Have you ever been locked out of your house or car and wished you could get back in without breaking anything? Well, believe it or not, you can learn how to pick a lock with a bobby pin! Lock picking has been around for centuries, but with the right tools and techniques, even the most novice DIYer can unlock a door without a key. Let’s take an in-depth look at how to pick a lock with a bobby pin.
The Basics of Locks

The basic pin and tumbler lock is the most common type of door lock. It consists of six main elements: the plug, driver pins, key pins, springs, the shear line, and housing to hold everything together. To open the lock, you need to mimic the action of inserting a key by pushing the pins flush with the shear line so that you can rotate and disengage it.
How to pick a lock with a bobby pin, then?
First, create two tools from your bobby pins – one as a lever and one as a pick. Place the lever in the bottom part of the keyhole and turn it like a key; this should give you some resistance as you move it around. Then insert your pick into the top part of the keyhole with its bent end facing away from you; use this tool to feel which pins are jammed. Look for where there is resistance when turning your lever, then push that pin up until it is flush with the shear line.
Repeat this process until all jammed pins have been pushed up and are flush with each other; this should allow you to rotate and unlock your door! If you’re having trouble you can give this video a looksy!
Using bobby pins is only sometimes successful on its own; depending on how complicated your locking system is, sometimes additional tools may be needed, such as tension wrenches or other specialized picks. If all else fails, remember that there are professionals who specialize in this craft, like us here at West Phoenix, with residential services that can help get you back into your home safely and securely.
Conclusion
Learning how to pick a lock using bobby pins is an incredibly useful skill to have! While it takes practice (and sometimes specialized tools) to perfect this art form, anyone can learn how to do it if they take their time and pay close attention while practicing. With some patience and proper technique, unlocking doors with nothing but bobby pins will soon be second nature! But sometimes, you probably won’t have the time or expertise to try this out, so whenever you require a lockout emergency service, call us, and we’ll be there ASAP!