Step 1 – Cleaning the Kwikset or Compatible Lock

One of the most important things to do BEFORE using the Original Lishi KW1 2-In-1 Pick is to properly prepare the lock. A dirty or contaminated lock could cause damage to the tool and in particular, the lifter tip as it has a very delicate and unique design that is a bit fragile in nature. To properly prepare the lock use the following instructions:

1. Spray some CRC Electronic Cleaner into the lock’s keyway to flush out any dirt or debris that may be present.
2. Run a KW1 key blank, in and out of the lock approximately 25 times to exercise the pins and springs.
3. Spray some CRC Heavy Duty Silicone (or lubricant of your choice), into the lock’s keyway to lightly lubricate the tumblers (Silicone is a good lubricant for picking as it does not leave behind residue that can gum up the lock).
4. Again, run a KW1 key blank, in and out of the lock approximately 25 times to continue to exercise the pins and springs.
5. You are now ready to insert the KW 2-I-1 Tool.

Step 2 – Inserting the Pick

After proper lock preparation, correctly inserting the KW1 2-In-1 Pick is essential to insure successful picking and avoid damage to the pick. To properly insert your KW1 2-In-1 Pick, carefully follow the instructions below:

1. Carefully grasp the KW1 2-In-1 Pick in either hand.
2. Grab the lifter arm and move it down so that the tip of the arm is below the top of the tool.
3. Pull the lifter arm all the way to the rear of the tool so that the lifter tip is protected inside the tool tip.
4. Make certain that the tension arm is all the way closed.
5. Grasp the pick so that the tension arm remains closed and the lifter remains at the bottom of the pick’s tip.
6. Carefully insert the KW1 into the lock’s key way. If you feel any resistance, withdraw the pick and make certain that the lifter tip is all the way at the bottom of the tool tip and all the way at the back of the tool. Try to insert the pick again. If the pick will not enter the lock, DO NOT FORCE the pick, but rather, check for obstructions in the lock or deformities in the pick.
7. If necessary, gently rock the tool tip up and down to help guide it into the lock’s keyway.
8. Make certain that the pick is fully inserted into the lock and that the pick’s shoulder is against the lock plug.

Tips for Successful Tool Insertion

• Make certain that the lifter are is all the way down and that the lifter tip is all the way inside the tool tip.
• Verify that the lifter tip is all the way towards the rear of the tool.
• DO NOT FORCE the tool into the lock.
• Treat the tool gently as you would any other delicate locksmithing tool.
• Gently rock the tool up and down during the insertion process to help it to enter the keyway.
• Do not use a super firm grip while inserting the tool into the keyway, but rather carefully ease the tool into the lock.
• Use your opposite hand to help guide the pick into the lock’s keyway.
• If you feel ANY resistance, stop, remove the pick and try the insertion process again.

Step 3 – Picking a Lock With Standard Cylindrical Top Pins

Before performing the actual picking process, it is important to note that the KW1 is not intended to be used to force pins into the bible (top), of the lock. In fact, the KW1 2-In-1 Pick operates more closely to a hand pick then it’s automotive counterparts. This means that when using the KW1, you should pay close attention to the amount of tension that is applied.

When using the KW1 2-In-1 Pick, the tension should be varied as needed to gently “persuade” the lock pins to move up into the bible rather than forcing them. Often times you may have to loosen the tension to get a particularly stubborn pin to pick which might cause you to have to repick some of the other pins. Again, as was stressed above, the lifter arm tip is quite delicate and not intended to be used with force. Think of the lifter arm as more of a feeler that can gently move pins into place.

If you have a lock that contains spool pins, picking can be a challenge. See Step 3A below for more information.

Use the following instructions to pick the lock after the KW1 pick has been properly inserted:

1. Gently open the tension arm by swinging it away from the pick body.
2. The picking direction is dictated by the circumstances of the lock. In some instances, locks will pick more easily counter-clockwise rather than clockwise. You may find it helpful to pick the lock counterclockwise then record the pin depths. Once you have an idea about how the lock is combinated, pick in the clockwise direction using the recorded depths as a guide. The reason for recording the depths is that when picking clockwise, there may be a temptation to apply more turning pressure if the lock appears to bind when picked. If you have the depths recorded, you will be able to see exactly where the pins will set and not have to deal with the binding pins. 
3. Some locks will pick more easily if you start with cut 1 and other will pick more easily starting at cut 5. The starting cut is up to you, but if you find that the pins move more easily at one end rather than the other, start with that end. Apply a light turning tension and move the lifter arm down until the pin sets (usually indicated by a slight click). If the pin is picked, the lifter arm will bounce, but only by about 1 or 2 depths of movement.
4. Repeat step 3 until all pins are set and the plug turns.

Tips for Successful Picking

• Make certain that the lock is clean and free of debris.
• DO NOT force the pins into the top of the lock (bible) by using excessive force on the lifter arm.
• Treat the KW1 2-In-1 Pick very gently to insure its continued use.
• Vary the amount of turning tension to help to gradually pick each pin.
• Vary the amount of lifter are force when picking making certain that you avoid too much downward force.
• Never force the KW1 into the keyway of a lock.
• Protect the tool when it is not in use in such a way that the delicate lifter tip is protected.
• If you over pick a pin location, release the tension and try again.
• If you are able to pick a lock in one direction, but not the other. Pick in that direction, record your cut depth and then use them as a guide to pick the lock in the opposite direction.
• If the lock seems to bind when turning tension is applied in a particular direction, try reducing the amount of turning tension.
• You may find that each lock has its own personality. This means that the picking order might not be from say 1 to 5 or 5 to 1, but rather in a non-sequential manner (I.E. 1-4-3-5-2). Since this picking cadence for each lock may be different, it may take multiple attempts before you are successful.
• Practice, practice, practice.

