In this book, you will learn how a lock works. You will learn the faults of many popular locks, such as the common locks installed on doors of most modern-style houses. You will learn that the technique of picking locks with just one piece of wire, a technique that is commonly employed by spies and secret agents in movies, is actually a myth. Many people believe that some thieves and burgulars purchase a great number of locks from hardware stores so that they will have access to the front doors of everybody's house. Learn why a burgular would have a better chance at winning the lottery than finding two keys in this world that are exactly alike.

Overall, this is a great book in terms of educating you about the composition and implementation of locks.


Secrets of Lock Picking   March 20, 2001
 11 out of 16 found this review helpful

Do not buy this book, for two reasons. 1- Every word of it is available on the Internet. It is little more than a pamphlet anyway so easy to download and print. 2- It is deceptive, in that the cover illustration is of a pick gun (the reason I bought the book) and there is only a single paragraph about pick guns with no instruction for use. The author even admits he has never used on. Why is it on the cover? The book is a fraud.


very simple very small   August 16, 2000
 0 out of 1 found this review helpful

This is a quick read, and tells you everything you need to know about picking locks. After having this book for a few days I learend to open the door to my own apartment without a key. the book is very short but worth the small price.


Want to learn how to pick locks? Go get it!   June 29, 2000
 16 out of 17 found this review helpful

This was my second book about "alternative entering metods" (the first one was "Lock Bypass Methods"), but this is my Bible for sure! I'm not a long time lockpicker (I began March '99), but I guarantee, this piece will give you serious knowledge! It presents almost every kind of lock you will find, shows how they work and teach you how to pick them. Don't be disappointed if you fail to open your first ones, be persistent and you will succed. The illustration are as clear as crystal, so is the text. Steven Hampton gives you confidence by telling his experiences as a locksmith, making the book more informal, rather than just a "technical" guide. It is quite a thin book, but full of information, althought it seemed to me that it could be expanded. For further information on hi-tech locks, try "Advanced Lockpicking Secrets" by the same author.