Many of us at some point in life, must have misplaced our key maybe once or twice. Lock picking is the one skill that will help through this time. Lock picking is a useful skill, and it can save your life, mostly when you have lost your key. With simple equipment and patience, you can pick a lock of any kind and have access to your house.
To successfully pick a lock, you need two tools; a lock pick and a torque wrench. The lock pick is used to push the pins in the lock to the shear line. However, you need to remember that locks are different and will require different pick styles to pick different locks. There is one simple method used to lock pick. The different types of locks you will encounter in everyday life and can be picked with tools include;
- Disc detainer locks
- Pin locks
- Wafer locks
- Lever locks
- Warded locks
Raking is the most common method used to lock pick. Although the technique is erratic, it can manipulate different types of locks and that is why it is commonly used. There are different ways to use raking, but three main styles prevail, namely;
Scrubbing
Scrubbing is the simplest method that is similar to the scrubbing motion of, let’s say, brushing teeth. It involves making back and forth movements to set all pins to the locks shear line.
Zipping
This uses a bouncing movement to set pins.
Rocking
Rocking picks are the next category of rakes used for picking locks. In this method, the person picking the lock keeps changing the angle in which they pick the lock. Instead of scrubbing the pick, the method involves rocking. You can still use a scrubbing motion to ensure that different peaks can potentially set the pins. It is more effective when you put together the rocking motion and a little scrubbing movement.
Below are the six steps you can follow to lock picking your first lock using the raking method
- The first thing you need to do is insert the tension wrench into the lock because it is the key you can successfully pick a lock. The tension wrench will help you determine the position of the pin. Use a little effort to test the spring stiffness. Even though this technique is faster for knowledgeable lock pickers, it involves picking one pin at a time and therefore easy for those with some experience.
- Continue to apply more pressure on the wrench. At the same time, pick your rake and insert it in the keyway. Push the rake to the back of the lock.
- Apply an upward force to the pins with your rake. Slowly and gently, bring out the pick in a scrubbing movement. Ensure that you bump all the pins in the lock as you bring the rake out.
- If you had successfully used a reasonable amount of tension with the tension wrench and rake, you could certainly say that many pins are out of the sheer line and the lock slightly rotated. Nevertheless, know that the rotation can hardly be noticed.
- Once more, insert the pick into the keyway and repeat the same procedure scrubbing the pins. Repeat the process until all the pins are set. However, this will only go for at least six scrubbings. If nothing happens or the lock does not open, release the wrench’s pressure and be careful listening to the pins as they drop. If no pin is falling, it is clear that the pressure you used was too much. Start the entire process while applying a reasonable amount of effort to the wrench.
- Once you identify the appropriate tension you need to set the pins, the lock’s plug will allow you to fully rotate it more like you have used the correct key.
To sum up, depending on the country of your residence, the act of lock picking can be illegal or legal. However, most countries will consider your intentions of picking locks. Some countries will even consider owning a set of lock picks as evidence of criminal activity. This makes it important for you to check out the local laws before purchasing a lock pick set.
With the law matters aside, lock picking is more of an art than science. The best way to train yourself is by trying to pick as many locks as possible. Go to the market and find yourself as many lock picks as possible and keep them by yourself all the time. You do not necessarily need to wait to lose your keys to try and lock pick. Whenever you are free, practice picking.
