Picking a combination???

[Einzee]

I may be way off by asking such a question but here it goes. How is it possible to pick a combination lock? By definition, to pick a lock is to use "tools" to set the pins. Not many combination locks even have holes to insert such tools or pins to set either. I have always thought that "Manipulate/Manipulation" is a better term. Am I wrong or just being too critical of the English language?

[jordyh]

I have a general idea how and what, but i'm keeping my mouth shut untill i know for sure that this is not for the restricted forum.
Sorry.

[LockNewbie21]

I'd say the same regarding restriced info. I do know that you can run a search on google and dogpile ect. Where they have tips for specific combos like master and american there is a website i-hacked.com or somthing they have a thread on it just have to search... but odds are you can shim them open, and depending on the lock if it has a double locking shackle you will need two shims for either side, as fas as high security padlocks...well they wont shim becuase of a ball mechanism and its highly doudtful you will find any info on a gerneral forum or on the net as they will be more complicated.

Andy

[Shrub]

By definition, to pick a lock is to use "tools" to set the pins.

Not all locks have pins!

To pick a lock is to open it by any non destructive means without useing the working key.

You need to work out what is in place of the pins in your lock and how the correct 'key' oporatews those 'pins'

If you are refering to a combo lock youll find the term is manipulating.

Howstuff works has some stuff you may like to read and a search on here will find all the stuff youll find in the public part.

Look for the dudley threads and master combo lock threads and youll start to work things out.

[greasyduckv1]

Same here. I will tell you that it is very easy to pick a combination lock, and in the wrong hands, would surely disrupt the safety many. I will dig up the restrictions to see if I could tell you or not. You could get me on AIM at Greasyduckv1

[MeisBarry]

It is extremely easy to open a master lock in about 5 minutes without any sort of tool.

[strangedream]

I know how to manipulate a combo lock, but Im still waiting for the green light if you know what I mean.

hint..hint

[strangedream]

With a relatively simple algorithm anyone can do it...

[Einzee]

You all have great input on this subject and it is appreciated. I really wasn't asking how to compromise a particular type of lock, just merely asking about the proper terminolgy used for the act of opening those locks.

[workstation]

By definition, to pick a lock is to use "tools" to set the pins.

To pick a lock is to open it by any non destructive means without useing the working key.

...

If you are refering to a combo lock youll find the term is manipulating.

So are you saying that opening a combination lock without first knowing the code is both picking and manipulating (because manipulating, like e.g. impressioning, is a subset of picking), or just manipulating?

Incidentally, I think manipulating probably isn't a very good word for what we mean here (although the usage is very common). The etymological meaning of manipulate is something like "dig out by hand", and the normal literal meaning is "move with the hand". Surely one could manipulate a combination lock without ever intending to open it, as a child might play with a lock without knowing what it was.

Personally, I think we should stick to using "picking".

[workstation]

I've though about this a bit more, and now I have another point:

How do you open a key-operated lock without manipulating it, or at least manipulating tools. Do you use your feet?

[CapnCurry]

This is something I've had long discussions about with fellow language and/or lock enthusiasts, and here's what we've come up with: Manipulation is defined as "To move, arrange, operate, or control by the hands or by mechanical means, especially in a skillful manner", while "picking" is to "manipulate with a pick".

So, it's appropriate to say that you're both picking *and* maniplating a key-operated lock, but because you don't use an actual "pick" to open a combination lock, it's better to say that you're manipulating it. (Unless, of course, you're using a pick to open it - not all picks are designed to manipulate keyways, but I'll follow everyone else's lead in leaving those details to the advanced forum participants).

Then we tried to come up with the word for opening a lock with this method, because it's neither picking nor manipulating:
http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=10400&highlight=breacher

We decided that the right term for that is "sick of dealing with the lock."

[geonap]

Well one book, several web articles, and some tips from a friend and I finally figured this one out. I am proud to say I "manipulated" a combination lock open that hadn't been opened in probably 10 years. Pretty exciting when it went click...

[strangedream]

Pretty exciting when it went click...

It sure is