"How To Pick A Lock"

 Yesterday I had posted "50" Stocking Stuffers for guys that I got from the "Art of Manliness" website, well I was checking out that link I had posted  and I started diving deep into the "Lock picking" one, soo much that I ordered me a set of tools for educational use mind you.  I used to be really good at getting into cars in the 80's and 90's, but I haven't tried in 20+ years even though my Dad gave me his slim Jim from when he was a cop.  Just haven't felt the need.  Funny that, LOL  

    Again I shamelessly clipped this from "Art of Manliness"

Some of you might be thinking, “Brett, why should I learn how to pick a lock if I don’t plan on breaking into people’s homes?”

Great question.

There are a few good reasons why law-abiding citizens should learn how to pick a lock:

Lock picking opens your eyes to the “illusion of security.” We all lock our doors to keep our loved ones safe at night and to secure our possessions during the day. After I picked my first lock within two minutes of learning how to do it, I realized that locks don’t really do much except provide the illusion of security. Locks make us feel safe, but if someone really wanted to get in your house, they could easily pick the lock on your front door. If they didn’t know how to do that, they could find another way in. You can’t just rely on a lock to keep you and your family safe. You need to utilize other tools and tactics and create multiple layers of security.

Realizing how little locks actually keep you and your stuff safe was both terrifying and surprisingly heartwarming. Terrifying because I saw that someone could easily enter my house and walk off with a crapload of stuff without having to break a window; heartwarming because seeing how easy it is to pick a lock and yet how rarely people get burgled, made me realize that most people don’t break into homes because, well, most people are good people.

It makes you handy. If you’ve ever been locked out of your house or car, you know how annoying it is to be standing there like a chump, waiting for someone to show up with a key or a professional locksmith to arrive. Wouldn’t you love to be able to jimmy your way in yourself? Not only can this skill save you a lot of time and money, being able to solve a problem like that on your own is pretty dang satisfying. Plus, you can help out all your friends when they get locked out too.

Knowing how to pick a lock may even help you save a life one day. ITS Tactical has highlighted a few instances in which someone picked their way into an older parent’s home because they weren’t answering the phone, only to find their parent collapsed on the floor. Could they have kicked the door down or broken a window? Sure. But picking a lock just takes a few seconds and doesn’t leave any damage. So why wouldn’t you do that if you could?

It’s a cool and fun skill! There’s simply a “cool” factor of knowing how to pick a lock. Of all the Jason Bourne-esque skills every man wishes he had, it’s one of the most attainable. The idea that I can surreptitiously enter most doors without a key makes me feel all-powerful, like some sort of super ninja-spy.

It’s also a fun little hobby and something I like to do when I’m taking breaks from work or hanging out with the kids while they do their kid thing on the carpet. If you get really into lock picking, you can actually go to events and contests to test your skills against other lock pickers.

Below we walk you through basic lock-picking techniques for tumbler locks. I made a lock picking YouTube video a few years ago that shows how to do this step-by-step.

The Legality of Lock Picking

There’s a common misconception that the only people who can legally own lock-picking tools are first responders or licensed locksmiths. The reality is that in most states, as long as you’re not trying to illegally enter someone’s home with your lock-picking set, you can legally own, carry, and use lock-picking tools.

There are, however, some states that have laws that make owning lock-picking tools prima facie evidence of criminal intent. If you’re caught with picks in these states and you want to avoid criminal charges, you have to prove that you didn’t plan on committing a crime.

Long story short: owning lock-picking tools and learning how to pick locks is perfectly legal and ethical as long as you do so without nefarious intent. Just be a decent human being. For a summary of lock-picking laws across the country, see here.

How to Pick a Pin Tumbler Lock

Pin tumbler locks are the most common locks found on the front doors of homes. So it makes for a good first lock to learn how to pick.

How a Pin Tumbler Lock Works

You don’t really need to understand how basic pin tumbler locks work to successfully pick them, but it does help.

