Learn Professional Opening Techniques- Step by Step Guide

Lesson 9 in the Locksmith Training Program discusses professional opening techniques. This chapter will assist you in learning and practicing different ways to open a lock. 

This lesson offers you the knowledge and expertise to open locks efficiently and effectively. You’ll learn how to get ready for a lockout. Of course, first and foremost, that involves training. We’ll give you some tips about how and where to continue your professional locksmith training. Preparation for actually opening a lock begins with making sure your customer should have access. However, even that might not be enough to protect yourself from possible legal action. So we’ve provided you with a sample Emergency Lockout Release Form that will help you avoid opening for folks who should not have access. 

Next, you’ll learn why locks can be picked. If you have any knowledge of machining, you won’t be surprised to know that it’s because of variances in the manufacturing of the parts. Once you know why locks can be picked, how to pick them becomes fairly obvious. We’ll provide you with a simple procedure, but experience will be your best teacher here. Be sure to do the exercise on picking locks and practice on the locks around your house. Lock picking is not always successful. But you’ll have a greater chance of success if you understand the factors that play a part in lock picking. So we’ll spend a section of this lesson discussing those factors. And we’ll give you some tips about how to handle some of those factors. 

This lesson also discusses other professional opening techniques. You’ll learn how to drill open a cylinder at the shear line and strategies for opening a door when the key turns but the door won’t open. In some cases, you will need to use forcible entry. We’ll tell you what those cases are and what to remember when you enter with force. And you’ll learn about three types of forcible entry. Finally, you’ll learn about broken keys and how to remove them. Opening locks is one of the most gratifying and rewarding activities of the professional locksmith. Your effective and expert use of professional opening techniques will bring you many rewards, both immediate and long term. Customers who see you handle lockouts in a professional manner will call you back whenever they need the services of a locksmith. And they’ll recommend you to their friends. 

When you have completed this lesson, you should be able to:

• List three ways to continue your training as a professional lock opener. 

• Describe four actions you should take before opening a lock. 

• Explain why locks can be picked. 

• Identify basic lock picking tools. 

• List four steps for picking a lock. 

• Describe how certain factors affect lock picking success. 

• List three steps for drilling open a cylinder at the shear line. 

• Describe four strategies for opening a door when the key turns but the door won’t open. 
• Describe three circumstances when forcible entry may be used to open a door. 

• List three steps for removing a broken key.