Category Archives: Lockpicking Essentials

The essentials of lock picking: Everything you need to start slaying locks gracefully and fearlessly!

Top 10 Most Common Lishi Tools

Original Mr. Li - Automotive Locksmith Starter Pack / Bundle of 20 Lishi Tools

Lishi Tools are specialized locksmith tools for picking and decoding automotive and residential locks. They are invented by a Chinese locksmith who patented the invention. There are over 180 different Lishi Tools available, each pick is designed for a specific make and model of vehicle. Here are some of the most common Lishi picks and the vehicles they can open:

  • Lishi HU66: Lishi HU66 has been designed to pick and decode locks for Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Skoda, Porsche and some Ford models.
  • Lishi HU101: Lishi HU101 has been designed to pick and decode locks for Ford, Land Rover, Volvo and some Jaguar models.
  • Lishi TOY48: Lishi TOY48 has been designed to pick and decode locks for Toyota, Lexus, Subaru and some Daihatsu models.
  • Lishi HON66: Lishi HON66 has been designed to pick and decode locks for Honda, Acura, Suzuki and some Rover models.
  • Lishi NSN14: Lishi NSN14 has been designed to pick and decode locks for Nissan, Infiniti, Subaru and some Renault models.
  • Lishi FO38: Lishi FO38 has been designed to pick and decode locks for Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and some Mazda models.
  • Lishi KW1: Lishi KW1 has been designed to pick and decode locks for Kwikset residential locks.
  • Lishi SC1: Lishi SC1 has been designed to pick and decode locks for Schlage residential locks.
  • Lishi CY24: Lishi CY24 has been designed to pick and decode locks for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and some Mitsubishi models.
  • Lishi GM39: Lishi GM39 has been designed to pick and decode locks for General Motors vehicles with Z keyway.

These are just some of the most common Lishi Tools available. There are many more tools for different vehicles and lock types. Lishi Tools are very effective and easy to use once you master the technique. They can save you time and money by allowing you to open locked cars or make replacement keys without damaging the lock or the vehicle.

Lishi Domestic Picks for Australian Locksmiths

Lishi tools are well-known for the 2-in-1 decoder and picks, which are mainly designed for vehicle opening, excluding a few designed for motorbike locks. But Lishi is not just for automotive any more, in the past two years, a series of domestic picks were developed.

Today, Lishi domestic picks product line covers the vast majority of standard residential locks: American Lock, Kwikset, Schlage, Master Lock, and etc. These are the very most common residential Lishi needed. For the Australian market, Lishi released two tools for C4/Lockwood.

Lishi LW4 for C4/Lockwood 5-Pin Keyway

Lishi LW5 for C4/Lockwood 6-Pin Keyway

Lishi LW4 & LW5 are game-changing lock picking tools for any locksmith that works with the Silca LW4 & LW5 keyway. These amazing tools enable you to pick 5-pin and 6-pin cylinders and also gives you the ability to decode the cylinder without the need to dismantle the cylinder to make a key.

The Lishi LW4 & LW5 domestic tools have made a significant reduction in the time needed for a locksmith to open the new Lockwood lock even if it comes with spool pins, and also the time needed to make a key for a lock cylinder.

Besides Lishi LW4 and LW5, Lishi TE2 for Tesa TE2 profile are also commonly seen in Australia. But it’s not sold best there.

Unlike automotive tools, all Lishi domestic picks are anti-glare by default, and come in a durable clear plastic tray case that link together to keep each pick organized and expandable. To anybody who is still not known, the anti-glare coating is an additional layer on the surface of the high-grade stainless steel, which decreases the amount of reflective light, makes each tool more durable and easy to read.

4 Covert Instruments Lock Picks You Can Consider

Covert Instruments is the Shopify store operated by LockPickingLawyer, it was launched more than one year ago, selling some little piece lock picking tools, designed by the Covert Instruments team and made in the USA, excluding some Lishi tools which are made by Mr. Li in China.

Covert Instruments Owner

LockPickingLawyer is the guy behind Covert Instruments LLC. LockPickingLaywer is a YouTuber whose channel is dedicated to showcasing weaknesses and defects in various types of locks and other security devices and picking locks using professional tools and non-standard methods.

LockPickingLawyer is the leader in the field of covert entry and locksport, so the Covert Instruments team are in a unique position to develop and produce tools that will be appreciated by both professionals and hobbyists alike, with the principle: create tools that are a cut above their peers in conception, production, and function.

