Identifying Lock types, designations...? Please read.

[Bob Jim Bob]

And that rhetorical question I asked above... is there actually a firm, exact definition about what makes a person a locksmith?

You do raise a good question.

If you finish the locksmith classes and get your certificate, then? But you really don't have much experience.

But you have to start somewhere.

[Evan]

Is there an exact definition of what makes a person a locksmith?

Yes, someone who possesses a basic knowledge of locks and has learned various basic to intermediate skills in techniques involving the opening, installation, configuration, modification and repair of locks and auxiliary locking devices...

In some locations using the title "locksmith" is prohibited unless you are licensed by the state, which means you have met and passed all the background checks and/or any knowledge requirements (examinations) for licensure...

From what you have posted thus far you possess some of the knowledge and skills but not others... What in the way of actual training have you had before you hung out a shingle and began doing lock work ?

I can perform a variety of lock related skills that other, less skilled or knowledgeable people, cannot perform.

Besides being a pop-a-lock opening tech, care to elaborate as to what that variety of other related skills are ?

True, I am not completely versed in all of the mysterious arts of the professional locksmith but a person must start somewhere.

Most people would tend not to refer to themselves as a locksmith until they learn the very basics like the differences between lock types and the standard lock finish codes... Not for nothing, but lock types and finish codes are something that warehouse workers at distribution centers learn fairly quickly...

I have been working enough to earn a supplement to my normal income and I have not yet had to tell a customer that I am unable to perform the job they were calling me about. Well, there was this one girl who called and asked me to open her boyfriends truck while he was at work, but I turned that down due to legalities, of course.

Sounds a lot like the type of work you have been getting called about is the basic stuff that any handyman with actual construction skills and experience or tow truck driver could deal with...

I won't comment on the job you turned down other than to say that type of situation is a fairly simple one compared to the more complicated "who can authorize lock changes/installs" in various types of rental properties or what you do when you encounter a master-keyed lock where the person who has hired you only possesses one of the two (or more) keys that operate the lock in question...

~~ Evan

[cledry]

2octops explained it well. I am sorry if I offended you.

[Anavaree]

Cledry, as I had said, perhaps I am being too sensitive. No harm, no foul, right?
Sorry if I was being... um... something not nice, language and all <---
I don't wish to spend any more time defending myself or arguing with anybody.
I regret opening this thread and I apologize for any lines I may have crossed.

But, one more thing. Evan, I have read many of your threads/posts and I consider you a great source of information. I never claimed to be just a pop-a-lock technician. I do have many more skills than simply long reaching a car open. However, as I said I don't wish to spend more time defending myself, I have several other posts I wish to complete and I always take a lot of time to format and write them.

I hope I have not alienated myself from anyone, if I am not welcome here any longer I will regretfully walk away. I would not force myself on people who do not wish me present.

Thank you Keysman for your assistance, I appreciate it.
~Jesse

[cledry]

Cledry, as I had said, perhaps I am being too sensitive. No harm, no foul, right?
Sorry if I was being... um... something not nice, language and all <---
I don't wish to spend any more time defending myself or arguing with anybody.
I regret opening this thread and I apologize for any lines I may have crossed.

But, one more thing. Evan, I have read many of your threads/posts and I consider you a great source of information. I never claimed to be just a pop-a-lock technician. I do have many more skills than simply long reaching a car open. However, as I said I don't wish to spend more time defending myself, I have several other posts I wish to complete and I always take a lot of time to format and write them.

I hope I have not alienated myself from anyone, if I am not welcome here any longer I will regretfully walk away. I would not force myself on people who do not wish me present.

Thank you Keysman for your assistance, I appreciate it.
~Jesse

Don't sweat it. No need to not feel welcome here. I'm just another user of the forum like you are.

[MacGyver101]

I hope I have not alienated myself from anyone, if I am not welcome here any longer I will regretfully walk away. I would not force myself on people who do not wish me present.

Please stay: you're more than welcome here.

[minifhncc]

I think being a locksmith is not an easy job. To be a good one I would imagine that you'd have to be quite smart.

