March 12, 2008

THIS LOOKS HANDY: How to Open Locks with Improvised Tools.

Of course the classic work in the field is the old MIT Guide to Lockpicking.

UPDATE: Reader Bill Twist emails:

I learned from this book, back when I was a teenager.

It's hard to argue against a book on picking locks written by a guy called "Eddie the Wire".

I got good enough that I could make a rake with a paper clip and a tension lever from the clip of a pen in only a minute or so, and open a reasonable lock in just about the same time with those same tools. Honestly, though, the best way to do it is to "borrow" the key and trace it. Then use a file on a key blank. I and my cronies had the run of the high school because of this (Janitors should lock up keys when going to lunch!). Ahhh, my mis-spent youth!

Ah, indeed. And "Billy the Twist" wouldn't be a bad pen-name either . . . .