Step 3A – Picking a Lock With Spool Pins

Before performing the actual picking process, it is important to note that the KW1 is not intended to be used to force pins into the bible of the lock in order to pick. In fact, the KW1 operates more closely to a hand pick then it’s automotive counterparts. This means that when using the KW1, you should pay close attention to the amount of tension that is applied to the lock plug when picking.

When using the KW1 pick to pick spool pinned locks, the tension must be varied as needed to gently “persuade” the lock pins to move up into the bible rather than forcing them. Often times you may have to loosen tension to get a particularly stubborn spool pin to pick which might cause you to have to repick some of the pins. Again, as was stressed above, the lifter arm tip is quite delicate and not intended to be used with force. Think of the lifter arm as more of a feeler that can gently move pins into place.

Spool pin locks can be a challenging. Often times when pick spool pin locks, the pin you are picking will set into a “false set” causing the plug to rotate about 5 degrees and then stop. If this happens, back off and rotate the plug slightly back to center then change the amount of tension so that the spool pin is not forced into a false set. With practice, you should be able to gently work the spool pin completely into the pin hole without a false set.

Use the following instructions to pick the lock after the pick has been properly inserted:

1. Gently open the tension arm by swinging it away from the pick body.
2. The picking direction is dictated by the circumstances of the lock. In some instances, locks will pick more easily counter-clockwise rather than clockwise. You may find it helpful to pick the lock counterclockwise then record the pin depths (spool pinned locks read exactly the same as cylindrical locks. Once you have an idea about how the lock is combinated, pick in the clockwise direction using the recorded depths as a guide. When picking clockwise, there is a temptation to apply more turning pressure if the lock appears to bind when picked. If you have the depths recorded, you will be able to see exactly where the pins will set and not have to deal with the binding pins. 
3. Some locks will pick more easily if you start with cut 1 and other will pick more easily at cut 5. The starting cut is up to you, but if you find that the pins move more easily at one end rather than the other, start with that end. Apply a light turning tension and move the lifter arm down until the pin sets (usually indicated by a slight click). If the pin is picked, the lifter arm will bounce, but only by about 1 or 2 depths worth of movement.
4. Repeat step 3 until all pins are set and the plug turns.

Tips for Successful Picking

• Make certain that the lock is clean and free of debris.
• DO NOT force the pins into the top of the lock (bible) by using excessive force on the lifter arm.
• Never force the lifter arm down to pick a pin.
• Treat the KW1 2-In-1 Pick very gently to insure its continued use.
• Vary the amount of turning tension to help to gradually pick each pin.
• Vary the amount of lifter force when picking making certain that you avoid too much downward force.
• Never force the KW1 into the keyway of a lock.
• Protect the tool when it is not in use in such a way that the delicate lifter tip is protected.
• If you encounter a spool pin in a pin chamber, relax the tension just enough to allow the pin to move all the way up into the bible.
• When picking a spool pin, if you bind that location, reduce the turning pressure and gently move the bottom of the spool pin up into the bible.
• Any positions that become unpicked because you reduce turning pressure, will have to be repicked.
• If you over pick a pin location, release the tension and try again.
• If you are able to pick a lock in one direction, but not the other. Pick in that direction, record your cut depth and then use them as a guide to pick the lock in the opposite direction.
• If the lock seems to bind when turning tension is applied in a particular direction, try reducing the amount of turning tension.
• You may find that each lock has its own personality. This means that the picking order might not be from say 1 to 5 or 5 to 1, but rather in a non-sequential manner (I.E. 1-4-3-5-2). Since this picking cadence for each lock may be different, it may take multiple attempts before you are successful.
• Practice, practice, practice.

Step 4 – Reading the Pin Heights

After the lock is picked, the bottom pins will be trapped into the rotated lock plug and the top pins will be trapped within the pin chambers in the bible. This trapping process will allow the KW1 2-In-1 Pick to be able to read the heights of the pins in each cut position. Use the following instructions to read the pin heights:

1. Carefully insert the KW1 into the keyway (see Step 2 above)
2. Pick the lock (see Steps 3 or 3A above).
3. Make certain that the tension arm is open. 
4. Starting at cut 1, gently move the lifter arm all the way until it stops on the pin.
5. Record the depth.
6. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until all cuts are recorded.

Please Note: This procedure will allow you to read the pin depths as they are when the pins have been trapped in the lock’s plug during picking. If the lock that you are working on has been master pinned, the readings might not be 100% accurate for a change key vs a master key. This can happen if during the picking process, one of the master pins has been trapped in the plug while others are trapped in the pin chambers in the bible. To verify that the decoding of a change vs a master key, you might have to disassemble the lock and examine the pin heights manually.

Tips for Successful Reading

• Make certain the lock is clean and free of debris.
• Use a piece of paper, Post-It Note, 3″ x 5″ card or other recording means, to record the cuts.
• Double check your readings.
• If you believe that the readings are not accurate, pick the lock in the opposite direction and reread the pin heights.
• The presence of spool pins will not affect readings.