Alongside practicing law, the Lock Picking Lawyer also runs one of the most popular, most viewed, and most respected lock picking YouTube Channels out there. With almost half a million viewers, he is a force that inspires both newcomers and seasoned pickers alike.  Learn more about his journey into lock picking and his opinions regarding the craft with our exclusive interview with none other but the Lock Picking Lawyer. Q: Let’s start this interview off by telling us a little bit about yourself. What do you do for a living, and how are you involved with the locksport community? “It’s funny how often people ask, “are you really a lawyer?”  The answer is “yes.”  I’m a 37 year old practicing attorney from the Washington, D.C. area.  The focus of my law practice has nothing to do with locks or security.  On a far more limited basis, I also help my wife run a ballroom dance studio, a ballroom dance competition, and a cancer charity. How am I involved in the locksport community?  My main contact with the community is through the Lock Picking Lawyer YouTube channel.  YouTube is an inherently social platform, so that has led to me developing relationships with many people all over the world who are involved in the community in different ways.  Hobby pickers, locksmiths, pick makers, and lock makers are among the people I speak with almost every day.” Q: What got you into lock picking? “I’ve been fascinated with locks since I was a little kid.  I even tried lock picking when I was in middle school.  But I was flying blind.  My only resource was Ted the Tool’s MIT Guide to Lock Picking (which was relatively new back then) and my homemade picks were absolutely terrible.  It’s probably for the best that I was pretty terrible back then, because there’s no doubt that I would have gotten into trouble.  After several months of consistent failure, I abandoned my efforts. Many years later, I happened across BosnianBill’s YouTube channel, and my fascination with lock picking was reignited.  After a couple weeks of watching his videos (and those of many other lock picking YouTubers) during every spare moment, I decided to try picking again.  I ordered a set of picks, and dove in head first.  This time around was different.  It turned out that I had a real knack for it.  About four months later, I started my YouTube channel.” Q: Who were some of the people in the locksport community that you really looked up to or aspired to be as good as when you first started? “That’s easy to answer:  BosnianBill.  The list is short only because I didn’t really know of anyone when I got started.  There is a long list of talented and inspirational pickers in the community, but I didn’t know who they were until much later.  In retrospect, that may have been a good thing.  My separation from the larger community allowed me to develop my own less conventional style of picking that might never have come to pass had I more exposure to the locksport community.” Q: Some of our readers are curious as to what tools you have in your “go-to” pick set. Can you tell us in detail about what you carry in your kit?  “My fingers are getting tired just thinking about typing the entire set out.  My “go to” set is actually quite large – roughly 90 tools right now.  Before I list them, here’s a word of explanation.  Beyond my “go to” set, I have more picks than I care to admit – largely because I have tried darn near everything, and selected what works best for me.  The picks that made the cut are in a Sparrows “Sherman” case that is absolutely packed… and while there are many picks in the case, know that if it’s in my case, I think it’s useful.  There’s no fluff.  I’m constantly taking less used tools out and replacing them with something new that I found useful, but as of writing this, here’s what’s in the case: TENSION: .050” Peterson Prybar .050” Peterson Toothless Prybar .040” Peterson Prybar .040” Peterson Toothless Prybar .032” Sparrows Prybar .025” Sparrows Prybar Peterson “Flat Five” set Sparrows Wiper Insert Z Bars (2 each of all 3 sizes) USALockPicks Tubular Lock Tension Tool Peterson SFIC “Control Line” Tensioner Set (3 tools) 6 Assorted Chinese Dimple Lock Z Bars HOOKS: Peterson #1 Hook in .025” Peterson #1 Hook in .018” Peterson #1 Hook in .015” Peterson #4 Hook in .025” Peterson #7 Hook in .018” Peterson #7 Hook in .015” Sparrows SSDev 3 Hook Set (w/ handles) Sparrows Short Hook in .015” (w/ handle) Sparrows Short Hook in .025” (w/ handle) Sparrows Deep Hook in .015” (w/ handle) SouthOrd Max Short Hook in .023” SouthOrd Max Medium Hook in .023” SouthOrd Max Deep Hook in .023” SouthOrd Slimline Short Hook SouthOrd Slimline Medium Hook SouthOrd Slimline Deep Hook Peterson Gem in .018” RAKES: Sparrows Triple Peak (w/ handle) Sparrows Worm (w/ handle) Mad Bob’s Prince Mad Bob’s Princess Peterson Shallow Boggie in .018” Peterson Deep Boggie in .018” Sparrows King Sparrows Queen Sparrows Rook Sparrows Knight DIMPLE: SpooXe Small Flat Flag SpooXe Small Offset Right Flag SpooXe Small Offset Left Flag SpooXe Small Curved Right Flag SpooXe Small Curved Left Flag OTHER PICKS: The Entire Sparrows .020” Lineup – 9 Picks (currently under evaluation) SouthOrd Slimline Small Half Diamond Peterson Half Diamond in .025” Peterson Half Diamond in .015” Peterson Warded Pick Set Sparrows Wafer Lock Jiggler Set 2 Odd Picks that Defy Description BYPASS/MISC: Peterson Plug Spinner/Flipper Sparrows Quick Jim Peterson Saw Tooth Broken Key Extractor Peterson Knife Peterson Mini Knife Screw type Broken Key Extractor Peterson Padlock Bypass Tool” Q: In your videos, you seem to be able to pick open dimple locks with ease. What is your favorite pick set to use on dimple locks? What are some good beginner dimple locks someone can start with? “This is [...]

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