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I am often seeing tools for opening closed but not locked doors.

Can someone please explain the difference between a locked door as most of us know it (ie lock with pins etc) and a closed door that needs special tools to open.

Is this something one encounters in Europe more than North America?

I notice they sell those very spiral wire tools that look like a streched out corkscrew for this purpose.

What are single and double offset doors?

You're right, this is typically more a European thing than a North American thing... but it normally refers to doors that have a combination of both a locking knob and also a deadbolt: when a door is "closed but not locked" it's referring to the deadbolt not being locked. You can simply turn the knob (or lever) on the inside of the door to open it, but the knob on the outside won't turn without a key (or picking).

These tools normally go under the door, through a letter box slot, through the peep-hole, etc., and allow you to turn the knob on the inside of the door. You wouldn't be able to use them on a "locked" door, as the deadbolt would stop it from opening, even if you rotate the knob.

Thanks .. That one had me confused. So something like the Keedex K22 is what we are talking about.
With a little practice the tool works very well on lever locks , commercial interconnected locks ( like hotel room locks that require single motion egress) http://www.basshome.com/product_108799_detailed.htm

European locks have many levers and multipoint roller,hooks,bolts all of which have to be moved with wires and i have around 30 to carry out a successfull opening.
The under the door tool is for pulling the handle or bar down on doors and is the most common and well known tool,the cork screw tool you have mentioned would be used for catching and turning the key on lever locks and his a bypass only if you leave the key in.
multipoint locks can break in a few different ways causing lockouts L SHAPED TOOLS AND Z WIRES are used to move inner and outer latch and bolt works in the picture you,ll see what a centre multipoint lock mechanism removed just a few days ago looks like.

The latch...... z wire between door and frame.
The bolt...... L wire for inserting when lock as been removed to throw bolt works.
THE CAM.... wire or turn tool for lifting and turning the lock works.
many many wires needed.

Double spindle hole mechanism for your information are better they both throw the bolt works if one is broken you can use the other.