As with any metal tools, lock picks require some level of care. Polishing your picks is extremely easy to do and will result in longer lasting, more efficient tools.

This can be especially beneficial to your DIY Lock Picks I went over in my last article. You’ll be amazed at how well a properly polished pick glides over the pins of your target lock.

The simple process we’ll go over will give you the finishing touch that your lock picks need.

Materials

To complete this project, all that’s required are various grits of sandpaper, some metal polish, a small amount of WD-40, time and patience.

I recommend using sandpaper in grits up to 2000 or even 3000. How high you want to go depends on how meticulous you are. I would personally start off with a 400 grit paper and work up to about 1500 to 2000. Anything beyond that I find to be overkill. However, your preference may vary.

Process

Begin to sand the pick, being sure to evenly cover the surface. As you progress, sand out all the marks from the previous grit papers. This does not take much effort. Be careful not to over sand the pick and make it paper-thin.

When you reach the really fine sandpaper grits your pick should look shiny. Now it’s time to break out the metal polish. This polish can burn your skin, so be careful and use protection. The polish also has a strong ammonia smell. It’s probably best to do this part outdoors. Rub the polish in, wipe it off, and repeat until you are satisfied with the finish.

After completing the metal polish, I recommend placing a small amount of WD-40 on your finger tip and wiping the pick down. This will provide some extra protection against rust. When cared for in this manner, you should rarely find rust on your pick. If you do, you should be able to simply wipe it off.

Editor’s Note

We encourage everyone reading this article to get involved with lock picking as a skill set through various lock sport groups such as Toool and Lock Sport International. There’s a large community out there of people who understand the value of this skill-set and also like to have fun picking locks. Also check out our Bogota Entry Toolsets for a great pre-made set of lock picks in Stainless or Titanium!

Remember, when practicing your set you should always follow the Lock Sport code of ethics.

You may only pick locks you own or those you have been given explicit permission to pick.

Lock sport is an honest, ethical, and legitimate hobby. Unfortunately, the whole world hasn’t figured that out yet (though we’re working on it!). Because the lay person has a tendency to perceive what we do as somehow nefarious, it is extra important that we commit to following a strict code of ethics. For this reason, the above credo is non-negotiable in the lock sport community. Lockpicking should never, ever be used for illegal or even questionable purposes. Please do not misuse this information. We assume no responsibility for your actions, and in no way condone immoral activity. Help keep locksport fun for all by following strictly the one rule.

Lock picking is an important skill set that ITS Tactical has featured numerous times. They’ve discussed the practical applications of lock picking and highlighted how it may potentially save a life.

Picks can also be expensive, and difficult to acquire for some. Previously we demonstrated how to make your own pick out of a paperclip. Today, I’ll discuss how to craft your own pick set.

Tools & Materials

The pick set itself will be made out of metal. For this tutorial, spring steel from an aircraft wiper blade was used. Hacksaw blades or spring steel from automotive windshield wiper blades may also be used. Keep in mind that a thin set can help when picking certain locks.

In addition to the required materials, a few commonly available tools are needed for the project.

• Grinder or Dremel tool – You can make your picks by using files, but it will take more time
• Sandpaper – You will want to use (at least) 220 grit all the way up to 600. This is to smooth and polish the metal after grinding, allowing it to slide over the pins with ease
• Propane torch
• Pliers
• Cup of water
• Safety Glasses

During this process, please remember to utilize protective equipment and be wary of where any sparks go. It’s hard to use a pick set when you’re blinded by a hot shard of metal!

The Pick

The first thing to do is take your material and cut it to a length that feels good in your hand. This may take a couple of tries. Different lengths work better on certain locks, so experiment.

After you have your material cut to size, it’s time to set up your work area. Take a cup of water and set it in a way that you can dip your pick in as you grind away. You don’t want to heat the metal up too much. Doing so will cause the pick to be very brittle. If you do overheat the metal, you will have to heat treat the steel, which we will discuss later. Do try and avoid this issue though.

Start grinding away at the blade. Take your time and dip it in the water to keep it cool. What you want to end up with is called a pick blank, which can then be further ground into the desired pattern.

From here you need to figure out which pick you want to make. Patterns can be found everywhere on the internet, or you may use the pattern of another pick in your collection. Once you’ve found the desired pattern, use it to grind your blank into a pick. Remember to constantly dip the metal into the water to keep it cool. (Previously, I tried marking the blade with a pattern but found that as I ground away the markings disappeared.)

Once satisfied with the pick, use sandpaper to knock off the rough edges. Work your way to a fine grit to polish it up. This is an important step; the pick must be smooth enough to glide over the pins of the target lock.