Out of all the good lockies I've met thus far, and this is no disrespect to the career they've taken, but I think they would have the brains to get a decent university degree in say, mathematics or engineering. Obviously there are reasons why they didn't do that. One example may be that they like dealing with locks more, and that is perfectly fine.

And let's face it: there are lockies out there that are hopeless. When I was about eight I remember a locksmith that was called to open a Lockwood 001 because it was a maison keyed lock (of about 5 keys) and the owner had the lock changed because one of the tenants had lost their key and the locksmith who changed it didn't put in the master pins properly and so some of the tenants keys didn't work. One of these tenants needed to get in.

Anyway, he first tried using a card on the lock, which of course failed, and then tried snapping it with a pick gun. He also failed with that (which is rather surprising because it was a master keyed lock and it would actually be easier to pick...) To cut a long story short he tried every other door around the building with no avail and then the caretaker got on the roof, removed the colourbond sheets and got in that way.

Lockies like this, unfortunately, probably do exist today.

Oh, and I actually remember the name of the locksmith in question. I tried searching them but they seem to no longer exist. I wonder why... lol

[pickmonger]

I would like to ask the opinion of some of the working locksmiths here what they think of someone who just graduated from a school like Foley Belsaw or the like.

Would they be considered locksmiths or still in the locksmith trainee class ?

Maybe what I am asking is what is the reputation of their graduates?

[cledry]

I would like to ask the opinion of some of the working locksmiths here what they think of someone who just graduated from a school like Foley Belsaw or the like.

Would they be considered locksmiths or still in the locksmith trainee class ?

Maybe what I am asking is what is the reputation of their graduates?

To be frank, I would rather hire a rookie with no course training. That's just me and the opinion of the two shops I have worked at. Of course many shops would probably prefer to hire someone like yourself with some training, it is just how I personally feel.

We definitely wouldn't consider you a locksmith yet. We have guys that are still considered in training after a year on the road.

[2octops]

I agree that it's much easier to hire someone with little to no experience and teach them how you want things to operate. People that actually have experience also tend to have a habitual way of doing things, and sometimes that ain't the right way.

When someone can show me that they can earn a respectable living in the trade and has acquired enough of a working knowledge to be able to work efficiently alone, then I will consider them to be a locksmith.

If you do not know what color codes mean when ordering hardware, if you can not make a plug follower from a $1 or business card or you can not fit a key to a simple lock using nothing more than a hand file and pliers, then you are still in training.

I can fix a leaking toilet and even sweat copper pipe but do not consider myself a professional plumber.

I can slap paint on the walls of my house, yet I am not a painter.

I can even run new wires and install lights and plug ins in my house but I sure ain't no electrician.

[rphillips52]

It's fair to say not all locksmiths do all duties, especially those who are not self-employed. Certainly not all do ordering. 'Locksmith' is a convenient shorthand here, without being as specific as 'trainee locksmith'. The OP didn't claim to be a 'master locksmith', but did admit to not knowing some areas of the business; seems fair enough.
No doubt in any job, (such as warehouseman), some knowledge is quickly learnt because much used; but it can be quite limited. Things commomly known by other workers might be unused and unknown.
This OP seems to be honestly seeking info, and not info that is likely to be mis-used; let's be charitable to such posts.

[cledry]

It's fair to say not all locksmiths do all duties, especially those who are not self-employed. Certainly not all do ordering. 'Locksmith' is a convenient shorthand here, without being as specific as 'trainee locksmith'. The OP didn't claim to be a 'master locksmith', but did admit to not knowing some areas of the business; seems fair enough.
No doubt in any job, (such as warehouseman), some knowledge is quickly learnt because much used; but it can be quite limited. Things commomly known by other workers might be unused and unknown.
This OP seems to be honestly seeking info, and not info that is likely to be mis-used; let's be charitable to such posts.

They may not do ordering but they would need to relay information such as; lock style, keyway, backset, finish, function etc. to the person that does do the ordering. It really is the most basic of information.