Because of the different key pin lengths, the driver pins cross the shear line, making it impossible for the plug to rotate. In the diagram above, there’s no key in the plug. So you have an idea of how the pins look in action, here's a gif of me inserting a pick into a see-through practice lock: Pins are also sometimes referred to as "binding pins." Above each key pin is a driver pin that’s spring-loaded. They’re called key pins because they touch the key when you insert a key into the plug. The holes contain key pins (colored red) of different lengths. On top of the plug, a series of five or six holes are drilled. When the proper key is inserted into the plug, the plug can rotate, thus unlocking the lock. The small gap between the outer casing and the plug is called the shear line. Pin tumbler locks consist of an outer cylindrical casing (colored green) in which a plug is housed. Here’s the anatomy of most run-of-the-mill pin tumbler locks: Basically most of the world is using a technology that’s been around for a century and a half to keep their most prized possessions safe and secure. The design that is used in most cylinder locks – like the one on your front door - has been around since 1861 and it hasn’t changed much. Of course, it’s gotten more complex over the millennia. The design of the basic pin tumbler lock has been in use since 4000 BC. You don’t really need to understand how a basic pin tumbler locks work to successfully pick them, but it does help. If you get really into lock picking, you can actually go to events and contests to test your skills against other lock pickers. It’s also a fun little hobby and something I like to do when I’m taking breaks from work or hanging out with the kids while they do their kid thing on the carpet. The idea that I can surreptitiously enter most doors without a key makes me feel all-powerful, like some sort of super ninja-spy. Of all the Jason Bourne-esque skills every man wishes he had, it’s one of the most attainable. It’s cool and fun skill! There’s simply a “cool” factor of knowing how to pick a lock. So why wouldn’t you do that if you could? But picking a lock just takes a few seconds and doesn’t leave any damage. Could they have kicked the door down or broken a window? Sure. ITS Tactical has highlighted a few instances in which someone picked their way into an older parent’s home because they weren’t answering the phone, only to find their parent collapsed on the floor. Knowing how to pick a lock may even help you save a life one day. Plus, you can help out all your friends when they get locked out too. Wouldn’t you love to be able to jimmy your way in yourself? Not only can this skill save you a lot of time and money, being able to solve a problem like that on your own is pretty dang satisfying. If you’ve ever been locked out of your house or car, you know how annoying it is to be standing there like a chump, waiting for someone to show up with a key or a professional locksmith to arrive. Terrifying because I saw that someone could easily enter my house and walk off with a crap-load of stuff without having to break a window heartwarming because seeing how easy it is to pick a lock and yet how rarely people get burgled, made me realize that most people don’t break into homes because, well, most people are good people. Realizing how little locks actually keep you and your stuff safe was both terrifying and surprisingly heartwarming. You need to utilize other tools and tactics and create multiple layers of security. You can’t just rely on a lock to keep you and your family safe. If they didn’t know how to do that, they could find another way in. Locks make us feel safe, but if someone really wanted to get in your house, they could easily pick the lock on your front door. After I picked my first lock within two minutes of learning how to do it, I realized that locks don’t really do much except provide the illusion of security. Lock picking opens your eyes to the “illusion of security.” We all lock our doors to keep our loved ones safe at night and to secure our possessions during the day. There are a few good reasons why law-abiding citizens should learn how to pick a lock: Some of you might be thinking, “Brett, why should I learn how to pick a lock if I don’t plan on breaking into people’s homes?”
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