How To Pick A Lock With Hairpins
- Posted on 05 March, 2014
- Hair Accessories
- By Anonymous
Lock picking is as old as locks themselves, and is enjoyed as a hobby and practical skill worldwide. While it has been tainted in many people's minds as something only done by criminals, it is in fact a skill that could very well save your life if kidnapped, as well as saving hundreds of dollars in locksmithing costs to open things for which the key has been lost. Criminals and thieves are far more likely to break a window and in other ways use force to open things rather than trouble with the delicate, and many times lengthy method of picking.
Practice locks can be purchased here (this is an affiliate link): http://ebay.to/1KVqCuU
Practice locks such as the one used in this video can be found for sale online with little searching, but all that is really necessary to practice is a simple padlock. Practicing lock picking should only be done on a lock that is not essential to some purpose, as it is possible to damage a lock if done incorrectly. It of course should also not be done on a lock that does not belong to you, as doing so is likely illegal.
AllTimeNumbers has collaborated with me for this video and has released their own video to go along with it: The CIA in Numbers. You can check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHzcMEX... #NightHawkInLight
This video will show how a standard pin and tumbler lock can be picked with hair pins. Just like it's been done in nearly every spy movie ever made. The first thing we need to learn is how these locks work in a pin and tumbler lock like this, which is the most common type of lock in use. Today, a series of pins cut at different lengths prevent the barrel of the lock from turning. Unless each pin is pressed up to the exact right height, the grooves cut into the key are a unique match. Lifting each pin just enough for a split in their center to align with the edge of the lock's barrel, allowing it to turn to open this lock. Without the key, i need to make two simple tools: the actual pick that i will use to manipulate the pins and also a small lever that will allow me to apply rotational pressure to the barrel. To begin with, the pick a hairpin is bent open until the ends are about 90 degrees apart, the bit of rubber on the straight side of the pin needs to be removed, which is pretty easily done with your teeth. If there are no tools present, the end of the pick now needs a slight bend which can be done by pushing it into the lock itself and applying pressure like so. The last improvement that can be made is to bend the other half of the hairpin into a bit of a handle which will make the pick a lot easier to control now, making the lever that will turn the lock is extremely simple and just involves bending a Pin as shown so, it can be inserted into the keyhole, causing pressure on the arm to translate into rotational force on the lock. Now we're ready to actually begin picking and our lever is inserted into the lower side of the keyhole, leaving enough room for the pick to be inserted above. The first step is to put tension on the lever with one hand, so that the barrel of the lock is under pressure to turn. It of course, cannot turn because the pins are in the way and cause the barrel to seize, but it's precisely this friction between the pins and the barrel that i'll be taking advantage of keeping tension on the barrel. The pick is inserted, and the first thing to notice is that, even though the lock is under pressure, some of the pins still move up and down freely because of inherent imperfections in all locks. Only one or two pins will ever bind against the barrel. At the same time, for now, the pins that easily raise and fall can be ignored and our focus should be on. Finding one that is currently seized. Seized pins can be identified by one at a time feeling each pin with the end of the pick pressing them up slightly and letting them fall again. When we find a seized pin, it will behave differently being much harder to push up than the rest. Assuming you are keeping constant pressure on the lever this whole time, once the first seized pin is found, which just happens to be the third pin in this lock. It is very slowly and carefully forced upwards. Eventually, the split in the seized pin will align with the edge of the barrel and there should be an audible click. The click is the sound of the barrel, suddenly being allowed to rotate forward very slightly before hitting and seizing on one of the other pins. Since the barrel has been allowed to slightly rotate, it prevents the pin we just worked on from falling and, at the same time, a new seized pin has been created which can be identified and treated the same as the first as each seized pin is successively identified By feeling it with the end of the pick and the tension on it is released by aligning its gap with the edge of the barrel. It causes one of the remaining pins to then become seized until every pin has finally been aligned, and the lock opens. If, once you believe, every pin has been dealt with, you find that the lock still does not open, there's a good chance that one of the pins was pressed too high and its gap is above the edge of the lock's barrel. If this happens, there's a chance that reducing the tension on the lever will cause the offending pin to fall into alignment and allow the lock to open, but it may also allow other pins to fall which could require starting over. In this video i used a transparent practice lock, so you could see what i'm doing on camera, and there are a number of other practice locks like this. That can be purchased online. For this skill to be of any use in a real situation, though, it's important to be able to identify and adjust, seized, pins by feel and sound alone, as real locks don't usually come with transparent sides. Both of the tools that i made in this video could also potentially be formed out of a single hairpin by breaking it in half, but doing so would not leave enough extra to bend a handle for the pick and would also result in a lever. Only half as long because of these things, using an individual pin for each tool, as i demonstrated here, is far easier than trying to use just one, but it is possible with enough practice. This project was made in part as a collaboration with all time numbers who have made their own video to go along with this one. All time numbers is a brand new channel from all time, tens with quite a few great videos out already you can check them out by clicking on the icon on screen now or through the link in the video description below. If you'd like to see more of my own videos, you can find them on my youtube channel, nighthawk and light thanks for watching you.
