You can buy lockpicks in Oblivion from several key merchants and factions:
- Shady Sam : The easiest and earliest option is Shady Sam, a merchant located just outside the Imperial City walls near the Chestnut Handy Stables. He sells lockpicks for 6 gold each and stocks up to 30 lockpicks daily, with his inventory refreshing every day. This makes him the best source for bulk purchases early in the game if you are not part of any faction
- Thieves Guild Fences : If you join the Thieves Guild, you gain access to fences who sell lockpicks as well. These fences typically have a larger stock (up to 100 lockpicks) and sell them for about 5-6 gold each. The first fence you encounter is Ongar the World-Weary in Bruma. Buying from fences requires membership in the Thieves Guild
- Dark Brotherhood Merchants : Joining the Dark Brotherhood also opens up options to buy lockpicks from their merchants, although their stock is smaller compared to the Thieves Guild fences
- Looting : Besides buying, lockpicks can be found by looting goblin caves, bandit camps, and chests in dungeons. These are plentiful sources but require combat and exploration
In summary, if you want to buy lockpicks without joining any faction, Shady Sam outside the Imperial City is your go-to vendor. For larger supplies and better prices, joining the Thieves Guild and buying from their fences is recommended. Looting remains a free but riskier alternative. Additionally, completing the Nocturnal Daedric quest rewards the Skeleton Key, an unbreakable lockpick that greatly aids lockpicking
