How to Use a Warded Lock Pick
Learn how to use a warded lock pick for simple padlocks. A beginner friendly guide covering how warded locks work and how to bypass them safely.
How to Use a Warded Lock Pick
Warded locks are some of the oldest and simplest locks still floating around hardware stores, sheds, and old gear. They’re built on a skeleton key style system where most of the internal space is empty and only a few fixed “wards” block the wrong key shape. A warded lock pick works by skipping the key shape completely and reaching straight back to hit the locking mechanism. When you use one correctly the lock opens almost instantly.
This is one of the fastest, easiest bypasses in the entire lock world, and a great confidence builder for beginners learning how different lock systems work.
What Is a Warded Lock Pick
A warded pick (sometimes called a skeleton pick) is a simple tool shaped to avoid the fixed obstructions inside a warded lock. Instead of interacting with pins or discs, the pick slides around the wards and presses the locking mechanism directly.
This means:
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No tension wrench
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No pin setting
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No finesse
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Just insert, rotate, and you’re done
If a padlock says “warded” on the front, or the key looks like a hollowed tube with large cutouts, this tool is made for it.
How Warded Locks Work
Warded locks use:
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Thin internal plates
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Large open passages
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A locking lug or catch at the back
The real “security” is simply the key shape. If a key’s cutouts don’t match the obstructions, it won’t rotate. Since warded locks have almost no moving parts, they’re extremely easy to bypass with something that navigates around the plates.
How to Use a Warded Lock Pick
Step 1: Check That the Lock Is Actually Warded
Look for:
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Wide open keyways
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Old style “skeleton key” shape
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Thick, simple keys with large cutouts
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No visible pin chambers
If you see tiny pin stacks inside the keyway, this is not a warded lock.
Step 2: Insert the Warded Pick Into the Keyway
Slide the pick straight in.
It should travel smoothly, hitting light obstructions (the wards).
The shape of the pick is designed to dodge these automatically.
Step 3: Rotate the Pick Like a Key
Turn the tool gently clockwise or counterclockwise.
If you’re on the locking bar correctly, the lock will turn with almost no resistance.
If you feel solid resistance:
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Pull out slightly
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Reinsert at a slight angle
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Try turning the opposite direction
Step 4: Identify the Correct Pick Shape
Some warded locks need:
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A long thin skeleton style pick
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A notched tool that slips around internal blocks
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A rounded or squared head shape
Most kits include multiple versions. Choose the one that gives the smoothest insertion.
Step 5: Open the Lock
Once the tool hits the locking lug at the back of the lock, turning it releases the shackle.
The entire process usually takes seconds if the lock is compatible.
Improvised Options
Warded locks are one of the only lock types where improvised tools work well.
You can improvise a warded-style bypass from:
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A thin piece of flat steel
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A cut-down hacksaw blade
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An old bobby pin hammered flat
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A small flat screwdriver filed into a narrow tip
As long as the improvised tool slips around the wards and reaches the locking bar, it will work.
What Locks Warded Picks Work On
They work on:
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Classic warded padlocks
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Cheap hardware store padlocks
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Old storage lock boxes
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Decorative locks
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Vintage or retro replica locks
They do not work on:
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Pin tumbler locks
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Disc detainers
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Lever locks
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Any modern security system
Warded locks offer very little resistance and are mostly found on low value or decorative items today.
FAQ
Q: Why does this tool work so easily?
A: Warded locks rely on physical obstructions instead of moving parts. If you bypass the obstructions, the lock has nothing left to stop you.
Q: Do I need a tension wrench?
A: No. Warded picks apply turning force directly, functioning like a skeleton key.
Q: The tool won’t turn. Is the lock not warded?
A: Possibly. Also check:
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You may be hitting a ward incorrectly
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The pick shape may not match
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You may need to try the other turn direction
Q: Can this damage the lock?
A: Not unless you force it. Warded locks are simple and durable.
Q: Why are warded locks still made if they are so insecure?
A: Cost and simplicity. They are cheap to produce for low risk applications.
Q: Can I use a single universal pick for all warded locks?
A: Sometimes. Many can be opened with a standard skeleton shape, but a full set helps when the keyway shape varies.
Q: Do warded locks have security pins?
A: No. They don’t use pins at all.
Q: Why do warded lock keys look so strange?
A: The cutouts match the wards. The goal is simply “avoid the plates, turn the lock”.
Q: Is this a good lock to practice on as a beginner?
A: Yes. It teaches bypass logic without the complexity of pin systems.
Q: Can the tool get stuck?
A: Only if the lock is rusted or the pick is too wide. A drop of oil fixes most issues.
Tools, Skills, and Recommendations
A warded pick is a great intro tool for learning bypass concepts. Pair it with more advanced picks so you can handle everything from simple padlocks to standard household locks.
Useful companion tools include:
For more techniques and related tools check out:
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