Hello all
In my eBook 'Advanced Raking Techniques' (which comes free with every set of POLARIS RAKES) I go into some detail regarding the various techniques, tricks and secrets regarding Raking. One of the most common responses I get is that people had no idea Raking could be so nuanced, and that there are a multitude of approaches, as opposed to the common idea of sticking a rake in a lock and moving it in and out.
This comes at no surprise to me as ever since I've been involved in lock picking (I had hair back then, that long ago) Raking has been considered like an ugly sister to Single Pin Picking, to many it's pretty much 'Bitch Picking', a random kind of 'cross your fingers and hope' technique.
In this short blog I want to change that. I want you to take a step back from what you might think about raking and see it afresh. Why? because IT OPENS LOCKS, and, IT OPENS THEM QUICKLY. When faced with a new lock, the first thing I do is Rake it, and if it works, it works quickly. If it doesn't work, it will often set a few pins and make Single Pin Picking much easier, it's not unusual to set three of four pins, making finishing it lock off a very simple process.
The document, 'Advanced Raking Techniques' is nearly 5000 words, and yet, while it goes into all manner of movements and tension tricks, the best way to learn is by doing it. Grab a load of locks, even if you've already picked them, grab some decent rakes, and get going.
But remember what I said, don't approach Raking like an ugly sister, it's Cinderella time! There are many movements you can make with a rake, not just in and out, but up and down, you can pivot it, using a stuck pin or the warding as a fulcrum. You can move the rake in an ellipse, making use of both in and out, and up and down. There's many ways to move a rake in a lock - try them!
And then there's the wrenching. One of the most effective Raking wrenching techniques is what I call 'The Pulse' which speaks for itself. Rather than try and maintain a consistent tension I apply and withdraw pressure so as to provide a 'pulse' of tension. As you get used to this, you'll see how reading feedback from the rake and the tension tool dictates the depth, rhythm and speed required to successfully pick the lock.
There's more, there's lots more, and if you give it a chance you'll soon discover a whole new world of lock picking opportunities. I have many locks I cannot Single Pin Pick that I can rake in seconds.
A decent set of rakes is essential though. Without doubt I know many people have been restricted by the quality of their rakes. There's many good sets out there, but be sure to have a variety of Bogota-like patterns, as these are for sure the pinnacle of Raking technology.
So if you want to give Raking a go and add a whole new skill to your lock picking repertoire, and you don't have any decent rakes. Here's a whopping 20% off (nearly £10) our POLARIS set, which comes with the aforementioned guide "Advanced Raking Techniques'.
Use Code: kingrakes at checkout, and see how it feels to have lock after lock yield in your hand.
We put the expertise in the picks, so you can put it in your hand.