Types of Locks and How to Pick Them

How to Pick Locks: Your Ultimate Lock-Picking Guide

At LockPickShop, we specialize in helping people across the U.S. and worldwide regain entry to their properties and vehicles after losing their keys. We provide instructional materials on lock picking, actual lock picks and other tools that industry professionals use.

Lock picking is a practical and nifty skill that property and vehicle owners should prioritize. Our different types of lock picks can be used for commonly found locks in residential and commercial properties.

Learning how to pick a lock will differ depending on the particulars of each circumstance. Specifically, lock picking for different types of locks will require a different set of know-how and tools.

In this lock-picking guide, we'll show you how to pick a door lock with precision and success, utilizing our high-quality tools - including lock pick sets, lockout kits, automotive entry tools and other easy-to-use kits that will suit your lock-picking needs.

How to Open a Masterlock

Masterlock padlocks are frequently used to secure safes, lockers, gates, and chains. These locks use a pin tumbler lock, with a cylinder kept in place by five pins, and can be picked using the raking method. These locks are a good starting place for those learning how to pick a lock. Follow the lock-picking steps below to learn how to open a Masterlock padlock.

What you'll need: a rake pick and a tension wrench.

Insert the tension wrench's short end into the keyhole's lower section.
Use the palm of one hand to hold the padlock, and with the fingers of the same hand, apply and hold light torque with the tension wrench in a clockwise direction.
With your other hand, slide the pick into the upper keyhole and "rake" using an in-and-out motion while applying upward pressure on the pins. You can also use an up-and-down motion inside the keyhole to apply pressure. You should hear a series of clicks as the upper pins pop upward and set.
When all the pins have clicked, turn the cylinder clockwise with the tension wrench to unlock the padlock.

You can find high-quality rake lock picks and tension wrenches in our online store, which can be delivered to your door in just a few days.

How to pick a rotating lock or a combination lock

Anyone who had a locker in high school has likely used a combination lock. These locks typically have a three-number combination, requiring you to turn the dial while stopping on the specific numbers. Using the steps below, you can learn how to pick combination locks with no lock-picking tools needed!

"Clear" the lock by rotating the dial at least three times clockwise past the zero mark. Stop on the zero.
Apply upward tension to the shackle and turn the dial clockwise. Slowly release shackle pressure until there is only one point the dial "sticks" at.
Round up to the nearest whole number, then add five. This will give you the first number in the combination.
Add a little tension to the shackle and turn the dial counterclockwise. Eventually, the dial will hit a stopping point.
Repeat step 2. If you make it multiple turns without resistance, go back to your stopping point from step 5, add tension, and repeat.
When you've found your new stopping point, round up to the nearest whole number. This is the second number in the combination.
Clear the lock, and starting at zero, apply lots of shackle tension and slowly turn the dial clockwise until it "sticks" between two numbers. Write down the number in the middle of this range, release a little tension, and repeat until you've gone around the dial.
Remove any fractional numbers. All but one of the remaining numbers should end in the same digit. The "oddball" is the third number in your combination.
Use your newly found combination to unlock the lock.

How to pick an ABUS lock

ABUS is an international manufacturer of advanced locking systems. While their padlocks are designed using pin tumbler locks, they are known for being difficult to pick. Follow the steps below to learn how to pick an ABUS 55/50 brass padlock.

What you'll need: one hook pick and two tension wrenches.

Insert both tension wrenches at the bottom edge of the keyhole.
Figure out which way you need to turn the cylinder. Do this by using the tension wrenches to turn the cylinder clockwise and counterclockwise. The cylinder will only turn fractionally in either direction but will stop abruptly when you turn it the wrong way, while there will be more give if you turn it the right way.
When you've found the correct direction, apply and hold light torque with the tension wrenches.
Slide the hook pick into the upper keyhole and press upward on each pin. Find the pin that's the hardest to push up.
Push this stubborn pin upwards. When you hear a click, the upper pin has "set". If you can push the lower pin up a little with no resistance, you will likely set the upper pin.
Repeat step 5 for the remaining pins. Continue to apply torque with the wrenches so the set pins don't drop-pack down.
When you've set all the pins, turn the cylinder with the tension wrenches and unlock the lock.