The Tension Wrench

A pick is great, but useless without a tension wrench. This is where you need to get your propane torch out. I recommend making the wrench with some spring steel from a wiper blade. You can shape the steel either before the bending or after. It’s a matter of preference, I find it easier to shape the metal if I bend it first.

Bending

Light your propane torch and grip the spring steel with a pair of pliers. Heat the section you want to bend until it is cherry red. This section should be close to the end of the steel. While keeping it in the flame, take another pair of pliers and bend it 90 degrees. Then immediately dunk it into the cup of water. If you have not yet done so, you may shape the tension wrench now.

Shaping the Handle

The tension wrench can be made easier to handle by giving it a twist in the handle area. The process is similar to before: heat the metal up until it is cherry red and, with your two pliers, twist the metal while it is in the flame. Then immediately dunk it into the water. Your result should be something like the wrench in the accompanying photo. The bow isn’t much of a concern, as it will not interfere with the operation of the wrench.

Treating the Steel

If you were hard on the grinder and overheated the pick you will need to heat treat the steel. The process sounds difficult, but is actually quite easy. Just light your torch and with a pair of pliers heat the pick at the cool part of the flame (not the blue cone). Wait for the metal to turn colors, but not cherry red. Once it changes color, work your way down the pick, then set it to the side and let it cool naturally. Your pick has now been heat treated.

Conclusion

After you’ve made your set, you will probably want to put a little oil over the tools to keep them from rusting. When practicing, I will thin out the tension wrench as I try it out in a lock.

With patience you can build a decent set to start learning the skill with. Combine this with a DIY Lock Pick ractice set and you will be well on way your way to mastering the skill of picking locks. So get to the workshop and start picking!

Editor’s Note

We encourage everyone reading this article to get involved with lock picking as a skill set through various lock sport groups such as Toool and Lock Sport International. There’s a large community out there of people who understand the value of this skill-set and also like to have fun picking locks. Also check out our Bogota Entry Toolsets for a great pre-made set of lock picks in Stainless or Titanium!

Remember, when practicing your set you should always follow the Lock Sport code of ethics.

You may only pick locks you own or those you have been given explicit permission to pick.

Lock sport is an honest, ethical, and legitimate hobby. Unfortunately, the whole world hasn’t figured that out yet (though we’re working on it!). Because the lay person has a tendency to perceive what we do as somehow nefarious, it is extra important that we commit to following a strict code of ethics. For this reason, the above credo is non-negotiable in the lock sport community. Lockpicking should never, ever be used for illegal or even questionable purposes. Please do not misuse this information. We assume no responsibility for your actions, and in no way condone immoral activity. Help keep locksport fun for all by following strictly the one rule.

Editor-in-Chief’s Note: Please join ITS Tactical in welcoming Chris Rea as a contributor to ITS Tactical. Chris is a former Coast Guard boarding team member and currently working with the Maryland State Police as an Aircraft Mechanic. He also shares our passion for learning all he can and giving back to our community!

Yesterday, a Baltimore couple was handcuffed by Police impersonators during a home invasion, where the man was subsequently shot in the neck!

One of the skill-sets we advocate here at ITS Tactical is picking locks as well as handcuffs to prepare yourself for any situation, including this recent Baltimore scenario. While Police are unsure of the motive in the Home Invasion/robbery, there’s no denying that being able to escape this kind of illegal restraint is beneficial to know!

Here’s our article on How to Pick Your Way Out of Handcuffs, as well as some related articles linked below. Stay safe and learn the skill-sets that could one day save your life!

My good friend Jack over at The Survival Podcast called me up the other day and asked if I’d come over and pick a lock for him. Definitely not the kind of request you get everyday from a friend!

Jack had misplaced the keys to a very sturdy trailer hitch lock and needed to remove it to hook up a trailer. Rather than spend the money and time to call a Locksmith, I was more than happy to accept his cup of coffee bribe and help him out.

Practical Applications

As we’ve mentioned before on ITS Tactical, our intention in going into detail on Lock Picking as a skill-set is not to advocate illegal methods of entry. Primarily it’s to illustrate the “illusion of security” and help you realize how unsafe all those locks are that you use in your daily life.

Secondary to the illusion of security is the practical application of the skill-set, demonstrated here in the video that Jack filmed while I was helping him out with his lock.

Recap

While it did take me around ten minutes to pick the hitch lock, it was a difficult lock to pick with the Bogota Entry Toolset that I EDC (Every Day Carry). I’m not here to make excuses, but to give you a perfect example of what you may run into out there when helping out your friends and family.

The keyway on this particular lock is very small and oddly shaped. I say “odd” due to the fact that there’s no lip to wedge a tension wrench into that you’ll commonly see on locks. Because of the small overall height of the keyway, my only option with the tension wrench I had was to wedge it in sideways to provide tension. While this worked, it also took up almost the entire keyway, eliminating the space needed to insert the rake of the Bogota Entry Toolset.

