New bump hammer with keys

[Buzzzy]

Hey guys a few weeks ago I ordered a set of picks from Southern Specialties.
We talked a bit about picks and tricks, and the subject came up about bumping. He asked me what I knew about it, and I explained that I had several bump hammers, almost fourty bump keys, and had opened hundreds of locks.
He said great he had something for me try,if I would just give him my input. When I opened the package along with the picks was a bump hammer and three bump keys. Don't you just love freebies!
I played around with it for a few days, and fell in love. It is pretty much a Tomahawk design but narrower, about 3/4 inches.The striker is a rectangle attached so that the end hits the bow of the key,I haven't pounded my fingers yet.I think this the most effective hammer I own, at least it's my new favorite toy.
When I called and told him how cool it was,he asked me not to show it around or mention it until it was released.
I saw it on his site today, and thought I would share the info.

http://www.lockpicktools.com/new-releases.htm

Buzzzy

[zeke79]

How about a pic of your bump hammer that they sent you with some meaningful angles taken by photo. Maybe even beside a scale and let us know the thickness of the handle material.

[Buzzzy]

Shure be glad to my camera is at work,i'll post some picks tomorrow.It's 1/8 inch thick, about 9 inches long.

Buzzzy

[devildog]

whhheeeeeeeeeeeeee!! I can't WAIT till omikron sees this thread--should be interesting

[vector40]

It's not theft. They are definitely different products.

[Omikron]

It's not theft. They are definitely different products.

Indeed they are. I believe my design is distinctly superior in many regards. However, I will have to wait until I can get my hands on one before I can make a point by point analysis. In the meantime, I will say this:

- Mechanical fastening DOES change the the way in which the kinetic energy is transferred. There is a reason the KEbump is not mechanically fastened.

- The material they are using for the striking block is significantly more oblong because the plastic they are using, which looks like UHMW, is not as dense as what the KEbump uses. I used UHMW in several prototype designs and found it to be absolutely undesirable.

[vector40]

Bummer that they got first-to-market, though.

[devildog]

Whats UHMW? The stuff they've got there looks like the material from a cutting board, which I've heard someone mention using as a material for a bump hammer and it really seems like it would be a good choice, but then I've never tried it either.

Another question related to kebump, since we're kinda on the subject: Omikron, what do you think about offering the KEbump with more than one striker size?

As you know, the looser the tolerances the more force that generally has to be applied, and, as you've probably noticed from experience, european locks, even the cheapos, tend to have much higher tolerances than american ones. Do you think that the difference in the required striking force between the lowest tolerance ones and the highest tolerance ones is enough that it would be more practical to adjust the size of the striker than to adjust the amount of force used to bump a certain lock?

I honestly think that it would be, because just the difference in the amount of force that it takes to bump the masterlocks I've got compared to the schlages I've got is very significant, IMO. In fact, I usually refrain from using the KEbump for the masters and go for the hickory hammer handle instead because I have to hit those masters SO hard that I'm really afraid I'm going to snap the handle if I use the KEbump. I imagine that locks of similar tolerances, i.e. kwiksets and their knockoffs, would offer the same trouble. Of course, it can end up on the opposite end of the scale where you've got a VERY high tolerance lock that requires so little force that it would be a lot easier with a lighter striker, albeit that it's MUCH easier to compensate for high tolerances by swinging the hammer slower than usual than it is to compensate for low tolerances by swinging it much harder than usual. So, perhaps with the current design you could just have that and then one with a heavier striker and thicker handle for lower tolerance locks that those in the U.S. would be more likely to encounter?

Oooooooooo! You could have a variable mass striker with removable elements that would allow you to adjust the weight! Ok, that would be restrictively expensive, but it's still a really cool idea.

[Omikron]

Bummer that they got first-to-market, though.

This was by choice. Due to the potential legal issues as outlined by Marc Tobias in his most recent press release, Brockhage decided to delay the release to see what happens.

Technically speaking, they weren't first to market. The KEbump has been available to the community for about two months now.

[Omikron]

Whats UHMW? The stuff they've got there looks like the material from a cutting board, which I've heard someone mention using as a material for a bump hammer and it really seems like it would be a good choice, but then I've never tried it either.

Another question related to kebump, since we're kinda on the subject: Omikron, what do you think about offering the KEbump with more than one striker size?

As you know, the looser the tolerances the more force that generally has to be applied, and, as you've probably noticed from experience, european locks, even the cheapos, tend to have much higher tolerances than american ones. Do you think that the difference in the required striking force between the lowest tolerance ones and the highest tolerance ones is enough that it would be more practical to adjust the size of the striker than to adjust the amount of force used to bump a certain lock?

