Key Bumping

[RenderMan]

I think that it is a form of picking, in the same vein that a pick gun is picking. It's a quick way to open a lock without a (proper) key. However the lack of real skill in the technique makes this a less than stellar method.

As for concerns of the criminal element using this, it's only the dumb ones who don't know this trick. Any crook worth his craft will research first and use free resources out there to try and not get caught.

The info has been out there for a while. The 2001 edition of The Complete Book of Locks and Locksmithing by Bill Phillips has a description of bumping. I'm pretty sure that earlier editions also mention it. I got my original read of this book through the public library, it's not exactly restricted knowledge.

[E-Mind]

So... anyone had any success bumping a schlage?

I seem to have damaged my front door's deadbolt trying to bump it - now I need to tilt the (correct) key upwords in order to operate the lock

I think it happened because I was trying to bump the key by hitting the key at the top instead of straight inwords - I was experimenting different ways to bump it - no luck so far...

I also, filed the shoulder a little at a time and the tip a little at a time and trying to bump it open every time - switching from the one cut off method to the minimal movement method - as I said, no luck so far.

[E-Mind]

oh... and I forgot to mention that I am able to get the pins to jump upwords - but either not all have gone above the sheerline or I got some buttom pins go to high - I think it's because the lock has a #9 cut in the middle and the buttom pin gets pushed up by the slope when the key gets pushed in all the way. I know that some pins are set due to hearing clicks of the pins relocking when I let go of the torque on the key... any ideas?

p.s. I have not been able to consistently pick this lock yet, but I have picked it before with a rack pick (I'm using the southord jackknife pickset)...

[NKT]

Never, never pick a lock that you want to use on a door using bump keys or any other semi-destructive method.

Repeated bumping bends pins, and messes up the face of the lock. Pick guns wear the parts far faster than you would normally get. Electric picks throw out little bits out of the lock!

Pick up some second hand or other locks. Otherwise you might find yourself needing a full-time locksmith to open your door and change the lock!

[kodierer]

Heres an idea. Buy a schalge cutaway lock to practice with.
I think a wrench handle would make a great bumping hammer. I think Barry said .25 mm off the shoulder.
I am yet to make a bump key, but I think tomorrow I'll call the quality locksmith down the street, and ask him to code cut me a key. He's older, and I don't think he even owns a computer, so he'll probably cut me one with little concern. I don't think bump keys existed when he was being trained.

[Jimmie]

un patent for bumping have been deposited after ... the WWII !!!

it is a very very old technique

the improvement is the minimal movement technique

so ... may be your old smith knows it !!

Jimmie

[E-Mind]

warning - frustrated newbe rant follows:
<rant>
well...
I can say I tried everything to bump open several schlage locks - no success.
If anyone here does not say they succeeded or that they saw or heared from someone who succeeded I will asume schlages are un-bumpable.

I tried hitting the key, tapping the key, petting the key - from all different angles and with varying force and different tools (wrench handle, hammer handle, screwdriver handle, my head, etc...).

I used different bump keys that have different length filed off the shoulder and tip.

I e-mailed toool to see maybe they have some more information about schlage and bumping although I doubt they'll reply to a lame newbe.


Also, as a side note, the jacknife lockpick by southord sux.

oh, and I pissed off my roomate with all the bumping noise. his fault for going to sleep at 9am, not mine.

anywasy... I wasted a week trying to bump 1 of 3 schlage locks open - unsuccesfully.

One of them is my fron door which now I need to tilt the key upwards to open the door. This damage was due to frustration causing me to use excessive force on the key with a rubber hammer - to tell you the truth - I wanted to break the key inside the lock - but had enough strength to hold myself.
</rant>

[TOWCH]

Are these keys hand filed? When I tried making some I left the ramps too big and I was overlifting a low pin.

[E-Mind]

hand filed only the shoulder and tip - to different lengths.
the cuts were made by a locksmith.

[davidgjr]

I bump schlage locks all the time. If you know how do it, it doesn't really hurt the lock. Repeatedly bumping hard I imagine it could. I use a 1X2 piece of wood about 9 - 10 inches long. I do alot of work for a realty company that helps sell foreclosed homes. I might have 15 houses to do in one day. It saves me tons of time. Once, I got real good at it, The kwiksets and other cheap imitation locks I can get usually on the first or second bump. It does take practice to get the right feel. Hit the head of the key as square as possible. It doesnt take alot of force to get the lock to open. To me, it is all in the tension.

[E-Mind]

Thanks for the info!
How much do you file off the tip and how much do you file off the shoulder of a schlage bump key?

[n2oah]

Alright then. Get a key decoder for the model of lock you are going to try and bump.

How much should I expect to pay for a decoder, and where can I get them? (preferrably one with multiple scales)

[cracksman]

n2oah,
check ebay, they have them there all the time pretty cheap.

[raimundo]

didja try threatening or screaming at it?

[kodierer]

You can get an overpriced decoder at lockpicks.com Locksmith supply shops are your best bet.
I just got my new key duplicator/code cutter. I should be posting more to this subject later