Having the right lock picking tools is what separates a real professional locksmith from someone who just cuts keys. 🔐 Understanding your lock picking tools — what they are, how they work, and when to use them — is essential for professional locksmith work. Here is your complete guide to every lock picking tool you need.
🔓 Understanding Lock Picking Basics
Lock picking works by manipulating the pins inside a lock cylinder to the shear line without the original key. The two fundamentals are:
- Tension (torque) — apply rotational pressure to the cylinder with a tension wrench
- Pick movement — manipulate pins to the shear line one by one or all at once
Every pick technique builds on these two principles.
🪝 Hook Picks
Hook picks are the most precise tools for Single Pin Picking (SPP) — the gold standard technique.
- Short hook — for shallow-set pins in everyday locks
- Medium hook — the most versatile all-around pick
- Deep hook (Offset hook) — for security pins and tight keyways
- Hook 7 / Deforest diamond — for high-security cylinders
💡 SPP with a hook takes more time but is far less damaging to the lock.
📷 Add a photo here — hook picks laid out showing different sizes
⚡ Rake Picks
Rake picks are designed to quickly manipulate multiple pins at once. Ideal when speed matters more than precision.
- Snake/S-rake — most common, works on many standard locks
- City rake (Bogota) — triple peak design, very fast on basic locks
- Offset rake — for locks with tighter keyways
- Worm rake — excellent on low-security padlocks
🔧 Tension Wrenches (Turning Tools)
Tension wrenches are just as important as picks — the right tension is everything.
- Top of keyway (TOK) — preferred for most picking techniques
- Bottom of keyway (BOK) — better for some high-security locks
- Peanut tension — for very tight keyways
- Heavy vs. light tension — use lightest effective tension for best results
💎 Dimple Lock Picks
Dimple locks (used in Abloy, Evva, and some Mul-T-Lock cylinders) require specialized picks:
- Dimple picks — with side-mounted pins instead of top pins
- Ball picks — for sidebar locks
- Rotating disc detainer picks — for disc detainer lock designs
Dimple lock picking is an advanced specialty that commands premium rates.
📷 Add a photo here — dimple picks and specialty lock pick tools
⚡ Electric Pick Guns (EPG)
Electric pick guns vibrate pins rapidly, allowing quick entry on many standard locks.
- Snap guns — manual version, less expensive
- Electric pick guns — faster and more consistent
Best for: older residential and commercial locks. Not effective on high-security or dimple locks.
📦 Building Your Pick Kit
- 🟢 Starter kit (20–32 pieces): $30 – $80
- 🟡 Professional kit (50–100 pieces): $80 – $200
- 🟠 High-security specialty picks: $100 – $500+
Recommended brands: Sparrows, Peterson, Multipick, Bonzai.
🏆 Master Your Picks, Master Your Craft
Understanding your tools is the first step. The second step is practice — a lot of it. Pick as many different locks as you can get your hands on. Each lock teaches you something new. 🔓