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Common Lock Picking Mistakes and How To Avoid Them

Common Lock Picking Mistakes and How To Avoid Them

Lock picking is a skill that requires precision, patience, and the right tools. However, even experienced locksmith professionals and enthusiasts can make mistakes that lead to frustration, or lock or tool damage. Let’s explore these common lock picking mistakes and learn how to avoid them for a more successful experience.

Using the Wrong Tension

One frequent lock picking mistake is applying the wrong amount of tension. Applying too much tension can make manipulating the pins difficult, and applying too little tension will not effectively set the driver pins. Just enough tension needs to be applied to set each driver pin when it reaches the shear line.

Solution: Firstly, focus on applying light, consistent pressure. One way to determine the right amount of tension is to find the binding pin. With a tension tool inserted, apply a light amount of tension to the lock, then lift the pins one by one. If inadequate tension is applied, all the pins will be springy and will lift easily. If too much tension is applied, multiple pins will be difficult lift, and it may be difficult to manipulate the pins altogether. With the right amount of tension applied, all the pins will be springy and lift easily, except one: the binding pin. This pin will feel more rigid and more resistant to lifting, and it is the first pin that will set when picking the lock. This amount of tension needed to find the binding pin, with the remaining pins lifting easily, is a good indication of the amount of tension that is needed to pick the lock. Practice on different locks to develop a feel for the levels of tension each requires.

Relying Too Much on One Tool

Another common mistake is relying solely on one tool for all locks. While it’s common to have two or three favorite go-to lock picks, it is important to remember that not all locks and lock picking scenarios are the same. Lock picks designed to lift individual pins, like hook and reach picks, are available in a range heights, depths and angles, to work around the near-endless pinning combinations and to more effectively reach and lift the pins. Also, keeping a range of picks on-hand that use different picking techniques, such as hooks, diamonds, and rakes, ensures that the right tools will be available to effectively and efficiently pick a wide range of locks.

Solution: Invest in a complete lock pick set and learn how each style of lock pick is effectively used. Familiarize yourself with the various tools in your lock pick set to improve your overall skill set and practice on a range of locks to learn which picks and picking techniques are most effective for each scenario.

Ignoring the Lock’s Feedback

Locks provide feedback through subtle clicks and shifts that indicate whether a pin has set or needs more manipulation. Many people rush through the process and miss these essential cues, resulting in more effort and less success.

Solution: Slow down and feel the feedback the lock provides. Take your time to notice these slight movements and sounds. Lock picking requires finesse, so listening and feeling for these signs will greatly improve your success rate.

Not Practicing on Different Locks

It’s easy to become proficient with one type of lock, but sticking to just one type can limit your skill development. Locks vary significantly in design, with a wide range of keyways, tolerances, pin styles, and combinations, etc., that affect their degree of difficulty to pick. Picking techniques that work for one lock may not be as effective for another.

Solution: Practice on a variety of locks. This variation will give you a broader understanding of different mechanisms and prepare you for any challenge you might face as a locksmith.

Applying Too Much Force

Lock picking requires a delicate touch, but beginners often make the mistake of being heavy-handed when picking, especially when tackling a difficult lock becomes a frustration. A forceful approach can bend or break the tools and possibly damage the lock itself.

Solution: Be mindful about the amount of pressure used on your lock pick and tension tool when picking and avoid using force. A professional locksmith knows that patience and precision are key.

By understanding common lock picking mistakes and learning how to avoid them, you can improve your success rate and protect your tools from damage. You’ll need a professional lock pick set in your arsenal to master your skills and achieve better, more efficient results. Visit the SouthOrd website to review our professional lock picking supplies.


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