Q&A for How to Pick a Lock

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  • Question
    How would I pick a lock with a credit card?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Slide the card into the space between the door and the door frame where the lock is. Tilt the card toward the doorknob to help it slide in along the latch, then bend the card back the other way to push the latch back. You may need to wiggle the card back and forth a few times to get the latch open.
  • Question
    Can you pick a lock with a pencil?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    You might be able to take apart a mechanical pencil and use some of the sturdier metal components to pick a lock, but a wooden pencil probably wouldn’t work. However, you can use pencil lead to lubricate a sticky lock if you don’t have powdered graphite on hand!
  • Question
    Can you pick a lock with a paperclip?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    For advice on picking a lock with a paperclip, check out the wikiHow How to Pick a Lock Using a Paperclip .
  • Question
    How do you pick a lock with household items?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    There are various ways to pick a lock with household items, such as by using a credit card, a paperclip or a bobby pin. For detailed advice on unlocking using everyday objects, check out the wikiHow How to Pick a Lock with Household Items .
  • Question
    How do you pick a lock with a bobby pin?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    For help with using a bobby pin to pick a lock, check out the wikiHow How to Pick a Lock with a Bobby Pin .
  • Question
    How do you unlock a door without a key?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    If you don’t have a key to unlock a door, you can try to unlock it with a bobby pin , a a paperclip or a professional lock picking kit. You could call a locksmith if you're locked out of your home, car, shed, etc. Also, check out the various other suggestions in the article above.
  • Question
    Doesn't this article teach thieves how to break into houses?
    KuroetheUnicorn
    Top Answerer
    Perhaps, but a lot of them know how to anyway. It's useful for other people to know in case they ever get locked out if their home, or if they need to urgently get to something or someone behind a locked door.
  • Question
    Will this break the lock? Am I going to have to replace the lock after I do this?
    Community Answer
    Using the method described here will not break the lock permanently. After the pick and wrench are removed, the lock can be re-locked and used again. However, be aware that rough handling of the wrench or pick can shatter those tools, and pins in older locks can be broken by the pick/wrench combination if you apply excess pressure. Be gentle and only practice on a lock you don't mind losing.
  • Question
    How can I open an old door that has no locks but a hole instead?
    Community Answer
    Find a long, stick-like thing small enough to fit in the hole. Feel around for a very small surface, then press into it while turning the knob.
  • Question
    Is the lock permanently broken after I pick it?
    Community Answer
    No. Picking a lock in this manner has the same effect as using a key. Freezing or drilling the lock to open it, however, permanently damages it.
  • Question
    How do I know what pick and tension tool to use?
    Community Answer
    Until you have developed enough experience, it will be trial and error until you get it right.
  • Question
    How do I do this with a paper clip?
    Community Answer
    Basically the same way. Make a pick with it by straightening it and curve one end. Then just get something to turn the tumbler.
  • Question
    Will the lock still work after its been picked?
    Community Answer
    Using a pick tool like this will not damage the lock at all. It will work just fine with a key.
  • Question
    What's the purpose of the different pick shapes?
    Community Answer
    Usually, although the lock may be the same type as the ones illustrated above, the pins may have different styles, which requires different picks.
  • Question
    Can I use anything other than a pick to open the lock?
    Community Answer
    Anything small enough to fit through the key and press the pins. For example, you could try a paperclip. Bobby pins that have the ends taken off can work too. A pick is the easiest thing to use though.
  • Question
    Where can I buy a lock picking kit?
    Community Answer
    Look online for suppliers, via an online search engine. Try to compare prices and always check the shipping fees.
  • Question
    How do I pick a lock with a bobby pin?
    Community Answer
    Step 1: Remove the little balls on the end Step 2: Break in half Step 3: Put the curved end in the top of the lock and bend it so it makes a little L at the end Step 4: Put the other side of the pin (the straight side) into the bottom of the lock horizontally and bend it sideways as much as you can (it is kind of hard) Step 5: Use the one at the top to feel the pins and make them click (or convert it into a rake pick if you have the proper tools and just rake it) Step 6: Apply continuous pressure on the one at the bottom in the way that the key would turn and when you get all of the pins then you can turn it all the way to unlock the door
  • Question
    What if I can't go out to buy the stuff? Is there anything I can use to improvise?
    Community Answer
    Depending on the lock, you may be able to use a straightened-out paperclip, bobby pin, or clothes hanger.
  • Question
    How can I drill a key lock?
    Community Answer
    Take a drill and turn it on. Put it up against the lock and push firmly. Once it goes in just keep going. It should break it and you will be in.
  • Question
    What can I use as a tension wrench?
    Community Answer
    You can bend a paper clip to form a tension wrench, or fold the back part of the rounded end of a hairpin.
  • Question
    How do I find the hole in the door knob? I always tried but I never found it.
    Community Answer
    Find the place where you would put a key. Pick the lock there.
  • Question
    Could I use part of a hanger and just bend one end up?
    Community Answer
    If the hanger is the right thickness (like a wire hangar) then yes, you should be able to pick the lock that way.
  • Question
    What if I bought a thin stick of hot glue?
    Hogan the best
    Community Answer
    Hot glue would be unreliable, because it bends and breaks easily. This is not recommended.
  • Question
    Can I use safety pins?
    Riley Next
    Community Answer
    If they are big safety pins, then yes. Small safety pins tend to bend easily.
  • Question
    Is there a way without a tension wrench?
    Community Answer
    Yes and no. You do not need that specific tool, but you will need something to act as it, as it is how you turn the lock to gain access.
  • Question
    When using the rake is it normal for the cylinder to keep turning or should it be stationary?
    Raif
    Community Answer
    Keep it stationary while inserting the rake pick or rake and use the tension wrench while you pull the rake. The tension might interfere the rake pick or rake and result damage, especially if you use a paperclip rake.
  • Question
    Is there a difference between the lock shown (above) and a door lock?
    LeticaStephenson4725
    Community Answer
    Believe it or not, they are actually pretty similar. They both use the same styled key so the mechanism should be almost the same.
  • Question
    Is there another easier way to do this?
    Community Answer
    If you don't mind destroying the lock permanently, you could ask somebody for a bolt cutter.
  • Question
    Are there any locks that can't be picked?
    I'm David
    Community Answer
    Here are the hardest locks to pick (based on their technology and security): 1. Kwikset Smart Key 2. EVVA MCS (it has a very rare pattern that makes it nearly impossible to find the pins if you haven't studied on the system of the key before); 3. HYT Chain Key (the chain makes it nearly crazy to pick with the regular rake and pick-set).
  • Question
    How do I close the cupboard after opening it?
    Community Answer
    Pushing it usually helps. If you mean relocking the lock, Usually applying pressure in the opposite direction with the tension wrench will relock a stiff lock.
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