Does anybody know how to pick locks? Is it difficult?
Although often places can be boarded up, even welded shut- I've also found myself in many situations where simple lock-picking knowledge could get me into a room or building. Does anyone use lock picking as a method of getting in or is this something highly skill-based and difficult?

Yes it's difficult and takes skill, but I think its one of the best ways to get into places. You can get in totally unnoticed and even lock the place up after you leave. Just be extremely careful because it is considered breaking and entering in most (if not all) states.

I use it a lot now and in my opinion it's the best way to enter a place.

Does not leave damage and no trace you were there.

It's not that difficult once you understand how it works and what your movements do inside the locks.
In a couple of weeks if you practice a lot you can open 80% of all north american lock you'll see.

Everything master lock, entry level abus etc you can rake that open.

Watch Bosnian Bill videos on youtube and lock picking lawyer.
Buy a good base set of picks (not the crap on amazon) buy something like Sparrow, southord, Multipick (the best).

Yes, it can be useful but takes some practice. Keep in mind that if you get caught carrying lockpick tools, or in the act of lockpicking, the penalties will be more severe. I wouldn't use them unless I had no other option, really wanted to get into a place and there wasn't much security to worry about.

Posted by Shaddo Yes, it can be useful but takes some practice. Keep in mind that if you get caught carrying lockpick tools, or in the act of lockpicking, the penalties will be more severe. I wouldn't use them unless I had no other option, really wanted to get into a place and there wasn't much security to worry about.

I would add that in most states, owning lock pick tools is only considered a crime if you use them illegally. In other words, the courts must show that you had intent to commit a crime.

Getting caught with picks or a screwdriver is the same. You can have a screwdriver in your car or on you but if you're caught trespassing with it, it will be seen as a B&E tool, same as the picks.

Simple possession of lock picks is completely legal, as the statutes only prohibit the possession of lock picks or the activity of lock picking when there is a malicious intent.

While most states have published statutes regarding lock pick tools, some states have written no laws on the subject, and so possession is not illegal.

A few states take a "guilty until proven innocent" stance when it comes to owning a lock pick set. Owning a lock pick set is trickier in Nevada, Ohio, and Virginia. These states consider ownership of a lock pick set "prima facie evidence."

Sparrows keys are good value.

yeah, lockpicking is a great way to go from simple trespassing to breaking & entering. In some states, just having a lockpick set is a crime if you aren't a locksmith.

no location is worth that kind of arrest or record.

Do what you want guys. And be careful. Have fun! It's a fun skill to have.


And,. In all the lock picking discussions I've read on these forums, lock picking gets discouraged a lot. But, I've never heard anyone tell a story about getting caught with their picks, or having actually had negative consequences.

Posted by randomesquephoto Do what you want guys. And be careful. Have fun! It's a fun skill to have. And,. In all the lock picking discussions I've read on these forums, lock picking gets discouraged a lot. But, I've never heard anyone tell a story about getting caught with their picks, or having actually had negative consequences.

I think a lot of folks point out the difference between simple trespassing and criminal trespassing. Depending on the situation, picking a lock can push you across that line. I think a strong word of caution is appropriate.

I frequently get warned (an called an idiot...and worse) for going into the abandoned mines that I do. And to be clear, I understand the risks I take much more than the people who warn me. I would much rather die deep in an old mine than in a hospital with tubes coming out of every orifice in my body.

We all make our decisions and the chips fall where they may.

Abby Normal

Posted by Samurai yeah, lockpicking is a great way to go from simple trespassing to breaking & entering. In some states, just having a lockpick set is a crime if you aren't a locksmith. no location is worth that kind of arrest or record.

Class A Misdemeanor in NY.

https://www.nycour...Law/140/140-35.pdf

They have to prove intent, but unless you have some legit purpose for having them, lock picks will almost always get you arrested.

I'm not that worried about it, but I've never successfully benefitted from lockpicking at times in the past when I was bringing along a friend with lockpicks.

In one case, I brought a friend to an abandoned hospital so he could pick a lock, only to find that the door was unlocked. That was the closest I've ever come to having someone's lockpicking skills come in useful.

Posted by Radio2600 Class A Misdemeanor in NY. https://www.nycour...Law/140/140-35.pdf They have to prove intent, but unless you have some legit purpose for having them, lock picks will almost always get you arrested.

New York doesn't fuck around.

i ran into something like this a few years ago... one of my close friends is part of a family that did towing. As a result, they were a contractor for AAA. I was helping Josh out by doing a lockout call (I used to moonlight at a towing company/salvage yard in Tennessee) as they were swamped with actual tow calls. So i had the kit in my car, but no signage as to who I was representing, or shirt... nothing. Just some chubby dickhead in a black Chevy Cobalt.
So i went and did the job (and let me say getting into a Ford 500 was a pain in the nuts) and was on my way back when I got stopped by the New York state trooperpoopers.

