7 Essential Steps: How To Pick A Lock With A Bobby Pin (The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide)

Lock picking, often sensationalized in movies, is a practical skill rooted in understanding the mechanics of a simple pin tumbler lock. As of today, December 18, 2025, the technique of using a common bobby pin remains a reliable, last-resort method for individuals who find themselves locked out of their own property. This guide breaks down the process into seven essential, easy-to-follow steps, transforming two simple hair accessories into a makeshift lock pick set—a crucial skill for any true emergency.

The core concept involves simulating the action of a key using two separate tools: a custom-bent bobby pin to act as the pick, and a second pin bent into an L-shape to serve as the all-important tension wrench. Success hinges entirely on applying the correct amount of torque to the lock cylinder while individually manipulating the internal pins to align them precisely at the sheer line. This process requires patience, a light touch, and a deep understanding of the lock's internal binding order.

The Essential Kit: Preparing Your Bobby Pin Tools

Before you begin the actual lock picking process, you must first create your two specialized tools. A standard pin tumbler lock requires two separate instruments to open without a key: a pick to manipulate the internal components and a tension wrench (or torque wrench) to apply rotational force to the plug.

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1. Crafting the Tension Wrench (The "L-Tool")

The tension wrench is arguably the most critical tool, as it applies the rotational force that holds the driver pins in place once they are set. Without it, the lock will not open, and the pins will immediately drop back down.

• Select: Take your first bobby pin, preferably one with a flat, straight end.
• Bend: Unfold the pin into a straight piece of metal. Then, use a pair of pliers, a vise, or even a hard edge (like a tabletop) to create a sharp, 90-degree L-shape bend near the very end of the pin.
• Purpose: This L-shaped end will fit into the bottom of the lock's keyway, allowing you to apply light, consistent torque.

2. Creating the Pick (The "Hook")

The pick is the tool used for single pin picking (SPP)—the delicate act of lifting each individual pin to the sheer line.

• Straighten: Take the second bobby pin and completely straighten it out, ensuring it is as flat and straight as possible.
• Form the Hook: Using pliers or the edge of the lock itself, bend the very tip (about 2-3 millimeters) of the straightened pin into a small, slight hook or curve. This subtle bend is essential for catching and lifting the tiny key pins and driver pins inside the lock cylinder.
• Grip: You can wrap a small piece of electrical tape or duct tape around the opposite end of the pick for a more comfortable grip and better control.

The Single Pin Picking (SPP) Technique

Once your makeshift tools are ready, you can begin the process of manipulating the lock's internal mechanism. This technique is often referred to as single pin picking (SPP) and requires a high degree of tactile feedback, or "feel," which is developed through practice.

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3. Insert the Tension Wrench and Apply Torque

Insert the L-shaped end of your tension wrench into the bottom of the keyway. Apply a very light, constant rotational force (torque) in the direction the key would normally turn to open the lock. The tension should be minimal—think of the pressure you'd use to hold a sheet of paper without tearing it. Applying too much pressure is the most common mistake for beginners, as it binds the pins too tightly and prevents them from moving.

4. Insert the Pick and Locate the Pins

Slide your hooked pick tool into the top of the keyway, above the tension wrench. Gently move the pick back and forth until you can feel the individual pin tumblers inside the lock. In a standard lock, you will typically feel three to five sets of pins.

5. Search for the Binding Pin

Under the light torque from the tension wrench, one pin will be under slightly more pressure than the others; this is known as the binding pin. This pin is the one you must lift first. Start from the back of the lock and work your way forward, or vice versa, gently lifting each pin until you feel one that offers firm resistance.

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6. Set the Pin to the Shear Line

Using the hooked tip of your pick, gently push the binding pin upward. You are aiming to push both the key pin and the driver pin until the gap between them aligns perfectly with the sheer line—the tiny gap between the outer casing and the inner plug. When the pin is successfully set, you will feel a tiny, distinct click, and the plug will rotate a fraction of a millimeter.

Once the pin is set, the driver pin is caught on the sheer line due to the torque, allowing the plug to turn. Maintain the light tension with the wrench and immediately move on to find the next binding pin.

7. Repeat Until the Lock Opens

Continue this process—finding the new binding pin, lifting it, feeling the click, and allowing the plug to turn slightly—until all the pins have been successfully set. When the final pin is set, the lock cylinder will rotate completely, and the lock will open. If the lock does not open, you may have applied too much pressure and dropped a previously set pin, or the pins have been accidentally over-lifted.

Legal and Ethical Considerations: Know the Law

While the skill of lock picking is fascinating and useful in an emergency, it is absolutely critical to understand the legal and ethical boundaries. The general rule is simple: Only pick locks that you own or have explicit permission to pick.

Attempting to pick a lock that does not belong to you—such as a neighbor’s door, a public utility lock, or a friend’s deadbolt without their knowledge—is illegal and can result in serious criminal charges, including intent to commit a crime. This guide is intended purely for educational purposes, for hobbyists (often called "LockSport"), and for use in genuine emergency situations when you are locked out of your own home or car.

Advanced Lock Picking Entities and Troubleshooting

The bobby pin technique is generally effective only on lower-security locks, such as cheap padlocks, interior door locks, or basic wafer locks. High-security locks, which often contain advanced features like security pins (spool pins, serrated pins, or mushroom pins), are designed to defeat single pin picking and will be significantly harder or impossible to open with soft metal tools like bobby pins or paper clips.

Common Lock Picking Mistakes:

• The "Death Grip" on the Tension Wrench: Applying too much torque is the number one reason beginners fail. The tension should be just enough to catch the driver pins at the sheer line, but light enough to allow the key pins to move freely.
• Over-lifting Pins: Pushing the pin stack too high can cause the key pin to move past the sheer line, dropping the driver pin back into the plug and forcing you to start over.
• Incorrect Pick Shape: If your hook is too large, it won't fit into the keyway properly or won't be able to lift the small pins accurately. The hook should be minimal and smooth.

For those interested in pursuing the hobby further, consider purchasing a dedicated practice lock and a basic lockpick set. These professional tools offer better tactile feedback and are less prone to bending than the soft metal of a bobby pin, allowing for a more effective practice of techniques like raking and single pin picking.