What took me the better part of the 10 minutes was having to improvise and use the single feeler pick to wedge/twist into the keyway to provide the tension needed, while gaining the room to rake the lock. (as seen in the photo to the upper right) While it wasn’t graceful single-motion lock picking like you see in the movies, this is definitely real-world. You’re not always going to go right up to a lock and open it with ease.

I certainly don’t consider myself a pro and have seen quite a few people I do consider pros get stumped now and again with locks that they’re not familiar with. Just more reason to practice on as many different kinds of locks as possible. I have a large bag of different locks that I practice with when I have downtime and Jack gave me this lock to add to my growing collection.

I definitely need more practice with smaller keyway locks! What kind of locks have stumped you before?

Lock sport is an honest, ethical, and legitimate hobby. Unfortunately, the whole world hasn’t figured that out yet (though we’re working on it!). Because the lay person has a tendency to perceive what we do as somehow nefarious, it is extra important that we commit to following a strict code of ethics. For this reason, the above credo is non-negotiable in the lock sport community. Lockpicking should never, ever be used for illegal or even questionable purposes. Please do not misuse this information. We assume no responsibility for your actions, and in no way condone immoral activity. Help keep locksport fun for all by following strictly the one rule.

“You may only pick locks you own or those you have been given explicit permission to pick.”

While we cover many aspects of lock picking on ITS Tactical, our disclaimer has always been that this information is presented so everyone can learn the “illusion” of security and how thinking a standard lock is going to protect your loved ones or your valuables is a misnomer.

The Locksport community was designed for just this purpose and the recreational challenge of lock picking. What we’d like to do with this article is to introduce you to the concepts behind Lock Picking Forensics and why this seemingly untraceable method of entry is becoming a thing of the past.

Leave no Trace?

Visible scratch marks from lock picking

Lock Picking leaves marks, period. No matter how good thieves are at picking locks, what kind of entry tool they use or even what method employed, marks are left. In some situations, this may take a microscope or macro photography to see, but more than likely in a criminal situation they’ll be raking a lock and want to gain access as fast as possible, thus leaving deeper marks. This is also indicative of their skill level, as amateurs take longer to open a lock; leaving significantly more evidence behind.

Now you may be asking how this differs from the marks that a key leaves when being inserted into a lock? If you think about a key being inserted into a lock and turned, the key glides over the pins in a direct line front-to-back pattern because it’s aligned in the keyway. When the plug is rotated, it also has a concentric rubbing pattern on the pins.

While this article is just a starting point in our discussion about lock picking forensics, we wanted to provide you with a few basic principles. Like the “illusion” of security mentioned above, there’s also the “illusion” that lock picking is an invisible method of entry. The truth is, it’s definitely not. We hope that Law Enforcement and insurance companies will eventually have the capability to use lock picking forensics. We have heard of some Law Enforcement using lock picking forensics already and hopefully it becomes widely adopted.

The big problem right now is with insurance claims, where without signs of forced entry, they won’t process loss claims. Does anyone here have any experience with a denied claim due to lack of forced entry evidence?

Leave a comment with your thoughts on lock picking forensics, do you see it as a good thing?

Whether you consider yourself a novice or pro when it comes to lock picking, there’s no denying that everyone needs to keep up their skill-set without damaging their house locks.

Today we’re going to show you how to build an inexpensive lock pick practice set for less than $40 that will rival the stands, kits and sets that cost three times that.

With just a quick trip to Home Depot, you’ll be on your way to creating your own set to work with and ensure that the next time you’re locked out of your house, you’ll be able to get back in!

Comprehensive

The way we’ve designed this practice set, is to enable you to practice providing tension from both directions, i.e. clockwise and counter clockwise. As you might know from practicing yourself, it’s nearly impossible to tell which direction the plug in a cylinder is going to turn simply by looking at the lock.

Other visual queues must be used in order to read the direction the plug is going to turn and from which direction you’ll provide tension with your tension wrench. While we could take up an entire article just on technique, we’ll save that for an upcoming article.

Suffice to say that this set will allow you to practice for what you may potentially encounter when LEGALLY picking locks and makes an excellent practice station for your Bogota Entry Toolset. What it won’t help you practice for are the dummies that install their locks upside down, which will eventually cause pin spring problems. Make sure you don’t make that mistake when building this setup.

Versatile

Not only will this practice set allow you to turn plugs in either direction, but the cylinders you’ll have with your purchased deadbolt sets will allow you to re-key or remove pins.

Removing pins is a great building-block method for learning how to pick locks. While again the scope of this article is the creation of this set, not necessarily teaching how to remove the pins. However, this is something that will be addressed in an upcoming article.

