To pick a lock, especially a common pin tumbler lock such as a padlock, the basic process involves manipulating the pins inside the lock cylinder so they align at the shear line, allowing the cylinder to turn and the lock to open. Here is a step-by-step overview:
Tools Needed
- Tension wrench (or a makeshift tool like a bent bobby pin or paperclip)
- Lock pick (a hook-shaped pick or a rake pick)
- Practice lock (optional but recommended for learning)
Basic Steps to Pick a Lock
- Insert the Tension Wrench
Insert the tension wrench into the bottom part of the keyhole and apply a slight rotational pressure in the direction the lock normally turns. This tension is crucial as it keeps the pins from falling back once set
- Feel the Pins with the Pick
Using the lock pick, gently push each pin inside the lock upwards. The lock contains pairs of pins: bottom key pins and top driver pins. Your goal is to lift the bottom pins so that the top pins are pushed above the shear line-the point where the cylinder can turn freely
- Single Pin Picking (SPP)
This technique involves manipulating each pin individually. Find the pin that is binding the most (the one resisting movement), push it up until it reaches the shear line, then move on to the next. When all pins are set correctly, the lock will open
- Raking (Alternative Technique)
Raking involves quickly moving a rake pick back and forth inside the lock while maintaining tension. This can sometimes set multiple pins quickly and open the lock faster, though it is less precise than SPP
- Practice and Sensitivity
Successful lock picking requires practice to develop the tactile sensitivity to feel the pins and control tension. Too much tension can cause pins to stick up too high; too little tension allows them to drop back down
Alternative Makeshift Tools
- Paperclips can be bent into tension wrenches and picks for practice and emergency use
- Bobby pins can also be fashioned into tension tools and picks
- Hairpins have been used similarly to pick locks by feeling and lifting pins
This method is intended for educational purposes and legal use only, such as opening your own locks when keys are lost. Unauthorized lock picking is illegal.
In summary, lock picking involves applying tension to the lock cylinder and individually lifting the pins to the shear line using a pick tool until the lock opens
