Six hours of frustration - locked out of bedroom.

[Eisen]

We bought our place six months ago, never locked the bedroom door - heck, I never even noticed that the door had a lock on it. Anyway, I was vacuuming today and must have hit the door knob into the wall or something triggering the locking mechanism. Shut the door on my way out and realised it was locked a few hours later.

Lockpicking has always sounded like an interesting hobby so... what better time than now! I figured it might take an hour or two? It's been six hours now. My fingers hurt, my back hurts... so I'm coming to you guys for help.

Obviously no tools - just using paper clips. The lock is a key lock on a door knob - have no idea about makes/models - I would describe it as "standard".

Been trying single pin picking. I've gotten it to the point where when I release the tension I can hear 3-4 pins fall. Am I right in assuming it's a 5 pin lock?

I've had a very haphazard introduction to the mechanics behind picking - but am I right in assuming it's not so simple as "just needing 1-2 more pins"? i.e. the order is important? What are the chances if I just keep trying that I'll eventually get it ?

Tried raking a few times but only hear one or two pins fall with that method.

And six hours in, there's no way I'm calling a locksmith after this much time invested. Tried the credit card/butter knife method too, but the door trim and angle of the look seem to make this unviable.

Any tips are most welcome - just trying to gauge the level of difficulty here.

[Eisen]

Here it is in the flesh - taunting me.

[femurat]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

A lockout is the worst moment to learn picking. I doubt you can open that lock with paperclips. I doubt I could do it, and I have years of experience. You need at least proper tools. And then you need to learn and understand how the lock works, the feedback it gives, the pins states, etcetera.

So your best option is to call a locksmith, or to break the lock, handle or door and replace it. Of course you can go on trying, that's what I'd do probably. Just stop before breaking something.

Good luck

[Squelchtone]

Can't you just slip the latch with something in between the door and frame like the old credit card trick they do in the movies?

Paperclips are too soft and bendy to make good lock picks for a knobset. Have fun but probably wont open it if this is the 1st lock you have ever picked.

Also, we can't easily verify that this isn't perhaps a parent's bedroom or room mate's locked bedroom and we tend to be a paranoid bunch, so perhaps as femurat already said, calling a locksmith or breaking the door down is your best bet at this point.

Good luck,
Squelchtone

[TheGodson]

You could always try and use a hanger and try and push the latch in.

Is there any way you could get in through a window?

[Squelchtone]

You could always try and use a hanger and try and push the latch in.

Is there any way you could get in through a window?

They posted this a month ago, I'm guessing they got back into their bedroom by now..