The design of the basic pin tumbler lock has been in use since 4000 BC. Of course, it’s gotten more complex over the millennia. The design that is used in most cylinder locks — like the one on your front door — has been around since 1861, and it hasn’t changed much. Basically, most of the world is using a technology that’s been around for a century and a half to keep their most prized possessions safe and secure.

Here’s the anatomy of most run-of-the-mill pin tumbler locks:

Pin tumbler locks consist of an outer cylindrical casing (colored green) in which a plug is housed. The small gap between the outer casing and the plug is called the shear line. Remember that. It will come in handy here in a bit. The plug has an opening for the key. When the proper key is inserted into the plug, the plug can rotate, thus unlocking the lock. On top of the plug, a series of five or six holes are drilled. The holes contain key pins (colored red) of different lengths. They’re called key pins because they touch the key when you insert a key into the plug. Above each key pin is a driver pin that’s spring-loaded. Pins are also sometimes referred to as “binding pins.”

So you have an idea of how the pins look in action, here’s a gif of me inserting a pick into a see-through practice lock:

In the diagram above, there’s no key in the plug. Because of the different key pin lengths, the driver pins cross the shear line, making it impossible for the plug to rotate. If you put a wrong key into a lock, the notches on the key won’t lift up the key pins at the right height, causing them to protrude through the shear line as you can see in the diagram below:

In order for the plug to rotate, you need to lift each of the key pins and driver pins to the correct height — until the gap between the key pins and driver pins reaches the shear line. When all of the pins reach this position, the plug can rotate. That’s what happens when you put a properly cut key into a lock:

Pretty simple, huh?

When you pick a lock, all you’re doing is using tools, instead of a key, to line up the gap between the key pins and driver pins with the shear line between the outer casing and the plug. That’s it. And it’s super easy to do.

Tools Needed for Picking a Pin Tumbler Lock

There are various tools you can use to pick a lock. For this post, we’re going to focus on using the most common lock-picking tools: a tension wrench and pick rakes. 

Below is my wallet-sized lock-picking set that I got from SEREPick while I was at the ITS Muster. The picks are made of titanium. There’s one tension wrench and several rakes with different numbers of ridges, which allow you to pick several pins at a time. There’s also a pick that allows you to pick one pin at a time. Some locks will require you to do that.

If you’re looking for something a little sturdier and robust, you can find lock-picking sets several places online (even Amazon). If you want to be even more of a MacGyver, you could even make your own picks from a windshield wiper.

You can also use a paperclip to pick a lock. Check out our article on how to pick a lock with a paperclip.

Lock-Picking Technique

Lock picking is more art than science. You definitely have to develop a “feel” for it. Each lock is different, but the same basic principles apply. The easiest way to pick a lock is to use the fast and dirty method: scrubbing.

1. Insert Tension Wrench into the Bottom of Key Hole and Apply Slight Pressure

The tension wrench is the key (no pun intended) to successfully picking a lock. Thanks to video games, people wrongfully think it’s the pick, because that is the thing that’s actually lifting the key pins to line up with the shear line.

Here’s why the tension wrench is so important: as you’re lifting the pin sets with your pick you need to apply tension on the plug. If you’re applying the right amount of torque on the plug, once the driver pin passes the shear line, the plug will rotate slightly. When you pull your pick out, the key pin will drop back down, but the driver pin will catch the edge of the plug, thus staying above the shear line. Here’s a diagram of what it looks like:

You’ll keep lifting pins with your pick and applying pressure with your tension wrench, until all the driver pins have cleared the shear line.

So far so good? Alrighty.

So take your tension wrench and place it in the bottom of the key hole. Apply slight pressure in the direction you would turn the key if you had it. And by slight I mean slight. If you apply too much pressure, you’re just going to cause the driver pins to bind below the shear line. You need to have enough give to let the driver pins rise above the shear line, but have enough torque that when they start dropping down, an edge of the drive pin catches the plug as it starts to rotate.

