A question to any Australian locksmiths

[Mur670]

Hi there.

My question is this... Is it possible to go into my local locksmith and ask for any old padlocks/locks etc that they can just give away? Or is this not a common practice in the Australian industry?

The reason i ask this question is because i am immersing myself in lock picking as a hobby and potentially a career as a locksmith. I am hopefully commencing some study soon through an educational institue to further my knowledge and it would be good to expand on my current collection with a bit of variety.

Thanks

O.B.D.

[minifhncc]

You can try, but I've found that Australian locksmiths are quite protective about their trade...

[zeke79]

Just my experience here so take it with a grain of salt.

Aussie locksmiths are an odd bunch compared to american standards but that is why I like them. It seems that they either havent been exposed to the feminazi movement or just dont care about being nice. You tick them off and they are likely to box your ears or carry you out by the scruff. Don't just walk in and ask out of the blue is my advice. Spend some time there, work into discussing the trade, and share a couple beers at the end of the day with them. Unlike most american people they havent been "taught" to not speak their minds. Maybe that's why I have clicked with the few Aussies I have met as i am the same way.

globallockytoo is an aussie smith around the forums. By Aussie standards he is nice. No hate on globallockytoo, the guy is full of knowledge on the trade. Just an example.