Content

• Part 2 of 2: Opening the Lock
• Tips
• Warnings

1 Prepare the materials you need. The greater honor of things for opening the castle is not difficult to get. You really only need three things. Staples: one as a lock pick and the other as a tensioner, plus pliers to bend them into the correct shape.

• Two large paper clips. One as a lock pick and the other as a tensioner. The size is not so important, but the paper clip should be thin enough to fit through the keyhole and long enough so that you can insert it into the lock, hold the tip and turn it.
• Use a pair of pliers to bend the staples. So it will be easier to do it than with your hands.

2 Unfold the first paper clip for the lock pick. To do this, unfold the large end of the paperclip twice so that the straight end protrudes. You will insert it into the lock and use it as a lockpick.

• Some locksmiths also add a slight upward bend at the end of the pick. It is needed in order to press the pins in the lock; it is not necessary to do it.

3 Make a tensioner. Unfold both folds on a large paperclip so that there are two straight pieces with a bend at the end. Press on this end. Make a 90 ° bend about 1 cm long.

• You can also unfold the end of the paper clip so that the straight section is at a 90 ° angle. This is the easiest tensioner to work with, but not perfect.

Part 2 of 2: Opening the Lock

1. 1 Insert the tensioner into the bottom of the keyhole. This location is called the cut line. You need to apply force at this point with the tensioner, turning it (in the direction that the lock opens).
   • It will probably take several tries to find the right strength. If you attach too much, you will bend the paperclip. If too little, there is not enough pressure to open the lock.
2. 2 Rotate the tensioner in the direction that the lock opens. The task becomes more difficult if you do not know which way to turn, but it is important to rotate it in the right direction. There are a couple of ways to check the lock and find out which way the key should turn.
   • If you know which way to turn the lock to open it, rotate the tensioner in that direction. If you don't know the direction of rotation, then just try to guess. Your chances of opening the lock the first time are 50/50.
   • If you have sensitive hands, you can feel which way the lock opens by rotating the tensioner. Turn it clockwise first and then counterclockwise. You will feel a little less resistance when you rotate the tensioner in the right direction.
3. 3 Insert the pick into the top of the keyhole and comb through. This is a movement in which you need to insert the pick to the end of the keyhole and quickly pull it out, pushing it up. A couple of these passes will likely put multiple pins in place.
   • Maintain tension on the tensioner while doing this. Otherwise, you will not be able to open the lock.
   • Fast doesn't mean you need to pull the pick, but you need to move fast enough for the movement to be smooth. Again, you will need to feel this. That is why very few people manage to open the lock the first time.
4. 4 Find the pins inside the lock. While maintaining pressure on the tensioner, use a pick to locate the pins in the keyhole. Most American locks have at least five pins that you will need to put in place to open the lock.
   • You will feel the pins under the pick as you insert it. This will help you understand where you need to click on them.
5. 5 Press down on the pins. Make sure that you are applying force when rotating the tensioner when you press down on the pins. You will feel that the lock is giving a little when you bring the pin to the open position; even a slight click is possible.
   • Experienced craftsmen do it in such a way that it seems like it is one smooth movement. But less experienced people have to be more careful to get each pin in place.
6. 6 Rock each pin until it opens. While applying more pressure from the tensioner, rock the pin until it is in the open position. When you hear a click, be sure to turn the tensioner to open the lock.

Tips

• If you have a hairpin, use it better. The flattened shape of the stud allows for more pressure.
• Quite often it is possible to open only the lock of the inner door. It all depends on the age of the castle.

Warnings

• You can be charged with a felony for picking a lock if you do it unlawfully.