I honestly think that it would be, because just the difference in the amount of force that it takes to bump the masterlocks I've got compared to the schlages I've got is very significant, IMO. In fact, I usually refrain from using the KEbump for the masters and go for the hickory hammer handle instead because I have to hit those masters SO hard that I'm really afraid I'm going to snap the handle if I use the KEbump. I imagine that locks of similar tolerances, i.e. kwiksets and their knockoffs, would offer the same trouble. Of course, it can end up on the opposite end of the scale where you've got a VERY high tolerance lock that requires so little force that it would be a lot easier with a lighter striker, albeit that it's MUCH easier to compensate for high tolerances by swinging the hammer slower than usual than it is to compensate for low tolerances by swinging it much harder than usual. So, perhaps with the current design you could just have that and then one with a heavier striker and thicker handle for lower tolerance locks that those in the U.S. would be more likely to encounter?

Oooooooooo! You could have a variable mass striker with removable elements that would allow you to adjust the weight! Ok, that would be restrictively expensive, but it's still a really cool idea.

UHMW stands for Ultra High Molecular Weight, and it's name is somewhat deceiving. It's fantastic plastic as it is one of the most durable I know of, but it is not very dense or easy to work with. It is the plastic that milkjugs and cutting boards are made of. I ran extensive tests on many different types and grades of plastics, and firmly stand behind my design decisions. There are some specific revisions that are in the works, but the properties of the device will remain the same.

[Buzzzy]

"Mechanical fastening DOES change the the way in which the kinetic energy is transferred. There is a reason the KEbump is not mechanically fastened."

Has anyone told Barry yet that he has it all wrong?

The supplier told me that glueing saves on production costs, but weakens the handle, and can cause it to break.


"The material they are using for the striking block is significantly more oblong because the plastic they are using, which looks like UHMW, is not as dense as what the KEbump uses. I used UHMW in several prototype designs and found it to be absolutely undesirable."


I don't know if if it's UHMW or not. The striking block seems even denser than the KEbump that you sold me. Hope that helps


I meant no harm or insult with that crack about Barry. Please accept that as light hearted humor.

I do respect your R&D and hard work. I'm working on some ideas of my own.

Snake oil aside, I think the most important aspect is technique, if you had the best tool in the world, and couldn't use it well, you wouldn't be very effective.

I think most of of us have seen screwdriver, and hammer handles used with some decent results.These people have developed at least some technique.

All I mean to say is that this slimmer handle, and smaller striking surface has helped my technique, and I just like the feel.

IMHO

Buzzzy

[devildog]

I do honestly have to admit that I haven't yet run across a lock that the kebump can do but a hickory hammer handle can't, it's just easier and faster with the kebump.

[illusion]

I am amazed bump hammers are considered 'fine tools' - it hits a key into the lock... you can use a screwdriver handle, in fact It's worked on every lock I've tried it on!

I will say that having a decent handle makes swinging it nicer, but that's about it!

Personaly I think it's all BS, but since others find a specific hammer to be more effective I'll hold back on outright doing it down.

[pinsetter]

This thread strangely makes me think of my Tae Kwon Do training.

When learning to throw KO punches, we were taught that the force of the blow was not nearly as important as the hand speed and how quickly you could get for hand back away from whatever you were hitting. By getting your fist back away from someones head almost instantly after contact ALL the force of the blow is transferred to their head. The longer your fist stays in contact with whatever it hit, the more energy from the blow will feedback into your arm, thereby lessening the force your target will absorb.

The same applies to bumping locks. The quicker the striker leaves the key, the more energy from the blow the key will absorb. You don't want the blow to be super hard, but rather you're after a good quick, sharp blow.

That is, in my opinion what make the "special" bump hammers better than a regular hammer. To me the only thing they have going for them is their flexible handles, allowing you to use a "snapping" motion of the wrist to apply the blow to the key. (You stop swinging just a bit before the head hits the key and let the springy handle exert the force for you.) Then the head rebounds quickly from the key allowing the full kinetic force of the blow to remain in the key and not feedback into the hammer.

That being said, just about anything semi-hard that you could attach to the end of a good stiff spring about 8 to 10 inches long should make a fine bump hammer. (Makes me think of the old blackjacks the police used to use that consisted of a chunk of lead on the end of a spring wrapped in leather.) Anyone who's ever had the pleasure of being on the receiving end of one of those will know how much "force" they will exert on your head with a very small swing!

Sorry, I'm rambling again........

[lockedin]

I am amazed bump hammers are considered 'fine tools' - it hits a key into the lock... you can use a screwdriver handle, in fact It's worked on every lock I've tried it on!

I think you're right Illusion. The locksmith in the bump key expose hosted at the toool site uses a screw driver handle-like magic. I can already hear the refutations: The fact that he is a locksmith means nothing. Anyone with reasonable practice can do it without a bump hammer. The Toool website mentions that

From the 47 locks we opened the layman could open 22! These laymen are people who have no experience with locks whatsoever, yet still opened these locks in under three minutes.

Imagine what they could do with practice! Some of these bump hammers are nothing more than profiteering. The only advantage I can see is maybe some additional hand comfort, which I would pass on judging by the price tags.