I had the kit on the front seat. I tried to explain to the cop why I had it and what I was doing, but this junior nazi wasn't having it and the situation was escalating into a fucking screaming match- i'm not a car thief! I damn near got arrested. Luckily, the second trooper that showed up while I was stopped knew me, knew my friends and knew what I was doing so it diffused the situation totally. As a confirmation, the second trooper called the guy who owned the company to confirm that yes, a fat guy in a black Chevy Cobalt was a duly authorized representative of XYZ Towing and had just completed a lock-out on the Northway... lol. And that was just a vehicle entry kit..

imagine getting caught with a B&E kit on your person? No thanks.

I can't pick a lock for the life of me, but have found a few work-arounds that can get me through a locked door without causing any damage.

One that has proved quite useful to me is a relatively simple trick you can do with a piece of copper wire (or anything long, thin and flexible). It only works if the door isn't locked with a deadbolt and you're on the side of the door that opens out. You start by bending the copper wire into a sharp U shape. Try to keep it as flat as possible. Once that's done, slip the wire into the crack between the door and wall and try to hook it around the thing that moves when you turn the doorknob. I think it's called a latch bolt. From there, grip both ends of the wire with one hand and the doorknob with the other. Pull on the doorknob, then the wire. If all goes well, this will push the latch bolt out of the door frame for a fraction of a second. It's important to pull on the doorknob so you can open the door before the latch bolt gets pushed back into place. This doesn't work every time. I'm not sure why it works on some doors but not others, but it's very quick and convenient when it works.

There's another trick I've used to get around padlocks without damaging the lock. I have personally found it useful for getting through roof access hatches. Padlocked doors are typically held shut by two metal loops that are directly next to each other when the door is closed. One is fastened to the door and one is fastened to the door frame or wall. The padlock goes through these two loops and holds the door shut. However, there is a fatal flaw in this system. Locks are only secure to what the shackle loops through, which means that if you remove one of the two latches that hold the door shut, the padlock will become ineffective. All you need to do is remove the screws or bolts that hold the latch to the surface it's on. On your way out, replace the screws or bolts and the door will be exactly as you found it. This only works if the latches are held in place with something that can freely be removed and replaced, like screws. If the latch is held in place with rivets or is welded into place, you won't be able to get through without drilling through them and causing permanent damage.

If the door you are trying to get through has a handle instead of a knob and a decently sized gap between the door and floor, an under the door tool is your friend. They're long, J shaped pieces of metal with loops on the end that can be slipped under a door and hooked around the handle on the other side. Fire code dictates that no door can be locked from both sides apart from in places like prisons, so the opposite side of the door should be unlocked. All you need to do is loop the tool around the handle on the opposite side of the door and pull it down. Keep in mind that under the door tools are large and hard to hide. You can't just put it in a pocket or backpack, you'd have to carry it in your hand. Being caught with one is the same as being caught with a lockpick. You can buy an under the door tool online, but you can also make one yourself with a wire hanger and a cable. I suggest you buy one because the DIY ones are very hard to use and take forever.

There are tons of ways around locked doors that don't require lockpicking or damage. Get creative with it. I once left a post-it that said "please keep unlocked" on a door to my campus' utility attic and it worked.

Posted by The Demon Crab There's another trick I've used to get around padlocks without damaging the lock. I have personally found it useful for getting through roof access hatches. Padlocked doors are typically held shut by two metal loops that are directly next to each other when the door is closed. One is fastened to the door and one is fastened to the door frame or wall. The padlock goes through these two loops and holds the door shut. However, there is a fatal flaw in this system. Locks are only secure to what the shackle loops through, which means that if you remove one of the two latches that hold the door shut, the padlock will become ineffective. All you need to do is remove the screws or bolts that hold the latch to the surface it's on. On your way out, replace the screws or bolts and the door will be exactly as you found it. This only works if the latches are held in place with something that can freely be removed and replaced, like screws. If the latch is held in place with rivets or is welded into place, you won't be able to get through without drilling through them and causing permanent damage.

Haha this is actually super useful... sometimes just a small screwdriver kit may come super handy. I am wondering however if the same lockpicking kit laws might apply for screwdriver kits if they can prove malicious intentions...

