How do you pick locks?

The art of lock picking requires lots of practice and patience and even after adopting those two things you still may not be able to grasp it. Locksmiths define lock-picking as the manipulation of a lock’s components to open a lock without a key. To understand lock-picking, then, you first have to know how locks and keys work.­  

The methods used to pick locks varies from lock to lock but each will require a set of picks or a specific pick for the chosen lock. Specialized Safe locks will require specialized picks which can cost a small fortune as many have been hand custom made.

‘Raking’ is a term used when a pick is operated in a back to forward motion, raking the waffers or pins of a lock.

Rake picks
These picks, such as the common snake rake, are designed to ‘rake’ pins by rapidly sliding the pick past all the pins, repeatedly, in order to bounce the pins until they reach the shear line. This method requires much less skill than picking pins individually, and generally works well on cheaper locks.

When the pins are excited they bounce all around the shear line and with the skillful application of a torsion tool this is the easiest way to pick a lock. This is also how beginners begin. Advance rakes are available which are shaped to mimic various different pin height key positions and are considerably easier to use than traditional rakes.

Manipulation is when pressure is applied to a lock by using a tension tool which binds the lock pins up so you have some guidence of what pins to manipulate first. Usually The pin that is most ’stiff’ is the pin you would manipulate first bringing it inline with the sheer line of the cylinder.

Half-diamond pick
Perhaps the most basic and common pick, this versatile pick is included in all kits and is mainly used for picking individual pins, but can also be used for raking and for wafer and disk locks. Each of the ends of triangular ‘half diamond’ of this pick can be either steep or shallow in angle, depending on the need for picking without neighboring pins, or raking as appropriate. A normal set would comprise around three half diamond picks and a double half diamond pick.

Torsion wrench
A traditional pickset. Torsion wrench, “twist-flex” torsion wrench, offset diamond pick, ball pick, half-diamond pick, short hook, medium hook, saw (or “L”) rake, snake (or “C”) rake.Often called a torque wrench or a tension wrench, a torsion wrench is a tool used in picking locks. Typically shaped like a letter “L” (although the vertical part of the letter is elongated in comparison to the horizontal part), it is used to apply torsion to the inner cylinder of a lock, in order to hold any picked pins in place, while the other pins are shifted. The tension wrench is then used to turn the inner cylinder and open the lock.

Despite its popular name, the tool provides torsion, not tension. A tension wrench would be, by definition, a tool that stretches something. A torsion wrench would be a tool that twists.

Some torsion wrenches (called “Feather Touch” wrenches, among other names) are coiled into a spring at the bend in the “L”, which helps the user apply constant torque. Some users, however, maintain that such wrenches reduce torsion control and the feedback available to the user.

Other torsion tools, especially those for use with cars resemble a pair of tweezers and allow the user to apply torsion to both the top and the bottom of the lock. These would commonly be used with double sided wafer locks.

Also, high tech torsion tools exist which sit over the lock face allowing the user to see a display of the amount of torsion applied. This aids with the process of feeling when a pin has set.

The torsion tool is just as important, if not more so, as other tools in the set, but is often neglected and is rarely represented in fiction.

For avoidance of doubt, it is not possible to pick a pin/tumbler or wafer lock without a torsion tool, even with the use of a pick gun.

Picking with a pick gun.

A manual pick gun (or Snap gun) is used in a similar way but usually has a “trigger” that creates an upward movement that must be repeated rapidly to bounce the pins to engage in the sheer line of the lock. only when the pick gun has engaged all 5 or 6 pins in the sheer line will the lock open.

 Pick gun 
A traditional manual pick gun that is used by pulling the trigger.Often seen in movies and in the tool box of locksmiths, manual and electronic pick guns are a popular method used today for quick and easy ways of opening doors. The higher-end electric pick guns are usually made of aircraft aluminum and hard steel. The pick is operated by simply pressing a button that vibrates while the normal tension wrench is being used. A manual pick gun (or Snap gun) is used in a similar way but usually has a “trigger” that creates an upward movement that must be repeated rapidly to bounce the pins to engage in the sheer line of the lock. only when the pick gun has engaged all 5 or 6 pins in the sheer line will the lock open.

These operate on the same principle as Newton’s Cradle. They transfer sudden upwards energy to the bottom pins which communicate this to the top pins causing those pins only simultaneously to jump. A pick gun is used in conjunction with a torsion tool and the only skill required here is learning the timing.