From the CIA Lock Picking Field Operative Training Manual

How much is too much pressure? If your tension wrench is bending a lot, then you’re probably applying too much pressure. So lean on the side of applying less pressure than more.

2. Insert Pick at Top of Lock

Pick your pick. I prefer the Bogota rake that has three ridges. This one has picked every lock that I’ve used it on very easily.

Slide the rake all the way to the back.

3. While Applying Slight Torque to Your Wrench, Scrub Your Pick Back and Forth in the Key Hole

Keep applying that slight pressure on your tension wrench. I use my left hand for that. With your right hand, scrub or rake the inside of the plug with your pick. As you pull the pick back, simultaneously lift up in order to apply pressure on the pins. It looks sort of like this motion:

4. Repeat Until All the Pins Set

Keep applying torque on your wrench and scrubbing the pins until they all set. You may need to apply more torque and pressure on the pins with your pick as you get near the last one or two pins that need to set. If you’re not making any progress, you probably applied too much torque with the wrench. Relax, let the pins reset, and start over again, focusing on not using too much pressure.

That’s it! Really. That’s all there is to it. You can successfully pick most pin and tumbler locks using this scrubbing method.

You may run across locks that require a little bit more finesse by picking each pin set one at a time. In these trickier locks, you may need to get more methodical by looking for the pin stack that resists the most and picking it first and then repeating the process until all the pins are successfully picked.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Like I said above, lock picking is more art than science. The best way to learn how to do it is to simply pick locks as much as possible. Buy yourself different pin and tumbler locks at the hardware store and keep them on your desk or by your couch. When you’re taking a break from work or while you’re watching TV, practice picking. I’ve got three or four locks in my drawer that I’ll bust out during the day for practice sessions.

You’re one step closer to becoming Jason Bourne. Remember, use this knowledge for fun or for legal entries. If you’re going to burgle, only burgle hamburgers. Robble, robble.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I pick a lock with?

Your best bet is a lock-picking set that includes a tension wrench and a set of rakes. My favorite is the set from SEREPick. In a pinch, you could fashion some lock picks with a paper clip, bobby pin, or even windshield wiper blades. In my experience, picking a lock with paper clips is more difficult because they have a tendency to break in the lock. 

Is lock picking legal? 

Depends on which country or state you live in. In most instances, as long as you’re picking a lock and don’t have criminal intent, you’re fine. In some states, owning a set of lock picks is prima facie evidence of criminal intent and things get more complicated. Be sure to check local laws before buying a lock-picking set. 

Can you pick a lock with a credit card?

Not tumbler locks. But some locks on internal doors can be opened by jimmying a credit card between the lock and the door. Here’s how to use a credit card to open these doors.

Further Reading

If you want to get more in-depth in the art of lock picking, check out these two sources:

CIA Lock Picking Field Operative Training Manual

The MIT Guide to Lock Picking (This baby goes really in-depth into the mechanics and physics of why we’re able to pick locks. Very thorough. Definitely recommend reading it

"Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Guys"

 I liked a lot of this stuff although the "Tom Selleck" orniment gave me pause...Different stroke for different folks I suppose.  Although I really liked the "Casio Watch " it was seriously Retro.

    I shamelessly clipped this from "Art of Manliness"

Stocking stuffers often get overlooked in the rush to see the bigger gifts Santa’s left (be sure to check out our ideas for those). But they’re one of my favorite parts of Christmas. There’s something so fun about little gifts small enough to be stuffed in a giant sock. Yet once a man ages out of the novelty toys of his youth, it can be hard to know how to fill his stocking with things that are both neat and useful. For that reason, we’ve created this guide that includes 50 stocking stuffers a father, husband, or brother will find both practical and delightful. While every stocking should have one or two just-for-fun items, too many stocking stuffers are bits of junk that get thrown in a desk drawer, and then, once the feeling of guilt wears off, put in a trash can or tag sale. So the things we’ve chosen are those a man will enjoy using the moment he pulls them from his stocking and for a long time afterwards.

