OVERVIEW
Lock picking is not just about tools and skills. It also involves a whole host of other factors which not only affect the lock but the one picking it as well. Such factors may not always be obvious, but they can play a considerable role in successfully picking a particular lock. So if you’re presently learning about lock picking and how it is carried out then the following information may be of some interest to you.
THE CONDITION OF THE LOCK
The condition of the lock plays a role in how well you can pick it. If the tumblers are weak then they may not respond to your pick, and this is because the rust or damage will prevent them from moving about consistently. On the other hand, if they are in good condition then they should move along quite easily.
So before you try to pick a lock, try see if it’s old, damaged or both. Its appearance should give you some idea of its condition and whether or not it will respond to your lock pick.
THE PRESENCE OF DIRT
A dirty keyway can sometimes prevent you from picking your lock. The presence of dust or rust can prevent even the most experienced locksmith to pick a lock. The good news, though, is that there are tools for addressing this particular problem, and they can be used to remove the dirt out of the keyway, so that you will be able to pick the lock with less trouble.
TEMPERATURE
Different temperatures have different effects on a lock, particularly those which feature springs. On a cold day, there’s a chance that the springs of the lock may freeze and thus react sluggishly to your pick. On the other hand, if the temperature is warm then the spring will respond more favorably to your pin. So if you don’t have a lot of experience picking locks, you may want to practice your skill in a warm area.
THE POSITION OF THE LOCK
Picking a lock that is mounted upside down can be very difficult. Not only will you have to adjust your position (i.e. picking the lock while upside down), it can also take a lot of time. To deal with this problem, you should practice picking an upside down lock or even sideways, as this will allow you to get used to the challenges of such a problem.
THE NATURE OF THE LOCK
Although most locks share certain similarities, they also have differences. For example, the difference between a deadbolt lock and knob lock are quite obvious, and the same may be said about their keyways to a certain extent. So if you’re going to master lock picking, be sure to practice on different types of locks.
CONCLUSION
Lock picking is not just about skill, tools or experience. It also involves factors which are not directly related to locks or keys, but which play a role in how well a person can pick a particular lock. This is why a person who wants to master lock picking as a skill, must master a certain degree of “situational awareness.”
