Questions on specialty aspects of Locksmithing

[sturmgrenadier]

Wow. That's a lot of gear. I guess when people promote themselves as 'Lockout Specialists' that they mean they are really specialists who practice a particular sub-specialty of lockout assistance. Am I correct in assuming that few experts have the resources and knowledge to be highly proficient in about all types of lockout cases? Assuming that my understanding is correct, what, in your opinion, is the easiest sub-specilaty to gain reasonable skill at? Domestic automobiles, private residences, businesses, buildings with multiple related locks (offices and dorms), etc.?

[Raccoon]

I doubt any one person on the planet is prepared to open any and all types of locks, buildings or vehicles. For the practicing locksmith, it is highly dependant on their location and the types of property people own and how they are secured.

You, like myself, are in the USofA. As best as I can tell, 90% of all American homes are protected by a Kwikset brand, or cheap knock-off (still using KW1 keyway) doorknob and deadbolt locksets. To open these homes, you require the $30 set of lockpicks you already posess. Easy Breezy. Some unskilled or impatient locksmiths prefer a pick gun to lockpicks, and it has been suggested that bump keys may prove as a viable tool in the trade. There are other tools which you should own just in case, such as a letterbox tool, pull tools, and a good cordless drill if all else fails. I personally carry some climbing rope because you never know.

Auto openings in the States are also just as simple. Since I started practicing in February, all but (2) *TWO* of my openings have been with a wedge tool and/or long rods to reach through the door or an open/insecure window. I have never used a slimjim on the job, and hope to keep in that way-- I just feel there is too much liability involved, and it looks unprofessional in my eyes. Others will certainly disagree, but we all do things differently. Of those other two openings, one was performed by manual picking (which was surprizingly quick and easy considering I hardly ever practice on wafer locks), and the other involved a strap tool through the door in place of a long rod.

In all, of the ~$800 of opening tools I've purchased, I probably only use $200 of them. But there will come a time when I need all of those tools, and more, so the investment will continue to increase.

As I slowly become full service, and open a shop, the costs will increase exponentially. I'm already hanging doors, fitting locks, rekeying, master keying, etc, which are still pretty low budget-- but I'm paying retail for customer hardware where I could be saving by buying wholesale and keeping an inventory. I really want a code cutting machine, as I have turned down at least 8 customers to date who have lost their car keys and needed a new one cut for them. Unfortunately, a good machine costs a fortune, and those 8 customers would have barely earned me $250. Then I'll need to keep a stockpile of key blanks, code books, key readers, etc. I don't live in a large enough town to justify the expense.

In short, I'm trying to say that no two locksmiths are alike, and no two operate the same. Is one a specialist if they can open everything, or just one specific thing? Can you call yourself a locksmith if you only hang doors and install locks and change keys, but can't even duplicate? I don't know that it really matters where the defining line is. I just know that I have many happy customers and contracts with a couple apartment complexes which brings in some steady income. It's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it.

[sturmgrenadier]

Raccoon,
Thanks for the perspectives. What you say about speciliazing according to local need is very sensible (really should have been self-evident to me). I guess I assumed that automobile lockouts would be fairly challenging 'specialty' to become reasonably skillful at. I figured that there are so many different models of cars (each requiring their own special routes of attack) and that it would be awfully difficult/expensive to provide opportunities to practice on vehicles (I think I read on a thread somewhere here that buying dented car doors from the junkyard is one way). Also, from watching a friend unlock my 98' Civic a few years ago using a coat hanger, I go the sense that it's tricky to open doors with these devices without breaking the glass, trim, etc. (From how severely the rubber trim bent/glass was pressured, I thought it was a miracle that he didn't break anything).

One recent thing I saw that surprised me is that there are so many different devices that are used (slim jims, metal rods, etc.) I didn't realize that slim jimmming was considered an amateurish method and that there were vehicles they are ineffective on (is this becaue they are more prone to inflicting damage or many vehicles are configured in such a way that they can't be used?). At the auction, if I had known that those chrome colored metal rods with twists on the ends were for automobile lockouts, I would have bought a whole box of about eight for a few dollars:( In thinking about what they could possibly be used for, I eliminated car lockouts because I didn't see how the coils could go through the gap in the window.

