Lock Picking Tools - A List of Equipment Needed For

Lock Picking

By Aishwar Sharma

Lock picking is actually a professional trade that uses some high quality tools. Of course, there

are the homemade versions of these such as the hair clip, credit card, and others; however,

there are some serious sets of real lock picking tools available for locksmiths or for those who

find themselves frequently helping others who have locked themselves out of their car or

home. Although these lock picking tools are sometimes given dubious reputations with their

use in criminal activity, they remain legal to have in possession and are essential to creating a

livelihood for some.

Tension Tools

There are several different types of tension tools available. These pick locks by placing torsion

on the interior of the lock to release it. Many of these tools are referred to as torsion tools or

wrenches instead of tension tools because it is not tension that they are applying.

One type of tension tool is of a circular nature which is spring loaded with a pressure button to

ensure the right amount of tension. Tension or torsion wrenches are the basic type which are

shaped like an 'L' and are inserted into the lock. There are other forms such as the 'feather

touch' wrench that coil before turning into an 'L' shape.

Pin/Tumbler and Wafer Picks

This is one category of lock picking tools that are used all over North America and the United

Kingdom. They are used for pin/tumbler and wafer locks which are widely used in these

countries. These can be bought in sets and have varying amounts of pieces included, ranging

from nine to thirty-two.

The pieces that make up these sets aside from the tension wrench include half-diamond picks

used for pin locks; hook picks which pick traditional locks; rake picks which are used to slide

against the pins repeatedly until they unlock; Slagel picks which are used mainly for electronic

locks; and warded picks also known as skeleton keys used for locks that are opened by keys

with common shapes.

Pick Guns

These are considered a real time saver to those who have a profession in picking locks. These

come in both manual and electric forms but the latter is usually used for hard steel or aircraft

aluminum. Many locksmiths have come to enjoy the manual type.

The pick guns use regular tension wrenches but the electric type vibrates while the manual

form has a trigger to cause an upward motion in the tool. This movement causes the pins inside

to jump and eventually open the pins completely. For these tools, timing is basically the only

essential element that has to be learned because the pick gun will do the rest of the work.

Lock picks