How To Lock Pick

How To Lock Pick 

Ever wondered how to pick a lock like in Skyrim? Well with the impending zombie apocalypse or any one of several man made apocalypse just around the corner, it's a useful skill to know.

Obviously this is not to be used on any locks you don't own or have permission to lock pick. I would also advise against trying to lock pick any lock you use to secure something, as this process may damage the lock.

List of Materials

Lock pick set*
(You'll also need patience.)

How a Lock Works

To understand how to pick a lock, you first need to understand how a lock works. Inside the barrel of the lock there are split pins which are loaded by springs. Without the proper key these pins prevent the barrel from turning and thus opening the lock. When the correct key is inserted into the lock the pins all line up to their shear line, allowing the lock to turn. The shear line is the point where the pins will split allowing the barrel to turn.

 

Lock Picking Tools

 

First of all you need to get used to the tools for lock picking and what you use them for. They can be all different shapes and sizes but they perform one of two tasks. They will either apply torsion to the lock or be used to tumble the pins.

We'll go over the most common three tools you may use from the lock picking tool set.

The torque wrench is used to apply torsion to the lock barrel, providing you a ledge with which to catch the pins on.

A hook pick is used to jump the pins one by one, giving you the greatest control.

A rake pick is used to jump up several pins at once in the hope of catching them.

Learn to Lock Pick 

Now we have the basics covered let's get down to the lock picking itself. Firstly take your torque wrench and  insert it into the lower opening of the key hole and turn it left or right. This acts on the barrel and provides a ledge for you to catch the pins on as you pick the lock. Which way you turn this depends on the lock your are picking, but you really only have two options, so if it doesn't work one way then try the other. When applying tension a light touch is best, as applying too much force could damage the lock or your tool.

With your torque wrench still in place, take your hook pick and carefully work the individual pins up until you can feel they have caught on the shear line. There is no set order to do these in so if you find a pin difficult, move on to another and then come back to that one.

When the last pin clicks into place you should be able to rotate the torque wrench, which will rotate the barrel opening the lock as if it were the right key.

 

 

Become a Master Lock Pick

There are many different types of lock and as a result there are many different types of picks and methods how to use them. This article has only covered the basics, so how good at lock picking you become is upto you and how much experience you get with the different locks and the different lock picks.

Don't forget to have fun, be patient and feel a bit more confident now you have learnt something useful.

See the full article on our main site.