How to Pick a Lock: A Beginner’s Journey into Lock Picking

Getting Started with Lock Picking

Ever been curious about picking a lock? Maybe you're interested in it as a hobby, want to understand security on a deeper level, or just want to feel like you've got a secret skill up your sleeve. Whatever the reason, welcome! I'll guide you through the basics, from the mechanics of the tools, to a few tips that can help you pick a lock with confidence.

Let's dive into this journey together. Remember, though, always use your skills responsibly, pick only the locks you own or have explicit permission to pick, and don't pick locks that are actively in use.

Why Learn How to Pick Locks?

When I first got into lock picking, it wasn't just about opening locks. It was about the challenge, the problem-solving, and honestly, that satisfying "click" when the lock finally turns. Beyond being a fun (and useful) skill, learning to pick locks gives you a deeper appreciation for security. You'll start to see locks and think about how they work, and which ones you'd actually want on your front door.

Understanding How Locks Work

Before we start, let's get a bit of background on the most common type of lock you'll encounter, the pin tumbler lock. This lock has a series of spring-loaded pin stacks that need to be set at the right height to open. Your key normally handles this, pushing each stack up until the gap lines up with the "shear line," the spot where the inner plug can turn free of the outer housing.

Here's the part worth understanding, because it's the whole reason picking works. Each stack is really two pins: a key pin on the bottom that the key touches, and a driver pin on top that blocks the plug from turning. When the right key lifts every stack so the split between the key pin and driver pin sits exactly at the shear line, the plug spins and the lock opens.

So how do you set those pins without the key? Here's the trick: no lock is machined perfectly. When you put light turning pressure on the plug, one pin stack binds up a little tighter than the rest. You set that one, the next one becomes the binding pin, and you work through them one at a time. When you're picking a lock, you're basically doing what the key would, just with a bit of finesse, one pin at a time.

Your Essential Lock Picking Tools

If you're like I was when I started, you probably have a few questions about the tools. I'll cover the essentials, and you'll see how each one has its own job in getting those pins aligned just right.

1. Turning Tool

The turning tool is like the backbone of the operation. You'll use it to apply slight pressure to the lock cylinder. This pressure keeps the pins in place as you lift them. The trick? Just enough tension, not too much.

You'll also hear this tool called a tension wrench, it's the exact same thing. We call it a turning tool because turning the plug is its actual job, but if you're searching for a "tension wrench," this is the piece you're after. (If you're curious why the name matters, we made the whole case on our "Tension Wrench or Turning Tool? Which Is It?" blog post.) You can see our full lineup of turning tools if you want to pair one with any pick.

2. Lock Picks

Lock picks are the tools that actually get those pins moving. A couple of common ones include:

• Hook Pick: Perfect for picking one pin at a time. It's slower but gives you more control.
• Rake Pick: Great for beginners, a rake pick lets you "rake" across all pins at once, giving you a quick way to get a feel for the lock.

For beginners, I recommend the FNG Lock Pick Set. It's a compact, easy-to-use kit designed for absolute newbies. Ready for a full-size set? The Genesis Lock Pick Set is our flagship starter kit, with a complete range of picks and turning tools in one case. And if you want the whole package, the Learn Lockpicking Bundle has everything you need to take your skills a step further.

Single Pin Picking vs Raking

There are two main ways to work a lock, and it helps to know both from the start, because they teach you different things.

Single Pin Picking (SPP)

This is the precise method. You use a hook to find the one pin that's binding, set it, then move on to the next binding pin. It's slower, but it teaches you what the lock is actually doing, and it works on tougher locks that shrug off raking. If your goal is to really learn the skill, start here.

Raking

Raking is the fast, scrubby method. You drop a rake in and move it in and out while bouncing the pins, trying to knock several into place at once. It's great for a quick win on cheap locks and for getting a feel for feedback, but it won't teach you much and it stalls out on better hardware. Most pickers rake to open simple locks fast, and single pin pick to actually get better.

How to Pick a Lock in 5 Steps

Alright, let's get into the actual picking process! Here's a simple step-by-step method to help you start practicing.

1. Insert the turning tool. Place your turning tool into the bottom of the keyhole. You're not trying to force it; just add a bit of pressure in the direction the key would turn. Think of it as the gentle foundation for what's next.
2. Insert your pick. Grab your pick and slide it into the lock, above the turning tool. If you're new, I'd suggest starting with a hook pick to get a feel for the pins. While raking is usually easier, starting with a hook gives you a better foundation to learn on.
3. Lift the pins. Using light, even pressure, move your pick to push the pins up. As you lift each pin, you'll start to feel them responding. Feel for the one that's stiffest, that's your binding pin, and set it first.
4. Listen for feedback. You're going to feel a slight "click" or a little give in the pressure when a pin reaches the shear line. Sometimes the plug will rotate a hair. That feedback is gold, when you feel it, you know that pin is set and you can move on to the next one.
5. Repeat until all pins are set. Continue setting each pin until all of them sit at the shear line. You might have to go back and forth a few times as you get a feel for the process. When the last one sets, that light turning pressure carries the plug around and the lock opens.

How to Use a Lock Pick Set

If you just picked up a full lock pick set and you're staring at a case full of picks wondering where to start, here's the short version: you only ever use two things at once, a turning tool and one pick.

Here's how to actually use a lock pick set on your first lock:

1. Pull one turning tool from the set. A short one for the bottom of the keyway is the usual starting point.
2. Grab a single pick to start. A hook teaches you the most; a rake opens simple locks fastest.
3. Seat the turning tool in the bottom of the keyway and hold light pressure in the direction the key would turn.
4. Slide your pick in above it and work the pins one at a time, exactly like the five steps above.
5. When the last pin sets, that light pressure turns the plug and the lock pops open.

