Quiz Entry - updated: 2026.07.14
What are the three most popular pick shapes, and when is each used?
The three workhorses of any pick set are the hook (precision), the diamond (general purpose), and the snake (raking).
The shapes and their jobs:
| Pick shape | Profile | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Hook | Single curved tip | Single Pin Picking (SPP) — lifting one pin at a time to a precise height. The "scalpel" of picking |
| Diamond | Triangular | All-purpose; good for shallow-cut locks and applying pressure mid-pin |
| Snake (Bogota) | Wave-shaped | Raking — drag in and out fast, multiple pins setting from random impacts. Brute-force approach |
The two technique families:
SPP (with hook): Raking (with snake):
Slow, precise, one pin at a Fast, repetitive, in-out
time. Feels each pin set. motion. Pins set by chance.
Best on: high-security Best on: cheap padlocks,
locks with security pins budget-end Yale-style locks
The advantage of raking:
- 5-second attempts vs. 5-minute SPP sessions.
- No need to feel individual pins.
- Often the first thing to try — if a lock yields to raking, it's not worth doing SPP.
The advantage of SPP:
- Works on locks immune to raking (security pins, tight tolerances).
- Forensically subtler — fewer scratches.
- The skill that distinguishes a hobbyist from a master.
Tip: Most lockpicking lessons start with raking (instant gratification on a transparent lock) and then transition to SPP when the student moves to a slightly harder lock. Both skills are needed — they're complementary, not competing.
Go deeper:
How to Pick a Lock — pick shapes (Art of Lock Picking) — hooks (single-pin) vs. rakes (multi-pin scrubbing) and when to switch.