Pocket Knife

Every man should carry a pocket knife. Huckberry carries a number of nice pocket knives like the Leatherman Skeletool.

Pocket Ref

I love a good reference book and my favorite by far is the Pocket Ref, 4th Edition by Thomas J. Glover. This small, black book is crammed with just about every piece of information a man might want to know. Want to know about different lumber types? How about how to tie the fifty most common knots? Need a formula to determine the area of an oblique triangle? It’s all there in the Pocket Ref Guide and much, much more. Sure, you can find this info online these days, but this guide serves as a great book to have by the toilet so you can thumb through it while taking care of business.

Camp Snap Screen-Free Digital Camera

Remember when taking pictures meant you actually had to wait to see them? The Camp Snap brings that back. It’s a simple, screen-free digital camera that fits in your pocket, takes about 500 shots on a single charge, and stores a couple thousand total. No screen to stare at, no temptation to edit or post. Just point and click. You’ll have to wait to see the pics after you get home.

IronMind Captains of Crush Hand Gripper

The Captains of Crush grippers are the gold standard for building serious grip strength. Made from aircraft-grade aluminum and precision-machined steel springs, they feel like something you’d find in a blacksmith’s gym bag. They come in eleven different resistance levels. Even the lighter models will humble you fast. But with consistent use, they’ll toughen your hands, strengthen your forearms, and make every handshake feel like a statement. They’re small enough to keep on your desk or toss in a gym bag, and they’ll last a lifetime.

Casio A158WA Series Watch

The Casio A158WA is proof that style doesn’t have to be expensive. For under thirty bucks, you get a stainless-steel throwback that looks like it was plucked straight off your dad’s wrist in 1985. It’s light, reliable, and has just enough retro charm to stand out without trying too hard. You can wear it mowing the lawn or with a suit — either way, it somehow works. I own watches that cost twenty times more, but this one gets a surprising amount of time in my rotation. Simple, timeless, and indestructible — the A158WA is the best cheap watch you’ll ever actually love wearing.

Nose/Ear Hair Trimmer

Growing little sprouts from our nostrils and ears is just part of the natural life cycle of human males. While that hair growth can’t and shouldn’t be totally eradicated, it can easily be managed. Despite a number of trimming options, by far the best is the electric trimmer. They’re easy to use, get the job done fast, and don’t have any of the pinching or yanking of the other options.

Working Hands Cream

After a long day of house projects, a hard session of weightlifting, or a few hours spent on a woodworking project, even the toughest man’s hands need moisturizing relief. Working Hands is made for especially dry and cracked paws and will help heal and repair any damage inflicted from manly labors.

Khlip Ultimate Clipper

You may never have thought much about your nail clipper, but maybe you should. The Khlip makes for the ultimate upgrade. Superior ergonomics, clean-cutting blades, and a built-in cavity to hold the clippings make this the world’s best toenail tamer. 

Huckberry Beanie

A Japanese-made beanie that blocks out the cold and keeps you stylish in the process. It’s also durable as heck. Include it in your loved one’s stocking this year, and he’ll be chomping at the bit to go outside and snowshoe or split some wood for the fireplace. 

Sportsman Cologne

Sportsman Cologne adds a splash of adventure to your day. Handcrafted in small batches in Austin, Texas, this rugged scent features notes of leather, musk, flint stone, red clay, and pine. This has been Brett’s go-to cologne for fall and winter for several years.

Atech 5-in-1 AirTag Multi-Tool

Quit using your house key to hack open Amazon boxes. This compact Atech tool clips to your keyring, holds your AirTag, and actually gets the job done. It’s got a box opener, nail puller, 10mm wrench, and a couple of other tricks — all in solid metal. Small, useful, and way better than ruining your keys.

