Have you lost your way with lock picking?
I can't tell you how many times I've been approached with the complaint - usually by student locksmiths or hobbyists who haven't been involved with lock picking all that long - that they just don't seem to be getting anywhere in their efforts to develop even a modicum of skill in picking locks. There's no question that some people acquire this skill/art easier and faster than some others. It's no different in any discipline. Some people learn to play an instrument with less effort than do others, too.
But sometimes there's an easier solution. In fact, MANY times, I've found, the true problem lies not in the actual lock picking technique as such (meaning the precise manner in which the tools are being used), but in the approach from step one. In fact, it downright amazes me how often I find, after asking a few questions of the complainers, that they've forgotten - or never learned - the most basic steps of all. I'll take it a step further . . . this lack of basic ritual has been known to infect even the most seasoned Pros. From time to time (should I even admit this???) I've been known to get sloppy and commit these very trespasses.
What the heck am I talking about? Well, I'll begin at the beginning, which is precisely the first step most people literally forget when they approach a locked door. In this case I'm addressing professionals who do this for a living; namely, servicing house or business lockouts. I choose to start here rather than with the problems hobbyists may have because the most basic First Step applies only to real-world lockout situations.
Is Step One some sort of failure to use lock picks properly? NO. Step one is to try the door! Turn the knob, or work the lever. If you don't have to pick a lock, save yourself some time and avoid charging for service that isn't required (you can still legitimately charge your service call). Over the years I've had many lockouts that weren't. Usually it's an elderly homeowner who either assumed they were locked out and panicked, or were literally too weak to turn a knob that was somewhat stubborn due to, maybe, a door frame swollen by humid weather or a door that had been slammed too hard, trapping the dead-latch and pinning the door tightly. Sometimes the knob is worn and requires a little fiddling to get it to turn, and you'd be surprised how many people fail to really give it a proper effort before calling the locksmith!
Is Step Two involving total incompetence with lock picking technique? NO. Step two is as elementary as step one. Look for an alternate way in! This is where SO many locksmiths fail. Lots of times you'll find an unlocked back door, or a window that is open or easily opened, or a sliding glass door that isn't properly mounted and can be slid open with minimally invasive techniques. I would only forgo Step Two if, say, I recognized that one of the locked doors was protected by only a knobset and that knobset was a Kwikset or similarly easily picked brand. Then I might pick it without doing a walkaround simply because I'm confident of my ability to pick such locks in a jiffy. Still . . . why not do the right thing and check first?
Step Three, as well, has nothing to do with lock picks and this is a step that hobbyists as well as Pros too often pass by. Lube the keyway. Makes sense to prepare the lock before you start manipulating it! A dose of lube such as WD-40 or Tri-Flow, or a silicone spray, will do wonders to make even difficult combinations pick more easily. It frees up springs and pins, it reduces dryness, it frees the occasional stuck tumbler that might be lurking in wait to spoil your best efforts. You can't over-lube, but you can improperly lube. Don't use the old standby; graphite. I hate this stuff. Over time it attracts dirt and grit, it turns to black scum, and it makes your hands dirty. Don't use oil or any oil-based lube. It will make the lock a gummy, oily piece of junk in short order. Oil the latch if you must, but keep the stuff out of the keyway.
So there. The most commonly committed crimes against easy lock picking has nothing to do with lock picking. Isn't that amazing?
Written by George Robertson, owner and webmaster
LockPickersMall.com
But sometimes there's an easier solution. In fact, MANY times, I've found, the true problem lies not in the actual lock picking technique as such (meaning the precise manner in which the tools are being used), but in the approach from step one. In fact, it downright amazes me how often I find, after asking a few questions of the complainers, that they've forgotten - or never learned - the most basic steps of all. I'll take it a step further . . . this lack of basic ritual has been known to infect even the most seasoned Pros. From time to time (should I even admit this???) I've been known to get sloppy and commit these very trespasses.
What the heck am I talking about? Well, I'll begin at the beginning, which is precisely the first step most people literally forget when they approach a locked door. In this case I'm addressing professionals who do this for a living; namely, servicing house or business lockouts. I choose to start here rather than with the problems hobbyists may have because the most basic First Step applies only to real-world lockout situations.
Is Step One some sort of failure to use lock picks properly? NO. Step one is to try the door! Turn the knob, or work the lever. If you don't have to pick a lock, save yourself some time and avoid charging for service that isn't required (you can still legitimately charge your service call). Over the years I've had many lockouts that weren't. Usually it's an elderly homeowner who either assumed they were locked out and panicked, or were literally too weak to turn a knob that was somewhat stubborn due to, maybe, a door frame swollen by humid weather or a door that had been slammed too hard, trapping the dead-latch and pinning the door tightly. Sometimes the knob is worn and requires a little fiddling to get it to turn, and you'd be surprised how many people fail to really give it a proper effort before calling the locksmith!
Is Step Two involving total incompetence with lock picking technique? NO. Step two is as elementary as step one. Look for an alternate way in! This is where SO many locksmiths fail. Lots of times you'll find an unlocked back door, or a window that is open or easily opened, or a sliding glass door that isn't properly mounted and can be slid open with minimally invasive techniques. I would only forgo Step Two if, say, I recognized that one of the locked doors was protected by only a knobset and that knobset was a Kwikset or similarly easily picked brand. Then I might pick it without doing a walkaround simply because I'm confident of my ability to pick such locks in a jiffy. Still . . . why not do the right thing and check first?
Step Three, as well, has nothing to do with lock picks and this is a step that hobbyists as well as Pros too often pass by. Lube the keyway. Makes sense to prepare the lock before you start manipulating it! A dose of lube such as WD-40 or Tri-Flow, or a silicone spray, will do wonders to make even difficult combinations pick more easily. It frees up springs and pins, it reduces dryness, it frees the occasional stuck tumbler that might be lurking in wait to spoil your best efforts. You can't over-lube, but you can improperly lube. Don't use the old standby; graphite. I hate this stuff. Over time it attracts dirt and grit, it turns to black scum, and it makes your hands dirty. Don't use oil or any oil-based lube. It will make the lock a gummy, oily piece of junk in short order. Oil the latch if you must, but keep the stuff out of the keyway.
So there. The most commonly committed crimes against easy lock picking has nothing to do with lock picking. Isn't that amazing?
Written by George Robertson, owner and webmaster
LockPickersMall.com
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