The Complete Guide to Rewind Reverse Pick for Wafer Locks

If you've ever struggled to open a file cabinet, desk drawer, or truck toolbox with a wafer lock, the Rewind reverse pick is the tool locksmiths and lock sport enthusiasts have been waiting for. Designed by Tyler at Newhouse Lock and Key and manufactured by Southern Specialties, the Rewind pick is purpose-built for one job: reverse picking wafer locks efficiently, without a tension wrench.

What Is the Rewind Reverse Pick?

The Rewind is a professional-grade lock pick specifically engineered for reverse picking wafer locks. Unlike traditional picks that require a separate tension tool, the Rewind acts as both a tensioner and a pick simultaneously. Insert it, apply light rotational pressure, slowly withdraw, and the cylinder turns.

The name is intentional. "Rewind" references the reverse-pick technique used on wafer locks, and the logo is the rewind symbol from a TV remote, a clever nod that Tyler confirms is the most common question he gets from customers.

Available at CLK Supplies, the Rewind comes in three variants: a .020" individual pick, a .025" individual pick, and a pocket riveted set containing both sizes.

Who Designed the Rewind Pick? The Origin Story

The Rewind pick has been roughly five years in the making. Tyler from Newhouse Lock and Key first prototyped it using feeler gauge material, testing it on a truck toolbox he owned at the time. The original handmade version sold on Etsy for years.

About four years ago, Tyler pitched the concept to Sparrows, one of the most recognized names in lockpick manufacturing. They passed, saying they couldn't get any opens with the sample he sent. Tyler kept refining it.

In November 2024, Tyler partnered with Southern Specialties, the manufacturer behind many professional locksmith tools. He designed the final version, sent a sample, and Southern Specialties laser-engraved the indicator lines onto production units. 

The Three Rewind Pick SKUs Explained

Rewind .020" Reverse Pick — The standard option. At .020 inches thick, this pick fits the vast majority of wafer locks on the market. It's the go-to for desk locks, file cabinets, cam locks, and most truck toolboxes.

Rewind .025" Reverse Pick — Designed for locks with spring-loaded cores, such as trailer hitch locks. The .020" version works fine in most locks, but in stiffer cores it tends to twist. The added thickness of the .025" provides the rigidity needed to maintain consistent tension without the pick flexing out of position.

Rewind Pocket Reverse Pick Set —  A riveted two-pick set containing both the .020" and .025" sizes. Compact enough for a shirt pocket or small gear bag. Users have discovered a bonus technique with this set: hold the .025" as a separate tensioner while using the .020" as the picking tool. The .025" provides grip and leverage feel, making the technique more controlled.

What Locks Does the Rewind Work On?

The Rewind pick is optimized for any non-automotive wafer lock. Compatible lock types include:

• Desk drawer wafer locks

• File cabinet locks

• Truck tool box locks

• Trailer hitch locks (use the .025" for spring-loaded cores)

• Cam locks

• Uline bypass tool wafer systems

• American 1100 locks (with appropriate pick selection)

On certain file cabinet brands, users have found the Rewind acts like a core puller, pushing all the way through and pulling the core out rather than just turning the cylinder.

Where it does not work: Vehicle locks. The wafer spacing in automotive locks is wider than what these picks are sized for. Tyler experimented with an automotive version and ultimately scrapped the idea.

What Are the Indicator Lines On the Rewind Pick?

The laser-engraved lines on the Rewind pick are one of its most distinctive features and the most asked-about.

Tyler designed them after noticing he kept withdrawing the pick too quickly, causing it to slip out of the lock before the cylinder could turn. The indicator lines give a clear visual reference for how far the pick has been pulled back, preventing premature exit.

The lines are intentionally engraved extra dark. An early prototype had lighter engraving that became invisible under direct light or glare. By making them darker, Tyler ensured they remain visible in any working condition.

Physically, the lines don't add friction or mechanical resistance. They are purely visual indicators, depth guides that tell you where you are in the withdrawal process without needing to feel for the tip.

How to Use the Rewind Reverse Pick (Step-by-Step)

Using the Rewind correctly comes down to three things: insertion, tension, and controlled withdrawal.

Step 1 — Insert fully. Push the Rewind pick all the way to the back of the lock. Wiggle gently if needed to navigate past the wafers.

Step 2 — Apply light tension. Begin with the lightest rotational pressure you can manage. The Rewind doesn't need much; it works far closer to "key-level" tension than traditional picking. Most beginners fail because they apply too much tension, which binds the wafers and prevents the cylinder from turning.

Step 3 — Withdraw slowly. Watching the indicator lines, slowly pull the pick back toward you. As each wafer clears, the cylinder will want to rotate. Maintain steady tension throughout.

Step 4 — Let it turn. Once the pick has cleared all wafers, the cylinder rotates. On some locks, it turns before the pick is fully out. Don't be surprised if the lock opens while the tool is still partially inserted.

Tip for stubborn locks: If you've applied tension and reached the end without a turn, try increasing pressure slightly and tapping the lock body with a bump hammer. This can pop a stuck cylinder loose.

Clockwise vs counterclockwise: Many wafer locks require more tension going counterclockwise than clockwise. Tyler notes there's no definitive explanation, but it's a pattern consistent across many locks.

Why the Rewind Pick Is Easier to Learn Than Traditional Picking

Wafer locks are already simpler than pin tumbler locks; their flat wafer design creates less resistance and fewer feedback nuances. The Rewind takes this further by eliminating the tension tool, reducing the skill variables a beginner needs to manage simultaneously.

Aaron at Southern Specialties reportedly gave a set to his seven-year-old son, who was successfully opening locks with them. That's not a claim about security implications, it's a demonstration of how accessible the technique is once the correct tension feel is understood.

For locksmiths in the field, the advantage is speed. There's no fumbling for a tension wrench in a cramped keyway: one tool, one hand, one motion.

Final Verdict: Is the Rewind Pick Worth It?

For any locksmith or lock sport hobbyist who regularly encounters wafer locks, file cabinets, desk drawers, tool boxes, and cam locks, the Rewind pick fills a gap that standard pick sets don't address cleanly. No tension tool. No complex feedback to decode. A single controlled withdrawal motion that works on the majority of wafer locks on the market.

The pocket set offering both thicknesses in a carry-ready, riveted format is the recommended starting point. Learn the tension feel, watch the indicator lines, and most wafer locks become straightforward opens.

The Rewind isn't trying to replace your pick set. It's replacing the frustration you've had with wafer locks specifically and doing it very well.

FAQs

Do I need a separate tension wrench to use the Rewind reverse pick on wafer locks?

No. The Rewind pick acts as both the tensioner and pick simultaneously. Insert it fully, apply light rotational pressure, withdraw slowly, and the cylinder turns without any additional tools required.

What is the difference between the .020" and .025" Rewind picks, and which one should I buy?

The .020" fits most standard wafer locks. The .025" is thicker, preventing twisting in spring-loaded cores like trailer hitch locks. Buying the pocket set gives you both sizes for complete coverage.

Why am I having trouble getting the Rewind pick to open a wafer lock?

You are almost certainly applying too much tension. The Rewind requires far lighter pressure than traditional picks, closer to key-level tension. Start extremely light, gradually increase, and let the wafers set naturally during withdrawal.