Essentials To Keep in Your Lock Picking Kit

As a locksmith, you understand the importance of having a versatile and reliable lock picking kit. With a wide variety of lock types and mechanisms out there, it’s crucial to be equipped with the right tools and techniques for the job.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the key essentials every locksmith must have in their lock picking kit. We’ll also shed light on each tool’s unique function and why it’s an indispensable on-the-job asset.

Hook Picks

The hook pick is one of the most basic and essential tools in a locksmith’s arsenal. Traditionally used to manipulate individual pins within a lock, these single-pin picks come in several variations, each designed for a specific type of lock cylinder or pin configuration. Pay attention to both hook length and tip type, as these will affect factors like steadiness, precision, and maneuverability. A professional lock pick set will have multiple types of hook picks to handle different kinds of locks. Below are a few of the most common hook pick types to consider.

Standard Hook Pick

A standard hook pick works on a wide range of pin tumbler locks, offering precise control in lifting and setting individual pins.

Slimline Hook Pick

The slimline hook pick is ideal for locks with narrow keyways or higher pin counts, such as locks from European or Japanese manufacturers. Slimline picks offer superior precision and maneuverability. With a steady hand, you can use them on any single-pin lock.

Deep Hook Pick

These hooks feature a longer shaft that gives them more length and reach. As such, deep hooks are great for reaching deep-set pins or awkwardly positioned lock components, such as spool or serrated pin stacks. However, deep picks are bulkier than other hook picks, so they can be clunky and hard to use on other lock types.

Flat Hook Pick

Flat hook picks are a vital part of any locksmith’s lock picking kit. These hook picks are perfect for lifting and manipulating individual pins within a lock. The flat, squared-off tip allows for precise control when working with high-security locks or locks with tight keyways. Available in various thicknesses and styles, flat hooks provide locksmiths the flexibility needed to tackle a wide range of lock picking scenarios.

Half-Diamond Picks

Half-diamond picks are another type of single-pin tool you can use to pick individual pins. These picks are a go-to for locksmiths due to their versatility, ease of use, and effectiveness. Featuring a triangular-shaped tip, these picks are ideal when working with pin tumbler locks, dimple locks, cylinder locks, and more. The half-diamond pick comes in both single and double varieties.

Half-diamond picks excel at locating pins. The diamond shape acts as a ramp for the pins, making it easier to control the lift and drop of each individual pin. This extra level of precision simplifies the process of setting the binding pins—all you have to do is drag the pick across the stacks. However, half-diamond picks tend to be larger than other single-pin pick types. This makes it harder to maneuver the pick in smaller keyways. It also won’t work well with short pins.

Rake Picks

Rake picks are essential for quickly bypassing low- to medium-security locks, allowing you to speed up the lock picking process. These tools work by rapidly raking the lock to manipulate multiple pins simultaneously. As a result, raking requires less skill and precision than using single-pin picks. However, that also means they’re less effective against locks with security pins, tight tolerances, and tight keyways. Rake picks come in various styles, each catering to different lock types or techniques.

Bogota Rake

The bogota rake—known for its three-peak design that mimics the mountains of Bogota, Colombia, where it was invented—offers excellent torque and speed when raking locks, making it a popular choice among locksmiths. The rounded peaks create minimal friction as you scrub or rock the rake back and forth, making picking the pins a smooth and easy process.

City Rake

Designed to simulate a key’s bitting, the city rake’s unique profile works efficiently on both standard and wafer locks. Unlike other rakes that allow you to push and pull the tool to set the pins, a city rake requires a rocking motion to push each individual pin into place. This approach makes the city rake ideal for working with locks that feature short pins in the center and longer pins toward the front and back.

Snake Rake

The snake rake, with its serpentine design, is perfect for single- or double-row pin locks where finding the correct pin height is essential. The snake rake’s short and thin design makes it a nimble tool perfect for lock picking that requires extra agility and maneuverability.

Tension Wrenches

Providing the right amount of torque allows you to hold the pins in place as you pick them so you can then turn the plug and open the lock once all the pins are set. This is where tension wrenches come into play. These tools come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, allowing for optimal control and feedback when applying tension to the lock cylinder. These different sizes and shapes fall into one of two main categories: bottom-of-the-keyway or top-of-the-keyway tension tools.

Bottom-of-the-keyway (BOK) tension tools do what their name implies and place tension on the bottom of the keyway. BOK tension wrenches are usually single-sided and feature a 90-degree bend at the top of the tool. This bend allows you to hook the wrench onto the plug and hold tension as you manipulate the pins. Top-of-the-keyway (TOK) tension tools, on the other hand, apply tension at the top of the keyway. TOK tension wrenches provide an unobstructed workspace and increased feedback, making them ideal for more complex locks.

Jiggler Keys

Jiggler keys are versatile lock picking tools that closely resemble a series of key-like tools in various shapes and sizes. Jigglers are ideal for wafer locks, such as those found in cars, cabinets, and some padlocks. Jiggler keys work similarly to rake picks. By sliding the jiggler key into the lock and applying gentle pressure while rocking it back and forth, a locksmith can easily manipulate the wafers to unlock the lock.

When you need high-quality tools to keep in your lock picking kit, Locksmith Keyless is the way to go. We sell an extensive variety of picks, rakes, tension tools, and so much more. Explore our inventory when you shop with us online today.