Comments
NightHawkInLight: There is a lot to see on my channel! Take a look at some of my newer videos, like how I rediscover a lost super-material (Starlite): https://youtu.be/aqR4_UoBIzY Or check out how I run a gasoline engine on firewood: https://youtu.be/522BaxM0Jnk
Duke Nukhem: Man being able to pick locks has really opened a lot of doors for me.
It's The Sun: I used to work at a bank. When my boss was first showing me around he pointed out some filing cabinets and I almost told him how easy it is to pick the locks on those things. Fortunately, I realized soon enough that you probably don't want to tell your new boss about some of the skills you've picked up
bakeology bakery: I was freaking out. You literally helped me so much. Bless you
Summer Rose: We locked ourselves out of our apartment today and this video saved our butts. My boyfriend now thinks I'm a wizard. Thanks!
BinkieMcFartnuggets: People say I look stupid with all these pins in my hair, but I don't look so stupid when I'm in their bedroom staring at them while they're sleeping!
Barbara Bayer: Wow, this was fantastic. I picked my very first lock and with two bobby pins! Thank you. It's a very freeing feeling, and I don't mean that literally.
Rawr 🦖: Guy in video: *Calmly picking the lock* Me: *sporadically trying to pick my moms door lock to get my devices*
LabGorilla: Thank you man. Took a bit of practice but managed to unpick a lock for an elderly relative who had lost their key and locked themselves out. Saved her and me a tonne of money!
Xiaonan Wang: locked out of my bedroom at 10pm, locksmith charged $60, found this video, went down to supermarket to buy hair pin, tried to pick bedroom door, not working; used storage room door to practice, spoiled the lock, midnight, locksmith charged $90 per lock. Best day of my life.
RimstarOrg: Very clearly explained! You never know when this will come in handy. I know I've had to break into my place at least once :).
A Dog: Great video, it’s a whole lot better than some other videos. You actually explain what you have to look for when you are picking a lock.
Martin Taylor: Thanks for the help! My partner accidentally locked us out of the bedroom in our old flat and it was opened up in about ten minutes after. Much appreciated!
Ruby Luisa: i’ve done it & i’m more proud of myself for picking a lock than anything i’ve ever done
Denise Barbour: Thank you for this video! My daughter was locked out of her house and I was able to get her back in thanks to this video! You saved the day
Scott A. Osborn: This is wonderful thank you! My profession calls me to learn this skill as we’ve acquired a new building and have no keys to many of the doors. Obviously I need to find one of these clear practice locks. Thanks again for the excellent instruction!
john doe: This was the best lock picking video I have ever seen. I like the quality of you videos. I had to watch this one without sound because you go so slowly through the technique and illustrations with how the hair pins should be shaped and how to insert the two pieces into the lock. It deserved a second silent observation through the video ! Thank you very much !
Cube: Thanks for the video! I love having a special skill even if I’m not going to use it!
Paul Tibbals: I taught myself to pick locks with paper clips. The first time I used purpose made lock picks it seemed almost too easy.
Rob Gavagan: This was AWESOME!
DSNugent91: Been watching lpl / bb for a nice while and have started to discover more channels like yourself recently. I ordered a pick set and practice locks but got fed up waiting so today I taught I'd try your bobby pin pick set up. I managed to get it done after a hour or so of trying and filing down the pick. It's only a 3 pin lock but either way I'm still chuffed with myself, I now know the binding order of said lock and can now pick it in a few mins. Thank you so much for videos and clear explanation. Subscribed!.
Gerhard van Eeden: Awesome video! Excellent explanation. Thank you!
A Piece Of Brocolli: i actually learned when i got my first filing cabinet using a street sweeper blade as the torque wrench and a paperclip that i bent a double-u into the tip, it's a life saving skill that i think everyone should know.
Shining Sky: Thank you very much! Great and very clear instructional video!
A Twogun: Great explanation of binding and how to pick a lock!
