In understanding what a locksmith is, what they do, and how their knowledge is put to good use, it is important to first note that the essentials of a locksmith are his tools. Locksmithing is the science and art of creating, and in a sense surpassing the locks. The locksmith field requires vast amount of skill and mastery of ones tools in order to finish the task at hand. Traditional locksmithing is a combination of other skills such metalworking, lock picking, carpentry, and a number of other small traits. When locksmithing became a an actual profession, it was much more difficult back then, as the tools they had were extremely mediocre in comparison to the tools used nowadays.
Most of the time, in order to repair a lock, locksmiths will simply replace parts of the lock with similar, or common parts. The fitting of keys to replace lost keys for homes and automobiles is one of the most common jobs locksmiths face. Several locksmiths also offer services such as automobile ignition replacement, and key replacement, both regular and transponder, as well as upgrading home security with anything from common locks, to full high tech security systems.
There are several older tools which have been slightly modified, still used today in the locksmithing industry to perform their jobs. The use of these tools is general primarily focused on opening locks. These tools usually consist of manual picks, tension wrenches, key turners and lever picks. Professional locksmiths also use tools in order to destroy the lock if there is no way to get it open, such as special cylinder crackers, and bell. Some other special tools to note are the grinders, cutting burrs, milling machines which grind bits and discs, as well as a manual pick gun.
Just as there are numerous types of different locks and keyways, there are also many different types of tools that can be used to open locks. Each locksmith generally has their preferred methods of opening locks, in which they have mastered the technique.
Generally all locksmiths nowadays provide a mobile service, meaning they will drive to you in order to complete which ever job is needed. A lot of the time it has to do with people locksmith themselves out of their cars. For car door locks, one of the most effective tools used by locksmiths is definitely the air fighter pro. This tool has a bag which slides between a doors’ frame, and inflates so that the locksmith can use tools in order to pry the lock open, as well as not damaging the car. Older cars are generally opened with a simple lasso tool.
In the United States there are several laws in place, all of which differ from state to state, but they generally prevent the purchase of locksmith tools if you are not a licensed locksmith. Illegal possession of lock picks can be prosecuted as a felony, since possessing something illegal is coupled with felonious or malicious intent, and would be prosecuted under the category of possession of burglary tools.