Picking Locks With Brockhage And Safekeeping Valuables With SentrySafe

Lock picking has always held a bit of romance for me. It suggests adventure, just a bit on the side of the seedy side, but usually with noble outcomes. I picture someone in a newsboy cap and short pants, or perhaps sunglasses with a silk scarf covering the hair (a la Audrey Hepburn), with heists (somehow for a good cause) in the works. I also imagine unbending a hair pin or a paper clip. It turns out that technology is much more advanced than that, in the form of a lock pick gun from Brockhage. 

The Brockhage pick gun can be used to open most pin tumbler locks. We have to admit, we weren't sure which those covered, so we tried it out on our front door over Thanksgiving. As absolute lock-picking novices, it took us about five minutes of constant work (or about as long as it took to put out the cruditee platter) to go from locked door to in the house. It took a surprising amount of hand strength to constantly pull the trigger, resulting in a slightly sore hand (this didn't stop us from using the fork lots at dinner later). Before you start envisioning us giving up writing or a life of cat burglary, let me add- it was loud! It sounded like a car backfire each time we pulled the trigger. Somehow we imagined that it would be a bit more of a finesse tool, but it got the job done. We're told that if you're a professional, it's much faster. The pick gun is available for about $45. We're not exactly sure how to make keeping one on hand useful, but there must be a way, right? You could keep it in your garage or car, in case you get locked out of your apartment, for example (it's pretty small- the main body about the size of a credit card, but heavier and much thicker). Or just carry one with you all of the time, in case an adventure opportunity arises. Along with dark sunglasses and a scarf.

Just in case someone is trying to get at your valuables with nefarious designs (unlike us, with our lockpick gun), we suggest a safe. We had to opportunity to try one out from SentrySafe. At 90 lbs., this is not something you want to toss into your bag. It's a nice black on the outside (so not an eyesore) and features a three-number combination lock, with clicking dial and tubular key lock, four live-locking bolts and a metal handle. Basically, it'll keep your stuff hella-safe. 

It's also verified for up to one-hour protection of CDs and DVDs in a fire and against 8" of water for a 24-hour period of time. The safe also withstands a 15 foot drop. This is a tough box, designed to give you peace of mind when you're away from home. It also has handy inside organization- it kind of looks like a mini-fridge for your valuables. At 13.9 x 12.6 x 11.9 inches it's about the size of a mini-fridge, too. The size and heft make it a pain to haul around, but I guess that's kind of the point to a safe. It's available for $196 on Amazon. 

Whether you want to be breaking in places, keeping things safe, or both, the Brockhage lock pick gun and the SentrySafe Safe are useful, versatile and reasonable affordable. Grab your favorite trenchcoat for intrique, dim the lights, and live your own Noir adventure.