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Lock Picking

Post image for The Top Ten Tactical Skill-Sets for the Common Man

Yesterday my good friend Jack from The Survival Podcast asked me if I’d like to come on his show to discuss the Top Ten Tactical Skill-Sets for the Common Man. I jumped at the chance and the show we recorded yesterday is now live!

I tried to highlight many of the Skill-Set topics that we frequently discuss here on ITS Tactical and I think they all tied together well. I’d urge everyone here to spend a few minutes to check it out and hear about why we advocate having these skill-sets here on ITS.

Here’s my personal top ten list of tactical skills that everyone should make a part of their lives, specifically for those of us in a preparedness mindset.

  • Self Defense, Combatives and Situational Awareness
  • Navigation
  • Fitness
  • Lock Picking
  • Medical
  • Driving
  • Knot Tying
  • Digital Competency
  • Home Security/Assessment
  • The Tactical Mindset
Let me know what you think about the show and check out the links below for more information on each of these skill-sets here on ITS. Follow this link to listen directly on TSP or find them on iTunes!
A huge thank you to Jack for having me on TSP, I really enjoyed the opportunity brother! Be sure to subscribe to TSP and follow them on Facebook and Twitter!

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Post image for Polishing your DIY Lock Pick Set for Durability

As with any metal tools, lock picks require some level of care. Polishing your picks is extremely easy to do and will result in longer lasting, more efficient tools.

This can be especially beneficial to your DIY Lock Picks I went over in my last article. You’ll be amazed at how well a properly polished pick glides over the pins of your target lock.

The simple process we’ll go over will give you the finishing touch that your lock picks need. [Read More…]

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Post image for How to Make a DIY Lock Pick Set from a Windshield Wiper

Lock picking is an important skill set that ITS Tactical has featured numerous times. They’ve discussed the practical applications of lock picking and highlighted how it may potentially save a life.

Picks can also be expensive, and difficult to acquire for some. Previously we demonstrated how to make your own pick out of a paperclip. Today, I’ll discuss how to craft your own pick set. [Read More…]

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Post image for Why You Should Learn How to Pick Handcuffs to Escape from Illegal Restraint

Yesterday, a Baltimore couple was handcuffed by Police impersonators during a home invasion, where the man was subsequently shot in the neck!

One of the skill-sets we advocate here at ITS Tactical is picking locks as well as handcuffs to prepare yourself for any situation, including this recent Baltimore scenario. While Police are unsure of the motive in the Home Invasion/robbery, there’s no denying that being able to escape this kind of illegal restraint is beneficial to know!

Here’s our article on How to Pick Your Way Out of Handcuffs, as well as some related articles linked below. Stay safe and learn the skill-sets that could one day save your life!

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Post image for Lock Picking as a Skill-Set and its Practical Applications

My good friend Jack over at The Survival Podcast called me up the other day and asked if I’d come over and pick a lock for him. Definitely not the kind of request you get everyday from a friend!

Jack had misplaced the keys to a very sturdy trailer hitch lock and needed to remove it to hook up a trailer. Rather than spend the money and time to call a Locksmith, I was more than happy to accept his cup of coffee bribe and help him out. [Read More…]

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Post image for Lock Picking Forensics and What Gets Left Behind

While we cover many aspects of lock picking on ITS Tactical, our disclaimer has always been that this information is presented so everyone can learn the “illusion” of security and how thinking a standard lock is going to protect your loved ones or your valuables is a misnomer.

The Locksport community was designed for just this purpose and the recreational challenge of lock picking. What we’d like to do with this article is to introduce you to the concepts behind Lock Picking Forensics and why this seemingly untraceable method of entry is becoming a thing of the past. [Read More…]

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Post image for How to Open a Padlock with a Coke Can

If you’re like millions of Americans, you put a lot of trust in simple padlocks to secure your valuables.

Today we’re going to continue to break down the veil of security by showing you how easy it is to shim open a padlock with a coke can.

Again, as with all our lock picking and security articles, we’re not advocating anything illegal and this information is for educational purposes and Locksport only. [Read More…]

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Post image for Protecting Against Home Invasions

With more than hundreds of home invasions happening every year here in the United States, we’d like to present some tips on what you can do to not only protect yourself and your family, but how to fortify your home to better resist becoming a victim.

There’s a notable difference between a burglary and a home invasion, that being you. If you’re home, it’s a home invasion. If you’re not, it’s a burglary plain and simple. Criminals don’t always know what they’re walking into during the day, but at night its a different story. Most home invasions happen between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. on weekdays and weekends.

A criminal that breaks into a residence at night is expecting a confrontation of some kind. Hopefully it will be short lived when you shoot them dead, but as we’ve mentioned before in “Dealing with Violent Confrontations” you should always avoid a confrontation if possible. This is the same in a home invasion scenario, not by using the same methods, but by using some forward thinking to deny criminals the opportunity.

Using the tips we’ll share below will help you in avoiding this kind of confrontation and better protect you and your family. [Read More…]

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Post image for How to Make a Paperclip Lock Pick that Works

Today we’re going to show you how to create a Lock Pick Rake and Tension Wrench using two simple paperclips and a Multi-Tool.

As we’ve mentioned in previous Lock Picking articles, the Rake/Tension Wrench is the most versatile combo to carry for bypassing standard pin/tumbler and wafer locks.

In our last Lock Picking article on the SerePick Bogota Entry Toolset, a lot of people commented that they were unable to purchase Lock Picks, and couldn’t get involved in learning the skill-set.

After today, you’ll have no excuse not to make your own simple picks, buy a cheap padlock and work on your raking technique. In fact, while we demonstrate creating a rake, you could also make a feeler pick to start learning how to “feel” the individual pins and how they move/bind under tension. [Read More…]

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Post image for SerePick Bogota Entry Toolset Review

SerePick continues to impress with their new offering of custom Bogota Entry Toolsets, which now include the use of Stainless Steel and Titanium.

These hand-crafted tools have been used by many locksmiths and covert entry specialists worldwide, for numerous reasons we’ll cover here.

We’ve been dirt diving a set of Bogota’s for a few months, and with the addition of the Stainless and Titanium we decided it was time to give them a proper review. [Read More…]

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