Jiggling is a technique that is used in conjunction with a variety of tools called jigglers, profile picks, and tryout keys. Many commercially made products exist. Illus. (blah) shows the HPC Computer Picks, a set of profile picks popular among many experienced lock pickers. These HPC tools are called Computer Picks because it is implied that the shapes were computer designed using algorithms to generate the ideal profiles. Reports on this history are varied, and no clear details seem to be available, though it has been reported that the Computer Picks are actually enlarged replicas of a previous design.
The theory behind profile picks is that, with a relatively small number of tools, one can replicate all possible key bitting combinations. This means that the tool is used very differently than other pick tools. Rather than raking in and out, or levering to lift individual pins, the tool is inserted into the lock and lifted, rocked, and jiggled, all the while applying normal tension to the lock with a tension wrench. By tilting the pick forward and back, the top surface of the pick profile changes, each new position accommodating a different possible key bitting. If you are unsuccessful after a few moments of trying, you simply flip the pick over and use the underside to repeat the process. Failing that, you move along to the next tool and repeat. With only eight tools in the HPC set, each tool having a top edge and bottom edge which can be used, there are only 16 possible attempts that need be made. Once mastered, profile picks can be very successful opening many varieties of pin tumbler locks.