Covert Instruments Lock Picks

The Covert Instruments team has produced a series of popular lock picks, for example, Covert Companion, Genesis Lock Pick Set, Magnet Connect, practice locks, and much more. More and more beginner locksmiths begin using their tools, and the company is so successful as a newly-established lock pick manufacturer.

Covert Instruments Covert Companion

Covert Companion is for opening everything. This comprehensive kit includes all the flagship SSF tools at a discounted rate. With 20 tools, this kit offers the most opening potential in the smallest form factor on the market. This kit arrives unassembled.

Covert Instruments Genesis Lock Pick Set

Genesis Lock Pick Set is an absolute locksmith beginner’s solution, recommended by the Covert Instruments team. The Genesis Set is perfect place to start your picking journey, and has everything you need to get started with zero waste.

  • A Short Hook (.025″)
  • A Medium Hook (.025″)
  • A Quad Wave Rake (.025″)
  • A Quint Wave Rake (.025″)
  • 3x Precision 2 in 1 Turning Tools
Covert Instruments Practice Lock

CI Practice Lock has drilled and tapped cylinder which is the perfect solution for beginner through advanced pickers. It is extremely easy to pin this lock up in any configuration you see fit: from a single easy to learn pin stack, to an exceptionally challenging configuration full of spools and serrated pins. This training solution will grow with you and take you farther than any other. Includes a hex wrench, array of spare parts, springs, key pins, standard driver pins, and security driver pins.

Lishi SC4 is a perfect complement to this practice tool.

Covert Instruments Magnet Connect

Magnet Connect is a super powerful magnetic accessory, which quickly attach or disconnect from pants, bags, or other everyday devices. Mag Connect holds all of your specialty keys and makes removing them from your covert companion super easy.

Covert Instruments Lishi Tools

Lishi Tools are the only out-sourced tools by the Covert Instruments team. At present, some Lishi residential tools, for example, Lishi M1, Lishi KW1 & KW5, Lishi SC1 & SC4, Lishi AM5, SC20. And some Lishi automotive tools, such as, Lishi FO38, Lishi CY24, Lishi HU101, are being supplied.

Lishi Yale Picks for Euro Cylinder?

Lishi Style Yale Picks for Euro Cylinder

Some YouTubers reviewed these two tools and said these are Yale profile Lishi, but unfortunately, these picks are not made by Mr. Li or the Lishi company, they’re somehow Lishi-like only. As you can see from the above picture, the so called Lishi Yale Picks “Lishi SS001” and “Lishi SS002” come with no official Lishi logo, and from the videos, the package seems quite different than the classic Lishi tools as well.

Lishi-Style Yale Picks Bundle of 5

Well, although Mr. Li hasn’t officially released any residential tools for Yale locks yet, another Chinese factory is making similar tools specially designed for the Yale profiles, which fits Yale Y1, and many other euro locks profiles.

There’re only 4 Lishi-Style Yale Picks available at present including Yale-5, Yale-5B, Yale-6, Yale-6B, with the complete set you will open a variety of 5 and 6 pin locks, both Left and Right versions included, so readings can be taken if lock is mounted on left or right hand side of the door you’re trying to open.

These Lishi-Style Yale Picks are made with same design concept with Mr. Li’s original tools, despite the Lishi logo, also made of high grade stainless steel, every tool is durable, and no learning & practicing needed, if you’re already a classic Lishi tools owner.

Find the Lishi-Style Yale Picks out now:

Are the Green Label Lishi Tools Fake?

I’m writing this article because I saw a Reddit post asking if the green label Lishi tools are fake, besides this man, many of our buyers also are in doubt which Lishi tools is truly original. There’re 3 major vehicle opening tools brands call themselves “Lishi”, and in this article I’ll show you the differences from their verification labels.

The Genuine Lishi Logo

Above is the Genuine Lishi logo. Genuine Lishi is made by Mr. Li’s ex business partner Tradelocks (aka. UAP Limited). Genuine Lishi is an independent company, it has no relationship with Mr. Li and/or his company today. Genuine Lishi has its own product line, with their factory located in Shenzhen.

Genuine Lishi tools come with a serial number on back of each tool, but I didn’t find a picture of it. If you see the Genuine Lishi logo on the tool(s), find the serial number on back, and register it to prove if it’s a Genuine Lishi product. But I think people never confuse about Genuine Lishi and Classic Lishi. And in China, no one sells Genuine Lishi products.