Bellroy Hide & Seek Wallet

The Hide & Seek Wallet is a natural starting point for those looking to slim their wallet. It’s conventional, yet loaded with hidden features and compartments that will Houdini away your extra bulk. Cut from premium vegetable tanned cow leather, it’ll protect your bills and plastic and photo of your sweetheart for years to come. This version of the Hide & Seek sports an RFID-blocking upgrade that protects your personal information contained in RFID enabled identification cards, passports and smart cards.

J. L. Lawson Decision Coin

Minted from solid metal, the decision coin is a far more fun way to make coin flip decisions. Beyond that, it can be kept in a wallet as a reminder of the role that fate plays in all of our lives.

Survival Kit in a Sardine Can

This air-tight, waterproof, crushproof sardine can is packed with 25 survival items, including a fishhook, signal mirror, fire starter cube, and first aid supplies. Now, because of the variety and quality of the items in the can, this is far more of a novelty item than an actual survival kit. But it’s pretty cheap and a lot of fun; every stocking needs at least one item that’s simply designed to delight and act as a conversation piece. This fits the bill nicely. 

Shaving Cream

Most men lather up using some green goop from a can. These mass-produced shaving creams smell like you should be cleaning the floor with them. Share the pleasure of shaving with natural shaving creams and soaps with manly scents like almond or sandalwood. They cost more than the drugstore variety, but last far longer. My personal favorite is the sandalwood-scented shaving cream from Art of Shaving. 

Firestarter and Striker 

Knowing how to start a fire in a variety of ways is manly. The Firestarter and Striker tool set from Rill Simple Tools will make sure you’re always prepared to start a fire in a wilderness survival situation. The aluminum striker ignites magnesium in all conditions, regardless of wind, rain, snow, or temperature.

Varsity Disposable Fountain Pens

I love writing with a fountain pen. It makes writing even a lowly grocery list feel like a dignified affair. Unfortunately, a decent fountain pen can cost upwards of $50. If you want the fountain pen experience without the cost (and worry of losing an expensive pen) check out Varsity disposable fountain pens from Pilot. A 3-pack costs only $8 and writes almost as smoothly as more expensive fountain pens. These make a great stocking stuffer for a man who’s been curious about fountain pens, but hasn’t had the dough to try out an expensive one.

Davek Solo Umbrella

Most umbrellas are disposable. The Davek Solo isn’t.

Built from high-grade steel, fiberglass, and aluminum, its patented wind-combat frame shrugs off gusts that would leave a drugstore umbrella in the gutter. The carbon-reinforced ribs flex without snapping, and the water-repellent microweave canopy sheds rain like waxed canvas. This bad boy will protect you from the elements for years to come.

Zippo Pocket Handwarmer

This handsome handwarmer from Zippo makes the perfect stocking stuffer for the man who spends a lot of time in the freezing cold. My dad would have loved this in his game warden days on those cold mornings checking duck hunters.  

Tactical Flashlight

Besides helping you find your car keys in a dark parking lot when you accidentally drop them, a small tactical flashlight can also serve as a useful self-defense tool. Shine the bright light from the tactical flashlight in a would-be attacker’s eyes to temporarily blind him and give yourself enough time to run or counter-attack. High quality tactical flashlights can cost well over $100. For most folks, that’s probably too much for a stocking stuffer. At about $40, the Streamlight 88301 Protac Tactical flashlight puts itself on the potential stocking stuffer bubble. While it doesn’t emit 500 lumens like its more expensive cousins, the 88301 does offer enough light output (180 lumens) to blind an attacker momentarily. 

Hitch Hair Clay

If you’re looking for a hair product that provides hold, while maintaining a natural look, pick up a jar (or two of Hitch All Day Clay). Besides giving you a great coif, it has a clean fragrance with notes of bergamot, vetiver and sandalwood that goes well with anything. 

