View source for Binding

=Binding=

'''Binding''' is a fundamental principle of [[lock]]s that prevents the lock from opening without the correct [[key]]. Binding is also used in [[lockpicking]] and [[impressioning]] to allow components to be manipulated individually. A [[tension|tension tool]] is used to bind components and determine the order in which they should be picked, or, in the case of impressioning, the spots in which a key should be filed.

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== In lockpicking ==

The type of binding that occurs during lockpicking depends on lock design, the lock components (pins, wafers, discs, etc) and the lock body. In [[cylinder]] based locks, binding is caused by the cylinder and [[plug]] shearing into components. Binding not only determines the order in which components are picked, but also holds them in position so that they can be individually manipulated.

; [[Pin_tumbler|Pin-tumbler]] and [[Wafer]] locks
: Binding occurs between pins or wafers, cylinder, and plug.

; [[Lever]] locks
: Binding occurs between the levers and the [[bolt]], stump, or fence.

; [[Disc_detainer|Disc-detainer]] locks
: Binding occurs between the discs and the [[sidebar]].

;  [[Combination]] locks
: In direct-drive rotary combination locks, binding occurs between the combination wheels and the fence. Also applicable to many low-security combination [[Padlock|padlocks]] where the shackle binds with the wheels.

== In impressioning ==

[[Impressioning]] uses binding to freeze components in place so that a blank key can be used to determine proper position of components. Almost all impressioning techniques apply extreme tension to bind all components in the lock then use a blank key to obtain impressions. This is true for pin-tumbler, wafer, lever, and disc-detainer locks.

In [[warded]] locks, the blank key binds directly against the wards of the lock to determine where to remove material from the key.

== In decoding ==

Various forms of [[decoding]] use binding to identify components in the incorrect position. In most lock designs a component that is no longer binding is properly positioned and can then be decoded. Impressioning, mentioned above, is one such example.


== See also ==

* [[Lockpicking]]
* [[Impressioning]]

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[[Category:Lockpicking]] [[Category:Impressioning]]