Binding

Binding

Binding is a fundamental principle of lockpicking and impressioning that allows components to be manipulated in order to affect entry. Binding uses tension to determine the order in which components should be picked, or, in the case of impressioning, the spots in which a key should be filed.

Binding is also used defensively by locks to prevent the lock from opening without the correct key. Components like sidebars and security pins prevent the lock from opening through the use of binding themselves against various parts of the lock, preventing rotation.

In lockpicking

The type of binding that occurs during lockpicking is 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 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 locks

Binding occurs between the discs and the sidebar.

Combination locks

In direct-drive rotary combinatino locks, binding occurs between the combination wheels and the fence. Also applicable to many low-security combination 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.

See also

• Lockpicking
• Impressioning

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