Everyday Carry Items

According to the Every-Day Carry website, “Everyday Carry, or EDC, generally refers to small items or gadgets worn, carried, or made available in pockets, holsters, or bags on a daily basis to manage common tasks or for use in unexpected situations or emergencies. In a broader sense, it is a lifestyle, discipline, or philosophy of preparedness.” If you know a guy who ascribes to the EDC philosophy, nothing will delight him more than seeing some cool new pocket-sized things in his stocking. We’ve already covered pocket knives, flashlights, and handkerchiefs, but there are many more handy and neat things available. 

Blackwing Pencils 

These aren’t the standard yellow #2 pencils that you grew to hate during middle school. Just as fountain pens are a step up from the leaky ballpoints you buy in bulk, these Blackwing pencils are an upgrade over that old Ticonderoga. Made with California cedar wood and high-quality Japanese graphite, they deliver a surprisingly smooth, pencil-paradigm-changing writing experience. There’s a reason these iconic pencils have had a cult following since the 1930s. Be sure to grab the two-step sharpener as well.

SABANI 35,000mAh Portable Charger

The SABANI Power Bank packs a massive 35,000mAh battery — enough juice to charge your phone multiple times — yet it’s about the size of an iPhone. It’s got four built-in cables (Lightning, USB-C, USB-A, and Micro) plus three extra ports, so you can charge up to six devices at once without digging through a tangled mess of cords. Great for keeping your devices charged while you’re on a backpacking trip. 

BioLite HeadLamp 

A headlamp’s one of those tools you don’t think much about until you really need it. The BioLite 300 fixes the usual annoyances — dead batteries, accidental power-ons, and clunky weight. It’s USB-rechargeable, locks so it won’t turn on in your pack, and weighs just 50 grams. The battery sits neatly in the back of the moisture-wicking band, so it’s comfortable enough to forget you’re wearing it.

Drugstore Cologne

We wrote about six forgotten and manly drugstore colognes and aftershaves in 2012. It was a big hit. Cheap drugstore cologne was a staple in my dad’s stocking growing up, and I remember getting my first bottle of Brute in my stocking when I was twelve. Any of the old drugstore standbys make a great stocking stuffer gift. You can’t go wrong with Old Spice. 

Instant Read Thermometer

Every backyard barbecuer needs a good meat thermometer. The usual variety, though, can be sort of fickle to use. You never know if you’ve waited long enough, or even how accurate it is since the needles tend to move a bit. With an instant read version, you don’t have to worry about that at all. Stick it in, and a couple seconds later you have an accurate reading. Can also be used with baked goods, homebrewed beer, and other foodstuffs that require precise temperature readings.

Analog Alarm Clock

Give the gift of better sleep! Most folks’ smartphones are in their rooms with them come bedtime. Whether diddling around and staying up too late (and sacrificing sleep) or using its alarm to wake you up, your phone ends up being the last thing you see at night and the first thing you see in the morning. But plenty of research — both anecdotal and scientific — has shown that getting your phone out of your room makes for improved sleeping, waking, and mental and physical health. When you give the gift of a “throwback” alarm clock, you give the gift of better well-being.

Pocket Notebooks

We’ve extolled the benefits of the pocket notebook numerous times — they’re so handy for writing down ideas, to-do tasks, or just capturing your bored scribbling. There are a variety of great pocket notebooks out there. Field Notes are a classic Made in America brand that have a nice vintage look to them. Huckberry has a series of Field Notes that pay homage to American National Parks.  They’ve got a  Rite in the Rain are cool because, well, you can write in them in the rain without losing your world-changing idea. 

Snake River Farms Wagyu Beef Sticks

Made from 100% American-raised Wagyu, these beef sticks are a long way from gas station jerky. Snake River Farms — a family-run outfit that helped pioneer American Wagyu — blends Japanese bloodlines with American cattle to create that rich, buttery flavor and perfect snap.

No artificial junk, just clean protein you can toss in your pack or desk drawer. Great for hikes, road trips, or the stretch between lunch and dinner when you need something that actually tastes like real beef.

