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
Auto locksmith
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:

    It may be the more
    That no line of her writing have I,
    Nor a thread of her hair,
    No mark of her late time as dame in her dwelling, whereby
    I may picture her there.
    Thomas Hardy (1840–1928)