Recently, I glanced through someone's copy of the AAA lockout Manual and was surpised at how many different tools are employed against different vehicles. SOme of the pictures showed these wedge and vise like devices and also implied taht the metal rods had to be used on certain models. I didn't understand how they worked. At any rate, I'm getting WAYYYYY ahead of myself. I mean, I find this stuff fascinating and like talking about it, but I need to score a few more minor victories on pin locks (padlocks, deadbolt cylinders) before I even delude myself with thoughts of branching into autos. Hopefully, slowly I'm getting to wherever I'm going (not exactly sure:)with lockpicking. I honestly admire (and envy:) someone like you, Raccoon, who has the motivation, smarts and initiative to self-study and achieve some success. Not everyone can do it. Thanks again for sharing.

[Varjeal]

Wow. That's a lot of gear. I guess when people promote themselves as 'Lockout Specialists' that they mean they are really specialists who practice a particular sub-specialty of lockout assistance. Am I correct in assuming that few experts have the resources and knowledge to be highly proficient in about all types of lockout cases? Assuming that my understanding is correct, what, in your opinion, is the easiest sub-specilaty to gain reasonable skill at? Domestic automobiles, private residences, businesses, buildings with multiple related locks (offices and dorms), etc.?

The gear listed in the "tools" thread is done so for the general purpose locksmith who does a little bit of everything. Specializing in lockouts only greatly decreases the amount of gear you carry, and specializing further (such as to automotive only) even further reduces that.

It is rarely a good idea to assume ever, and incorrect to do so believing that few experts have the resources and knowledge to be highly proficient in all types of lockout cases. The concept of NDE can apply across the board to any situation, its the knowledge of the specific product(s) that helps to increase the rate of success.

If one could make a living at it, unlocking residences would perhaps be the easiest avenue to quickly excel in, as it would (most of the time at least) be a simple case of either picking a lock or bypassing it (generally a standard grade 3 or 2 lock with no difficult keyway). Also, the required tools for such a specialty would be very limited.

To prove Raccoon's theory about no two locksmiths are alike, I would have to say that I disagree on a few points with him. (and that's alright, we're still democratic enough of countries to be allowed to do so).

1. I would have to say I'm about as close as you can get to being prepared to open any and all types of locks, buildings, or vehicles. With the exception of some very specialized tooling, I'm quite certain there isn't much I will see in my work I can't handle.

2. Raccoon refers to those who use pickguns as unskilled or impatient. Well, I use the pickgun frequently for one simple reason. Speed. Often times the customer has one thought on their mind, and that's to get in as quickly as possible. They are not interested in seeing the locksmith bent over a lock for a full minute using a "secret" technique when 10 seconds with a gun (or less) will do the same job. A pickgun is a practical piece of kit in my ever so humble opinion.

3. I would disagree that auto openings are as simple as residential ones. Honestly, a house lock is a house lock. They're all the same in regards to opening. You pick the lock and turn the plug, the door is open.

Automotive is a far different cry. There are shielded mechanisms, nifty tricks for specific models, recessed lock buttons, cable-pully systems, locks that are easy to pick, locks that require special tools, and vastly varying degrees of difficulty. I also do not use slim jims, but I do use wires, and in opposition of Raccoon, prefer to stay away from the "reach" or long rod tool. I find that giving the customer this perspective encourages them to try that method themselves, and I've seen customers who have tried that before hand with a screwdriver and coat-hanger (say goodbye to your paint).

As well, there are particular types of vehicles where that long-reach tool shouldn't be used, and you need the knowledge to know when and where (as with anything else).

In short, as long as we all do our opening work as NDE as possible and provide friendly, quick, and efficient service, the result is ultimately more important than the method.

Hope that helps ya a bit on your journey.