The cylinders you’ll see in the image to the right are removable from the deadbolt housing and with a simply sliding/prying motion, you can remove the cover and access the pins.

Beware of cheaper deadbolt sets you’ll see in your hardware store adventures, some lack the ability to access the pins and remove or re-key the lock.

Materials

The only real expenses for the set, provided you own tools, are the two deadbolt sets and wood. However, there are some specialized drill bits you’ll need that you may have hiding out in your tool box.

Don’t be afraid to open the deadbolt package up in the store to make sure it’s the kind we’re describing.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• (2) Deadbolt Sets (with removable cylinders)
• (2) 12″ long x 9″ wide x 1 1/2″ deep (actual dimension) blocks of wood
• (3) 2 1/2″ wood or exterior screws
• Small diameter drill bit long enough to reach all the way through the 1 1/2″ deep block of wood (smaller in diameter than your screws)
• 2 1/8″ Hole Saw
• 1″ Wood Boring Bit
• Countersink (size of your screw heads)
• 1″ Wood Chisel
• Bastard File (to sharpen your chisel if needed)
• Hammer
• Phillips Head Screwdriver
• Ruler or Speed Square
• Pencil
• Optional: non-slip drawer liner material (to line the bottom of the stand)
  

Assembly

Essentially what you’ll be creating is two door jambs, but first you have to build the stand. We were able to find a 48″  x 9″ wide x 1 1/2″ deep piece of wood to make two stands for about $2. What’s great about buying this at Home Depot was that they’ll cut it for you. So for $2 we had four 12″ pieces of wood to work with, even though the project only requires two.

Make the Stand

Assembly is very straightforward after your wood is cut. Simply draw an outline of the upright 12″ piece of wood on the base piece and mark the location for your pilot holes in the bottom side of the upright piece and the top side of the base piece. Our three holes were marked at 2″, 4 1/2″ and 7″.

Now drill pilot holes (to keep the wood from splitting when you screw the two pieces together) with your small diameter drill bit all the way through the base piece, as well as up through the bottom side of the upright piece of wood. Flip your base piece over and using the pilot holes you drilled all the way through, countersink these to allow for clearance of the screw heads so they’ll fit flush.

Keeping the base board flipped over, line up the upright piece underneath it and screw your three screws in. You might want someone to hold and provide pressure to the base piece to ensure it stays still and that you don’t wind up with a gap where the two pieces meet.

Drilling Deadbolt Holes

As you’ll read in the instructions for the deadbolts you’ll buy, the 2 1/8″ circle that needs to be cut is either 2 3/8″ or 2 1/2″ in from the outside edge depending on what. Our measurement was at 2 3/8″. Remember that you’ll be repeating the instructions for both sides. Our instructions even had a template you could use to mark the location of your holes.

On our 12″ piece of wood, we measured 3″ down from the top of the upright piece and drew a nice straight line all the way around the upright. This will help you out when you drill the 1″ holes required for the actual deadbolt backset.

We’re not going to get into how to drill these holes, as it’s pretty simple. You need to (2) 2 1/8″ holes and (2) 1″ holes drilled deep enough in the sides to meet the larger 2 1/8″ hole on each side.

After your holes are drilled, insert the deadbolt backset and trace around the face plate of the latch. This is now the area you’re going to chisel out. This takes some patience and work, as you need to continuously check the fit to ensure the chiseled out area is deep enough. Be careful not to chisel out too much. You’re not going for style points here, just make sure it fits flush.

You can also mark where the screw holes are in the faceplate and drill pilot holes for those, although it’s not really necessary.

Hardware Assembly

At this point you can spray paint your stand if you’d like to, we just used flat black spray paint. This is just cosmetic though, but you’re welcome to throw some support our way and slap some ITS Stickers on there too!

Following the assembly directions on your deadbolts is the best course of action here. All you’re essentially doing though is inserting the backset, screwing down the faceplate, placing the deadbolt cylinder set in the hole (make sure your cylinder is facing the right direction!), placing the turn piece on the back and screwing it all together with the long screws that are included.

What you have now is an awesome place to practice your lock picking that allows you quick access to change out pins or even replace the deadbolts completely if you wear them out. Keeping graphite in the locks is a good way to ensure proper operation.

An option modification to this stand is to purchase a piece of non-slip drawer liner material and spray glue it to the bottom like we mention at the end of the video below. This will ensure your stand doesn’t slide around while you’re practicing.

Notes

We hope you enjoyed this tutorial on creating your own Lock Pick Station, please follow the lock sport code of ethics below and have fun! Stay tuned for our next article where we’ll show you in detail how to remove pins and some good techniques for picking.

