How to pick locks – are you stumped when you see a warded lock’s weird-looking keyhole? This guide has the answer.
A lot of lock pickers are very proficient with locks that have pin-tumbler mechanisms. This is because they’re commonly used so it makes sense to know how to defeat it. However, a lot of people are totally disregarding warded locks. Usually, they don’t want to have anything to do with these locks because they’re intimidated. After all, one look at its unique keyhole is enough to send the uninformed away.
The first thing that you have to know is it’s very easy to learn how to pick locks that are warded. This is because they offer very little security even back in the 18th century when lock picking is not that widespread. It was considered an art form back then and this is the reason for its popularity. So why is it still popular now? It’s because they’re very cheap. Also, it’s not susceptible to jamming because it offers protection from dirt.
Instead of having pins or levers like the other locks, warded locks have protrusions inside the lock itself or “wards”. It’s like there’s a maze inside and you would need to have the right key so it can be inserted fully and open the lock.
So now that you know that they offer very little security, it’s time for you to learn how to pick a lock that is warded.
The simplest way to do it is to buy a warded lock pick set! You can buy a set for around $10. A good set has 5 picks and each one of them works on different warded locks. These picks are also called “skeleton keys” because they are like normal warded lock keys. But they’re stripped to the bones, so to speak. Instead of having a lot of cuts, they just have a few and this makes it easier to avoid the wards inside so you can turn the key freely.
If you have this lock pick set, choose one and insert it all the way in. Now turn it clockwise or counter-clockwise depending on the lock and if it doesn’t open, move on to the next pick. It’s that simple. Experience will tell you later on which pick to use for a lock.
But it’s important to note that mere possession of lock picking tools is illegal in some areas so buying them can be a problem. What if you have a personal warded lock that you want to pick on? You can make your own homemade skeleton keys. You can use any type of used key and just file it down to specifications. You need to know how warded lock picks look like so you can copy them.
You only need to take care of the tips of the keys’ blades. Two picks should have four protrusions with two facing each other on each side. The difference between the two picks is the distance between the two groups of protrusions.
You should also make two picks with two protrusions directly on the other side of each other. Make one pick bigger than the other one. Finally, make one with a hook at around a 75 degree angle.
Picking a warded lock is all about having the right tools. Once you have them, you just need to find the one that works for a specific lock.
The first thing that you have to know is it’s very easy to learn how to pick locks that are warded. This is because they offer very little security even back in the 18th century when lock picking is not that widespread. It was considered an art form back then and this is the reason for its popularity. So why is it still popular now? It’s because they’re very cheap. Also, it’s not susceptible to jamming because it offers protection from dirt.
Instead of having pins or levers like the other locks, warded locks have protrusions inside the lock itself or “wards”. It’s like there’s a maze inside and you would need to have the right key so it can be inserted fully and open the lock.
So now that you know that they offer very little security, it’s time for you to learn how to pick a lock that is warded.
The simplest way to do it is to buy a warded lock pick set! You can buy a set for around $10. A good set has 5 picks and each one of them works on different warded locks. These picks are also called “skeleton keys” because they are like normal warded lock keys. But they’re stripped to the bones, so to speak. Instead of having a lot of cuts, they just have a few and this makes it easier to avoid the wards inside so you can turn the key freely.
If you have this lock pick set, choose one and insert it all the way in. Now turn it clockwise or counter-clockwise depending on the lock and if it doesn’t open, move on to the next pick. It’s that simple. Experience will tell you later on which pick to use for a lock.
But it’s important to note that mere possession of lock picking tools is illegal in some areas so buying them can be a problem. What if you have a personal warded lock that you want to pick on? You can make your own homemade skeleton keys. You can use any type of used key and just file it down to specifications. You need to know how warded lock picks look like so you can copy them.
You only need to take care of the tips of the keys’ blades. Two picks should have four protrusions with two facing each other on each side. The difference between the two picks is the distance between the two groups of protrusions.
You should also make two picks with two protrusions directly on the other side of each other. Make one pick bigger than the other one. Finally, make one with a hook at around a 75 degree angle.
Picking a warded lock is all about having the right tools. Once you have them, you just need to find the one that works for a specific lock.
