Bumping As A Locksmith

[freakparade3]

I finally got it! I made a bump hammer out of an old automobile slim jim with a rubber handle. I cut it in half then duct taped the 2 pieces together. It's stiff but had quite a bit of give to it. It worked perfectly. I guess my problem was using the wrong "hammers".

[bonez]

well done

as you can see there really is no magic in it,
a nice weapon to have in your arsenal though.

and it does work remarkably well on some top end locks.

j.

[Biaxial Ranger]

a professional appearence is the first and sometimes only asset of a conman faking it too. Appearance is more valued by the public than the real deal. If you can learn to fake sincerity you will succeed in this world, as it is now.

Truer words were never spoken...

[dab]

Padlocks on the back of vehicles that get filled with dirt are the only locks I bump professionally. If you working with high security locks like primus or assa, I would assume you keep record and can cut a key by code. I would turn down opening any high security lock on anything other than a single family dwelling which I would replace the lock. Locksmiths are not allowed to rekey, cut keys down, remove high security locks without the permission from the owner of the system.
Besides hitting things with a hammer, doesn't give you the reputation you think it does.

[ldnlksmth]

If there's a record kept, than it's great! the first shop I worked for, the owner kept meticulous records of master key systems and everything relating to his high security sales: Inside the customer's premesis. His theory was that it took the liability off of him if the information got out. I keep a blind code of everything myself, and for the record, I supply my sidebar to many commercial clients. My blanks are kept in my shop safe along with the bitting information I retain, and my miscuts are destroyed beyond recovery to prevent any possible copying of the sidebar or bitting attempt (dayton method decoding). I'm not saying it's a practical process, again I've never done it, but I think it could be a viable option for gaining access to your existing customer's locks.

[lockey1963]

id have to agree to a point with dab, most proffessional locksmiths i know prefer to maintain their image for want of a better word, and try picking well before a bump key comes out, its an option well down the list for many despite its effectiveness, simply because it doesnt look good and there is always a risk of some damage, however minor.

Most lockies i know wont even slip a latch as 1st choice if in front of the customer, as it makes the locking system look poor and shows a non locksmith how to swiftly bypass a lock.

The bump key has its place in the locksmiths arsenal , but should be way down on the options of a competent locksmith who has mastered his/her trade.

[raimundo]

making it look bad, if you slipped the latch, it is bad. Time to sell em something secure.

[lockey1963]

agree, but when you get the single mum on state benefits who can barely afford to survive and has no option of buying a better system, why scare her to death? or when you have the single student who sees how simple it is and decides to have a go on rooms other than there own, is it wise ?

its one of the old MLA advices that made sense, look proffessional and give nothing away whilst you open.

[whiteknight38]

Good posts Lockey1963.
Everybody. I have to jump back in here again, but this time to contradict myself. I said earlier in this thread that bumping is not something that is being taught at North American conventions and security trade shows, beyond a mention, here and there - "be aware of this..." kind of thing.
That has certainly been my observation up till now.
However, I was interested to note that the TAOL (The association of Ontario locksmiths) convention 2007, March 30-31, is featuring a "Locksmith Olympics" the night of the dinner, involving among other things, picking, impressioning, and, you guessed it, lock bumping.
I'll poll the attendees to see if bumping is more widespread for field bypass, than I might have realized.
By the way, my keys and hammer have arrived from BumpkeysUS, and I am keeping a diary of my results. Thus far, while my success rate is something like around 50%, (In other words, less than my rate of success at gunning) I have to admit, that when it works, it works, and works fast.

