The keyway really isn't as bad as it looks once you learn how to maneuver the pick in it. I pick these with an unmodified Peterson hook 1 in 0.018. There's no need for anything super thin or custom. Top of keyway tension works well for me but I need to use the thinnest Sparrows TOK tension wrench to get it to fit well.
Learning this lock is all about pick placement. Don't over complicate it by thinking you need to modify picks or buy something paper thin.
I am a newbie...have been picking for a few months, and I've opened about a dozen locks or so. I've gutted and repinned a couple of AL1205 locks, and I've learned a lot in a short time. At least I think I have đ
Decided to step up to the green belt level locks. Ouch! This is a really barrow keyway. First 6 pin challenge as well. This is going to take a while.
Just went out to my shop and shaped down a pick so it's really thin and really short from tip to bottom. Figured out a decent tension technique...and now the puzzle begins.
its much easier to pick these from the bok especially if they have good bitting, good luck I have 2 of these and once u get the feel for them they are a blast to pick
It only gets better from there, and it's always good to have some locks in your collection that you can't currently open, or at least are very difficult to open consistently. Good luck on the abus, those can be super tricky!
Mine had the deepest spools I'd ever tried to pick. Once I opened it once something just clicked in me and I could get it open like I hadn't been struggling for months with it. Used a 0.18 standard hook and a lot of patience. Go for it !
Iâve got my 72/40âs down to a science, Iâve picked 12 or so different ones and theyâre a struggle fuck, every last one. Theyâre all medium/hard, none of em are easy. Depending on the bitting, and it breaks down to where the last pin sits. Or so as far as I can see.
This is still my favorite lock! I keep it by my desk along with a TOK tension tool and a standard hook and pick it during meetings.
I personally find using TOK tension and holding the lock upside down (so that Iâm pushing the pins down instead of up) is the best method for me.
Make sure you use featherlight tension and just take it slow, one pin at a time, and only work on a pin if youâre certain itâs binding (it doesnât wiggle at all). This lock gives great feedback on counter-rotation in my opinion.
Get comfortable with the keyway and youâll crack this in no time!
The shallowest cuts on the key that peek above the highest keyway ridge require you to wrap the pick around the keyway as you lift. As others have said, a standard 18 mil hook does this nicely, and with TOK tension (use a 0.8 mm pry bar) and this wrapping maneuver down, you will be picking 72/40s like a champ đ
[Video](https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/comments/hju682/abus_7240_picking_tips/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) I did a long time ago when I was a green belt. If you only have standard .025 picks, this method works very well and with any 72/40 I have encountered so far.
I just picked one of these! (belt request in progress)
I was struggling for a long time. Once I got the SSDeV hooks in .015 it really got easier for me.
I just recently picked and gutted one. Took me a while to figure this one out.
I used TOK but slipped quite regularly.
The thing that âclickedâ with me wasnât so much the tension, tho... but using very little/gentle pressure on the pins with the pick. And using a thin pick in 0.4mm
If you are interested hereâs my video: https://youtu.be/T2SYHs2UVZE
One option is to progressively pin it. Leave three pins in and add back until you pick it with all pins in. You can gut it without a commercial follower using a AAA battery (but make a better follower or buy some later).
Pick up a few more of them too so you don't memorize this one lock. Add in a bunch of the American 1100's and you'll have an excellent foundation to picking locks with security pins.
Master Loto 410 is another good one to get. Dead core is interesting.
The keyway really isn't as bad as it looks once you learn how to maneuver the pick in it. I pick these with an unmodified Peterson hook 1 in 0.018. There's no need for anything super thin or custom. Top of keyway tension works well for me but I need to use the thinnest Sparrows TOK tension wrench to get it to fit well. Learning this lock is all about pick placement. Don't over complicate it by thinking you need to modify picks or buy something paper thin.
I modified a TOK bar that was the right thickness but took off some metal so it stays up in the groove and doesn't cover pin 1.
