Simple raking technique
Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 2:50 pm
This technique was shown to me by a journeyman locksmith in 1974. The required tools are a short hook and tension wrench, any wrench that will fit the keyway and bind the pins. The hook can be switched with a half diamond for smaller keyways. Place hook at rear of keyway under pins and insert tension wrench to turn cylinder in unlocking direction. With light tension applied pull pick straight out of lock with gentle upward pressure. Start with lightest touch 2 to 4 times, release tension and redo with heavier pressure on both tools. Now to the actual lesson. Keep doing this over and over, and it will force you to feel the pins and learn correct tension in the shortest amout of time. Now you have a raking technique to compliment the singe pin picking technique that you must master before you get lazy with any bad habits. Like all those haphazard favorites that we all tend to use from time to time. By raking back to front with a hook you will be raking and not scrubbing a lock. Concentrate on the technique. Repeat often and soon the feel of the pins binding as well as feel of the tension wrench turning/releasing will become second nature. I hope this helps.