Designed by a professional locksmith, this versatile tool lock pick instrument will save you time and frustration in an emergency. Just a slight twist of the knurled knob deploys the retractable, spring-loaded steel pick and releases the tension wrench. Use it to open tool boxes, file cabinets, padlocks, equipment locks and more. The lightweight aluminum alloy body is 4 1/4″L and fits nicely in your toolbox.

While the basic lock picking tools can be purchased for less than a dollar and fit in your wallet behind a credit card, it is a good idea to invest in high-quality individual picks and rakes from reputable manufacturers such as Peterson, Sparrows, Multipick or SouthOrd. This way, you can get the best tool for the job at hand.

Lock Pick Tools: The Essentials for Aspiring Locksmiths

The most important thing to remember when selecting a pick is that no pick works as well for everyone or all locks. The variables of the lock at hand, including pin heights, tolerances and ‘biting’ (lock picking terminology for when a pin becomes locked in) will dictate which pick you use. Swapping between 17 different picks can be frustrating for beginners as each one gives you a slightly different feedback on how the lock is responding.

One of the most popular picks for beginner is a snake rake which, as its name suggests, is used to rake the pins by rapidly sliding the pick through all the pin stacks, bouncing them up and down until a binding pin appears. Advanced rakes are also available which are shaped to mimic various pin height key positions and make the raking process considerably easier.