3 ms·

I'm curious about the specifics. From my experience, picking a normal lock works very much the same as using a key; you're just relying on the fact that the ins

I'm curious about the specifics. From my experience, picking a normal lock works very much the same as using a key; you're just relying on the fact that the inside of the lock is the same "shape" as the key to put the tumblers in the correct location.

nullc 6y ago
Normal lockpicking technique has you put tension on the lock so that (ideally) one pin is under sheer and the rest are free. You use your tool to push the binding one to the position allows the cylinder to turn slightly then move to the next. So this usually leaves marks on the pins than you can see if you take the lock apart. Usually while picking you'll also scratch up the pins and keyway in a way that a key won't. You can also end up with the pins a bit cockeyed. You can also turn it in directions that it can't turn with the key in it, and on some cylinders you can turn it the wrong way and have all the pins fall out! You in many locks you can also end up with it 'locked open' where you have to pick it again to be able to get a key into it. I think in the incident I mentioned the cylinder was left in slightly askew which made it feel odd to insert the key. I'm not sure if someone who hadn't picked a lock before would have recognized something was unusual just from the feel.
- SAI_Peregrinus 6y ago
  If you know what you're doing when picking you shouldn't be leaving externally visible marks for most locks (though heavy tension with a loose bottom-of-the-keyway or improperly-sized top-of-the-keyway tension tool will mark the lock). And it's pretty easy to re-lock the lock afterwards to be identical to a lock that's never been picked. Of course you can take a lock apart and examine the pins & chambers for signs of picking, but that is a bit extreme if you don't suspect it. So while it is possible to leave external signs of picking, it's not necessary, and often indicates something went wrong with picking.
  - nullc 6y ago
    Right. But when stuff goes missing there is a big and insurance relevant question if the stuff was taken by someone with authorized access or someone who broke in... having a locksmith disassemble and inspect the lock is useful. Maybe extremely careful picking would pass, but at least my efforts always mark up the pins. :) Compromises in electronic locks tend to be a lot cleaner.

nullc 6y ago

Normal lockpicking technique has you put tension on the lock so that (ideally) one pin is under sheer and the rest are free. You use your tool to push the binding one to the position allows the cylinder to turn slightly then move to the next. So this usually leaves marks on the pins than you can see if you take the lock apart. Usually while picking you'll also scratch up the pins and keyway in a way that a key won't. You can also end up with the pins a bit cockeyed. You can also turn it in directions that it can't turn with the key in it, and on some cylinders you can turn it the wrong way and have all the pins fall out! You in many locks you can also end up with it 'locked open' where you have to pick it again to be able to get a key into it. I think in the incident I mentioned the cylinder was left in slightly askew which made it feel odd to insert the key. I'm not sure if someone who hadn't picked a lock before would have recognized something was unusual just from the feel.

SAI_Peregrinus 6y ago
If you know what you're doing when picking you shouldn't be leaving externally visible marks for most locks (though heavy tension with a loose bottom-of-the-keyway or improperly-sized top-of-the-keyway tension tool will mark the lock). And it's pretty easy to re-lock the lock afterwards to be identical to a lock that's never been picked. Of course you can take a lock apart and examine the pins & chambers for signs of picking, but that is a bit extreme if you don't suspect it. So while it is possible to leave external signs of picking, it's not necessary, and often indicates something went wrong with picking.
- nullc 6y ago
  Right. But when stuff goes missing there is a big and insurance relevant question if the stuff was taken by someone with authorized access or someone who broke in... having a locksmith disassemble and inspect the lock is useful. Maybe extremely careful picking would pass, but at least my efforts always mark up the pins. :) Compromises in electronic locks tend to be a lot cleaner.