Single pin picking

Single pin picking is opening a cylinder with a pick and a tensioner, working the pins one at a time. Spanish locksmiths use the English word “picking” for it, or call it “ganzuado”, and it is a non-destructive opening method.

It differs from raking in the method: picking is more precise and slower, pin by pin; raking tries to move many pins at once with a rake. Both exploit the manufacturing tolerances of the cylinder.

Some people also do it as a hobby, known as locksport, always with locks of their own. For you, as an owner, what matters is how resistant your cylinder is.

The cylinders that resist it best combine security pins, complicated profiles and additional locking, and say so on their technical sheet. If you want to check yours, send us a photo and we will point you in the right direction with our security cylinders.