Lock sport is an honest, ethical, and legitimate hobby. Unfortunately, the whole world hasn’t figured that out yet (though we’re working on it!). Because the lay person has a tendency to perceive what we do as somehow nefarious, it is extra important that we commit to following a strict code of ethics. For this reason, the above credo is non-negotiable in the lock sport community. Lockpicking should never, ever be used for illegal or even questionable purposes. Please do not misuse this information. We assume no responsibility for your actions, and in no way condone immoral activity. Help keep locksport fun for all by following strictly the one rule.

“You may only pick locks you own or those you have been given explicit permission to pick.”

I’ll admit I’m a bit of an organizational freak, but my wife and those that know me would probably say that’s an understatement. With that being the case, I knew I had to get one of 215 Gear’s Custom Tactical Bags to organize my entry tools.

The Custom Tactical Bag is the Gucci of entry tool bags. Nowhere have I seen a more comprehensive and modular way to carry method of entry equipment on the market today. Up until now, it’s been limited to throwing everything in a big bag, or trying to come up with your own velcro panels to mount all those little items.

While purpose built for carrying entry tools, the Custom Tactical Bag is functional enough to be used for just about anything, including medical supplies or EOD tools.

Custom Tactical Bag

As described on 215 Gear’s Website, “this project was designed from the ground up for one specific purpose, for the tactical organizing and employment of method of entry tools.”

Through the use of custom designed panels, pouches and accessories, the Custom Tactical Bag fills a large void in carrying entry / lock picking tools and does so with a well thought out design that makes efficient use of velcro to bring tremendous modularity to the bag.

Description

The Custom Tactical Bag is smaller than it appears, but don’t let that fool you. It measures 16″ long x 8.5″ tall x 4″ deep and literally held everything I needed it to.

Exterior

Starting with the exterior of the bag, the first thing you’ll notice is the nice rubber-coated nylon webbing handle that provide a nice comfortable grip, despite any amount of weight you may be carrying. Moving away from the handle in either direction will land you at the ITW Nexus/Fastex buckles that allow the shoulder strap to be removed if unnecessary.

The adjustable shoulder strap itself is made from 1.5″ webbing with a contoured, slip-not backed pad that keeps the bag in place whether carried on a shoulder or in a messenger bag style configuration.

Moving to the backside of the bag reveals a low zippered-compartment running the width of the bag. This pocket opens to reveal a hook lined velcro field spanning the entire interior of the pocket for attaching small panels, or to take advantage of the well thought out drop cloth integration.

Measuring a whopping 36″ wide x 28″ tall the fold-out drop cloth not only neatly tucks away in this compartment, but also integrates a 11″ wide x 7″ tall loop velcro area that attaches directly to the inside of the compartment. This ensures that the stored drop cloth stays with the bag at all times and is ready to catch any metal filings or scraps that may get created from entry.

The drop cloth itself is very nicely made with heavy-duty pack cloth and bound edging all the way around. Definitely a feature that adds great functionality to the bag and doubles as a nice place to lay out your equipment.

Made from 1680 ballistic nylon for durability, the Custom Tactical Bag is sure to last a lifetime.

Interior

Accessing the interior of the bag is handled by a clamshell opening on the bag. When carrying the bag, the opening almost seems wrong until you understand the true purpose of the bag and how filleting it open via the heavy-duty zipper allows full access to all contents.

Both the top and bottom inner lid feature hook velcro allowing the placement of any loop velcro backed panel manufactured. Some of 215 Gear’s panels offered are covered in a plush fabric, which also adheres very well to the hook velcro.

The true modularity of the bag lies with the removable main interior panel that allows twice as much storage in the same amount of space. The interior panel is also attached via a PALS/MOLLE connection and can be mounted in either of the three channels of PALS provided to make more room for bulkier items.

This is a great feature of the bag, as it allows some of the larger pouches to be mounted in a way that doesn’t cause the interior panel to ride over them and cause unnecessary bulk in the bag.

Last but not least are the ingenious panels and pouches that 215 Gear has designed to hold everything from bump keys to files for the fine art of lock impressioning. There are over 10 different panels and pouches to configure the bag however you’d like. How awesome are these?

Just take the bump keys you see in the photos of this bag, before I stumbled across the GP Panel #1 I was literally storing all 35 of those keys on a large binder clip ring. Each time I’d need a specific key I’d have to rattle though all of them to find the one I was looking for and then open the binder clip to remove one.

I’m also a huge fan of the GP Panel 2 and 3 which not only do an excellent job of securing a pick set case, but even hold a pair of vice grips extremely well.!

Equipment Carried

Here’s all the items, panels and pouches carried in this bag; despite the numerous items there are still plenty of places let for expansion. Worst case, I just change the configuration and have a brand new set up (Many of these lock picking items can be found at 215 Gear).

