How did you learn about "Bump Key"?

[danfordman]

How did you learn about "Bump Key"? I saw it in the Film "State of Play" Russell Crowe looked it up on You Tube in the movie the made a bumb key in his basement that he eventually used to break into a secure govt. records office. It was pretty cool. Also the first time I learned what a bump key is.

[keysman]

I am not familiar with the movie you mentioned ,in my experience Hollywood does not depict real life activities accurately.
Bumping has been around for a long time... it was previously known as "rapping".

A quick search for "bump key" found 1500 results perhaps you will find your answer there.

[mikeslocks]

About 15 years ago when some locksmiths still had depth and space keys. You took the deepest one make a copy and cut some material off of the rear. Use to use a ball pin hammer and take 5 to 10 whacks before getting it. After they made bump hammers cut bumps to 1 or 2.

[smokingman]

... it was previously known as "rapping".

In my day , " rapping " was done with a hard rubber or nylon faced hammer and
involved contacting the lock, (usually a padlock, but it could work on other types too)
in the "sweet spot" and using inertia to make them open.
I have done this to countless padlocks in the field, and some other types at the shop
that were not mounted on anything.
I thought this was what people meant when they said "bumping" until I watched a bumping demo at a trade seminar.

[Squelchtone]

... it was previously known as "rapping".

In my day , " rapping " was done with a hard rubber or nylon faced hammer and
involved contacting the lock, (usually a padlock, but it could work on other types too)
in the "sweet spot" and using inertia to make them open.
I have done this to countless padlocks in the field, and some other types at the shop
that were not mounted on anything.
I thought this was what people meant when they said "bumping" until I watched a bumping demo at a trade seminar.

In my day, "rapping " was dropping mad beats and dope rhymes about those phat ropes and dat S&G bling,,,

[cdf]

Being in the security industry , for a while , and drinking beer with locksmiths , I've known for a while . Did it for the first time in the early 2k's .

Chris

[serrurier]

The first time I heard about it was on the news. They even had some type of report on how some thieves were going into house without breaking in. After a while they discovered the ever so telltale signs on the lock and the news segment was on a roll. What about a good way to publicize something to all the potential thieves out there. However with the internet now a days whether it is on the news or not the info does travel.

take care and keep on picking

[Josh_Your_IT_Guy]

Heard it on the news, but then decided to see what it was all about.
I started with my own door lock, and used another change key, I was able to bump it open with a handful of random change keys, I felt that was a fluke, so I tried on other locks, and determined it is hit and miss with random cuts. I cut my own bump key by hand from an old key, and that worked. I soon forgot about the bump key.

Fast forward a few years, then I started a maintenance position and ran into issues with tenants changing the locks. We would warn them, then work with the bailiff, then I would bump the lock open for the bailiff to do the evictions, we would then change locks and I would keep the old lock to study. I still have an assortment of bump keys that come in handy for opening old locks.

[danfordman]

How did you learn about "Bump Key"? I saw it in the Film "The Next Three Days" Russell Crowe looked it up on You Tube in the movie the made a bumb key in his basement that he eventually used to break into a secure govt. records office. It was pretty cool. Also the first time I learned what a bump key is.

[swampy3524]

I looked into bump keys after seeing them available on line where I used to buy my equipment. Never really paid attention to them because I want to learn the art of picking. However seeing how winter has arrived I looked on youtube and saw what one was and how to use it. I have made copies of the original keys I bought as not to wear them out. Played with alot of locks I have collected over the years. I found that I could bump faster than picking even in extreme high low cuts or bitting. So now I can help someone fast and take the time to play at home. As I get older and the tendons in my hands hurt more often I only have a few minutes to open a lock or it is not going to open. I also use orings to stop marks on outside of the cylinder.

[Lakes]

I've been a private detective for 25+ years and hang out with all kinds of folks.
I didn't know it was called 'bumping' but understood the principle for almost that long.
Didn't try it on a lock until about 15 years ago after seeing a blog post by Barry over at the old http://www.BlackBag.nl
It seemed too similar to the mechanical pick gun sold to me in the early 90's by Foley Belsaw - apply tension, squeeze the trigger, all the pins hop, open the lock... I'm more interested in manual picking.

[Yuriresner]

The first time I saw someone use a bump key was the locksmith I called when I got locked out about a year ago. He tried to pick the lock and was not able to for about ten mins so he moved on the Bump Key. It took him no less than 5 mins. We started to talk about where I can get a set of Bump Keys so if I ever locked my else out I would be able to use them because I would of hid them somewhere. After he advised me on were to get them I ordered them. I practiced for days and days on my lock and eventually I was so good at it I loved it.

[Slayer85]

My Fathers locksmith friend showed it to him, and my Father to me. He used it on simple locks like the european Elzett.