Are Bump Keys a Threat to Locksmiths?

The public knowledge of bump keys did not make the locksmith industry happy. It opened up public scrutiny and negative images for locksmiths because it spread open knowledge of how vulnerable the public can be with the locks that are on the market. Privacy was made insecure and uncertain.

Bump keys gained popularity and gave the public a glance into the world of the locksmith. The glance, however slight, made the job seem easy. A locksmith faces many challenges aside from the types of locks that can be opened with bump keys. But the public knowledge brought forth both positive and negative attention to locksmiths. In some aspects it showed that more credibility needed to be gained from those legitimate in the business to ease public concern over those who are not. It caused more work for locksmiths in some ways because of the amateur criminals who adopted a belief that they could get away with more wrong-doing in an easier way. It also showed many ways our modern locks were failing us.

Locks are designed by locksmiths, manufactured in factories, sold for public and private use, and then worked on by locksmiths who must pick the locks for people who lose keys or leave them locked inside the building or vehicle. It's somewhat of an amusing circle that moves from the locksmith and back to the locksmith.

Not everyone, of course, was willing to take the bump key attention to heart. It lost popularity after the initial shock was over. Locksmiths are still a respected group who are much needed; in some ways, the attention brought by the bump key information enhanced business for locksmiths.

Bump keys are certainly not the only way a criminal can enter your home, business, or vehicle. If a person is determined to enter and is persistent, there are many other ways to accomplish unlawful entry. Not every criminal would want to take the time to learn the proper way to make and use the bump key.

Locksmiths will continue to flourish in their trade, and if the truth be known, have had occasion to use the bump key as well. The real threat to the public is in not taking responsibility for their own safety and not taking criminals seriously. Lock bumping is not new. The Dutch and German locksmiths experimented with it many years ago. It's just another form of lock picking that was put in the public eye that people had not realized was a threat all along.
So, even though the public and the locksmiths frowned on the bump key knowledge becoming public, it was only a matter of time before it surfaced. The interest died down once the spotlight was removed. Life goes on. Locksmiths are still respected in their field and will continue to be such. Lock manufacturers didn't suffer enough for it to affect them on a large basis.

The bump keys are only a small part of the tools that fall into the wrong hands. There is no way to keep every tool that could possibly cause unlawful entry out of the criminal's hands. Hence the job security of the locksmith will remain secure!

Bank Locksmiths

Bank locksmiths are not shade-tree locksmiths who learn their trade in the backyard and go on to work for themselves in a run-down building in a bad area of town. A bank locksmith must learn their craft legitimately from an accredited institution and provide licensed, verified backgrounds with certification. Anyone entrusted with the security of public finances has to be spotless in their reputation and have impressive credentials to earn the bank business and support.

Vault and safe locksmiths have a challenging job that throws them in the face of temptation on a regular basis. Their iron will is of the utmost importance, as is maintaining and improving their education to keep up with technological advances.
A bank locksmith must know proper etiquette as well as proper procedures. They must also be able to explicitly trust their employees and business partners. Who they hire as help is just as important as who they work for.

The locksmiths who specialize in the banking field must have knowledge of safe deposit box services, timelock cleaning and service, combination changes, vault services, preventive maintenance of physical security products, emergency vault and safe opening, and obsolete door refurbishments as well as on-site key duplication.

Bank locksmiths must know alarm systems. They must know fire alarms as well as intruder alarms. Bank alarm systems must be complicated in order to be effective. They involve knowledge of power sources, programming, testing, operating, and possible malfunctions.

Taking care of the needs of a bank may also involve opening, rebuilding, painting, moving and installing safes. An apprentice must be willing to cooperate in many areas and be able to work without constant supervision while being trained. The apprentice must have concern for safety and be comfortable with working in small spaces.

A bank locksmith must have solid mechanical mathematical ability, good personal presentation, good communication skills on paper and in person or on the phone, and a desire to stay educated with new security equipment developments.

Some banking stores have locksmiths on staff. These locksmiths also service ATMs. Since being introduced in the late 1960s, ATM machines have made incredible progress and have become a valuable asset to our society. They gave the locksmith yet another challenge to learn and continue to provide another part of the job's security.

The way a bank locksmith dresses is important to their success and credibility. Bank employees need to feel secure with this person they entrust to their safety and not embarrassed to do business with him/her. Locksmiths who conduct themselves with class and sophistication will gain more respect and help people feel more comfortable in their presence. One way to do this is to dress in a way that shows respect for oneself.

If you are just starting out as a locksmith, consider your personal image. If you can afford to invest in some sort of uniform, you will present a more positive image. It will also help people learn to recognize you easier when they learn to associate your clothing with your business image. You will, in a big sense, be advertising yourself.