That's really it. The rest of the picks in the set are just different shapes for different locks and situations, and you'll grow into them over time. If you don't have a set yet, our lock pick sets pair the picks and turning tools that work together in one case, so you're not guessing about what goes with what.

How to Pick a Lock With a Bobby Pin

Can you actually pick a lock with a bobby pin? Yes, on cheap pin tumbler locks you can, and it's a classic way to prove to yourself that picking is real. It won't be pretty, but here's how it works. You'll turn two bobby pins into two tools.

1. Make your pick. Take one bobby pin, pull it open straight, and bend a small hook (or a couple of zig-zag bumps) into the tip. That's your improvised pick.
2. Make your turning tool. Take the second bobby pin and bend the last quarter inch or so into an L shape. That's your improvised turning tool.
3. Apply light pressure. Put the bent end of the turning tool into the bottom of the keyway and hold gentle pressure in the turning direction.
4. Work the pins. Slide the pick in above it and rake or lift the pins, just like you would with real tools, until they set.

Now, the honest truth: bobby pins are soft, they bend and snap, and they really only work on the cheapest locks. They're a fine way to feel the concept for the first time, but if you catch the bug, a proper pick set costs about the same as lunch and does everything a bobby pin can't. You'll learn faster and stop fighting your tools.

How to Pick a Lock With a Paperclip

A paperclip works on the same idea as a bobby pin, and it's even more of a last resort. You'll need two paperclips, or one paperclip and a tiny flathead screwdriver for the turning tool.

1. Straighten one paperclip and bend a small hook into the end for your pick.
2. Bend a second paperclip (or use the mini flathead) into an L shape for your turning tool.
3. Set light turning pressure in the keyway, then rake or lift the pins with your pick until they set.

Paperclips are even softer than bobby pins, so expect them to bend fast and only budge the flimsiest locks. Same advice applies: great for a one-time "whoa, it actually opened" moment, but a real set is the difference between fighting the lock and actually learning the skill.

Common Pitfalls and How to Solve Them

Lock picking takes practice, and you're likely to run into a few snags along the way. Here are some challenges I faced and how I got past them.

Applying too much tension. When I first started, I had a habit of cranking down on the turning tool, which only made things harder. The solution? Start with less tension than you think you need, and increase it gradually.

Getting the pins out of order. If the lock won't budge, you might have set the pins in the wrong order. Try to work one pin at a time, starting with the one that binds hardest. With practice, you'll get a feel for the order that makes the most sense.

For more serious practice, the Learn Lockpicking Bundle has a range of tools that'll help you master these subtleties.

Which Lock-Picking Kit Should You Start With?

At Covert Instruments, we have options for both beginners and intermediate pickers. Here's my honest take on the kits I think are best for getting started:

• The FNG Lock Pick Set - Ideal for absolute beginners, this set has everything you need to get a feel for lock picking without being overwhelming. Check it out here.
• Genesis Lock Pick Set - Our flagship starter set and the natural step up from the FNG. A full-size case of picks and turning tools that will carry you from your very first lock well into intermediate territory. Take a look.
• Learn Lockpicking Bundle - If you're looking for a more complete set, this bundle has a variety of picks, turning tools, and more to help you master different types of locks. It also includes a practice lock that lets you progressively add pins, so you can start with one pin and work your way up to six. See it here.

Final Tips for Success

Lock picking is a skill, and like any skill, it improves with time. Here are a few parting tips to help you on your lock-picking journey:

• Practice Often: Consistency is key. A few minutes each day can make a big difference in your progress.
• Stay Patient: Lock picking isn't a race. Approach it with patience, and you'll develop the finesse you need.
• Try Different Locks: Every lock is unique, so experimenting with different types will improve your adaptability. A dedicated practice lock like our CI Practice Lock makes this easy, since you can add pins one at a time and work your way up as you improve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is lock picking legal?

In most of the United States, owning lock picks and picking locks you own is perfectly legal. A handful of states treat picks as burglary tools if there's intent to commit a crime, so the rule of thumb is simple: only pick locks you own or have clear permission to pick, and never use them to get into something that isn't yours. TOOOL (The Open Organisation Of Lockpickers) keeps a helpful state-by-state rundown of lock-picking laws, so check your state to be sure.

How long does it take to learn to pick a lock?

Most people open their first simple lock within a day or two of practice. Getting comfortable with single pin picking on tougher locks takes a few weeks of casual practice. It's a skill that rewards a few minutes a day more than one long marathon session.

Is it hard to pick a lock?

Basic locks are surprisingly easy once someone shows you the feedback to feel for. The difficulty scales with the lock, cheap padlocks fall fast, while high-security locks with security pins can take real time and skill.

Can every lock be picked?

In theory almost any pin tumbler lock can be picked with enough skill and the right tools, but pickable and practical aren't the same thing. High-security locks are built to make picking slow and frustrating enough that it usually isn't worth it.

What is the best lock to learn on?

Start with a lock built for learning. Our CI Practice Lock lets you add pins one at a time, so you can build up the difficulty at your own pace. From there, a couple of cheap hardware-store classics make great next steps: the Master Lock No. 3 padlock is a friendly, forgiving lock to cut your teeth on, and the Master Lock 140 adds a single security pin, which is the perfect way to learn how to handle a spool without jumping straight into the deep end.

Ready to Dive In?

Now that you've got the basics down, it's time to get some tools and start practicing! Lock picking can be both practical and fun, giving you a unique perspective on security.

Explore our lock picking kits and tools at Covert Instruments to find the perfect set to start your journey.

Lock picking is a unique journey that combines patience, skill, and curiosity. Start small, enjoy the process, and who knows? You might just discover a new passion. Happy picking!