Wiki- Lock picking 

Lock picking is the skill of unlocking a lock by analyzing and manipulating the components of the lock device, without the original key. Although lock picking can be associated with criminal intent, it is an essential skill for a locksmith. Lock picking is the ideal way of opening a lock without the correct key, while not damaging the lock, allowing it to be rekeyed for later use, which is especially important with antique locks that would be impossible to replace if destructive entry methods were used.

Lock picking is only made possible by unavoidable mechanical machining errors in the fabrication of locks.

The move towards combination locks for high security items such as safes was intended to remove the weakest part of the lock: its keyhole.

In normal situations it is almost always easier to gain access by some means other than lock picking; most common locks can be quickly and easily opened using a drill, bolt cutters, padlock shim, a bump key or a hydraulic jack. The hasp, door, or fixture they are attached to can be cut, broken, unscrewed or otherwise removed, windows can be broken etc. Therefore a lock that offers high resistance to picking does not necessarily make unauthorized access more difficult, but will make surreptitious unauthorized access more difficult. Locks are often used in combination with alarms to provide layered security.

Some people enjoy picking locks recreationally. This may also be referred to as Locksport.

A locksmith’s job involves installing, fixing, picking and removing lock systems and to do so a basic understanding of how a lock works is needed. The basic system of a lock, whereby a key is used to move a metal peg into a hole in the door frame is essentially the same across designs. However it is the manner by which this is achieved that has changed and evolved over time.

In the old days, when most locks used the same gate key, this was a fairly simple matter (though the very earliest form of lock was actually found in Ancient Egypt). Gate keys, still used today though mainly as a deterrent/design feature for large gates and churches, have a very simple anatomy consisting of a blade (the actually ‘key’ bit that works with the mechanism) near the end, and a long handle which holds the blade at a right angle. This means that only a very limited number of permeations are possible, as only the distance of the blade from the end of the key and its size is what determines which lock it will fit and a persistent thief could easily replicate the key or turn the lock mechanism by other means. They are also known as warded locks and occasionally found on cupboards and drawers.

Over time however locks have become more sophisticated. After the introduction of locksmith guilds in the middle ages, the art form progressed drastically as incidences of crime increased giving rise to a large industry. Now locksmiths were encouraged to design more and more complex designs that would be able to keep out greater numbers of intruders and be harder to pick. In order to become a ‘master locksmith’ within a guild the locksmith would have to design a new and innovative type of lock which would then be put on display within the guild or in museums. This obviously gave rise to more and more complicated types of lock.

Cylinder locks are far more common today and these work very differently. Here the ‘cylinder’ element of the lock actually consists of a cylinder within a cylinder and it is the job of the inner chamber to turn and move the lock mechanism. Normally however this is prevented by a number of small pins of varying lengths which rest inside the chamber. It is the job of the blade of the key and its teeth then to push these pins out from the centre of the cylinder so that the lock might turn. Cylinder locks can easily be unscrewed and replaced by locksmiths if the locks need to be changed. Also popular are lever locks which utilise keys similar in design to gate keys.

Many businesses and organisations however now use digital locks with key cards or numeric coding systems to release or engage a powerful magnetic lock. These systems have the advantage of foregoing the need to copy many different keys and also negate skeleton keys or lock picks for slightly better security. On the downside they are susceptible to hacking, power outages and are fairly expensive to install.

Burglaries in houses are very common and what do we do to avoid this? Axxis Biometrics specializes in security devices such as commercial and even residential fingerprint door locks and other security products. Burglars enter someone’s home most often during the wee hours of the night, when everyone is asleep and doors left unlocked makes it easier for them to crash inside.  But this isn’t always the case, right? There are doors that can easily be kicked in, door locks are picked or hammered and even drilled out until they fall off and door panes especially glass doors are broken. But there is also the chance that these thieves actually have access to your door keys through an old care taker a nanny who had your keys copied or even when you accidentally lose your key and a thief got a hold on them…these possibilities are endless.

This is where a high security device such as a fingerprint lock is recommended. These are advanced locks and are not lacking in mechanical prowess, built specifically for your home or business use. Whether you are shopping for combination lock boxes, drop safes, exit alarms, fire rated burglary safes, floor safes, garage door remotes, gun safes, high security locks, hotel safes, key cabinets or even keyless door locks…this is the website of choice for your door lock considerations.  These locks can even be customized to your personal needs and requirements.

More and more U.S senior citizens are taking measure to secure their personal security and safety, especially as the desire to live independence and challenges of declining health.

The statistic reported that crime rates that affecting senior Americans citizens has decreased during the last decades and actually lower than they may seem.

However, every senior citizen must take a few simple safety precautions to reduce their risk and increase their sense of security in their daily lives.

