Yes, most standard Master Lock padlocks can be picked easily using a basic tension tool and a hook or rake pick, often crafted from simple DIY tools like paper clips or bobby pins.
Yes, standard everyday Master Locks (like the No. 1, No. 3, and standard cable locks) are widely considered very easy to pick. Because they are mass-produced for general consumer use, they feature basic pin-tumbler designs with wide keyways and almost no security pins to prevent picking or raking.
What should I do? If you recorded the key number, you may be able to get replacement keys from a hardware store or locksmith. If you didn't record the number, contact a locksmith to remove your lock. Please note there will likely be a fee for this service.
Insert the tension wrench into the keyhole and apply tension to the lock. Insert the pick into the keyhole and begin to manipulate the pins. Continue to pick the lock until all of the pins have been set and the lock opens. Picking a Master Lock can be a challenging task, but it is possible with practice and patience.
The easiest way to open a standard Master combination lock without a code is to use its built-in mathematical flaw or to slip a homemade metal shim into the latch. Alternatively, if you have a keyed padlock, applying slight tension to the shackle while tapping the body can quickly bypass the locking dogs.
Lockpicking itself is not inherently a crime. The act is perfectly legal to learn and practice as a hobby or for a profession (such as locksmithing). However, the legality depends on your intent and location.
To force a lock open, choose a method based on the lock type: credit card (for standard spring-latch doors), lock picking (for pin-tumbler locks), or cutting/shimming (for padlocks). Always ensure you have the legal right to access the lock before proceeding.
To open a lock using bolt cutters, position the shears on either side of the shackle (the u-shaped upper part of the lock). Squeeze the handles of the bolt cutters together until the shackle is severed, then remove the lock from the door or box you are trying to open.
The hardest locks to pick are high-security models that use magnetic coding, rotating discs, or complex telescoping pins rather than traditional springs. Top-tier examples include the EVVA MCS, Abloy Protec2, and Fichet F3D. These require highly specialized tools, custom decoding devices, and advanced mathematical manipulation to bypass.
Master Locks fail because they use outdated cores, soft shackles, and predictable designs. Most models are easy to pick, shim, or cut and often rust or seize in weather, making them unreliable when security actually matters. Master Locks are common, but most offer only the illusion of security.
Yes, Home Depot can duplicate standard Master Lock padlock keys, generally costing between $4 and $10. Stores stock specific Hy-Ko and Hillman key blanks designed for Master Lock products. However, they cannot create a new key from just a key number or make "master keys" (keys that open multiple, differently-keyed locks).
If your lock has a serial number, you can recover your combination in one of three ways. You can visit a Master Lock Distributor / Retailer or submit a Lost Combination form. Bring your lock to the retailer. Be sure that it is not attached to anything.
Rule 1: never pick a lock that you don't own or do not have permission to pick. Rule 2: do not pick locks that you rely on or that are in use. Rule 1 is pretty straightforward. It's your good old fashion, common sense, “stay-out-of-jail” rule.
For beginners or those seeking the easiest, most foolproof method, a Lishi tool is the easiest pick tool available.
Lockpicking is generally legal in the US as a hobby or profession, but possession of lockpicks can become illegal if you have criminal intent or cannot prove lawful purpose. It is legal to own tools and practice on your own locks, but carrying them in public, particularly in a car, can be classified as possession of "burglary tools".
The easiest way to protect yourself is to use a lock that does not use a pin tumbler. Most mortice locks use levers and do not use pins on springs so are bump proof by design. We recommend British Standard Mortice Deadlocks.
The Master Lock No. 1D Laminated Padlock features a 1-3/4in (44mm) wide laminated steel body for maximum strength and reliability. The 5/16in (8mm) diameter shackle is 15/16in (24mm) long and made of hardened steel, offering extra resistance to cutting and sawing.
Generally, all you'll need to pick a lock are some picks (long, thin metal pieces with curved ends of different shapes for different types of locks) and a tension wrench. You can use paperclips as picks in a pinch, and a tension wrench can be any tool used to create tension, including a flathead screwdriver.
To pick a lock without a bobby pin, you will need two substitute tools: a tension wrench to turn the lock’s cylinder and a pick to lift the internal pins. You can easily craft these out of two heavy-duty paperclips.
To open a standard Master Lock combination padlock, clear the mechanism by spinning the dial clockwise at least three times. Then, use the sequence: Right to the first number, Left, past the first number and stop on the second, Right directly to the third number.