Connecting the Virtual World to Locksmiths

Besides being a form of advertisement for locksmiths, the virtual world is also a source of connecting to others in the business. It is a place to connect with customers and a place to shop for ideas. The locksmiths can check on laws, find out about advancements in their field of work, and learn tricks of the trade online.

The virtual world is a great place for the locksmiths to buy supplies without having to travel to stores and shops or order through physical catalogues. This saves them money that can be spent in other ways to enhance the quality of their businesses. They can save time choosing what items to put in their shops to sell, which brands, compare prices, and check feedback on possible brands or equipment.

The locksmiths can also use the virtual world to explore competition in their field. They can learn from other locksmiths, pass on information of their own, and explore other parts of the world for places to do business.

The virtual world also allows the locksmith a way to build a positive image for the profession as well as his/her own business. If they have a comment section, a suggestion section, or games on their own web site, it can help connect them to their customers and potential customers. Building interest in their businesses is one way the locksmiths must practice public relations.

The internet allows the locksmiths to pay their bills for their businesses. It can save them time and effort to set up online banking and bill paying. The post office also allows postage to be bought online now, which is another way the locksmiths can save money in their business.

There are online games for locksmiths to enjoy that relate to their profession. This gives them a fun release for their tensions and will exercise their mental skills at the same time. There are also virtual museums where the locksmiths can keep in touch with the history of their craft and the tools and hardware of the craft. There is also the information gained online about the upcoming conferences, events, and associations that may be of interest.

The businesses that make the tools for locksmithing are also important for the craftsman to understand what they sell. They should know all they can about the products, brands, and manufacturers of their equipment and the hardware they use in residences and businesses. This is especially important should there be a malfunction or a recall on any security systems or tools.

Should further education be a necessity, there are many schools that have websites providing information on courses such as keyless entry, lock picking, and much more that a locksmith would need to keep up-to-date on their skills.

The locksmith may want to consider putting a product information section on his/her web site. A question and answer section may be helpful as well. Sometimes it is necessary to give something away to get more back from potential and existing customers. Taking an interest in the customers and business associates should take place on the internet as well as in the real world.

Famous Locksmiths

If you aren't familiar with any famous locksmiths, it's no surprise. Many locksmiths prefer to keep a low profile except to gain a reputable business. There are famous locksmiths within the locksmith community who are well-known for their skills as lock pickers and dominate the hobby. But as for the famous locksmiths who take their profession more seriously, little is put in the public eye.

Schneider Locksmith of New York City is famous in their area of the states. But this is a famous company, not an individual. An individual of olden days who was famous for the locksmith skills was an Englishman named Robert Barron. He improved security of the lock itself with the invention in 1778 of the double tumbler lock. There was no modern day security, no electronic technology to help him. He used the impressive skills of his mind and hands to create his masterpiece of the era.

Another famous locksmith was Jeremiah Chubb. He patented a detector lock back in 1818. This particular lock had six levers and won him a monetary award as well as ongoing fame. Mr. Chubb was located in London.

Locks were made from wood long, long ago. They have amazed, confounded, and frustrated people over the years. They have made some people and companies rich (the inventors and manufacturers) and made others secure. No longer made from metal, these mechanical contraptions have come a long way over the years.

One famous locksmith known for other talents was Houdini. He was a magician who thrived on escape tactics. The escape tactics depend on locks of some form or fashion. Houdini was an expert lockpicker who captivated audiences with his skills.

The King of France, also known as Louis XVI, was a very famous locksmith. He was known for his reign as a bad king, but his passion was with locks. He had unusual and outstanding skills as a locksmith. This may not have won him any medals of love amongst his followers, but it did put him in history as a famous locksmith.

It used to be that one had to be an apprentice to learn to be a locksmith. Being an apprentice has great benefits, one of which is recommendation from the mentor. Passing on the trade can be as rewarding as learning it from a master of the trade.

One famous locksmith was Arthur C. Smith. He specialized in ship locks in the late 1800's. Located in Wolverhampton, which is in the English West Midlands, Mr. Smith put his mark on the world.

French locksmiths were known for their artwork on their locks. Resembling fancy scrollwork, these locks were fashioned in the true French elaborate designs. The French liked beauty in many areas of their lives and their locks were not to be left out.

A famous American locksmith known for his bank locks was Linus Yale, Jr., of New York. James Sargent, also of New York, patented a time lock mechanism, which made him yet another important locksmith.

As you can tell, locksmiths are important all over the world and throughout history. They are an important breed of human in our society, and yet one of the most overlooked. Locksmiths are constantly put to the test and should be famous for their endurance!

