North Carolina Locksmith Practice Exam

The manipulation technique is a critical feature of mechanical combination locks that facilitates the determination of an opening combination by exploiting the tolerances within the lock. This method involves a skilled locksmith or technician feeling for subtle feedback as they rotate the dial. Through careful listening and tactile feedback, the individual can discern the subtle give or resistance of the lock components as the correct numbers align with the internal mechanisms, allowing for the correct combination to be found.

Manipulation relies heavily on the understanding of the lock's internal structure and tolerances, which refer to the small variances and permissible limits in the positioning of the components. These tolerances can create a slight movement in the lock that can be detected during the manipulation process, leading to the successful opening of the lock without the original combination. This skill is particularly valuable in situations where the combination is lost, as it presents a non-destructive method of opening the lock.