Best Lock Picking Tools

Best Lock Picking Tools

Lock picking is a way to unlock a lock without using its original key by exploiting the parts of the lock. Although lock picking is illegal, it is a beneficial skill of locksmithing for a legal occupation. Also, it is followed by law-abiding persons as a hobby or skill to learn.

   Some countries like japan have banned lock picking, but in other countries, it is legal and forbidden to use this skill for criminal purposes. So, different types of lock-picking tools have been invented to open a lock without hassle. If you want to learn lock picking, choose a suitable tool and practice it for legal purposes.

How does a key work in lock picking?

   Locks are straightforward devices that have one way to operate. That makes lock-picking skills convenient and attracts everyone to do so. But it would be best if you had to learn how a key works before practicing lock picking. Let’s suppose you want to pick the pin tumbler lock. It is the most commonly used lock, and its locking mechanism is used almost in all locks worldwide.

   Let’s see how it works. This lock has six basic crucial parts, including Housing which contains the entire lock operating parts and fits into a lock or door. The next is Plug, a cylinder in which we enter a key, so on rotating the correct key once, the lock opens. The third most important component is the Sheer line in lock picking.

   Sheer line is the physical space in the plug and housing. The next part is the springs which push the pins downward in the plug. Next, the Driver pins make a lock to stay locked and stayed. When you insert a wrong key into the plug, typically, driver pins reach half in the plug and housing.

   It stops the plug from turning entirely by creating a bind and keeps the lock locked. The last one is key pins that work when you insert the key into the plug, and the key pins touch the key’s top. Each key pin has a different shape that relates to the pattern of the original key. When the original key is entered into the lock, these pins tumble horizontally within the sheer line.

   Moreover, when the driver pins tumble into the plug and remain horizontal with the sheer line, the space between the driver pins and key pins is equal to the sheer line, and you can rotate the key and detach the lock. The purpose of lock picking is to control the pins to prevent restricting the plug from turning the same as the key.


Types of lock picking tools

   When it comes to lock picking, there are many types available. Let’s explore these common types:

Lever Tumbler Lock Picking

   The tool used to pick the lever tumbler locks is a curtain pick. The curtain pick is entered into the lock’s plug, and power is enforced to the locking bolt. Then the pick lifts each lever to the right height in the lock to insert the locking bolt. In this way, the lock opens.

Skeleton keys

   It is also called warded pick. These keys are used to open warded locks. Generally, this key has a simple shape than the original key that controls the inside of the lock. To open a warded lock, the back-end controlling is necessary. Also, the other design skeleton keys are used for different locks.

   For instance, if you want a skeleton key for a chest of drawers with warded lock, it will be all simple; have two teeth at the end of the blade. Also, the grooves on the key blades will limit the slide of keys. When the key enters the lock, the ward line up with the grooves to enter the key into the cylinder.

Pin Tumbler Lock Picking

   Pin tumbler lock picking has different tools. So here are these tools:

Half-diamond pick

   This pick is used for picking many pins and is very versatile. You can also utilize it for disk, raking, and wafer locks. The shape of the half diamond pick is triangular, and the size is 2.5-12.2mm long. The angle of this pick is steep or shallow.

   It also depends on the lock, whether you pick the pin lock or raking lock without harming them. The standard set of diamond picks contains a full diamond pick and three half diamond picks.       

Ball pick

   The ball pick looks like a half-diamond pick. The only difference is that the ball pick has a full or half circle at the end instead of a half triangle. It is commonly used to pick the wafer locks.

Decoder pick

   This key has a zig-zag change in the height of its notches. This pick works by screwing it in the blade part of the lock or adjusting it into the lock with the key inside. This pick also gives access to the template while cutting the key.

Tension wrench

   It is also called a torsion wrench and is used to pick a wafer or pin lock. It works by applying power to the plug to hold pins. Once all pins are adjusted, the tension wrench rotates the plug, and the lock opens. There are two forms of tension as upper of the keyhole and the bottom of the keyhole.

   The wrench used for the bottom of the keyhole looks like an alphabet “L.” Also, the vertical part of “L” is broadened than the horizontal part. The other tension tools look like a pair of tweezers, and a person can apply force to the upper and lower part of the lock. The double-sided wafer locks used this type commonly.

Hook pick

   It is identical to the half-diamond pick but has a hook tip at the end. The hook pick hints at the finger or feeler and is not ideal for raking. Professionals use this picking tool commonly because it picks the lock in the traditional way instead of picking by using a gun or raking. A standard set contains different styles and sizes of hooks.