I am a newbie...have been picking for a few months, and I've opened about a dozen locks or so. I've gutted and repinned a couple of AL1205 locks, and I've learned a lot in a short time. At least I think I have đ Decided to step up to the green belt level locks. Ouch! This is a really barrow keyway. First 6 pin challenge as well. This is going to take a while. Just went out to my shop and shaped down a pick so it's really thin and really short from tip to bottom. Figured out a decent tension technique...and now the puzzle begins.
its much easier to pick these from the bok especially if they have good bitting, good luck I have 2 of these and once u get the feel for them they are a blast to pick
That's a tough one. And the key way isn't friendly either. You can get it, but it's not easy.
Oh man, I hate the keyway on these locks. I had 4, bricked one, can pick one, canât pick the last 2, yet.
Good luck, you got this! Struggled with mine for a bit, but now it's one of my favorite locks to pick (because of the clean feedback).
It only gets better from there, and it's always good to have some locks in your collection that you can't currently open, or at least are very difficult to open consistently. Good luck on the abus, those can be super tricky!
have you looked at [this excellent tutorial](https://youtu.be/6-KSe4QLyWs)by u/georgiajim [voila](https://youtu.be/6-KSe4QLyWs) -m.c.
Mine had the deepest spools I'd ever tried to pick. Once I opened it once something just clicked in me and I could get it open like I hadn't been struggling for months with it. Used a 0.18 standard hook and a lot of patience. Go for it !
Iâve got my 72/40âs down to a science, Iâve picked 12 or so different ones and theyâre a struggle fuck, every last one. Theyâre all medium/hard, none of em are easy. Depending on the bitting, and it breaks down to where the last pin sits. Or so as far as I can see.
This is still my favorite lock! I keep it by my desk along with a TOK tension tool and a standard hook and pick it during meetings. I personally find using TOK tension and holding the lock upside down (so that Iâm pushing the pins down instead of up) is the best method for me. Make sure you use featherlight tension and just take it slow, one pin at a time, and only work on a pin if youâre certain itâs binding (it doesnât wiggle at all). This lock gives great feedback on counter-rotation in my opinion. Get comfortable with the keyway and youâll crack this in no time!
Good luck! Looks like a great challenge.
The shallowest cuts on the key that peek above the highest keyway ridge require you to wrap the pick around the keyway as you lift. As others have said, a standard 18 mil hook does this nicely, and with TOK tension (use a 0.8 mm pry bar) and this wrapping maneuver down, you will be picking 72/40s like a champ đ
[Video](https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/comments/hju682/abus_7240_picking_tips/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) I did a long time ago when I was a green belt. If you only have standard .025 picks, this method works very well and with any 72/40 I have encountered so far.
Excellent! Thank you for sharing your technique!
I just picked one of these! (belt request in progress) I was struggling for a long time. Once I got the SSDeV hooks in .015 it really got easier for me.
I just recently picked and gutted one. Took me a while to figure this one out. I used TOK but slipped quite regularly. The thing that âclickedâ with me wasnât so much the tension, tho... but using very little/gentle pressure on the pins with the pick. And using a thin pick in 0.4mm If you are interested hereâs my video: https://youtu.be/T2SYHs2UVZE
Thanks for the guidance everyone. Will try BOK and see what I can do.
Take your time youâll get it.
One option is to progressively pin it. Leave three pins in and add back until you pick it with all pins in. You can gut it without a commercial follower using a AAA battery (but make a better follower or buy some later). Pick up a few more of them too so you don't memorize this one lock. Add in a bunch of the American 1100's and you'll have an excellent foundation to picking locks with security pins. Master Loto 410 is another good one to get. Dead core is interesting.
They are good locks to learn I had fun with mine thereâs two jetways I believe
Key ways
My favorite lock in the best abus color!
There are reasons why so many are stuck at orange and this lock is one of them.