Shear Line (locksmithing)

In a cylinder lock, the shear line (also known as the split line in Australia), is where the inner cylinder ends and the outer cylinder begins. When a break in the pin is reached by picking, the pin will "hang" at the shearline due to the space between the inner and outer cylinder. This "imperfection" in the lock mechanism is an unavoidable defect in the manufacturing process that allows for lock picking. Lock picking is a vital part of the locksmithing process as it can grant non-destructive entry to the lock device thus allowing it to be rekeyed instead of being replaced.

Locksmithing & Lock picking

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

Components	Bitting Bolt stump Break Interchangeable core Key blank Key code Keyway 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 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

Tools	Lockpick Relocking device Slim Jim Snap gun Tubular lock pick

Related	Bolt cutter Door chain Exit control lock Famous locksmiths Hex key Keychain Key (engineering) Lock manufacturers Lock puzzle Locksport Rope lock Twistlock

Category:Locksmithing Keys Locks Book

Famous quotes containing the word line:

“The line of separation was very distinct, and the Indian immediately remarked, “I guess you and I go there,—I guess there’s room for my canoe there.” This was his common expression instead of saying “we.” He never addressed us by our names, though curious to know how they were spelled and what they meant, while we called him Polis. He had already guessed very accurately at our ages, and said that he was forty-eight.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)