2 ms·
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-key
by 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 agoRight. 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.