Lock picking

Lock picking is the art of unlocking a lock without its intended key. Locksmiths are trained in lock picking. The tools for lock picking are usually different for each type of lock and can sometimes be improvised from common items, such as hair pins or safety pins. Some people enjoy picking locks because it has hack value and doing so is fun to them.

Techniques to pick different types of locks

• Pin tumbler lock[?]: Using a lock pick[?] (or picklock) to push individual pins up until that they are flush with the shear line[?] in the lock while applying turning pressure with a tension wrench[?] (or torque wrench) to keep the pins at the shear line. Once all of the pins are flush with the shear line, the tension wrench can be turned fully to open the lock. Raking[?] a pin tumbler lock is usually done before individual pins are pushed up. Raking a lock consists us taking a lock pick with a wide tip, putting it at the back of the lock, and quickly sliding it out of the lock with upward pressure so all the pins are pushed up and then applying turning pressure with the tension wrench. Raking may allow some of the pins to be flush with the shear line and can make the job easier. Some pin tumbler locks have special pins, such as mushroom pins[?] and spool pins[?], that make lock picking more difficult.

• Tubular lock[?]: Using a tubular lock pick[?] to keep the pins from moving once they have been picked until all have been picked, and then turning the lock pick to open.

• Combination padlock[?]: Although some cheap combination padlocks can be opened with a thin metal piece, such as a pin, more expensive ones require the lock-picker to find the combination to the lock. The exact technique to do can differ and some manufacturers, such as Master Lock[?], make this process very time-consuming.

• Warded lock: Warded picks are used to pick warded locks and with these tools, warded locks are probably the easiest type of lock to pick. Warded picks have basic shapes that fit many types of warded locks and are inserted into the key hole and slowly turned until the lock unlocks.

External Links

• MIT guide to lock-picking (http://www.lysator.liu.se/mit-guide/mit-guide) by 'Ted the Tool'

• Lock Picking 101 (http://www.lockpicking101.com/index.php) Discussion Forum on and about Lock Picking