Posted by The Demon Crab I can't pick a lock for the life of me, but have found a few work-arounds that can get me through a locked door without causing any damage. One that has proved quite useful to me is a relatively simple trick you can do with a piece of copper wire (or anything long, thin and flexible). It only works if the door isn't locked with a deadbolt and you're on the side of the door that opens out. You start by bending the copper wire into a sharp U shape. Try to keep it as flat as possible. Once that's done, slip the wire into the crack between the door and wall and try to hook it around the thing that moves when you turn the doorknob. I think it's called a latch bolt. From there, grip both ends of the wire with one hand and the doorknob with the other. Pull on the doorknob, then the wire. If all goes well, this will push the latch bolt out of the door frame for a fraction of a second. It's important to pull on the doorknob so you can open the door before the latch bolt gets pushed back into place. This doesn't work every time. I'm not sure why it works on some doors but not others, but it's very quick and convenient when it works. There's another trick I've used to get around padlocks without damaging the lock. I have personally found it useful for getting through roof access hatches. Padlocked doors are typically held shut by two metal loops that are directly next to each other when the door is closed. One is fastened to the door and one is fastened to the door frame or wall. The padlock goes through these two loops and holds the door shut. However, there is a fatal flaw in this system. Locks are only secure to what the shackle loops through, which means that if you remove one of the two latches that hold the door shut, the padlock will become ineffective. All you need to do is remove the screws or bolts that hold the latch to the surface it's on. On your way out, replace the screws or bolts and the door will be exactly as you found it. This only works if the latches are held in place with something that can freely be removed and replaced, like screws. If the latch is held in place with rivets or is welded into place, you won't be able to get through without drilling through them and causing permanent damage. If the door you are trying to get through has a handle instead of a knob and a decently sized gap between the door and floor, an under the door tool is your friend. They're long, J shaped pieces of metal with loops on the end that can be slipped under a door and hooked around the handle on the other side. Fire code dictates that no door can be locked from both sides apart from in places like prisons, so the opposite side of the door should be unlocked. All you need to do is loop the tool around the handle on the opposite side of the door and pull it down. Keep in mind that under the door tools are large and hard to hide. You can't just put it in a pocket or backpack, you'd have to carry it in your hand. Being caught with one is the same as being caught with a lockpick. You can buy an under the door tool online, but you can also make one yourself with a wire hanger and a cable. I suggest you buy one because the DIY ones are very hard to use and take forever. There are tons of ways around locked doors that don't require lockpicking or damage. Get creative with it. I once left a post-it that said "please keep unlocked" on a door to my campus' utility attic and it worked.

Another good work around I've found which - generally - leaves no trace but can risk damage if you get it wrong, works on what I guess you'd call lever latch style locks which you find on older doors (maybe not so much in the States but here in the UK they're pretty common). You can, with a carefully placed shoulder strike in the area of the keyhole or lock, 'bump' the lever on the inside of the door off it's latching point, which opens the door, leaving (99% of the time) no damage as you can simply secure the door behind you again when you leave. It works particularly well on things like Welsh chapels which are more often than not secured with those sort of old lever latch locks.

Posted by ZekiGuy123 I am wondering however if the same lockpicking kit laws might apply for screwdriver kits if they can prove malicious intentions...

If they can prove malicious intentions, I think they would just classify it as a lock picking kit and you'd be screwed, anyway. I'm not a lawyer, but.

Posted by ZekiGuy123 Haha this is actually super useful... sometimes just a small screwdriver kit may come super handy. I am wondering however if the same lockpicking kit laws might apply for screwdriver kits if they can prove malicious intentions...

I know that there are some tripods that use adjustable screws to fix certain components in place. Carrying one of these (or any other piece of equipment that has screws or bolts you need to tighten / loosen) might help your case. It would give you a good reason to be carrying a screwdriver or wrench set.

Here's the only kind of lock I've ever messed with (ignore the string around the handles). These are typically on the inside of construction site gates, at least in my part of the world.



All you need is a card or something else thin, and you can flip up the bolt and unlatch it from the other side. One time I was attempting this, and someone came up on the other side of the gate, so I ran for it. Never use anything that can be IDed to you or that you need.

Years ago, those massive Sargent & Greenleaf locks that RRs use could be picked with the can opener on a Leatherman tool.

Leatherman changed the design of the can opener a number of years ago for this very reason and this trick doesn't work with the newer model.

You can probably find the older model at garage sales.

This is the one you want:



It does work. I've tried it.

Ooh! Lockpickin'

About a month ago I picked it up ever since a dude on a cranes thread mentioned it, and given that I had some low end set I learned to do basically any padlock that requires a key. THat only took a day or two, still stuck on getting deadbolts though. It's generally easy, I think I just need to get a better kit soon though.

BUt yeah, you wouldn't want to get caught with it on you lol. That might make your security/police encounter a little sillier