Variable tension wrench usage?

[Agent47]

(Feel free to skip this first section. It's just me explaining how i came across the tool.) So i've had my SouthOrd MPXS-32 set for a little over a month now. And while looking around on some website i can't remember anymore i saw what i thought was a pair of tweezers. I recognised it from the set i had just gotten. But under the picture it said "Wishbone Tension Wrench". After a little research i found out its called a variable tension wrench.

So i've tried looking around and this may come off as stupid, but how do i use the variable tension wrench (or Wishbone Tension Wrench)? In other words how do i set it in the lock? Is it not meant for pin and tumbler locks? Pictures would be nice.

[Solomon]

Those are designed for double sided wafer cam locks like you see on metal lockers and filing cabinets. The idea is to give you maximum room to work with but they can be a pain to keep seated properly in the keyway at times depending on the size as different manufacturers make the tips slightly differently. They're ok but I prefer to just use a standard TOK wrench. I picked a couple of these on camera a while ago so you can see how they're supposed to work here although I didn't actually use it for picking. But you'll get the idea anyway.

[Agent47]

Those are designed for double sided wafer cam locks like you see on metal lockers and filing cabinets. The idea is to give you maximum room to work with but they can be a pain to keep seated properly in the keyway at times depending on the size as different manufacturers make the tips slightly differently. They're ok but I prefer to just use a standard TOK wrench. I picked a couple of these on camera a while ago so you can see how they're supposed to work here although I didn't actually use it for picking. But you'll get the idea anyway.

Thank you very much. I can use simple picks like a ball/double ball pick or hook to open those types of locks right? Are there any types of locks (besides vehicle locks) that can't be opened with standard picks?

[Solomon]

Thank you very much. I can use simple picks like a ball/double ball pick or hook to open those types of locks right? Are there any types of locks (besides vehicle locks) that can't be opened with standard picks?

No prob. The ball/snowman type picks are designed for working both sides simultaneously but personally I find it much more reliable to just use a half diamond and alternate sides when you run out of wafers that're binding.

There are plenty of locks you can't open with pin tumbler picks. Lever locks and warded locks (with a very small few exceptions), disc detainers, pump locks, axira type (I forget the actual term for the mechanism) and a whole host of others. Dimple locks, while pin tumblers, can't be opened too reliably with standard picks either although many people do use modified half diamonds to pick them. I prefer to use a dedicated pick set for those as they're much nicer to use. As for car locks, technically you can open certain ones with standard picks but it's difficult to do and not advisable unless you really really know your stuff.

[ARF-GEF]

axira type (I forget the actual term for the mechanism)

I think they are called both push-locks and pump locks.
Not sure which one is official.
I know other locks like some mottura and CISA are also called pump or push lock... I think this is an area where the nomenclature isn't really unified.
I think the French expression (where most of these originate from) says pump, but that doesn't mean a thing...