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What is the correct method of using wafer lock picks such as




Is it necessary to use a torsion tool as well? Is only one side used in opening (making each pick two picks) or are both sides necessary?

I have a Duo and have seen it mentioned here that these picks are used to open them.

All other wafer locks that I have opened have just been cheap ones and I have opened then, by raking with a half diamond. I know the Duo is a Hi Sec lock and that it needs a LOT more than a half diamond but I don’t know the correct technique for using these picks.

The DUO has a side bitting, which these picks are not designed to open.
http://www.lockwiki.com/index.php/Duo

Thanks innerpicked.

I missed the side bitting as the key for the one that I have has only one "bitting cut" (?)

I thought it was a single side pin or something.

Any tips - beside having four hands.

I've been meaning to get Pullford's book but its a bit expensive and now with the exchange rate a bit more too expensive.

Thanks again.

On a regular double sided wafer lock, one technique for using these picks is to hold the pick loosely between finger and thumb.
Apply very gentle turning tension (instead of using a tension wrench) while rocking the pick like a jiggler.
Depending on how deep the keyway is you can also slide the pick in and out a little as you jiggle to make sure you hit all the wafers.
If it doesn't open after a little while, take it out and flip it over and try it the other way up.
Keep doing that until you've tried all 8 options (4 picks X 2 ways up), or until it opens.

I have mixed feelings about these picks. I keep a shorty set of them on my EDC-entry-keyring since they work quickly a lot of the time. However, since you're using the pick as both a jiggler and tension wrench, and the tines of the pick are so small, they're very easy to bend if you're not careful. Sometimes they can open a wafer lock pretty quickly, but it also means having to carry yet one more tool for locks that can also be opened with single-pin-picking if you don't want to buy or carry extra tools.

If you try them and like them, Southern Specialties makes a keyring version of these picks which are shorter and have a hole for the ring to make carrying them easier. They also come with a little tension wrench you can use with them to reduce the chances of bending them, but it seems only a few keyways can accomodate both the pick and wrench and still let you use a proper, gentle jiggling motion.

As for the DUO lock, I haven't tried picking one but someone I know who has picked them told me he just SPPs them with a half diamond.

Duos are very, very tough. I have a few of them and have never opened one. If someone has a system, I'd be very interested to learn.

Personally I don't think they are that difficult. Use a short hook. Sometimes a light to see where the tumblers are resting. Picking is the same as other wafer locks when SPP, find the binding one and move it..

i just got a set of those picks from sparrows over the weekend... first session i popped open my parking meter's coin jar. jeff sent me an elevator cam lock I'm gonna try them on next.

seems to be just stick it in and jiggle a bit with some turning tension and i got it!

I have an American H10 padlock which has the mechanism the picks pictured are designed for and one of the picks opens the lock I have just as easily as inserting the real key and just turning it. I was impressed at how easy they were to use and only wish I had more American double sided wafer locks to play with!

Squelchtone

Your comment spurred me to pick up a duo tonight and give it a shot... Popped right open in a few minutes. Not sure what I'm doing different from my previous attempts, but I'm coming around to your way of thinking. Just posted a YT video picking one.