Slim jim (lock pick)

A sample of multiple sizes of modern slim jims available

A slim jim (more technically known as a lockout tool) is a thin strip of metal (usually spring steel) roughly 60 centimetres (24 in) long and about 2–4 centimetres (0.79–1.57 in) wide originally marketed under that name by HPC Inc., a manufacturer and supplier of specialty locksmithing tools. Slim Jims are used to unlock automobile doors without use of a key or lock pick. It acts directly on the levers and interconnecting rods that operate the door, completely avoiding the complexity of dealing with the lock mechanism itself. The hooked end of the tool is slipped between a car's window and the rubber seal, catching the rods that connect to the lock mechanism. With careful manipulation, the door can be opened.^[1]

Unskilled use of the tool will often detach the lock rods, leaving the lock inoperable even with the key. This is often a clue that someone has attempted to break into a car. Newer cars have also incorporated internal defenses against this tool such as barrier blocks on the bottom of the window, preventing entry, and also shrouding the operating rods and the lock cylinder to prevent manipulation of internal linkages. Others have designed the operating rods to be easily disconnected when engaged with a lateral force – as is often created by the lifting action of the tool.

It has been reported that in modern vehicles there is a chance for setting off the side airbag deployment system of the vehicle, possibly causing injury to a person attempting to use a slim jim. However, according to research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this has not been verified and manufacturers state it is impossible.^[2] An episode of MythBusters showed experimenters that were also unable to deploy an airbag with a slim jim.^[3]

References

↑ Lee, Venus (July 26, 2005). "Civics top Oahu thieves' wish lists". Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
↑ "Slim Jim incidents unfounded". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
↑ "ANNOTATED MYTHBUSTERS". Retrieved 2 April 2014.

Locksmithing & Lock picking

Topics	Electric strike Key control Key relevance Lock bumping Lock picking Lockout-tagout Maison key system Rekeying Single-point locking Three-point locking

Components	Bitting Bolt stump Break Interchangeable core Key blank Key code Keyhole Lockset Shear line Split pin

Key types	Berlin key Bump key Change key Master key Skeleton key Smart key Tubular key Transponder key

Lock designs	Bored cylindrical lock Bramah lock Cylinder lock Disc tumbler lock Electromagnetic lock Electronic lock Key retainer Lever tumbler lock (Chubb detector lock) Magnetic-coded lock Magnetic keyed lock Mortise lock Padlock Combination lock Rotary combination lock Time-delay combination locks Pin tumbler lock (Snib) Protector lock Relocking device Time lock Tubular pin tumbler lock Warded lock Wafer tumbler lock 5 lever lock

Specific lock types	Bicycle lock Chamber lock Child safety lock Dead bolt Keycard lock Kensington Security Slot Luggage lock Power door locks The Club TSA lock

Tools	Lockpick Slim Jim Snap gun Tubular lock pick

Related	Bolt cutter Door chain Exit control lock Famous locksmiths Interlock (engineering) Keychain Key (engineering) Lock manufacturers Lock puzzle Lock snapping Locksport Two-man rule

Category:Locksmithing Keys Locks Book

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