Bottom Side

• GP Panel 3 – Peterson Elite 4 Bypass Pick Set
• GP Panel 2 – SouthOrd Assorted Pick Set
• GP Pouch 3 – Security Bit Set, Pin & Tumbler Trainer Lock (For Practicing)

Interior Panel Side 1

• Stanley Mini Crow Bar – Shoved into unused PALS webbing
• GP Panels 11-13 (4) – County Comm Micro Widgy, Mini Multi-Tool, Lock Graphite, Peterson Bump Hammer Weight Kit, Rolled Aluminum Can Strips for Padlock Shimming
• GP Panel 4 – Wire Strippers/Cutters, Pens, Hemostats (curved and straight), Mirror

Interior Panel Side 2

• Adams Rite Slim Jim – Shoved into unused PALS webbing
• GP Panel 1 x 2 – Bump Keys, Featherweight Tension Wrench, SerePick Bogota Entry Toolsets
• GP Panel 10 – Warded Padlock Picks, Automotive Jigglers, Keys for Trainer Lock

Top Side

• GP Pouch 1 – Craftsman Screwdriver/Bit Set, Petzel e+Lite, Peterson Bump Hammer
• GP Panel 2 – Craftsman Auto-Lock Vice Grips
• GP Pouch 4 – Gerber EOD Multi-Tool

Coupons!

Before you rush off to 215 Gear and order a Custom Tactical Bag, they have provided you guys with some killer coupons for not only the Custom Tactical Bag Complete Kit, but Lock Picking supplies, lights, mag pouches and T-Shirts as well!

• Use code ITSCBkit in the coupon code section of checkout for 40% off the complete Custom Tactical Bag Complete Kit a new item set up just for this review that includes the bag and 1 of each panel and pouch. Valid thru December 7th.
• Use code ITSlocks in the coupon code section of checkout for 25% off all lock picking items, lights, mag pouches and T-Shirts. Valid thru December 7th.

If you’re like millions of Americans, you put a lot of trust in simple padlocks to secure your valuables.

Today we’re going to continue to break down the veil of security by showing you how easy it is to shim open a padlock with a coke can.

Again, as with all our lock picking and security articles, we’re not advocating anything illegal and this information is for educational purposes and Locksport only.

Single Lock Padlock

The first thing you’ll need to take note of when shimming a padlock is whether it’s a single or double-lock shackle. This can often be hard to determine just by looking a a padlock, but a general rule is that most numerical combination padlocks are just a single lock.

What this means is that only one side of the padlock shackle engages with the internal locking mechanism within the padlock. See the photo to the right for an example.

Double-Lock Padlock

On a double-lock padlock, there are two locations on the shackle that engage with the internal locking mechanism. This is important, because this kind of padlock will require two shims to open.

Each side of the shackle will need to be independently shimmed to allow the locking mechanism to release. See the photo at the right for an example of the double-lock padlock.

Creating Shims

To create the shims needed to open padlocks, you’ll first need a coke can. Take the can and trim off the top and bottom, leaving the middle piece. Make a single cut vertically in the can to create one long piece of aluminum (You may have done this already when trimming off the top and bottom).

Cut the remaining strip of aluminum lengthwise creating two long strips. From here you’ll need to cut multiple pieces approx. 2.5″ in width and 1.5 to 1.75″ in height. You should end up with around six shims out of a single can.

Once your blanks are cut, you’ll need to make cuts in each blank to create an “M” looking shape. The mid-point of your “M” can either be rounded as shown in the video below, or angular as shown in the photos. Either will work, but the rounded mid-point seems to wedge itself better into the locking mechanism.

After the “M” shape is cut, simply fold the top quarter in half and fold the legs of the “M” up and around (see photos and video). You can also shape the completed shim around a pen to give it the necessary curvature it will need to slide into the shackle.

Shimming a Padlock

Shimming a single or a double-lock padlock is essentially the same, but with the double, you’ll be using two shims. Notice that the locking mechanism for the single-lock padlock is to the inside and on the left.

What you’ll need to do is insert the shim into the space between the padlock body and the shackle, on the side opposite the shackle’s locking grove. Once this is inserted, simple turn the shim while working the shackle up and down.

This will allow the shackle to almost pull the shim into the locking mechanism as you’re turning it. The shim acts as a bypass by moving the locking mechanism out of the way and opening the lock. For a better description of how to use the shim, take a look at the embedded video below.

The double-lock padlock again is just the same, but you’ll be working with both sides of the shackle to disengage both locks. The video will really help you to understand how this works, as words are simply not enough to convey these techniques.