The wave of the future is upon us.

No longer will your kids have to take keys with them to school that can be lost, or fumble with passwords, or other inconveniences to get into their own house.

Now, a simple swipe of the finger will do just fine.

The Master Lock smartTouch garage door opener, developed by BioMETRX using AuthenTec’s fingerprint sensor, is the world’s first universal finger-activated garage door opener, replacing traditional keypads and keys with advanced finger -activated technology. Providing a more convenient alternative to carrying keys or remembering pin codes, a simple swipe of your finger will open/close your garage door.

This doesn’t much help when you are in your car if someone steals your garage door opener, but its a great help for those who use their garage door as a front door, and don’t want to have to fumble around for key fobs, enter pin codes or lose keys.

What is lock picking? Well, it is the capability, or activity of picking a lock w/out the key.

In fact, Egyptians on the early were the original to come with a difficult security device. This is the pin tumbler lock. We utilize the same protection principle today on thousands of applications.

A little knowledge on lock picking

The commonly used lock nowadays is the “pin tumbler lock’. A set of pins that are parted at specific points must be increased to these points to the separation amid the shell of the lock and the cylinder wall by a cut for that specific series of cut divisions. Thus, the cylinder could be turned, and the lock or mechanism is unlocked.

Picking of the lock means to unbolt a lock by usage of a piece of steel which is called a “pick”. In fact, the procedure needs 2 pieces of pick to open locks. I laugh when I see thieves and spies on television picking locks making use of only one pick. But it is better in a sense.

If everybody learned how to unbolt locks by watching television, we will all be at the mercy of anybody who likes to steal from us, and the lock for the most part will be outdated.

You may think why somebody would want to unbolt a lock would not you? Maybe to break into somebody’s house? Well I could tell you that isn’t the case. There are some other, more methods that thieves utilize to break in. Picking of the lock is not one of them.

No, Lock picking is a hobby for a lot of individuals would you believe? The truth is, it is an art, and you know the great thing is…it is easy! Yes, w/ simple directions it could be mastered in a short period of time.

The secret to pick lock is…..LEARNING THE ABILITY TO FEEL AND TOUCH.

A lot of us know how to touch. We feel objects every day, and yet we don’t truly feel them. It appears so ordinary that we disregard that we’re actually feeling while we touch.

Ok, so the 2nd question is, why would you like to pick locks?

An achievement of feeling perhaps, a challenge maybe, everybody likes a challenge.

What could be more enjoyable than picking the lock. Once you have tried it you may want to show your new skills to someone.

Or have you locked yourself out of your home? I have tried it more than several times. Now that is where your abilities will surely come in handy! There’re probably a lot of reasons that somebody would like to enhance the secrets of lock picking.

Fingerprint door locks are just another example of how our society has evolved into the technological era so quickly. These kinds of locks are great for protecting your office, building, or even your home. But before purchasing any, you probably have similar questions as many others do.

1. Are they affordable?

Because of how technological these locks are, a common question is how expensive they are. A few years ago you would only find fingerprint door locks at CEO’s homes and celebrity homes because of the outrageous prices. That has completely changed now though. Any home can find an affordable lock and have it installed for a reasonable price.

2. How do you open the door?

Every fingerprint door lock is different, but a majority of them have three ways you can go about opening the door: mechanical key override, keypad-code, and fingerprint reader. The fingerprint reader is the most common one for households because of the many uses it will receive. The keypad is best for houses and offices that will have a one time entrance from visitors. And lastly, the mechanical key override is for in case of an emergency or dead battery.

3. How reliable are they?

A few years ago, they were just getting tested out and were truly not that reliable for the amount people were paying for them. However, a lot has been learned over the past few years and now they are extremely reliable. You would be surprised at how they never jam up, almost always open on the first finger scan, and the battery generally lasts an entire year.

4. How secure are they?

Fingerprint door locks give you added security when compared to the typical padlock or deadbolt. With these locks, there is a specialized key override as oppose to a key slot. This makes it impossible to pick the lock, which eliminates burglars from entering your home through the doors.

5. How many fingerprints can the lock hold?

This is often a concern among households who want their kids to be able to get in. And amazingly, a fingerprint door lock can hold at least 75 fingerprints. The installation is quick and easy, and generally requires admin fingerprints to be entered in first. Only the admin fingerprints can add or delete fingerprints in the future.

Getting fingerprint door locks for your home, office, or building is a good idea. It can increase the safety of your home and free you of losing your keys all the time. And with technology continuing to advance, they have become affordable and extremely reliable.