The Red Label Lishi Tools

The Red Label Lishi Tools

Red label Lishi tools belong to Original Lishi. Original Lishi is Mr. Li’s current business partner, also a separate company, operated by a Taiwanese people named James Chen, who runs his business in Australia. James Chen doesn’t retail, he has only wholesale business and his own distributors are mainly from North America, and some other countries.

James Chen (the Original Lishi company) firstly introduced anti-glare Lishi 2-in-1 tools, Lishi residential tools, as well as the verification label to the west, based on the agreement with Mr. Li and/or his company. The Original Lishi branded tools are made by Mr. Li in his factory, but the verification system isn’t operated by Mr. Li. Jame’s website www.originallishi.com is not Mr. Li’s official website either.

Please always remember that Original Lishi is NOT the ONLY distributor of Mr. Li, and it’s NOT the ONLY sales channel where you can get Mr. Li’s original tools. Mr. Li has many distributors in China, and the company also direct-sells his original tools to some European locksmith tools stores.

The Green Label Lishi Tools

The Green Label Lishi Tools

Green label Lishi tools are the classic Lishi tools made by Mr. Li’s factory in Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province of China (a city near Tianjin). Tools come with this green label, are sold by Mr. Li’s own distributors, or Mr. Li’s own supply lines.

Mr. Li is the master locksmith who invented, designed, and manufactured Lishi tools, but he’s not good at marketing his tools in the western world. “Lishi” is Chinese pinyin meaning Li “li” and family Shi “shi”, so Lishi is named with Mr. Li’s family name. The trademark was registered outside China as “Genuine Lishi” and/or “Original Lishi”, but this is not meant that tools supplied directly from his factory are not “genuine” or “original”.

The green verification label for the Classic Lishi tools was implemented by Mr. Li since 2021, now all 2-in-1 tools, motorcycle tools, and residential tools come with the green label. And you can scan the QR code on the label, or input the serial number on Mr. Li’s official website www.lizhiqintool.com to get verified.

The classic Lishi tools are reliable, trustable because of the green verification label, as you can get it verified on Mr. Li’s official website, to make sure it’s made by Mr. Li, and it’s not illegally copied or distributed, despite wherever purchased. What’s more, all Lishi tools sold by our store have a more reasonable price, it’s your best choice shopping Lishi tools, since the red label Lishi tools are always the highest.

Who’s the LockPickingLawyer?

Who's the LockPickingLawyer?

Who’s the LockPickingLawyer?

The Lock Picking Lawyer is the most popular lock picker in the world, a YouTuber known for picking various locks on camera on his channel of the same name. As of July 2021, the channel had over 3 million subscribers.

Although the LockPickLawyer has posted more than 1000 videos, he has never revealed his face or complete identity in any of his videos or on the internet. I know that you want to know whom behind the YouTube channel, so here comes this article.

The LockPickingLawyer YouTube Channel

The channel was started in 2015. In 2018, the channel attracted attention after posting a video of a bicycle lock being cut open in two seconds. Other videos include lockpicking a car lock, though it is noted that the methods used are not capable of starting the car.

LockPickingLawyer is best known for his lock pick reviews in which he showcases weaknesses and defects in a variety of security devices, primarily locks, in an attempt to educate consumers so they can make better security decisions.

About the LockPickingLawyer

The LockPickingLawyer is a YouTube creator and works in the security industry. His real name is Harry, and based in Damascus, MD 20872 near the city of Washington. He is married, aged 38 as of 2021.

How did the LockPickingLawyer get started?

Harry has been fascinated with locks since he was a little kid. He even tried lock picking when he was in middle school. But never had enough knowledge for lockpicking to become anything serious until 2015 when he was 32 years old, he came across the YouTube account of BosnianBill, and learned from BosnianBill more seriously. He launched his channel four months after getting into the hobby again.

Is the LockPickingLawyer an actual lawyer?

The LockPickingLawyer was a truly lawyer based in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, but has since retired from law to focus on security. He works with lock manufacturers to improve the security of their devices.

LockPickingLawyer Net Worth, Income

Harry has never disclosed his income, a website Youtubers.me says that the overall net worth of the LockPickingLawyer is somewhere around $ 311K – $ 1.87M, with an estimated income $ 11.9K for December 2021. You can check out this page to learn more.

How LockPickingLawyer Say about his Channel?

