Why You Should Never Try to Pick Your Own Lock

The YouTube Fantasy vs. Reality

There is no shortage of videos online showing someone picking a lock in seconds with a bobby pin. What those videos do not show is the hundreds of hours of practice behind that skill, the specific lock types being picked, and the fact that a real lockout scenario standing outside your front door at midnight in February is nothing like a well-lit workshop.

What Actually Happens When You Try

Most people who attempt to pick their own lock end up: breaking improvised tools inside the lock cylinder (now the lock definitely will not work), damaging the pins or springs inside the lock (turning a simple lockout into a lock replacement), or damaging the door or frame trying to force entry.

Each of these outcomes turns a simple service call into a significantly more expensive repair job.

Modern Locks Are Designed to Resist This

Lock manufacturers invest heavily in pick resistance. Security pins, spool pins, serrated pins, and tight tolerances all exist specifically to defeat picking attempts. Consumer-grade deadbolts from Kwikset and Schlage have gotten remarkably good at resisting amateur manipulation.

The Professional Difference

Licensed locksmiths have a complete toolkit including bypass tools, decoders, impressioning tools, and non-destructive entry methods specific to your lock type and brand. More importantly, they have training and experience that lets them choose the right approach for each situation.

The result is faster entry, zero damage, and a lock that still works perfectly when they are done.

When to Call

If you are locked out, skip the DIY approach and call a professional. At Red Obsidian Security, we provide 24/7 emergency lockout services throughout the Sioux Falls area. Our technicians arrive equipped for your specific situation and get you back inside quickly and safely.