Original Arbuckles’ Ariosa Blend Coffee

Getting a coffee-lover a bag of beans is a no-brainer. But which should you choose? Instead of grabbing a bag from Starbucks on Christmas Eve, try the Ariosa blend from the Arbuckles’ coffee company. Touted as the “Original Cowboy Coffee,” and the “Coffee That Won the West,” John and Charles Arbuckle first made their coffee way back in 1864, pioneering the practice of selling pre-roasted beans and putting them in 1lb sacks. Packages come with a peppermint stick, just as they did over a century ago. 

Old Fashioned Chewing Gum

Black Jack gum was first made by Thomas Adams all the way back in 1884. Made with aniseed, it was the first flavored gum made in the US and also the first gum to be offered in stick form. Adams’ company, American Chicle Co., then acquired Beeman’s in 1898 from its inventor, Edward E. Beeman. Beeman had incorporated pepsin in his recipe, a digestive enzyme, and Beeman’s became incredibly popular among pilots as an aid in both popping their ears and an antacid to settle their stomach acid during flight. Clove was another zippy flavor added by the company later on. These classic chewing gums were discontinued in the 70s and then brought back by Cadbury Adams and now make a great stocking stuffer for the man who wants to taste what Gramps was chomping on while playing stickball. Look for these gums at speciality candy stores.

David Protein Bar

The macros on the David Protein bare are impressive: 150 calories, 28 grams of protein, and zero sugar. They only have 2 grams of fiber, but they’re surprisingly filling. The result is a perfect 1.0 PDCAAS score, meaning it delivers all the amino acids your body needs. My favorite flavor is the Peanubutter Chocolate.

Huckberry Weekender Sunglasses 

An all day, everyday pair of sunglasses that doesn’t break the bank. Lightweight but with a hardy construction, polarized lenses, and crucial hinge protection (which is where sunglasses always fail when/if they take a tumble), these can truly be taken anywhere. While a nice pair of shades makes for a good under-the-tree gift, everyone needs a pair or two that they don’t have to worry too much about.

Uncle John’s Truth, Trivia, and the Pursuit of Factiness

Every bathroom needs a bathroom reader — a handy little book that can be perused a few minutes at a time while doing your business. The classic in the genre is the Uncle John’s series, which is now in its 32nd edition. With short tidbits of interesting facts and longer tales of daring and misdeed, there’s always something fascinating to be found in its pages, no matter how long the visit. 

Wythe New York Camp Socks

The kind of socks you want to live in all winter. Knit in North Carolina from recycled cotton, these Wythe Camp Socks are soft, sturdy, and built for both the couch and the woodpile. The jacquard-knit evergreen pattern gives them just enough seasonal flair without going full ugly-sweater. Warm, durable, and quietly festive — the perfect stocking stuffer for anyone with cold feet.

BFWood Clothes Brush

A good clothes brush is one of those old-school tools that every man should own but few actually do. This one from BF Wood makes a great case for bringing the habit back.

Crafted from solid beech wood and fitted with pure boar bristles, it hits that perfect middle ground — soft enough not to damage delicate fabrics like wool or cashmere, stiff enough to sweep away lint, fuzz, and dust. A quick pass over a jacket or sweater before heading out the door will leave it looking sharper and lasting longer.

Roark’s Cove Solid Cologne

Cologne, without the glass bottle or the splashy mess. Fulton & Roark’s solid fragrance is compact, travel-ready, and built for men who actually move around. Just rub some on you. This fragrance sits in the amber-woody-earthy family — bright at the top with bergamot, cloudberry, and pink pepper, grounded by oak chips, tonka bean, and cedarwood. The result is warm, clean, and quietly masculine; it smells like a hike through pine and sun-warmed rock after a fresh shave.

Lock Pick Training Kit

At AoM, we’re aficionados of the fine art of lock picking. This clear lock pick training set you can fine tune your lock picking craft by seeing how the tumblers and springs move as you rake your way to opening the lock. Set comes with clear training lock, tension wrench, and four picks. 