Harry also sells tools he’s using, and on the website he describe his channel as follows:

The LockPickingLawyer is one of the most well-known names in the world of lock picking and covert entry. He is best known for his extremely popular, eponymous YouTube channel. This channel features over 1,000 videos exposing weaknesses and defects found in locking devices so that consumers can make better security decisions. What’s less well-known is that he also works with lock manufacturers to improve their products, private companies to improve their security, tool-makers to improve their products, and government agencies. As his name suggests, the Lock Picking Lawyer was a business litigator for nearly 15 years, but recently retired from practicing law to devote all of his time to security work.

Mr. Li Tools Vs. Original Lishi

Original Lishi

Original Lishi is, as far as I know, a locksmith tools trademark registered by someone from outside China, it’s just another of Mr. Li’s distributors, but they work much further with Mr. Li.

Original Lishi doesn’t disclosure where they’re from, their contact information, but I am certain that their website is not operated and run by Mr. Li, it’s not Mr. Li’s “official” website either.

The products sold by Original Lishi is truly designed and manufactured by Mr. Li in his factory in Qinhuangdao, China, with their own packing (or without, I am not sure), and a so-called verification sticker.

The tools sold by Original Lishi has a Mr. Li’s face logo on each tool, that’s right, it’s made by Mr. Li, the face is Mr. Li’s trademark.

The Lishi Logo

Mr. Li Tools are Mr. Li’s original tools, they’re 100% original tools comes directly from Mr. Li’s factory, with a “Mr Li” face logo on each tool, and, with original packaging.

Please always look for the ‘Mr Li’ face logo for a guaranteed original Mr. Li product. Please also trust that all tools we supply are from the original manufacturer, ensuring quality and supply is guaranteed.

Mr. Li Tools also comes with a verification label on each tools since 2021, you can scratch off the coating at the bottom of the label and scan the QR code with your smart phone to see if it’s an original Mr. Li product.

Which Lishi Tools is Truly ORIGINAL?

There are many so called “Lishi” Tools on the market, so far I know, 2 brands call themselves “Lishi”, 1 doesn’t but obviously stole Mr. Li’s concept. Here’s my post explaining differences among all of these “Lishi tools”: Genuine Lishi, Original Lishi, Super Tools, as well as Mr. Li Tools.

Genuine Lishi

Genuine Lishi

As I said in my previous post, Genuine Lishi is made by Mr. Li’s ex business partner Tradelocks (aka. UAP Limited), and Mr. Li has no relationship with European “Genuine Lishi” today. Genuine Lishi has its own product line, for example their Blind Picks, Night Vision Tools, T3 Tools, as well as their standard Genuine Lishi tools. All their tools are made in their partner factory in Shenzhen, China.

Super Tools HU66

Super Tools

Above is a typical Super Tools HU66, made by another well-known Chinese lock pick manufacturer called “H&H”. H&H and Mr. Li has no relationship either, H&H also didn’t advertise their tools as “Lishi Tools”, but you guys can see from the image that they stole Mr. Li’s concept and designed their own copies. We never sold them.

Mr. Li holding Original Lishi

Original Lishi

Original Lishi is a trademark I think doesn’t belong to Mr. Li and/or his factory/company. I don’t know where I found or knew it’s operated by an Australian company, which is one of Mr. Li’s big customers. Mr. Li’s factory manufactures tools for them, with their own verification label on each tool.

Original Lishi shares the same product line with Mr. Li’s factory, both 2-in-1 tools and readers, same as what we’re selling now. It uses Mr. Li’s new trademark on each tools, but the discontinued oval “Lishi” logo still appears on their website logo.

Mr. Li's original tools

Mr. Li Tools

Mr. Li is the designer, creator, inventor of all Lishi tools. When originated in early 2000s, Mr. Li named his tools “Lishi Tools” (中文:李氏工具), with an oval “Lishi” logo. When Mr. Li broke up with Genuine Lishi, he changed his trademark to Lizhiqin Tools (中文:李志勤工具), with his face and name (中文: 李志勤) as his new logo.

Because the former “Lishi” brand name and trademark has been used for over a decade, all locksmiths outside of China still call Mr. Li’s original tools “Lishi Tools”, but Mr. Li and his company officially advertise as “Mr. Li Tools” on exhibitions.

The word “Lishi” is Chinese pinyin meaning a person with family name “Li”, or Mr. Li’s family, that’s say, Mr. Li named his tools with his family name, it’s similar to Kohl’s, how Maxwell Kohl named his business. That’s why he advertises his tools as “Mr. Li Tools”, when the former “Lishi” trademark was abandoned.

