A comb pick is a specialized lock picking tool designed to open certain pin tumbler locks rapidly by simultaneously lifting all the pins above the shear line, effectively clearing the cylinder to rotate. This method bypasses the traditional pin-setting process, making it an incredibly quick and straightforward technique for compatible locks.
The Ingenious Mechanism of a Comb Pick
Unlike traditional lock picks that manipulate individual pins to align them at the shear line, a comb pick takes a different approach. It works by exploiting a specific design characteristic in some pin tumbler locks where the keyway is sufficiently large and the pins are relatively short.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
- Insertion: The comb pick, characterized by its multiple tines (or teeth) resembling a comb, is inserted fully into the lock's keyway. Each tine corresponds to a pin stack within the lock.
- Simultaneous Lifting: Once fully inserted, the pick is pushed upward. Its design ensures that it lifts all of the pins at the same time. This means both the key pins and the driver pins are pushed together as a single unit.
- Clearing the Shear Line: The critical aspect is that the comb pick lifts everything above the shear line. The shear line is the crucial boundary between the lock's inner cylinder (plug) and its outer housing. When a normal key is used, it aligns the key pins and driver pins precisely at this line. However, a comb pick pushes the entire pin stack (key pin and driver pin combined) completely past and above this shear line, into the pin chambers of the outer housing.
- Creating a Gap: By lifting all pin stacks entirely above the shear line, the comb pick effectively removes any obstacles between the cylinder and the housing. This creates a clear path, allowing the cylinder to turn freely as if the correct key were fully inserted and turned. The pick often "sits perfectly" at this elevated position, holding the pins up and out of the way.
This method does not require any tension wrench or intricate pin-setting, making it a "brute force" but elegant solution for specific lock types.
Locks Susceptible to Comb Picks
Comb picks are not universal tools; their effectiveness is limited to particular types of pin tumbler locks:
- Pin Tumbler Locks with Large Keyways: The pick needs enough space to enter and move freely.
- Locks with Shorter Pin Stacks: For a comb pick to work, the combined length of the key pin and driver pin must be short enough to be lifted entirely above the shear line without hitting the top of the pin chambers. If the pins are too long, they cannot be fully retracted.
- Warded Locks (in some cases): While primarily for pin tumblers, the concept of bypassing internal mechanisms with a specific tool can be seen in some warded lock bypasses. However, comb picks are specifically designed for pin tumbler mechanisms.
- Padlocks and Cabin Locks: Many common padlocks and basic cabinet locks, especially those with simpler mechanisms, are often vulnerable due to their design constraints and cost-effective manufacturing.
For a deeper understanding of pin tumbler locks, you can refer to resources like this explanation of pin tumbler lock mechanisms.
Advantages and Limitations
Understanding when and why a comb pick is used highlights its unique position among lock picking tools.
Advantages
- Speed: When a lock is compatible, a comb pick can open it almost instantaneously, often faster than any other picking method.
- Ease of Use: Compared to learning traditional lock picking techniques that require feel and finesse, using a comb pick is relatively straightforward, requiring less skill and practice.
- Minimal Effort: It requires little to no tensioning or manipulation of individual pins.
Limitations
- Limited Applicability: This is the biggest drawback. Most modern or higher-security locks are designed to prevent comb picking by having tighter tolerances, longer pins, or narrower keyways.
- No Feedback: Unlike traditional picking where you "feel" the pins setting, a comb pick offers no such feedback, as it's a "go/no-go" tool.
- Potential for Damage: Forcing a comb pick into an incompatible lock can potentially damage the lock's internal mechanism or the pick itself.
Comb Pick vs. Standard Lock Picks
| Feature | Comb Pick | Standard Lock Pick (Hook, Rake, etc.) |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Lifts all pin stacks above the shear line simultaneously | Manipulates individual pins to the shear line |
| Speed | Very fast (if compatible) | Varies (from quick raking to slow, deliberate hooking) |
| Target Locks | Specific pin tumbler locks with suitable design | Wide range of pin tumbler locks, requires adaptable skill |
| Skill Required | Low (for compatible locks) | High (requires touch, tension control, knowledge of pins) |
| Feedback | None | Crucial for identifying set pins and binding orders |
In summary, a comb pick is a highly effective, specialized tool for quickly opening specific pin tumbler locks by simultaneously elevating all pin stacks completely past the shear line. Its simplicity and speed make it a favorite for compatible locks, though its applicability is quite narrow compared to more versatile picking tools.
