What is Lockpicking?

Lockpicking is the method of manipulating the tumblers inside a lock so that one may unlock it without the use of a key.  This is different from impressioning or sight-reading, both of which involve decoding a lock’s tumblers in order to originate an entirely new key.  For the purposes of this article, we will be referring to lockpicking as it pertains to opening pin tumbler locks, which are the most common type of lock used in the United States.  We will also cover what measures may be taken to make common household locks more difficult to pick.  I will not be covering how to pick locks, as that topic is outside the scope of this blog.

            Lockpicking is commonly used by locksmiths to assist customers who have locked themselves out of their residences.  It is also one of several options for a locksmith who is called to rekey a customer’s newly purchased home but the customer was never provided with keys to one or two doors (this is more common than you might think).

Schlage Key-In-Knob lock picked open for customer.  If you look closely, you will see that the lock's plug (part the key goes into) has been rotated 90 degrees clockwise as if the correct key has been used

Motor vehicles often use a different type of lock cylinder (typically a wafer tumbler lock) and are generally easier to bypass than to pick.  For this reason, many locksmiths and roadside assistance personnel use bypass tools (e.g long-reach tool) instead of lockpicks when serving customers who have locked their keys inside their vehicle.

            To pick a lock, a degree of skill is required.  That skill can only be acquired and maintained through practice!  For this reason lockpicking is a less preferable option for most common burglars, who typically look for the path of least resistance such as kicking in a door or by gaining entry through the use of a bump key.  Lockpicking generally takes longer depending on the type of lock and the skill level of the lockpicker.

            Also, one must have the proper tools at their disposal in order to pick a lock.  Paper clips do not provide sufficient tensile strength to manipulate the tumblers inside a lock and other common household items are typically too large to fit inside the lock’s keyway.  Specialized tools, known as lockpicks are instead.  These tools may not be acquired from your local hardware store, but have become increasingly available to the public within the past 15 years.  For this reason, a customer may express concern about their locks being picked.

            If a customer is concerned about their locks being picked, there are several options they may take that do not necessitate purchasing new locks.  Even a common Kwikset deadbolt or key-in-knob lock may be retrofitted with special tumblers known as serrated pins or spool pins.  Serrated pins are designed to trick a lockpicker into thinking they have manipulated tumblers into their proper position.  Another type of tumbler is known as the spool pin.  This type of pin allows the lock’s plug to rotate just enough to make it difficult to raise any stacks containing these pins.  Most Schlage deadbolts come equipped with multiple spool pins.

            In conclusion, most locks on the market can be picked.  However, simply having the proper tools is not enough.  One must constantly practice this skill if they wish to become proficient and for that reason many criminals lack the discipline to master such a craft.  However the possibility of a criminal learning lockpicking is not out of the question and for that reason there are relatively low-cost measures homeowners may wish to take to make their property more secure.