Government Locksmiths

Government locksmiths become licensed under the Security Industry Protection Act. Three important institutions associated with government locksmiths are Master Locksmiths of America, Associated Locksmiths of America, and British Locksmiths Institute.

One of the important aspects of the government locksmith's job is discretion. With a country's security at risk, any government office must be serviced only by the most trustworthy of locksmiths. The locksmith must know more than just their doors and windows; they must also know security systems, safe locks, telephone keys, drawer locks, and vehicle locks.
High priority is important for the items the government locks protect as well as for the people the locks protect and the paperwork. Any business must protect its important paperwork and investments, but government business takes on an upper level of importance.

A government locksmith is not just needed to pick locks and provide extra keys. Government locksmiths must be top experts in their field in both customer privacy and the actual work provided. The safety of these high profile clients and what they stand for, weapons, money, records, and personal items is high priority.

It is not only the government of a country that is important; it is also the government of local and state that is a concern to a government locksmith. Any level of government must be treated with special care. If the wrong things happen with local government it can have a domino effect upon other government bodies. Anytime someone can wreak havoc with documents, forms, equipment, public safety, and privileged information, the locksmith is called to upgrade security.
A locksmith for a security service provider can earn as much as $66,000 per year in California. They must have knowledge of the latest and best quality equipment and techniques to service their clients and build the best reputation for themselves.

A government locksmith must have electronic and computer skills that are updated. Their knowledge of lock and keys are not all they have to practice. They must also understand thumb print and retinal scanners, pin pads, and electronic swipe cards among other things.

Because passwords are considered a security hole, retinal scanners have taken on more importance. Retinal scanners are a form of biometric identification. They bypass passwords to move into a more complicated means of identity and security. For a retinal scanner, there is an enrollment process that captures the sample. The sample is stored in a template to be used for future authentication comparison. The template is matched against data, such as a user name or PIN.

Retinal scanning provides high accuracy, but it still meets some user resistance because of the misconception that a laser is shot into the eye. Focus on a given point is significant for accuracy, which can cause a small problem for someone with eyesight handicaps.

Other high technology advances for locksmiths to learn in a high profile field like government work are: voice recognition, iris scanning, signature verification, and facial recognition. So, as you can see, a locksmith who specializes in government work can be much more than just a lock picker and key maker.

High Priority for Locksmiths

Shunted locks are just one of the items an emergency locksmith must know well. A shunt is the process of turning aside or moving to an alternate course, a bypass. Shunted locks come in different brands. One of those brands is that of a British company named Bramah. The prices for a Bramah shunted lock can go up to $193. These locks are made for wooden doors, metal doors, sliding doors, and cabinets.

A shunt switch is used in a vandal-resistant mortise lock. These locks are used in places such as emergency exits. The complexity of these alarm locks requires educated intelligence on the part of the locksmith who may be required to repair or replace such a lock.

Locksmiths may also be called in a situation where an exit or emergency door has been locked or jammed. There are doors that must legally remain unlocked. Any time they have become illegally obstructed, the locksmith may be called to undo the damage. Sometimes these doors are obstructed because of poor management or because of disgruntled employees.

Locksmiths can be especially important to hospitals, convalescent homes, ambulance services, and police stations. Emergency and health care facilities are of high priority in a locksmith business.

Although some people would categorize simply being locked out of their vehicle as an emergency, there are situations that are of a higher priority. If someone's health or life is at stake or if a criminal situation occurs that requires immediate response, the priority must be put on these situations.

Some emergency locksmith businesses that advertise fast service operate from Atlanta, Georgia to San Francisco, California. There are several businesses that operate out of many offices across the United States.

One has to be especially careful about hiring an emergency locksmith. There have been instances where locksmiths who have operated for years have been found to incorrectly bill the customers out of greed. One locksmith was fired from a hospital after eighteen years of service because he became greedy. He had an elaborate scheme which involved two other employees as well as him. This is an exception to the norm, though.

We have to place our trust in someone, and there are many locksmiths who work hard to earn the trust and deserve it. Just as there are people in other professions who turn bad, there are also bad locksmiths. It doesn't make the profession bad, just that person. In general it is an honorable and respected position and the men and women who enter it must go through a lot to become professionals, including becoming registered in a way that allows the police department and the Better Business Bureau to investigate their background. The majority are proud of their upstanding public image and work hard to maintain control of it.

Locksmiths working with emergency personnel and police are another way they keep us safe. They repair damage done by criminals, install systems that make it harder for criminals to gain illegal entry, and provide us with a sense of inner peace.

