A brief guide to a locksmith’s tools.
Locksmith’s use a variety of tools for their work, and they range from different type of picks, to specific tools for specific jobs. Here is a list from
Locksmith Essex, which feature some of the most common tools and a brief insight into what they do.
Short Hook: This pick is used to pick pins one at a time. It is thought of as a must have in the locksmith world, and locksmiths use the short hook to work out how much tension they need to apply, and to work out how the tumblers are configured.
Double Ball: Often used for wafer locks, it simply works by putting it in the lock with various amounts of tensions. Many locksmiths use one ball first, and if that doesn’t work they use two.
Half Diamond: This pick is often used with wafer and pin tumbler locks, and is held in high regard by the locksmith community, some of whom, use it as they would the Short Hook Pick. Like most picks, the Half Diamond is used to manipulate the pins of a lock, and locksmiths often know if it’s working by hearing or feeling a pin click. This pick, like the Short Hook, is an essential part of a locksmith’s kit.
Rake: The Rake is known to be ideal for picking some locks but is useless with others. Rather than the precision required with Short Hook or Double Ball, these simply work by jiggling.
C/Rake, Snake: Like the Snake above, it requires a fair amount of jiggling to get it to work, but it also requires precision as with the Short Hook.
Long Hook: Is a bigger version of the Short Hook, and is used for bigger locks that require a longer tool to manipulate the tumblers.
Broken Key Extractor: No prizes for guessing what the purpose for this pick. The pick is often used in combination with the Half Diamond to extract keys.