Please always look for the ‘Mr Li’ face logo for a guaranteed original Mr Li tool. Mr. Li Tools is the most effective way to unlock and decode vehicle locks. The tools we supply are from the original manufacturer, ensuring quality and supply is guaranteed. There are currently nearly 200 tools available.

2-in-1 Tools

Mr. Li 2-in-1 Tools are a time saving way to open locked cars or make replacement keys. Each tool is inserted into a vehicle lock and used to pick the lock to a position where it traps the wafers. The wafer depth can then be read to determine the cuts for a replacement key.

Readers

Mr. Li Readers allow locksmiths to read wafer depths without having to pick the lock first. There are many different models of readers that will work on both automotive and motorcycle applications. Readers are a fast and easy alternative to other wafer depth reading methods that are available today.

Accessories

Did you know that Mr. Li makes accessories as well? Lishi key cutter gives you the ability to quickly punch out a replacement key that can then be duplicated onto a permanent blank. Looking for tool storage? Their cases are the best toolbox to keep your tools safe.

Lizhiqin Tools Verification

Verify Your Mr. Li Tools

Since 2021, all Mr. Li 2-in-1 tools and readers come with a verification label. You can scratch off the coating at the bottom of the label and scan the QR code with your smart phone. The verification system is in Chinese, please take a screenshot of the verification result as the series code only works once.

Classic Lishi Vs. Genuine Lishi

Classic Lishi

Classic Lishi is just Mr. Li’s original tools, the name is to distinguish from another similar brand – “Genuine Lishi”. Mr. Li, the designer, creator, inventor of all Lishi tools, has no relationship with European “Genuine Lishi” today. To be clear, Genuine Lishi is made by Mr. Li’s ex business partner Tradelocks (aka. UAP Limited) that essentially stole the concept from him and patented it state side or some nonsense. The ones with the logo of Mr. Li are the genuine ones. The ones with the Genuine Lishi logos are the knock-offs.

Classic Lishi had an oval “Lishi” logo on each tool before the year 2014, and later, Mr. Li’s face were etched in. Please always look for the ‘Mr Li’ face logo for a guaranteed original Mr Li product. Classic Lishi is the most effective way to unlock and decode vehicle locks whilst at the scene. The tools we supply are from the original manufacturer, ensuring quality and supply is guaranteed. There are currently more than 90 tools available. Professionals all over the world already use Mr Li’s vehicle opening tools, Classic Lishi always make their job so much easier.

Source 1: Original lishi vs. Genuine lishi • r/Locksmith
Source 2: New Lishi 2 in 1 tools from Mr. Li. the inventor of Lishi tools

Locksmith Training (Lock Picking) Course on Udemy

Locksmith Training (Lock Picking) Course on Udemy

Do you want to learn how to pick locks? If you’ve seen someone pick a lock before, it almost seems like magic. Our promise to you is that at the end of this course you will be able to replicate this “magic”, and have the people around you astonished by your skills.

Pick Almost Any Lock in Minutes

The course concentrates on the most common type of locks that you encounter on a daily basis. The locks on your apartment or house, master keys, mailboxes etc. The principles and methods you learn in the course allow you pick all of these locks in a matter of minutes, and even seconds after you become a more seasoned lockpicker.

Powerful Skill At Your Hands

Lock picking is a handy skill at the end of the day. In addition to helping your friends and neighbors when they get locked out, and lock picking for fun, you’l have a much better understanding at how locks work, and be able to make sure your home will be more secure. By trying out your newly acquired skills on your own property, you’l be able to determine how secure your lock is, and consider changing it if you find it very easy to pick.

What You Will Learn

The Ultimate Guide To Lockpicking is the most comprehensive lock picking course on the market, showing the art of lock picking in an easy to learn step by step system.

The course covers the theory of how locks work, and then shows you a few different methods of lock picking:

  • Using standard pick tools (the ones you see in the movies)
  • Using a pick-gun
  • Using a bump key – a type of master key (and also how to create one from scratch)

Who This Course is For

Literally anyone who is interested to learn how to pick locks. The course requires zero prior knowledge about locks and lock picking, and it is our guarantee to you that you’ll be successful at lock picking, or you get your money back.

Who is the target audience?

This Lock Picking course is for you if you are interested in learning the art of Lock Picking. Without any prior knowledge, you will be able to pick about 90% of the locks around you in daily life including door knobs, deadbolts and padlocks.

If you’re interested in this lock pick course, please visit The Art of Lockpicking: A Complete Guide on Udemy. The course is being on sale and now it’sonly $9.99, please don’t hesitate add it to cart now!

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