How to pick a lever handle lock

Lever handle locks, also known as letterbox locks, are frequently used to secure mailboxes, home and office doors, and some safes. These bolt-based locks use a set of levers to keep the bolt from moving. Each lever must be lifted to a certain height to free the bolt. Follow the steps below to learn how to pick a lock with a lever handle.

What you'll need: a hook pick and a tension wrench for letterbox locks.

Insert the hook pick into the upper keyhole of the lever handle lock and feel around to see how many levers there are. Most lever handle locks will have either three or five levers.
Remove the pick, insert the tension wrench into the lower keyhole, and find the notch in the bolt. When you do, set the tension wrench here and begin turning (either clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on the lock's orientation). When the bolt stops turning, use the wrench to hold it in place with moderate tension.
Reinsert the pick and push upwards on each lever until you find the one hardest to lift.
Slowly lift this lever until the bolt moves slightly and the lever stops moving. You have now "set" the lever to the correct height for the bolt to slide through.
Repeat step 4 for each of the remaining levers.

When you have set all the levers, use the tension wrench to turn the bolt and unlock the door.

How to use a long-reach tool for your car

A long-reach tool can be handy for various tasks related to your car, including unlocking the doors, retrieving keys and other items that have fallen inside, or manipulating components in hard-to-reach areas. You won't need to damage your car if you're prepared with the right know-how and gear - we recommend one of our long-reach tools.

When you find yourself locked out of your car, a long-reach tool can come in handy, and we recommend always having one on you when possible. Here's how you can use it to access your car from the outside:

Start by inserting the hook end into the space between the door and the frame.
Once the hook is in place, slowly push or pull the tool until the wedge end is wedged against the door.
Use the wedge to pry open the door.

Remember to exercise caution when using a long-reach tool, as excessive force can damage the door or frame. With a little patience and care, you'll be able to get back into your car in no time.

How lock picking and slim jims can damage your car

Lock picking can damage your car door's locking mechanism, which is why we don't recommend using lock-picking tools when locked out. As an automotive entry tool alternative, slim jims and slim jim kits are suitable; however, to avoid potential damage, they should only be used by professionals. Additionally, slim jims should never be used on the driver's side door, only on passenger doors.

How to pick a deadbolt

It's no fun being locked out of a building - especially if you've been locked out of your home. Sometimes, it can even involve a potentially dangerous situation, such as when a pet or young child is locked inside, and you don't have a key. Whether you've forgotten or lost your keys, don't despair. There are lock-picking ways to pick a deadbolt and get back into that place you own, rent or have other legitimate access to.

What you'll need: a tension wrench, a lock pick or a lock pick set.

Put the tension wrench in the bottom of the deadbolt keyhole.
Turn the tension wrench, using steady pressure and keeping pins from falling back.
Put the pick into the top of the deadbolt keyhole and push the pins up, making sure to keep them up with the tension wrench.
When the deadbolt opens, remove the tension wrench and pick.

How to pick a doorknob lock

At best, it's a hassle to be locked out of a room or a house, whether you accidentally locked the doorknob, forgot your key, or some other sequence of unfortunate events left you without access to a room.

At worst, it can even be a threatening situation where lock picking is your only option to get in as fast as possible. Fortunately, there are ways to unlock a locked doorknob without having a key readily available.

What you'll need: a tension wrench, a lock pick or lock pick set.

Put the tension wrench in the doorknob's keyhole and press it against the side where the bottom of the key would go.
Turn the tension wrench to determine whether you need to rotate it clockwise or counterclockwise. It will move more quickly in the direction it needs to go.
Insert the pick above the tension wrench and feel for the pins. Put gentle, steady force on the pin the farthest away from the wrench until you hear it click or feel it move into place.
Repeat this process with each pin as you move toward the one closest to the tension wrench, making sure to keep steady pressure on the tension wrench.
Turn the tension wrench, open the door and remove the wrench and pin.

LockPickShop has all the tools you need to master lock picking

While it requires patience, precision, and coordination, learning to pick a lock can come in handy - especially during emergency situations. Thankfully, at LockPickShop, we make it easy to find the right tools to help you get the job done safely and correctly.

Ready to figure out how to pick a lock? Shop with LockPickShop to open a door lock as quickly as possible, and learn how to be your own locksmith!

If you want to find out more about the lock-picking products and services we provide, do not hesitate to contact us You can email us at [email protected] or [email protected].