how you disassemble a lock and put it back together.
3. Build a history where you can show online that you help others with lockpicking.
4. Create a “Challenge Lock (link to sub-reddit)” that you share with other lockpickers.

You may skip the white, yellow, orange, and green bands to unlock the blue band.

• ABUS BRAVUS 3000

Purple band

You are now lockpicking locks that fall into the hi-sec category. They have two or more discrete locking mechanisms and are considered unpickable by almost every locksmith in the world.

To achieve this rank, you regularly help new lockpickers and share challenging Challenge Locks with the community.

You must show a video of your lockpicking and gutting performances in a continuous recording.

Requirements:

1. SPP (Single Pin Pick) two of the locks from the website of LPU Belts from the lockpicking sub-Reddit.
2. Show how you disassemble and reassemble the locks.
3. Build a history where you can show online that you help others with lockpicking.
4. Create a “Challenge Lock (reference to sub-reddit)” that you share with other lockpickers.

You may skip the other bands to unlock the purple band.

We do not yet offer locks for this band.

Brown band

Here you enter the realm of ultra-secure locks and become a special member of the lockpicking community.
You will be dealing with locks that are so difficult to open that there are no commercial lockpicking tools available for them yet. For this, you will have to make your own tools to unlock the lock.
Narrow keyholes, rotating shutters, and telescopic pins are the norm for you.

You must show a video of your lockpicking and gutting performances in a continuous recording.

Requirements:

1. SPP (Single Pin Pick) two of the locks from the website of LPU Belts from the lockpicking sub-Reddit.
2. Show how you disassemble and reassemble the locks.
3. Build a history where you can show online that you help others with lockpicking.
4. Create a “Challenge Lock (reference to sub-reddit)” that you share with other lockpickers.
5. Design and make your own tools to open a lock.

You may skip the other bands to unlock the brown band.

We do not yet offer locks for the brown band.

Red band

Ultra high security has now become your nickname. Your lock collection is worth more than your first car, and you are constantly on Marktplaats and Ebay for deals on the most impossible European locks. To open the locks, you are constantly busy making your own tools. Due to your expertise, you have become a mentor for lockpickers with the blue, purple, and brown bands.

You must show a video of your lockpicking and gutting performances in a continuous recording.

Requirements:

1. SPP (Single Pin Pick) two of the locks from the website of LPU Belts from the lockpicking sub-Reddit.
2. Show how you disassemble and reassemble the locks.
3. Build a history where you can show online that you help others with lockpicking.
4. Create a “Challenge Lock (reference to sub-reddit)” that you share with other lockpickers.
5. Design and make your own tools to open a lock.
6. Guide a lockpicker from the blue, purple, or brown band in picking a high-sec lock.

You may skip the other bands to unlock the red band.

We do not yet offer locks for this band.

Black band

The room becomes completely zen when you enter. When you close your eyes, you see new ways to open locks that previously seemed impossible to open.

To earn the black band, you must have guided at least two lockpickers from the brown or red band with their high-sec locks. Additionally, you have published the specifications of at least one self-designed lockpick tool.

The exam for the black band is not over yet, as you will need to do more than just lockpicking and guide others.

As additional achievements, you will need to step out of your comfort zone and complete at least two “Epic Quests.”

Black band lockpickers are very rare. Although this system is designed with some nuance, it is a true honor to earn the black band, and you should be very proud of it.

You must show a video of your lockpicking and gutting performances in a continuous recording. If there is a sidebar in the lock, it must be visible, so the video shows that there is no cheating. There are also no exceptions for the gutting conditions of the black band video.

Requirements:

1. SPP (Single Pin Pick) two of the locks from the website of LPU Belts from the lockpicking sub-Reddit.
2. Show how you disassemble and reassemble the locks.
3. Build a history where you can show online that you help others with lockpicking.
4. Create a “Challenge Lock (reference to sub-reddit)” that you share with other lockpickers.
5. Design and make your own tools to open a lock.
6. Guide a lockpicker from the blue, purple, or brown band in picking a high-sec lock.
7. Complete at least two “Epic Quests” for the lockpicking community.

You may skip the other bands to unlock the black band if you have it in you…

We do not yet offer locks for this band.

Video requirements for Higher Bands 🎥

SFIC Locks – Special Procedure

For SFIC (Small Format Interchangeable Core) locks, special rules apply because they are expensive to gut:

1. Clearly show the keyway
2. Use the Operating key to prove it works
3. Turn the plug 180° to show pins
4. Pick both operating and control (one for Blue belt)

Making Challenge Locks 🔧

Challenge Lock Specifications

A Challenge Lock must have at least 6 modifications:

• 🔩 Modified key pins (min. 15% material removed)
• 🔩 Modified driver pins (min. 15% material removed)
• 🔩 Threading or counter-milling of chambers
• 🔩 Improvised secondary locking
• 🔩 Engraving of your maker’s mark
• 🔩 Handmade key from blank

Tip: Start with a simple padlock and work your way up to more complex projects!

Community Statistics September 2025 📊

Belt Distribution

Tips for Dutch Participants 🇳🇱

Practical Tips for Dutch Lockpickers

📹 Privacy & Videos

• Use Vimeo with password for privacy
• Upload as “unlisted” on YouTube
• Delete videos after review if desired

⏰ Best Times

• Post between 20:00-23:00 CET for quick responses
• Modmail response time: max 5 days
• Weekend posts often get more attention

🔗 Account Synchronization

• Sync your Reddit and Discord accounts
• Mention your Discord name in Reddit request
• Or vice versa for complete synchronization

🌍 Dutch Community

• Join the TOOOL Netherlands group
• Attend Dutch lockpicking events
• Share in Dutch on local forums
• Translate your knowledge for the international community

Recent Updates (June-August 2025) 🆕