Spy Coin

It looks like spare change, but it isn’t. This clever little gadget uses real U.S. Kennedy half-dollars that snap apart to hide a micro-SD inside—clean, simple, and delightfully sneaky. Stick a card in there between shoots, drop it in a gear case, and nobody will guess your film negatives (or files) are riding shotgun in a coin.

Ammo

Ammo is kind of expensive and you want plenty of it on hand for those impromptu trips to the gun range. Make sure you get the right kind of ammo, though. It’d be a bummer to get boxes of 9mm bullets when your gun is a .38 special. I’m hoping Santa drops a few boxes of shotgun shells in my stocking this year. 

Harmonica 

The tin sandwich has a long and rich history, especially in the American South and West. The beauty of this instrument is threefold: it’s relatively inexpensive (even for a quality model), it’s small and portable (easily fitting into nearly any pocket), and it’s one of the easiest instruments to learn (to the point of playing recognizable tunes). Get one for everyone in the family and have some Christmas singalong time right then and there.

Tom Selleck Ornament

Your tree could use a little more mustache. This hand-painted glass ornament from Cody Foster & Co. captures Tom Selleck in all his 1980s glory — Hawaiian shirt, chest hair, and the most famous ’stache in television history. It’s equal parts classy and ridiculous, which is exactly what makes it perfect. Hang him up and let a little Magnum P.I. energy patrol your Christmas tree.

Wall Mount Bottle Opener

A classic wall mount bottle opener placed right next to the fridge eliminates the hassle of twisting off a bottle cap, plus it makes opening a cold one a bit more enjoyable. 

Duncan Yo-Yo

Even as a grown man, I enjoy getting a kid’s toy in my stocking. It’s fun to have something to play with on Christmas morning and it just makes me feel like a boy again. You can’t go wrong with stuffing a stocking with an Imperial yo-yo from Duncan Yo-Yos. Besides giving a dad or uncle a chance to show off some cool tricks to the kiddos on Christmas morning, throwing the yo-yo is a surprisingly great activity for quieting the mind when you’re sorting through a problem. 

Estwing Hammer

Every man should have a high-quality hammer in his garage or tool chest. It’s not always easy to throw down $20 on a hammer when there’s a $7 version right next to it at the hardware store. It’s worth the extra bucks though, making it a great stocking stuffer. Practical, but also just kinda fun. Bonus: Estwing tools are made right here in the USA.

Tins of Shoe Polish

I don’t know about you, but I always seem to be out of shoe polish whenever I actually need it. I’ll make a mental note to pick some up on my next trip to the grocery store, and of course, I’ll go to the store and forget to buy some. The occasion will arise again when I need to shine my shoes and the vicious cycle repeats itself. It’d be nice just to have copious amounts of shoe polish tins in my shoe shine box so I’d never have to worry about buying a can ever again. I’m pretty sure if Santa left two or three cans in my stocking each year my wish would be a reality. At $4 a tin, it’s the perfect stocking stuffer.

Universal Socket

This Universal Socket is the ultimate tool for the DIY enthusiast. Its versatile design adjusts to grip hex nuts, hooks, and other various shapes, making it the perfect stocking stuffer. Crafted for strength and durability, it’s compatible with any drill and nuts ranging from 7mm-19mm. A compact powerhouse, it’s bound to become an essential in any man’s toolbox.

Knife Sharpening Kit

If you’re going to put a pocket knife in a man’s stocking, he’ll also need a good sharpening stone to keep his blade in tiptop shape. You might also include a slip of paper with a link to our guide on how to sharpen a pocket knife. Smith’s Sharpening Kit has everything a man needs to start sharpening his knife: a medium-grained stone, a fine-grained stone, and oil.

Balsa Wood Airplanes

Another fun toy to give a man in his stocking stuffer is a balsa wood airplane. They’re easy to put together and you’ll have a blast tossing them around the house. The Duluth Trading Co. is offering a squadron of 12 made by a company that’s been making the planes here in America for decades.