Tools
Recently, I purchased myself a set Echelon Pick Set from Covert Instruments. This comes with three hooks, three rakes, a bunch of tension tools, and some specialty tools for cylinder and dimple locks.
American Lock 1100
The lock that I'm practicing on is an American Lock Series 1100. It sat in my collection of locks. I'm unsure of where I found this one, as the hasp is completely cut off, and I'm sure I didn't remove it. I may have found it on the side of the road or recovered it from someone who had to break it off something after losing the key. There is only a date marking on the lock: 3485AD. This likely corresponds to December 14, 2015. These 1100 series locks had various 5-digit model numbers. Based on the size of the body and shackle stump, it's an A11__ variant. It feels like my lock has six pins, so the model is an A116_. The last digit indicating the shackle length, which I can't know.p>
Progress
It's humbling getting back into lock picking after years of not practicing. I had lost my original set of lock picks after a number of moves, which was a bummer since they were a vintage set from my parents. These new picks are quite nice. Beyond the sanding on the picks being very smooth, the first thing I noticed was the thickness of the picks laser engraved on their handles. Even the turning tools have thickness markers on them, which is expecially nice when choosing a turning tool that fits snuggly in the keyway.
I was working on the lock for a half hour, wondering just how out of practice I was before visiting the lock wiki. There I discovered that this series of locks is known to have multiple serrated pins. These create a false sense that you've set a pin in the shear line. Normally, these aren't too much of an issue, but I'm currently unable to feel out the differnce between a serration and a true movement. It feels like either pin 3 or 4 has a serrated pin. This is a lock that can be repinned. Once I get it open, I can disassemble it to confirm that suspicion.
For now, I may need to find a more basic lock with fewer security pins until I get feeling back in my hands. Until then, this will be a hobby horse.