If you’d like, you can use a pair of pliers to help you bend the paperclip.
Make sure you hold the paperclip in the correct direction. If you hold it horizontally, the paperclip will not fit into the keyhole. As you do this, the paperclip pushes down on the pins of the lock.
While many cabinets are opened by turning the key clockwise, other cabinets require you to turn the key counter-clockwise.
For example, some keyholes are vertical when in the locked position. To unlock these cabinets, move the paperclip counter-clockwise to position the keyhole horizontally.
The cabinet remains unlocked unless you use a key or tool to move the keyhole into the correct position.
You can slide the nail file either clockwise or counter-clockwise.
Since the nail file has a slightly curved tip, it works great to get inside the filing cabinet lock.
This may take a bit of experimentation. With a little practice, you can get the hang of it. For many filing cabinets, you can turn the nail file clockwise, like you would your key.
Most household locks have about 5 pins, and your key effortlessly moves these pins when you insert it into the lock. You must move these pins to unlock the cabinet.
You may hear the locking mechanism collapse as you do this.
To lock the filing cabinet, move the nail file the opposite direction.
