Lock picking is simply the practice of manipulating the internal parts of a lock in order to open that lock without actually using the key, which has been issued with that lock. In most cases no damage is done to the lock, the activities of the perpetrator is mostly not discovered, and therefore lock picking is completely different from entry where destructive means is used. Opening of high security systems such as safes or vaults is better known by the term safecracking. Lock picking is also sometimes referred to as a bypass although the processes, which is used, is very similar as those, which will apply to lock picking. Lock picking is made possible simply by the internal parts, which is placed inside the lock. It is exactly those small variations and the alignment of internal components which makes it possible for lock picking tools to be used with some success when those locks is opened without keys. Different kinds of locks may submit to different lock picking techniques. There are people who are engaged in groups who are practicing lock picking for recreation and such activities is known as a lock sport.
Most people will recognize the fact that lock picking has started just after locks was first been used. Early locks such as those, which was invented by the Romans until later improvements such as the Barron’s invention of the double-acting tumbler in the late 1700s primarily, make use of wards. In most cases these warded locks were opened with a skeleton key and such a key were able to pass any wards, which may be included in such a lock. This was actually a very primitive type of key and may even have been simply a piece of bent wire which was not anything like later lever type locks. Robert Barron registered the first patented lock from which all later modern mechanical security locks, those with double action parts would be fashioned. From that time forward, it required at least two lock picking tools in order to successfully open a door. The one tool is used to apply pressure to the lock and the other lock picking tool is used to manipulate the internal parts, which prevent that lock from opening.
There is today several methods, which can be used to pick a lock. There is no longer only one correct way because there are several people who have their own specific preferences when it comes to lock picking. There is the single component picking system where a pick is used to manipulate one component in that lock. There is also the process of raking where a pick is designed in such a way that it is able to manipulate several or all of the internal parts in a lock. This process is especially successful if the position of internal components is in a practicable pattern. There is also the popular bump key, which is simply a key where the keys is cut to their lowest positions. Most button tumbler locks can be manipulated in this way. Energy is transferred between the bump key, the pin stacks, and in this way, the lock can quickly be open.