[ukbumpkeys]

I really don't know why bumping gets this negative special attention. Like has been said before, it's no more crude than Mica, no more agressive than a snap gun or electric pick etc etc. Bump keyw will open some locks very easily and therefore it makes sense - if you've got the knack - to have them in your non-destructive entry repetoire.
Personally they're my first choice, then mica, then a rake, and if that doesn't work, I'll take the lady to a local boozer, entertain her with class and decorum, then let her stay at my bachelor-pad for the night and wait for the husband to let her in tomorrow.

regards

[fsdhy]

Good posts Lockey1963.
Everybody. I have to jump back in here again, but this time to contradict myself. I said earlier in this thread that bumping is not something that is being taught at North American conventions and security trade shows, beyond a mention, here and there - "be aware of this..." kind of thing.
That has certainly been my observation up till now.
However, I was interested to note that the TAOL (The association of Ontario locksmiths) convention 2007, March 30-31, is featuring a "Locksmith Olympics" the night of the dinner, involving among other things, picking, impressioning, and, you guessed it, lock bumping.
I'll poll the attendees to see if bumping is more widespread for field bypass, than I might have realized.
By the way, my keys and hammer have arrived from BumpkeysUS, and I am keeping a diary of my results. Thus far, while my success rate is something like around 50%, (In other words, less than my rate of success at gunning) I have to admit, that when it works, it works, and works fast.

#1 Its TAOL ffs...
#2 A competition at a convention is a bit different from bumping in the field. I think you'll find that not many of them have ever done it on a customers lock.

I would see you there, except I'm skipping it in favour of the BCASP Convention on March 27-31 in Vancouver. Sure, it cost me plane ticket... But the courses are lightyears better than TAOL and the tradeshow seems to be bigger.

[fsdhy]

I forgot to say.... "Beef Barley"???? wtf is up with that?!

[zeke79]

I really don't know why bumping gets this negative special attention. Like has been said before, it's no more crude than Mica, no more agressive than a snap gun or electric pick etc etc. Bump keyw will open some locks very easily and therefore it makes sense - if you've got the knack - to have them in your non-destructive entry repetoire.
Personally they're my first choice, then mica, then a rake, and if that doesn't work, I'll take the lady to a local boozer, entertain her with class and decorum, then let her stay at my bachelor-pad for the night and wait for the husband to let her in tomorrow.

regards

Classy .

[lockey1963]

does your wife know about your bachelor pad?

[whiteknight38]

Hey fsdhy,
Thanks for the heads up on the BC convention.
Yeah, I'd rather go to the BC thing myself, quite frankly.
If you have'nt been to Richmond before, you're going to love it.
If you get an hour or so off for exercise, try the Grouse Grind, a backstage run up Grouse Mountain, using the switch-back trails up the side they don't ski down. They do it year round, and if you can make the climb, (and its a bit of a step run with climbing over boulders thrown in for interest) in under an hour, you're in good shape.

TAOL isn't so bad, although I'm no longer an active member myself. (And I too, hate that Canadian/barley/beer conatation that the rubes keep foisting on us )
To TAOL's their credit, I got at least one call during the year that I checked them out, from a customer who got my number from a TAOL contact.

So, if sharing out customer referals to members is a consistent policy, then one or two calls a year will help cover the nut.

I got involved 'cause TAOL used to have a lending library of sorts, with instructional vids, and a donated library of books, and old trade publications, going back to the bronze age.

I'm checking out this year's convention, partly because it's convenietly nearby, and I can poll the locals first-hand on bumping, but also to check out Ken Peterson's talk and demo, which is a relative freebie at fifteen bucks.

I tried bumping today, (out in the cold, by the way), for those of you who don't know where Ontario is.

Electrical problem, with tenat requiring access to locked basement-breakers. Landlord unavailable.

It was 32 below with wind chill.

Gun two minutes, thereabouts, no luck.
Owwwwww.
Rake for a minute. OHGODOHGOGOGGGG....
Pick for a minute. Negative.
This was a cheapo, Kwickset-keyed piece of junk, but so juky, that it was a severe chalenge.
Or maybe I was just freezing, I don't know.
The customer had back gone inside his apartment to get warmed up, so I tried bumping.
Picture, my frozen pinkies, shaking out the keys, trying a Weiser first, and than a Kwikset...
At this point, believe me, I couldn't have cared less about the customer, or all his family and friends, might have thought... and I would have hapilly told him/them so... I was just thinking about how cold I'd be if I ultimatley had to drill this thing....

Ahgggggg.

Sorry, bump fiends.
No dice.

Tried gunning again, gave it a cou;e of seconds in reverse direction of turn, and got it. Then used the plug spinner.

I hear Richmond is balmy this time of year.