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Serrated Pins


Photo by Matt Blaze

Serrated pins are very different from their security pin counterparts. Serrated pins come in both driver and key pin varieties – the serrated key pins only serving the purpose to trap an over-lifted pin above the shear line, especially when combined with a serrated driver pin. The purpose of a serrated pin is to prevent the natural sliding of the pin across the shear line that is observed as a result of the binding effect. Rather, when a serrated pin binds, each serration acts as a mini ridge that gets trapped at the shear line. When you’re not accustomed to them, they can be quite unsettling because they give you the feeling that a pin is set even though it is not. When lifting a serrated pin you will feel a similar click to that which you experience when setting a standard pin. This can lead you to believe that you have already set a pin and move on. Even more frustrating is that the rotation of the plug when setting into the ridge of a serrated pin can transfer the binding effect to another pin stack in the lock. If you believe the serrated pin to be set and move on to the next binding pin, no only will you be picking in vain for some time, when you discover the serrated pin and try and set it correctly, you will often reset any pin stack that you have set after it.

It’s not all bad, however. Serrated pins can actually be quite easy if you can recognize them, or know to expect them. Some locks, such as American brand locks, are known to utilize serrated pins. Knowing this can help you to be better prepared when you encounter a serrated pin. Expecting a serrated pin will make you less trusting of the telling click and slight rotation of the plug common to pin setting. Once a pin is set, applying additional lifting force while easing off the tension will give you a quick indicator of a serrated pin. If you feel the pin begin to grind as the ridges of the pin cross the shear line, you will have a solid reason to believe you are dealing with a serrated pin. Of course, it is easy to over-set either a standard pin or a serrated pin while performing this test. Practice will allow you to learn to detect and overcome serrated pins.

Going back to your practice lock, re-pin the lock to include a serrated driver pin. Repeat the earlier exercise, this time paying special attention to the serrated pin. Familiarize yourself with the feel of the gently grinding while the serrated pin crosses the shear line. Once you feel comfortable with your ability to recognize and deal with one serrated pin, try adding more – one at a time – until you can successfully pick your lock with all serrated driver pins. Then try the exercise again with a different lock.

Full credit to: lockpickernetwork.wikidot.com

just to add: the common marketed locks featuring serrated pins are americans and brinks.

grrr@serratedpins

yup i agree, they are my kryptonite

Some locks have hybrid serrated spool pins. They are basically spool pins with serrations on each end to make the lock have three false set positions for that pin; it can false set on either of the two serrations or on the spool part.

Additionally some locks have serrated key pins as well, which makes reverse picking (or overpicking) harder because the key pins don't just drop down, they get jammed on all the serrations.

for some reason i find serrated spools the easiest to pick.
i have no idea why.
maybe cause i learned picking securities on my brinks shrouded and thats whats inside.

WOW!! if i had learned on that lock i would have given up lockpicking alltogether, i would have got so frustrated that i couldnt get it i would have just put it down and never gone back to it, my shrouded is loaded with serrations to, still havnt got it yet

yeah that is my favorite lock.
too bad i have no idea where it is. haha
i need to look for it.

i'm getting one shipped to me like this week

you will have fun with it.
it is really easy to pick once you get it a couple times.
after that its like a master.

i agree, but theres always those few with the rather "agressive" key bitting.
as far as picking them like masters, here's a little proof of that,demonstrated by yours truly. =)

as seen here: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=e96B3tjkVEY

thx lew for this helpfull post. What's do you guys find more difficult? A mushroom pin or a serrated pin?

ooo a serated pin, no question, as i said above they are my kryptonite

oh yeah, myshrooms dont compare the serrateds... i dont like them... but i love serrated spools....hahaha

the brinks shrouded is an easy lock for me. it's the most challenging lock i have so far. but it's so easy to pick. serated spools aren't that bad. you just gotta get a feel for serations and spools.