Opening Your Door With a Credit Card.

As those of you who have read my previous posts may have noticed, I like to take a look back at the lock opening methods employed by eighties movies and probably some of today’s shows. You have probably all seen movies or television shows where someone breaks into a home or office using a credit card to pry open the lock.

So what is the methodology behind it? In the simplest form you take a credit card or similar plastic card (i.e. Gift card, library card, shopping rewards card) and insert it in the crack of between the door lock and the doorframe. Your goal is to be able to insert the card and move it in a fashion that will push down the latch of the lock. The direction of the latch will also affect how fast you can accomplish this feat. If the slanted side of the latch is facing you, you will have an easier time than if it was opposite you. While you are working the card, you can lean on the door to add a little pressure. If done right, you will eventually push the latch down and be able to open the door. If there is trim on the doorframe or other obstructions, you may not be able to employ this lock picking method. This method is only intended for spring loaded doorknob locks and will not work on heavier locks like deadbolts.

Again, attempting to open any doors that you are not the owner of is illegal and should not be done. If you want to practice these techniques, do it in your own home.

Here is a video demonstrating the opening of a door lock with a credit card.

I've mentioned before that I like "Skeleton Keys" or bit keys. Watching a Mortice lock get picked is even interesting too, because you get to see all of the levers move as they get picked. This is done using a curtain pick tool.

Another tool for at a locksmith's disposal is the the lock pick gun. This is another one of those tools that is making it too easy to pick a lock. The basic concept is that the pick in the gun will vibrate the pins up and eventually set into the unlocking position, leaving you to just have to manage turning the tension wrench. I found a little video that shows the basic usage. This video features the manual pick gun, but there is also an electric version available as well.

Another scary lock picking tool for people to think about being used against them is the auto jiggler. Auto Jigglers are basically metal cut outs of car key shapes that are essentially bump keys for cars. There are professionally made sets, and from what I've seen on the internet a relatively easy do it yourself project. One just needs to find the right style of key and wiggle it around inside the car door lock. If they hit the right spot the lock will open , letting them into your car. Like many locksmith tools, these can be used for good or for evil.

I like this video because it shows a little trial and error, but still demonstrates how easily someone can open your car door. This must be one of the reasons for all the new cars being keyless. Though I'm sure that has its flaws as well.

Slim Jim's were seen often opening car doors in 80's movies.

They still are used today, but are probably harder to use with all of the new car door locks, or lack thereof.

A Slim Jim is basically a thin piece of spring steel with a hook on one end. The idea is that you could slide this piece

of metal in between the door and window and maneuver it in a way to hook on to the door lock rods.

Once there you would pull on the rods, which would raise the lock on the door.

So if you lose your keys this is one option to get in your car.

Be aware however that if you don't know what you're doing, you can seriously damage your car.

Moving the Slim Jim recklessly can cause you to break your window, destroy wiring, or mess up the door lock so that even a key won't open it.

So ultimately, learn how to do it for yourself or hire a professional to do it for you.