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Fundamentals of Going Through The Lock – Part 2
In the last article we discussed some ways of getting around the slam lock. Today we will continue with it, as well as discuss the techniques to get through doors with the key-in-the-knob lock.
#4 – Weed Eater String
Another great trick for overcoming the slam lock was brought to my attention by Chief Jimm Walsh from VentEnterSearch.com. This trick is extremely useful when the lock mechanism is covered by a latch guard which prevents a shove tool from being used on the door. To use this method, simply thread approximately 24 inches of weed eater string from the top of the lock, as shown below, and out the bottom.
Next, pull the two ends of the cord towards you while making a sawing motion with the cord. The door should subsequently open. Again, you may find that placing some pressure at the bottom of the door with your foot makes it easier to thread the string through. It is also worth noting that if the door is well-set in its frame or properly aligned where the loitering pin is engaged, this trick may not work.
Key-In-The-Knob Lock
Sharing many of its features with the slam lock, the key-in-the-knob lock is easily recognized by the keyhole at the face of the knob. Most of the tricks mentioned earlier will also work on this type of lock. However, if needed we can go one step further by pulling the cylinder and operating the lock mechanism to get the door open.
#5 – Pulling The Cylinder
The most popular type of lock we will run across in this category is manufactured by Kwikset. Pulling the cylinder on this type of set up is actually quite easy. Using a knife or a flat-bladed screw driver, pry off the trim ring on the front of the door knob. This will effectively remove the lock itself. All that needs to be done from this point is to use a pair of needle-nose pliers to manipulate the mechanism inside. And you are in. After the door opens you can actually pop the trim ring and lock cylinder back into place, causing virtually no damage to the door.
#6 – Halligan bar
If all else fails, there is still one more thing we can do before we actually go ahead and attack the door using conventional forcible entry techniques. We can use a set of irons to remove the door knob.
To do this, place the fork of the Halligan bar over the back of the door knob and have a second firefighter drive down on the adze end. We are not trying to force off the door knob, we are instead merely setting the fork into it. Next, place the axe behind the fork to create your fulcrum and pry up. This step is important especially on hollow core wooden doors. At this point, you should be able to force the knob off the front of the door and then manipulate the lock with your needle-nose pliers as you did in the above technique.
Although using this technique does destroy the door knob, you are still preserving the most expensive part of the set – the door itself.
If you have any tricks to get around locks as described here, please leave them in the comment section.
Photo Credit: Robert Fling
I noticed that one lock you don’t discuss is the type you can find at almost every convenient store in America. I don’t remember the name to it though. but I’ve found that you can easily twist the key hole off with a pair of channel lock pliers and then use a piece of metal bent at a 90 degree angle that you can make out of an old windshield wiper arm. The locking mechanism usually swings from the 7-5 o clock positions.