Colin Haney: Thanks, this is a very thorough explanation, similar videos have always left me confused.
Liyou Sorenson: This video: Explains it carefully how to do it The other video I watched: *Shoves 2 pins into the lock then starts violently shaking them* Both methods work, but I believe this one is much quieter.
Pfin8: I was so pleased to add a lock to my jewelry drawer and was trying it out only to forget I left the keys in the drawer. I locked it and felt like an idiot immediately. This video helped me unlock it within 4 min, I didn’t even finish watching. Thank you so much for this excellent video.
Comixmunkey: Your lock picking skill has increased.
Diana Zerpa: Thank you!!! So easy doing it with your explanation!
Jennifer: This is the best lock video. I was easily able to open my mailbox using this technique. I couldn’t get the end of the bobby-pin off, but it still worked for me.
John Wang: I always found it ironic that these transparent practice lock needs to be held in a table vice for you to use both hands when learning how to pick. The problem with lockpicking is learning how far in each pin is. The Lishi tool gives you a guide as to where the pins are.
Decrete: I actually just did this on my door and another locked door in the house. Took me a while but I slowly got the idea and was able to unlock them both :^)
Landon Uyehara: This helped me a lot, thanks. I now have four more houses
Fred Bureau-Russell: I really liked your video about the fork as well as this one you did a really good job thank you for taking so much time and effort these videos rock So do you
Samantha Ko: Thank you so much for this! It worked! ❤️
chanln: Many thanks for the very precise video, it's really helpful for us to unlock our bedroom door. Thanks
LinkZG: Thank you so much! Can confirm, it even worked on my neighbours house!
mastercole 1987: This is a good way to see if you like lockpicking as well, or if you cannot afford your own, I find it fun and could tinker with locks and lockpicks for a good while since they fascinate me and I have no clue why.
MR GAMING YT 3052: Bro seriously I opened a lock in just 10 seconds with my eyes closed just because of you . Cheers
Hoang-Quan Pham: Thanks for this excellent video. I bought a Sony BVM TV that had extra settings buttons locked inside compartments and the key was long lost to access them. All it took was bobby pins and 1 hour of trying and tadah! Done!
Mira No donnacha: I have lost all my spare keys ,so this is handy to know because I have been locked out of my home a few times at night and it's very daunting when that happens if you have nowhere else to stay for the night! I'm gonnat practice this for emergency!,s Thanks for the tip!
pocket83: That was the most clear explanation possible. I am pretty sure that I could pull it off now, if I try. ...but I wonder if most locks use five tumblers.
Mihail Paleologu: You saved my job! Accidentally left keys in the cashier box at work :)
Dana Knotts: Wow! This technique worked like a charm! This morning I locked myself out of my bedroom, which has a very old lock! I prayed, used this technique, and I was in, in less than 5 mins! Thank You!!!
Altair Garden: Thanks to this video I managed to open the lock of my mailbox after my mother lost the key. I eventually found the key 6 months later, it had been sitting in the pocket of a winter coat that had been stored and forgotten in the wardrobe during the warm season.
Sinan Akkoyun: This is THE BEST tutorial, thanks, Hawk!
Sue Duncan: It worked! My kid accidentally locked herself in a room that we don't have a key for. She was freed in less that 5 minutes!
Absent Graph: i can say that this totally works!lost my room key with all my stuff in there and managed to unlock it with 2 pins
현아: Thank you sooooo much! I managed to open my bicycle lock!
Heidi Bird Music: I love this! I never quite fully understood how lockpicking works until now. I'm dying to try this on my front door!
electronicsNmore: I have a bunch of locksmith tools, some bought, some I made. I always enjoyed the challenge of picking locks. Good Video.
Parker York: Thank you so much this helped so much I just picked a lock to our family safe that had all of our personal information
beepa boopy: My mom used to tell me Son it doesn't matter what u become in life as long as ur good at it So i became a thief
Lindsey Damon: This totally works! My neighbor was so impressed he even called the cops over to help throw a housewarming party at my new house....hahaha
Bish Slapper: Thank you very much for your educational video, after I master the technique I can get work easier and get much more money than before
Household Hacker: Excellent job!
yourewelcomerenato: This video totally saved me when I lost the key to my hostel locker which had my passport in it
Amal Sujith: Thank you so much, your video really helped me today ❤️
Firefox: Nice, I did this with paperclips, and it worked to! It is a bit harder tho, since the paperclip bends easily.
