Buzz
Being locked out of your house or room without a spare key can be quite inconvenient. Fortunately, you can save money on hiring a locksmith by learning how to unlock it yourself. To open a locked door, you’ll need two bobby pins (also known as hairpins) and a bit of patience. One pin will act as the lock pick, while the other will serve as the tension wrench.
Steps
Create the Lock Pick and Tension Wrench
Bend the bobby pin at a 90-degree angle. Straighten out the wavy sections and bend the bobby pin backward to form an L-shape. This bobby pin will act as the pick to unlock the door.
Remove the rubber tip from the bobby pin. Use a knife or razor blade to strip off the rubber end of the pin. This is the end you will insert into the keyhole.
- If you don’t have tools available, you can use your teeth or nails to remove it.
Insert the flat end of the bobby pin into the top of the keyhole and bend it. Push the bobby pin about 1 cm into the keyhole, then move it to the left or right until the remaining part is parallel to the door handle. This will bend the pin at an angle.
- We will use this bent end to separate the pins inside the lock.
Bend the wavy end of the bobby pin to create a handle for easier handling. Bend the wavy end at a 30-degree angle to form a handle. This step is optional but will make it more comfortable to hold and easier to unlock. Now, your lock pick is ready.
- After bending, the wavy end will resemble the handle of a coffee cup.
Continue bending the second bobby pin to create the tension wrench. Bend one-third of the second bobby pin to form a hook shape. Unlike the first pin, both ends of this one will bend in the same direction.
- The tension wrench will directly rotate the lock once the pins are lifted.
Unlocking the Door
Insert the tension wrench into the bottom of the keyhole. Place the shorter bent end of the tension wrench into the lower part of the keyhole. The wrench should hang in front of the keyhole.
- We will use the tension wrench to maintain pressure on the lock cylinder in the direction the door handle typically turns to unlock.
Turn the tension wrench counterclockwise to apply pressure. The pressure from the wrench will rotate the lock cylinder, allowing you to lift each pin. Begin turning the wrench until you feel resistance. Avoid using excessive force.
- Keep the wrench in place at the point of resistance during the unlocking process.
- This pressure ensures the pins don’t fall back into the cylinder, which would relock the handle.
Insert the lock pick into the keyhole and feel for the pins. Push the slightly curved end of the pick into the keyhole, ensuring it faces upward. The pins are located at the top of the keyhole. Once the curved end is inside, feel for the pins by pressing down on the pick’s handle. This action will push the pins upward.
- Most traditional door handle locks have 5 or 6 pins.
- A key aligns the pins perfectly with the lock cylinder, allowing the door to open.
Push the pick down until you hear a click. Some pins will lift easily when you press the pick, but others may feel stuck. These are called binding pins. Focus on the most resistant binding pins first. Locate the stubborn pin and slowly press the pick’s handle until you hear a click.
- This sound indicates the pin is no longer blocking the lock cylinder.
- You must address binding pins before moving on to others.
Lift the remaining pins in the door lock. Continue feeling for pins with the pick and press the handle to lift each one. Once all pins are above the cylinder, the locking mechanism will release.
Turn the lever counterclockwise to unlock the door. Rotate the lever (similar to using a key) until the lock mechanism releases. This method allows you to open the lock without needing a key.
- Not all door handles turn in the same direction, but generally, you should rotate the lever counterclockwise.
- The lever will only turn completely when the pins are correctly aligned above the lock's core.
Advice
- Some locks only open in one direction. Before proceeding, determine the correct rotation direction to release the pins and use a tool to maintain consistent pressure in the right direction throughout the process. If the lever turns the wrong way or pressure isn't maintained, the pins will reset, and you'll have to start over.
What You'll Need
- 2 paper clips
