Is a bump hammer really necessary?

[alfonzo1955]

Is it really necessary to have a bump hammer? I have been using an old screwdriver handle for just about ever and I've never failed to bump a lock. Does a "real" bump hammer offer any benefits?

[Squelchtone]

Is it really necessary to have a bump hammer? I have been using an old screwdriver handle for just about ever and I've never failed to bump a lock. Does a "real" bump hammer offer any benefits?

It looks more professional when bumping in front of a customer, than using a screw driver or a piece of wood.

=)
Squelchtone

[ARF-GEF]

If you are a hobbyist it's not necessary, but I think it helps. Especially flexible ones when you are a beginner.

[IndigoChild]

It is not necessary to use one at all however the way a bump hammer is designed is specifically for bumping. It gives better feed back and swing.

[PinPopper1]

In my personal experience, i would say no. I most commonly use a screwdriver preferably one with a rubber handle. This allows for some rebound on your swing as well as prevents damage to the bow of your key.

[bjornnrojb]

I wouldn't use a bumpkey in front of a customer anyway. The whole thing looks unprofessional. I have a bumphammer but I usually just grab a screwdriver handle as that is what I feel more comfortable with, never got used to the bumphammer.

[ARF-GEF]

The whole thing looks unprofessional. I have a bumphammer but I usually just grab a screwdriver handle as that is what I feel more comfortable with, never got used to the bumphammer.

Interesting, I always found that a screwdriver looks more unprofessional than a purpose made bumphammer
I guess it's a question of taste.

[bjornnrojb]

I agree, a screwdriver looks less pro than a bumphammer. My argument is that bumping in general looks unprofessional. To elaborate, I do it with a screwdriver handle, but not when customers are around.

[vinnie]

I recently made myself some bump keys. I know they're not perfect, which may be plays a part, but I find a properly weighted hammer makes a huge difference. I've experimented on all sorts of things I've had sitting around to hit on it with using a lock that I know it works really well on and found that weight really is key (pun not intended).

[titou26]

I think a bump hammer is better for the quality of the bumping but it's better fot the durability of the bump key too.

I can not do without

[Pintickler]

I bump open a lot of locks in the field. If I have a customer standing over my shoulder I will always start by picking for a few minutes, but if that doesn't work or if no one is watching anyway I break out a bump key, often just to save time. I have two bump hammers. One is a craftman screwdriver and the other is a bigger craftsman screwdriver. They're the clear, acrylic handle type. I bought a couple of old beat up ones out of a pawn shop and took them to Sears to trade for brand new ones. I figure having nice looking tools ads a layer of professionalism.
Some of the locksmiths I know, and undoubtedly many more on this forum believe it is impossible to bump open a lock ( especially with screwdriver handles ) and be professional at the same time. I do agree to some extent, but not getting in, also looks unprofessional.
In all fairness to those who are big believers in proper bump hammers, I have never tried to use one. I've never even held one in my hand, so I really can't say for sure but I will say that there are times when one size screwdriver just will not get the job done so I pick up the other one and smack the key once or twice and the lock rolls over like a trained dog. This has happened to me on several occasions so I just wonder if any of the bump hammer guys carry more than one size.

[Squelchtone]

I bump open a lot of locks in the field. If I have a customer standing over my shoulder I will always start by picking for a few minutes, but if that doesn't work or if no one is watching anyway I break out a bump key, often just to save time. I have two bump hammers. One is a craftman screwdriver and the other is a bigger craftsman screwdriver. They're the clear, acrylic handle type. I bought a couple of old beat up ones out of a pawn shop and took them to Sears to trade for brand new ones. I figure having nice looking tools ads a layer of professionalism.
Some of the locksmiths I know, and undoubtedly many more on this forum believe it is impossible to bump open a lock ( especially with screwdriver handles ) and be professional at the same time. I do agree to some extent, but not getting in, also looks unprofessional.
In all fairness to those who are big believers in proper bump hammers, I have never tried to use one. I've never even held one in my hand, so I really can't say for sure but I will say that there are times when one size screwdriver just will not get the job done so I pick up the other one and smack the key once or twice and the lock rolls over like a trained dog. This has happened to me on several occasions so I just wonder if any of the bump hammer guys carry more than one size.

As a hobbyist I get to hold a lock in my hand when bumping, out in the field when the lock is next to a door frame which are often too close to use most tension wrenches, when you're bumping, do you hold the key with 2 fingers, or do you put a tension wrench through the holes in the bow and press lightly on the wrench so your fingers don't get smacked?

Thanks
Squelchtone

[Pintickler]

I almost always use a tensioner, not only to protect my fingers, but also because the position of the doorframe forces you to sometimes. Flat pieces of spring steel from old wiper blades are perfect. I've even used them to flip the plug when I could only bump in the wrong direction. The other thing is, all my bump keys are made from " do not duplicate " blanks, mostly because the bow on those provide a much larger striking surface but also because it might make it a tad harder for someone to make copies if I accidently leave one on a job and it falls into the wrong hands.

[swampy3524]

I am new to bumping but find it very usefull. I started out with a screwdriver and made copies on DND key blanks because of the larger bow. However I have broken a couple off inside locks. Scince then I bought a bump hammer that is flexable. The result for me is less time striking the key to turn the lock. Also when I use one of these I ask whoever I am helping (a friend that I know and know for a fact they live there) to walk away for a bit as not to see what I am doing. Honestly it scares me how fast they work on hard to pick locks. Also If you hit your fingers it does not hurt as much as a hard screwdriver.

[Pintickler]

I am new to bumping but find it very usefull. I started out with a screwdriver and made copies on DND key blanks because of the larger bow. However I have broken a couple off inside locks. Scince then I bought a bump hammer that is flexable. The result for me is less time striking the key to turn the lock. Also when I use one of these I ask whoever I am helping (a friend that I know and know for a fact they live there) to walk away for a bit as not to see what I am doing. Honestly it scares me how fast they work on hard to pick locks. Also If you hit your fingers it does not hurt as much as a hard screwdriver.

You should really try using a piece of flat steel from an old wiper blade as a tensioner. You won't hit your fingers anymore and I think you'll find that you open more locks. The only advantage to using your fingers is that you can reset a little faster, but you will gain mucho advantage because of how you can vary the tension by putting more or less bend in your tensioner. Also, it won't be long till you run across a lock mounted in such a way that it would be impossible for you to use your fingers anyway.