Why are high security cylinder locks vulnerable to cheap bic pens?

Looking for a locksmith or lock savvy person to answer this.

There have been several stories in the news lately about how a cheap bic pen can be used to quickly open up high security cylinder lock mechanisms on bicycle, vending and gun cabinet locks.

What’s happening (specifically) to the hardware mechanism via the use of this pen that allows this to be effective on a (purportedly) high security locks.

Twist a Pen, Open a Lock

Gun cabinet locks no match for pen - via Fark

Kryptonite Evolution 2000 U- Lock hacked by a Bic pen

The pen is mightier than the U lock

We are not going to discuss how to bypass security.

This is closed.

DrMatrix - GQ Moderator