DigitzFPS: Worked perfectly thank you. Saved over $100
Isaiah Garcia: This vid was actually so helpful thanks for saving my life
Tony Rice but with a hangover: I was bored and I figured I needed a new skill so I watched this. Thank you.
Missy: It worked!!! Opened the kitchen cabinet we lost the key to! So glad this video was still up
Undie: man you are amazing i just open a door we lost the key to months ago with this video, and cant replace the lock but now we can thank you :D
Walking Skin: Always try to over extend all the pins so the whole pin in above the line.
mortic0n: omg I just picked an old lock that i found in my tool drawer that was lock and I have absolutely no key for, this was such a treat thanks!!!!
NGU Fitness Motivation: Literally used this and within 5 seconds was able to pick my daughters hanging door mirror lock. She had this for 3 days, locked it and lost the keys ☆☆☆☆☆
Bennett Moncrief: If the round tip is metal, use rough sandpaper, it helps a lot
Luisk: Thanks, I now have a new bike. ❤️
Wade K: Thank you, got into my lock box after I lost my keys.
Rudra Mishra: Thanks a lot. I asked pins from my neighbor, and now, I can go inside my home!
Derpsterio29: I've been told it doesn't really matter too much how much tension you use, what matters is what type of tension you use
nobody nose: For anyone who gets a bobby pin stuck in a lock: use the other one and push it in above the stuck one, and then wiggle it around whilest pulling on the stuck one and eventually it comes free
ChrisMorray: As someone with a regular fear of forgetting my keys or grabbing the wrong ones, knowing this makes me feel a lot better. I've seen videos of it yet never got how the pins would stay up. Now with the context of the tension applied to it and the seized pin being the only one you should move I feel like I get the theory. Thank you for the clarity.
MadRobin4: Hot damn dignity,I did it!! I unlocked a cubicle file drawer using this video. Thank you!
Yan Yan: Thanks m8. Grandma lost her keys of her strongbox and this helped me open it for her today on mother's day. Cheers!
JessicaJoy Fife: Oh Hallelujah this worked!! Your descriptions were excellent I was able to access my medications that I urgently needed. I have lost my whole set of keys and this was a life saver
Jennifer: It worked! I was able to open my mailbox after being locked out for 2 weeks!! Thanks!!!! :D
OJ’s Bloody Glove: I need to watch this just in case my life turns into a James Bond movie
Pink Giraffe: We literally had a lock on the lights in our school changing rooms for some reason and my friend could always pick it with hairpins lol.
S J: Great I've never seen it demonstrated like this before with a transparent lock .
Purple Moon: I can,t belive this is openly shared on youtube lol. Thanks, I can now practice being a real life rogue. Or escape if I get kidnapped.
Tiny grin: It's amazing man thank you so much thanks a lot. It helps me a lot. ❤️❤️✨
Insanedeath6: Users who watched this also watched: How to wear a Ski mask Comfortably. How to Disable House alarms
ReTroMagic: It’s cold af and i just wanna play my game. Thanks to this guy
PacificOcean: One way to do it with one hair pin is to pin is to insert it and wiggle the pin until the all seized pins have been found by luck, and turning the barrel when you think it's correct.
oroku 5aki: Thank you for your video I managed to unlock a window in my home we didn't have keys for
Dude: So that’s why keys have those ridges! Always thought they were just for design and hurting your thigh in your pocket.
Daym Drops: Nice! Keep up with the great videos!!
Niv Moshe: Awesome video, it also works with paperclips
Trinlu27: You sir made this look waaaay to easy.....2 weeks later and j got my first dead bolt....my own dead bolt by the way
Jorge Ganzon: Thank you soo much i have finally opened my room today after 3 hours of lock picking but it was worth it tho hahaha
Kryomatik: Saved me from breaking down or calling and paying a locksmith to open my room door.
Legendace22: was it a novice or master lock?
GuiKudoww: Was locked outside. Took me 30min with iron pins from clothes clips, thank you very much.
Xasia : Most helpful video. Thank you.
Rachel•_•B: I don’t know about anyone else but I was pushing the bobby pin that is lower to the left at first, and then I did it on the right and it worked! So just in case it’s not working for you try that :)
Kalib Sima: I just learnt how to pick and it works great. thanks man.
John Desmedt: Of all the how-to videos I have ever seen, this is the most professional, most succinct, least self aggrandizingj, best use of my time ever. No half-hour meaningless face time; no stupid camera work; no rambling. I HATE having to suffer through someone's childish attempts to be noticed. Why would someone produce something like this for free? I understood how and WHY in no time. I respect the producer.