The Art of Locksmiths

Locks have been created in boring, plain, mechanical fashion, solely for the purpose of security with no thought or care to the art world. Locks are, after all, a means of privacy and protection, which doesn't usually bring art to mind. However, there have been many designs of the lock that would make a locksmith proud to say he's a part of the lock world. Decorative locks can create quite a stir in displays for businesses and homes alike. Part of the allure of certain pieces of furniture is the design of the lock.

Art and creativity have improved the looks of the functional lock as well as the decorative lock. Improving the looks also boosted popularity and sales. There are combination locks now that make school children quite happy. Locks that light up, bright colors and interesting shapes have enhanced school supply shopping for both mothers and children.

The craft of the locksmith is an art in itself. But the artistic improvements in the locks elevated the recognition of the makers of those locks and also of the locksmiths who must know how to work them. Making the locks look better didn't improve memory. People still forget where they put keys, lose their keys, and forget their combinations.

There is also art in the photographs, clip art, stationery, and historical documents related to locksmithing. Paintings, posters, and ancient memorabilia all make the locksmith and his equipment an interesting part of art. Locks are found in pictures that don't even focus on locksmiths or locks. Locks contribute to history and genealogy. You'll see locks in historical references to churches, old general stores, and banks.

There's art in the business cards and advertisements the locksmiths use. There's also art in the key blanks, which have become quite decorative. There's art in the colors and designs and even in the bright key tags you can place on your keys.
Keys are now manufactured with themes such as Disney characters, cartoon characters, football team logos, American flags, and animals. Locksmiths must stay in tune with what sells in today's society to enhance their businesses and draw the attention of the youth.

Chinese locks are art pieces because of their unusual opening procedures. Their shapes make them interesting, but they're functional as well. The craftsmanship is outstandingly artistic. The French have some creative designs in their locks as well. Sometimes the artwork is not necessarily in the lock itself but in the framework around the lock.

There is also artwork in the locks of old as well as the locksmith tools of old. Ancient tools add to the quality of museums, giving credit due to the craftsmen who created the tools. Sometimes art is not recognized as such until it becomes a part of what is considered ancient. There is artistic quality in the locksmiths of old as well. Houdini was a famous locksmith who awed the public with his antics and magical quality to picking locks in his escape routines. He brought a flair to the art world as well as the locksmith world. Art is like beauty; it is in the eye of the beholder.

Tools and Equipment for Locksmiths

Locksmiths have to put several thousands of dollars into their tools and equipment investment. They may start out in the hundreds, but the cost will grow as the business grows. If a locksmith is interested in specializing in several areas, there are different tools for each area.

Aside from the normal tools of the trade, such as key blanks and a key making machine, a locksmith must break down the types of key blanks into different categories and buy other items to go along with these. Key blanks come as at least six different types of residential blanks (from $5 to over $50), ten brands of commercial key blanks, and automotive key blanks for domestic and foreign vehicles.

How is the locksmith to keep up with all the different keys? He/she must buy key tags, drawers, and key towers (tower only with no blanks, $500). These keys require key cutters. There are at least six different kinds of cutters. A manual duplicator costs $400-$600. A semi-automatic duplicator costs $655-$1600. An automatic duplicator costs $800-$1300. A tubular key duplicator costs $400-$1200. Code cutters cost $1900-$3100. Then there are your cutter wheels which cost in the range of $33-$340.

A locksmith must buy pins, pinning kits, picks, pick sets, tension wrenches, and many different locks. There are hospital locks, government locks, gate locks, electronic hardware, furniture locks, biometric fingerprint locks, and electromagnetic locks ($200-$700).

Every locksmith who has trained with a distance school will know about Kwikset locks and IICO key making machines. These are standard equipment for locksmiths-in-training. There are academies that teach courses on a course-by-course basis to further educate the craftsmen.

There are also transponder keys that require a code machine to code the key for the vehicles to work in the ignition. Newer model vehicles with added security methods use electromagnetic fields of energy that are sent to a computer in the car. (This is an example of technology and computers sneaking into yet another area of our lives.) Coding keys in this manner is a way to increase security for the automobile owner as well as reduce costs for the insurance companies.
There are older vehicles still in operation that require the simple use of the Slim Jim tool, so a locksmith must keep older tools around as well. Besides accommodating people who can't afford the newer, more sophisticated vehicles, there are collectors of antiques who won't want their cars damaged. So, the locksmith must know how to open the vehicles in a way that causes the least amount of forced entry. Even people who don't own expensive cars are proud of what they own and won't appreciate damage.

As is evident, there is much for a professional locksmith to learn. Much of it can be retained by repetition. There are many locks that use the same tools and methods to unlock. But for the loads of information that can't be retained, the locksmith must rely on paper tools. These exist in the manuals and written information that must be kept for reference purposes.