# Pick a Lock

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-lock/184045>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 24, 2003, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-lock/184045 "2003-06-24T15:13:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Tarantula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e274bd/32.png) [@Tarantula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarantula)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-lock/184045/1 "2003-06-24T15:13:42Z")

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Please help.

I need to open a padlock - type “tri-rhomb 287 / 50”. Basically it’s just a normal padlock except I have lost the key.

Apparently you can open this type of lock by hitting it with a hammer. Does anyone know anything more than this? Where do I hit it; how hard etc.

If there is any other way, that would be great either…

Thanks all.

Tarantula

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**Author:** ![Tarantula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e274bd/32.png) [@Tarantula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarantula)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-lock/184045/2 "2003-06-24T15:35:51Z")

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[bump]

Come on guys. My bike is stuck to the lamp-post !!!

[/bump]

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**Author:** ![d12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/71c47a/32.png) [@d12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/d12)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-lock/184045/3 "2003-06-24T15:38:30Z")

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Heh, hate to break it to you (no pun intended) but most people here would think you’re trying to steal someones bike. Try using a crowbar on the padlock? How is the bike attached to the post?

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**Author:** ![John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-lock/184045/4 "2003-06-24T15:40:02Z")

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I suggest you consult with a professional lock smith. I’m going to close this before someone tries to offer suggestions on how to pick locks.

**DrMatrix** - GQ Moderator