Notes

It’s important to practice on junk locks that you don’t care about, because your shims WILL break off and fall into the lock or get stuck. This will require you to open the lock to get these pieces out, or the lock could be rendered useless. At least useless to practice with until you get that piece of shim back out.

Remember to always get permission before opening any locks that don’t belong to you, and keep up your lock picking skill set! It’s depreciable!!

Today we’re going to show you how to create a Lock Pick Rake and Tension Wrench using two simple paperclips and a Multi-Tool.

As we’ve mentioned in previous Lock Picking articles, the Rake/Tension Wrench is the most versatile combo to carry for bypassing standard pin/tumbler and wafer locks.

In our last Lock Picking article on the SerePick Bogota Entry Toolset, a lot of people commented that they were unable to purchase Lock Picks, and couldn’t get involved in learning the skill-set.

After today, you’ll have no excuse not to make your own simple picks, buy a cheap padlock and work on your raking technique. In fact, while we demonstrate creating a rake, you could also make a feeler pick to start learning how to “feel” the individual pins and how they move/bind under tension.

Materials

The first thing you’ll need is a supply of larger paperclips. These that we’ll be using are not the standard small paperclips, but the larger versions. One will be needed for the Rake and one for the Tension Wrench. As you’ll see in the video below, it’s easy to snap these as you’re bending the rake.

This will happen if you bend one direction, and then try to re-bend it in the opposite direction. If you keep to a single bend direction though, these will last a long time and remain strong.

A Multi-Tool works the best to create the necessary bends and twists for the combo. You’ll be mimicking the bends of a “C” Rake, and the right angle of a tension wrench with the second paperclip.

Creation

Rather than try to explain the bends and twists, we’ve created a video that will help show you a hands on demonstration of the creation and successful bypass of a pin/tumbler lock. This DIY combo will take a bit longer to use than a standard Rake/Tension Wrench, but nevertheless just as effective.

Please let us know in the comments if you have any questions regarding creation or use and we’ll be sure to answer them.

Notes

We encourage everyone reading this article to get involved with lock picking as a skill set through various lock sport groups such as Toool and Lock Sport International. There’s a large community out there of people who understand the value of this skill-set and also like to have fun picking locks.

Here’s the Lock Sport code of ethics, which sums things up nicely:

“You may only pick locks you own or those you have been given explicit permission to pick.”

Lock sport is an honest, ethical, and legitimate hobby. Unfortunately, the whole world hasn’t figured that out yet (though we’re working on it!). Because the lay person has a tendency to perceive what we do as somehow nefarious, it is extra important that we commit to following a strict code of ethics. For this reason, the above credo is non-negotiable in the locksport community. Lockpicking should never, ever be used for illegal or even questionable purposes. Please do not misuse this information. We assume no responsibility for your actions, and in no way condone immoral activity. Help keep locksport fun for all by following strictly the one rule.

SerePick continues to impress with their new offering of custom Bogota Entry Toolsets, which now include the use of Stainless Steel and Titanium.

These hand-crafted tools have been used by many locksmiths and covert entry specialists worldwide, for numerous reasons we’ll cover here.

We’ve been dirt diving a set of Bogota’s for a few months, and with the addition of the Stainless and Titanium we decided it was time to give them a proper review.

History

While distributed by SerePick, the Bogota Entry Tools are the brainchild and creation of Raimundo, a frequent contributor to a great forum called Lockpicking 101. The name of the tools is derived from his time in Bogota, Columbia where he first developed the idea.

The three peaks and two valley’s in the rake-like pick represent the Andes mountains as they split into three mountain cordillera through Colombia.

We were fairly familiar with these tools prior to Matt from SerePick sending over a set, but had not been hands-on with them. Raimundo has had instructions for making these yourself available since around 2004, but the ability to purchase them from SerePick is fantastic, especially in the new stainless and titanium versions.

They’re a labor intensive process to create, to say the least. Not to mention having to source the thin metal bristles from a street sweeper, or windshield wiper blades to create them. Obviously the Stainless and Titanium aren’t from a street sweeper.

Features

Much has gone into the design of these lock picks, from ergonomics to tensile strength and beyond. They’re truly works of art, and a set worthy of becoming your go-to picks.

With traditional lock picks, the weak points have always been at the tip, coupled with being so damn thin. Yes, thin is important when space is at a premium inside a keyway, but most cheap picks you can obtain will break sooner or later. The Bogota Entry Tools eliminate the traditional weak point, by one, using strong steel (and now Stainless and Titanium) and two, the undercutting creates a continuous thickness throughout the each pick.

This continuous thickness eliminates the possibility of a weak point building up to cause bending or breakage. With less material it also lightens and increases the agility of the picks in the keyway.

