Only pick your own locks - or you could wind up in a lot of trouble.

只能開你自己的鎖，否則你會惹上一堆麻煩

Locked yourself out of the house? Most common pin and tumbler locks

你曾把自己鎖在屋外嗎？一般的彈子鎖

can be picked with a little luck and finesse—so before you call a locksmith, try this. You

可以依靠一點運氣和技術就可以打開─所以在你找鎖匠之前，先試試這樣做

will need A paperclip or safety pin A tension wrench (sometimes called a torque wrench)

你將需要一支迴紋針或安全別針及扭力扳手

and a second paperclip.

還有另一個迴紋針

Step 1. Get a paperclip or safety pin and bend it straight. Now make a slight upwards

第一步，將一支迴紋針或安全別針扳直，再將最尾端稍微往上彎

bend at the very end. You can buy a professional lock pick set at a hardware store. There is

你可以在五金行買一套專業開鎖組，裡面就有

a basic size intended for American locks. Step 2. Insert your wrench into the lower

專為美國鎖所設計的基本款扳手。第二步，把扳手插進鑰匙洞的下方

part of the keyhole—that is, the side opposite the one where the key’s teeth would go in.

－也就是鑰匙齒插進洞時的相反方向處

Step 3. Figure out which way the lock needs to be turned to open by turning the wrench

第三步，將扳手以順時鐘及逆時鐘方向轉轉看，弄清楚那把鎖要往哪個方向才能轉開，

clockwise and then counterclockwise. You’ll feel which way has more give. Step 4. Turn

你可以感覺看看哪一邊較有彈性。第四步，將

the lock the correct way with the wrench, putting slight pressure on it. Hold the wrench

扳手轉向正確的方式，再稍微輕壓，然後把扳手固定在適當的地方

in place. Step 5. While keeping pressure on the lock, insert the end of the paperclip

第五步，在你持續壓著扳手的同時，將迴紋針的一端插入

into the top part of the keyhole. Step 6. Feel around the keyhole with the paperclip

鑰匙孔的上方。第六步，用迴紋針探索鑰匙洞內結構，

until you locate the pins. If you’re picking a common door lock, there will most likely

直到你找到彈子的位置。如果你開的是一般的門鎖，那麼很可能

be at least five of them in a row. Before you start, many experts suggest “raking”

鑰匙洞內一整排至少有五支彈子。在開始之前，許多專家都會建議先在洞內「掃」

the lock. Straighten your second paperclip, put a few bends at the wire’s end, and—with

過一遍。把第二支迴紋針拉直，只在尾端稍作幾個彎曲－在此同時，

no pressure on your wrench—shove it to the back of the lock. Now pull it out quickly,

扳手不要施力－將迴紋針推入洞底，然後再快速地抽回來，

pressing against the top of the lock while gently turning your wrench. You might just

一邊往鎖的上方施壓，一邊輕緩地轉動扳手。這樣你可能

set a pin or two that way. Step 7. Now for the actual “picking.” One at a time, push

只解決了一兩個彈子。第七步，現在開始正式開鎖。用迴紋針把一個個

each pin up with the paperclip. Try to feel for the moment when the pin reaches its “unlocked”

彈子分別往上挑。試著去體會當彈子到達它「開啓」位置時你會有的感覺

position. You should feel a slight give—or even hear a faint click. Start with the pin

你應該會感受到它些微的彈性，或甚至是微弱的喀啦聲。從最遠端

furthest away from you—then move on to the next. Step 8. As you go, apply slightly more

的彈子開始試，然後再循序漸進。第八步，當你一邊試，要稍微加強施加扳手的壓力，

pressure with the wrench until you have all the pins lifted up. Step 9. Now turn the wrench

直到所有的彈子都被移上去。第九，把扳手徹底旋轉，

fully. Voila! The lock will pop open. Did you know Wooden locks were used as far back

你看！鎖突然就被打開了。你知道

as 4,000 years ago in ancient Egypt.

遠在四千年前的古埃及就開始使用木製鎖了嗎？