How do you pick a lock open?

provide information that can assist in illegal activity.

Alternate Answer: Picking locks is not illegal. Much like firing a rifle, the intent and the result determines its legality.

To pick a lock, you'll need at least two tools. The first is a tension wrench, sometimes called a Torsion Wrench. This is the bar that goes into the base of the lock. The second tool is the pick, which generally come in three basic types:

Hook - a long, thin pick shaped like a hook at the end.

Snake (Ball in some cases) - Has gentle curves at the end to make the rods fall in place

Diamond - Is triangulated for those rods that require a more precise pressure.

Essentially the tension wrench is used to apply pressure to the lock by turning it in the direction the key normally would turn. The pick is then inserted over the top of the tension wrench and the rods are "raked" (move the pick in and out while applying gentle upward pressure) until all the rods click into place. The tension wrench should then be able to turn the lock.

Note: This is the basic principal. The actual execution of the task is a very different matter.

It's easy to apply too much tension to the lock.

It's uncommon but possible to apply not enough pressure.

It's easy to over-set a pin, and since there are 5 of them in a fairly tight space, good luck figuring out which one, two, or more you've over-set.

It's also easy to under-set a pin, and again since there are 5 pins (perhaps more) in a tight space, God be with you to figure out which one (or more) it is.

This is the actual skill of the locksmith, and no amount of books, videos, or watching someone will teach these things.

This requires "feel" on the part of the locksmith, which can only be gained through experience.