The most notable feature of these picks is the ergonomic design and their ability to pull double duty as a tension wrench using the handle side. With two bends in the body of each pick, they form a pistol grip, which is a welcome departure from the traditional popsicle-stick like picks you’re used to seeing.

This allows you to work with the picks in their natural state without requiring any additional padding to avoid blisters from an all-day picking session, and the ability to hold a lock pick as you would naturally hold an object that contoured to your hand. The feedback from these picks is amazing as well, which we believe is largely due to more surface area on your fingers as opposed to traditional picks

The overall length of the Bogota tools are not all exactly the same, due to their handcrafted nature, but from what we have they range from 3 1/4″ to 3 1/2″. Remember this is overall length, from the tip of the pick to the end of the handle.

Versions

As previously mentioned, the Bogota Entry Toolset not only comes in the traditional steel design, but also in Stainless Steel and Titanium. Why is this important? For starters, the steel picks do rust and corrode. This can be seen with our original set for testing, from being carried in a back pocket within a wallet (see photo to right).

The Stainless version provides a corrosion-resistant option to counter butt sweat and those in a maritime environment. Not to mention the hygienic properties, long term durability and inherent strength of Stainless Steel.

While we didn’t notice a weight savings between the traditional steel and Stainless, both weighing in at a tenth of an ounce, the Titanium set is noticeably lighter and we’d go as far as calling them featherweight. Their weight didn’t register on our scale, but it only measures tenths of an ounce (photo from top to bottom, Steel, Stainless, Titanium).

The largest benefit of the aircraft-grade Titanium set is their inherent lack of a magnetic signature. All these sets are lightweight though, and while you’re not going to feel the difference between a tenth of an ounce in a pocket, but there are those that need non-magnetic tools, specifically EOD and those that know who they are.

Aircraft-grade Titanium is as strong as it gets, there’s a reason it’s used in the aerospace industry. Titanium is extremely corrosion resistant, more so than the Stainless, but they’ll still bend just like the other versions if man handled.

Raimundo has made other variations on the design of these tools, including the Monserrate, Arch and Sabana.

Use

The Bogota Entry Toolset is handmade as a matched pair, and should be used as such. Their design, as noted previously, lends them to double as tension wrenches, so no matter which you’re using to pick with, the other can be used as the tension wrench.

If you’re unfamiliar with lock picking as a skill-set, please take some time to review the past information we’ve released on the subject. We don’t ever advocate anything illegal, and believe that everyone should know how to pick locks. To not only be able to get back in the house after you lock yourself out, but to understand the illusion of security that locks represent and to learn how to properly protect you and your family.

Using the Bogota tools is best done in one of two fashions, either as a jiggler or in a raking/scrubbing motion. As demonstrated in our video below, we’ve found the raking/scrubbing motion to be superior on both pin-tumbler locks and wafer locks.

There is very little tension needed with these picks, and are not for the heavy-handed user. We’ve found that the tension needed is similar to that of a featherweight tension wrench.

With the proper development of lock picking as a skill-set, the Bogota tools are all you’ll need to carry in most cases (be sure to check with your local laws first before carrying lock picks around). While simply owning these picks isn’t going to make you a superstar lock picker, they are definitely some of the best picks we’ve ever used.

Storage

As noted, these are a matched pair, and have a unique twist to their design that allows them to overlap nicely on each other. Using a standard spring from a pen, these can be secured together and safety pinned to any location desired.

Of course they can also be carried in a wallet, or wherever you’d like, just beware of butt sweat and moisture if you have the standard steel set.

Notes

We’d like to thank SerePick for providing these Bogota Entry toolsets for testing, and you can believe these sets will be put through the ringer. Thus far with the standard set we’ve had for a few months, there hasn’t been a lock we’ve been unable to pick, including the tough-as-nails American 5200 Security Padlock.

We encourage everyone reading this article to get involved with lock picking as a skill set through various lock sport groups such as Toool and Lock Sport International. There’s a large community out there of people who understand the value of this skill-set and also like to have fun picking locks.

Update: The Bogota Toolsets are now available here in the ITS Tactical Store!

Here’s the Lock Sport code of ethics, which sums things up nicely:

“You may only pick locks you own or those you have been given explicit permission to pick.”

Lock sport is an honest, ethical, and legitimate hobby. Unfortunately, the whole world hasn’t figured that out yet (though we’re working on it!). Because the lay person has a tendency to perceive what we do as somehow nefarious, it is extra important that we commit to following a strict code of ethics. For this reason, the above credo is non-negotiable in the locksport community. Lockpicking should never, ever be used for illegal or even questionable purposes. Please do not misuse this information. We assume no responsibility for your actions, and in no way condone immoral activity. Help keep locksport fun for all by following strictly the one rule.