How to Open a Lock with a Paperclip

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1. 1
   Unfold your first jumbo paperclip into your lock pick. In order to do this, unfold a large edge of your paperclip twice until a straight portion juts out.
   
   

   

   • Some locksmiths also put a tiny upward bend into the tip of the pick. This is to depress the pins inside the lock, but is not strictly necessary.
     
     
     
2. 2
   Unfold your second jumbo paperclip to make your tension wrench. Your tension wrench will be what you turn the lock with; you'll apply pressure to the lock with your second paperclip while you pick the lock with your first paperclip.
   
   

   

   • There are several ways to make a tension wrench out of a paperclip:
     
   • Unfold an edge of your paperclip until a straight portion sticks out at a 90° angle. This is a basic tension wrench that is workable but not ideal.
     
     
     
   • Take out both bends in the jumbo paperclip until two straight wires meet at a curve at the end. Press the curved end down with a wrench. Make a 90° bend in the curved end that's about 1 cm long.
     
     
     
3. 3
   Insert your tension wrench into the bottom of the keyhole, applying rotational pressure to one side. A small amount of pressure is essential while you're picking the lock.
   
   

   

   • If you know which way the lock turns in order to open, turn the tension wrench in that direction. If you don't know what direction the lock opens, guess to one side; on the first shot, you'll have a 50/50 chance of opening the lock.
     
     
     
   • If you have a sensitive touch, you can also feel which way the lock opens by turning with the tension wrench. Turn clockwise first, then counter-clockwise. You'll feel slightly less pressure when the wrench turns the right direction.
     
     
     
4. 4
   Keeping pressure on the tension wrench, insert the pick into the upper part of the keyhole and begin "raking." Raking is when you insert your pick to the back of the keyhole and remove it quickly while jiggling the pick upward. Do this a couple times to potentially set a few pins.
   
   

   
5. 5
   Keeping pressure on the tension wrench, try to locate the pins inside the keyhole using your pick. Most American locks will have at least five pins that you'll need to set in order to open the lock.
   
   

   
6. 6
   One by one, and starting at the back of the keyhole, depress the pins. While doing, be sure to apply rotational pressure to your tension wrench. You should feel a slight give when you set the pins to their unlocked position, or even a slight clicking sound.
   
   

   

   • Experienced lock pickers can do this in what looks like one swift motion, but inexperienced pickers will need to use more deliberate motions to set each pin.
     
     
     
7. 7
   Applying more and more pressure with the tension wrench, jiggle the pick until each pin unlocks. When you hear a snap or click, be sure to rotate the tension wrench to unlock the lock.
   
   

   
8. 8
   Finished.