Rake picks

   These picks are like snake rakes, dragging the pins by sliding them rapidly and repeatedly until they touch the shear line. This method needs less effort and is used on cheaper locks. Today advanced rakes have been invented that copy pin height and position, which is also more convenient than traditional rakes.

Bump keys

   The simple way to open a pin lock is by using a bump key. These keys have cuts and are equal to the groove of the original key. It works by applying force, and then it touches the hammer rapidly. The power will down the length of the key and only move the driver pins. At that moment, the key pins will stay in place.

   Then it will create a space in the shear line that allows the lock’s plug to turn freely. Some advanced high-security locks have bumping security, such as master locks and llco’s lock, on which this method might not work.

Wafer Tumbler Lock Picking

   This lock picking also has several tools, which are explained below:

Pick guns

   It is also called a snap gun. Usually, a pick gun has a trigger that generates a move like bump keys which send a sudden force to the pins that meet up to the driver pins and cause them to jump that allows the cylinder to rotate freely for a bit till the springs back the pins to the exact position. The electric types of these guns are also available.

Jigglers or try-out keys

   These keys help to pick the wafer tumbler locks. Also, they can be unlocked with pin-tumbler picks.

Tubular lock pick

   It is used to unlock a tubular pin tumbler lock. These lock picks are the same in styles and have different sizes to fit all tubular locks, such as 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10-pin locks. It works by entering the lock and rotating it clockwise with less force. When the tool hits the lock, each pin will move down slowly till it stops and is attached to the driver pins beyond the lock’s sheer line.

   When the last pin is dropped down, a gap is created in the sheer line, and the locks open. Usually, it is complete in just a few seconds. Mostly, tabular lock picks have a decoder that tells about the depth of pins in the sheer line. After picking the lock, a locksmith can use a decoding key to cut the tabular key and set the pin depth that eradicates the replacement of the lock.

Anti-picking methods

   Many anti-picking methods have been developed to pick modern locks. A pick tumbler lock can be picked using a sideward that blocks the keyhole and pins. The shape of these tools is like a barrel, spool, and mushroom that feels like they are not picking sets, but in reality, they are.


Tips on choosing the best lock picking set

   Follow these tips while choosing the best lock picking set:

  • A lock picking set contains different types of wrenches and picks, so a carrying case is beneficial to keep all tools.
  • Different brands offer various picking tools set, so choose a reputable brand with an excellent customer rating.
  • Consider US-made models rather than other local markets.
  • You must know the difference between picks such as half-diamonds, hooks, rakes, ball picks, decoder picks, and wrenches.
  • If you know all these things, it is easy for you to choose and use lock-picking tools.

Best lock picking sets

   Lock picks are essential when locked out of the car or home. Lock picking sets are helpful in emergencies to unlock different locks and also save you from paying a heavy amount to the locksmith. These are available in other sets, such as beginner lock picking sets and professional lock picking sets.

   When you step into the lock-picking atmosphere, you will be confused about what to buy. But don’t worry; you will understand the difference between lock-picking tools in just a few days. It is said that when you desire to learn, everything is possible. Also, when purchasing a lock picking set, you must consider the material, types, price, features, and width to make a better choice.

Pros of lock picking sets

  • Lock picking sets are reliable and convenient.
  • These have different shapes and sizes according to the lock.
  • Lock pick sets are lightweight and easy to carry.
  • When locked up, it gives you peace of mind that you have lock picking sets to open the lock.
  • Lock picking sets are affordable.

Cons of lock picking sets

  • If you don’t know how to use the lock-picking tools, it is useless to buy a set.


Key Cutting Machine

   A key-cutting machine is used to produce keys. It has two methods: you are making a new or duplicate key. Key-cutting machines are effective, accurate, and secure when used properly and correctly. These devices can produce keys in just minutes, but you must know the use of this machine.

   Locksmiths use these electronic tools, and they are relatively simple to use for them. Different forms of key-cutting machines are available in the market. So, when you use this device, take help from the instruction manual to override any confusion. Also, choose a budget-friendly key-cutting machine of a popular brand.

Benefits of key cutting machine

  • It saves a lot of money, such as if you want a key, you can make your own.
  • The key-cutting machine saves time and produces keys in just a few minutes. In contrast, a locksmith takes 30 minutes to create a key.
  • If you have spare keys, you are worry-free, thinking you don’t have any threat of losing keys.
  • Budget-friendly key-cutting machines are available, so these will not break your bank.