Warded or Lever or something else?

[Helmeester]

Hi there,

ive been cruisin around this forum a lot, did a lot of research, and found out 2 types of older locks, namely warded locks and lever locks. Warded locks would mostly be padlocks, wich can be picked with warded picks (set of 4 or something) lever locks ask for different techniques.



The picture here is a picture of my room door, and the key looks very easy to me. is this a so called lever lock? or is this something else? can i make the tools to open one myself?
please help me out thanks

[WhiteHat]

looks like a lever lock to me but I don't know much about them - I have one with a similar looking key - I opened it (my first lever lock yay!) with two standard tension wrenches - not the best tools but it worked...

[mbell]

To me it looks lie a warded lock - Should be simple-ish to open.

They're typically only used on low security applications such as internal doors.

[macaba]

I would say, due to the simplicity, its a warded lock.

[snowcat]

Have a look here

i found it very informative about warded and lever locks

http://www.anvilfire.com/iForge/tutor/jd_locks/top_index2.htm

[snowcat]

make that

http://www.anvilfire.com/iForge/tutor/jd_locks/index.htm

the previous link gave you the second page

[Romstar]

This is what is known as a warded mortice lock.

Commonly mistake for a lever lock, because the lever lock is also commonly morticed.

As a matter of fact, it is entirely possible that lock has a case ward only, and a simple L shaped piece of very stiff wire would be enough to open it.

Romstar

[Helmeester]

thank you guys so much for the quick reply's!

so in short, i need a l shaped pick. will hacksawblades suffice of do i need something stronger?

[Eagerpicker]

I'd say you need something a lot stronger. Try bicycle spokes or something like that. Have a look at the standard lever picks at www.multipick-service.com, the one called "Dietrich". That should give you some idea.

[Helmeester]

I'd say you need something a lot stronger. Try bicycle spokes or something like that. Have a look at the standard lever picks at www.multipick-service.com, the one called "Dietrich". That should give you some idea.

or something like a cloth hanger?

[Eagerpicker]

A good way to get an idea of how strong your pick (or skeleton key, in fact) would have to be, is to stick your key in the lock and while turning, feel how much force is needed. Then imagine you're doing the same with clothes hanger material, a bicycle spoke, music wire, whatever. Do you think a clothes hanger would withstand that kind of turning pressure? If so, go ahead and make one out of a knaapje. In my experience, you need something much sturdier.

Good luck.

[pinky]

yes its a low security warded lock, a simple tool to beat it would be a button hook, this is an L shape wire with 5mm bent back on itself so you have a backward C.

take a pice of welding rod / Wire , at one end take half the width of a pair of pliers and put a 90 degree bend in it, then at the bend take a full pliers width and put a 90 degree bend in it, this should make a button hook.

another version is to take you L shaped wire, take half the width of a pair of pliers and bend the top of the l forward.

place this tool in the keyway at the 1 or 11 o clock position dependent on which way you are throwing the bolt, lift upward to lift the lever and throw the bolt

[Helmeester]

thanks for the info! ill try it out