Speaker 1: Hey everyone, and welcome back for another deep dive.
Speaker 2: Yes, welcome back.
Speaker 1: Today we're picking some locks.
Speaker 2: Ooh that sounds fun.
Speaker 1: It is fun. It's actually a really fascinating topic. I mean,
Speaker 1: who doesn't love a good lock exactly? So we're talking
Speaker 1: all about locks and locksmithing. And we've got a great
Speaker 1: source for this one, Yes we do. It's the Complete
Speaker 1: Book of Locks and Locksmithing by Bill Phillips.
Speaker 2: This book is awesome.
Speaker 1: Yeah, and even in the forward, Greg Mango, who's a
Speaker 1: veteran locksmith, calls it a treasure trove of information, so
Speaker 1: he's not a line. We're in good hands with this one. Yeah.
Speaker 1: So where do we even begin with locks? I mean
Speaker 1: we're everywhere.
Speaker 2: Right, everywhere, you know, and we just take them for granted,
Speaker 2: we do. But the history is fascinating.
Speaker 1: Yeah, and I was surprised to learn that locks have
Speaker 1: been around for centuries.
Speaker 2: Oh yeah, like way back, like ancient times, ancient civilizations. Yeah,
Speaker 2: the Egyptians four thousand years ago, they had locks that
Speaker 2: are similar to what we use today.
Speaker 1: Really, I would have thought pinned tumbler locks were a
Speaker 1: much more recent invention.
Speaker 2: Right, but no, the Egyptians were using wood to create
Speaker 2: these locking mechanisms wood like a wooden bolt with wooden
Speaker 2: pins and a wooden key.
Speaker 1: It's amazing, that's incredible. So it's like a really early
Speaker 1: version of a pin tumbler lock exactly.
Speaker 2: The basic principle is the same.
Speaker 1: Wow. So I guess the need for security has been
Speaker 1: around forever.
Speaker 2: Absolutely.
Speaker 1: What about other ancient cultures do they have similar locks?
Speaker 2: It's interesting because you see variations. So like ancient Greece
Speaker 2: they relied a lot on rope knots and warded locks.
Speaker 1: Rope knots really yeah, pretty clever.
Speaker 2: Actually, I guess back then it was more about the
Speaker 2: fear of tampering with the knot than any complex mechanism.
Speaker 1: Right, it was a different mindset about security.
Speaker 2: So when do we start seeing those more complex locks.
Speaker 1: Well, things really start to pick up in the eighteenth
Speaker 1: century in England, especially in England.
Speaker 2: Yeah, that's when lever tumbler locks come into the picture,
Speaker 2: right exactly.
Speaker 1: Robert Barn's invention was a game changer. It made picking
Speaker 1: locks much harder.
Speaker 2: So how did those lever tumbler locks work? Think of
Speaker 2: levels that need to be lifted to specific heights for the.
Speaker 1: Lock to open, like a multi layered puzzle.
Speaker 2: Exactly, and the key has this unique bidding that lifts
Speaker 2: the levers just right.
Speaker 1: So that's why they were considered more secure than warded locks.
Speaker 2: Much more secure, and this innovation really sparked a wave
Speaker 2: of creativity among the locksmith's.
Speaker 1: Yeah, you had all those famous names like Joseph Brahma
Speaker 1: and Jeremiah Chubb.
Speaker 2: Oh yeah, they were like the rock stars of locksmith thing.
Speaker 1: It was like an arms race to create the most
Speaker 1: secure lock.
Speaker 2: It was until this American locksmith, Ac Hobbs came along.
Speaker 1: He's the one who picked Brahma's supposedly unpickable lock, right.
Speaker 2: Yeah, at the Great Exhibition in London.
Speaker 1: Al must have been quite a shock.
Speaker 2: Oh, it was huge. It really showed that no lock
Speaker 2: is truly unpickable.
Speaker 1: So it pushed everyone to keep innovating.
Speaker 2: Absolutely.
Speaker 1: Okay, so we've got warded locks and lever tumbler locks,
Speaker 1: all right, but let's talk about the most basic type
Speaker 1: of the warded lock. Okay, what made them so easy
Speaker 1: to bypass?
Speaker 2: So imagine a warded lock like a maze. The key
Speaker 2: has to navigate these fixed obstacles called wards. But the
Speaker 2: problem is those wards are fixed, so with the right tools,
Speaker 2: you can manipulate them and open the lock without the key.
Speaker 1: So it's more about getting past the obstacles than matching
Speaker 1: a specific key.
Speaker 2: Exactly, and that's why warded locks eventually gave way to
Speaker 2: more secure designs like lever tumbler locks.
Speaker 1: And from there we get to the pin tumbler lock
Speaker 1: the start of the show, the one we see on
Speaker 1: most doors today.
Speaker 2: Yep, they're reliable, affordable, and pretty darn secure.
Speaker 1: So remind me again how those pin tumbler locks work.
Speaker 2: So picture a cylinder with spring loaded pins of different lengths. Okay,
Speaker 2: these pins block the cylinder from turning. The key is
Speaker 2: what aligns those pins to a specific height.
Speaker 1: So each key has a unique arrangement of.
Speaker 2: Pins exactly, And when you insert the correct key, it
Speaker 2: pushes the pins up and they align with this thing
Speaker 2: called the sheer line.
Speaker 1: The sheer lin.
Speaker 2: Yeah, it's like the sweet spot where the cylinder can
Speaker 2: rotate freely.
Speaker 1: All I see. So if the pins aren't aligned at
Speaker 1: the sheer line, the lock stays shut exactly.
Speaker 2: It's all about precision.
Speaker 1: And what about the different parts of the lock itself.
Speaker 2: Okay, so you've got the shell, which is the outer casing.
Speaker 2: Then you've got the plug, which is the part that rotates, and.
Speaker 1: The pins are inside the plug.
Speaker 2: Right, You've got bottom pins and top pins, and they're
Speaker 2: spring loaded, so they're always pushing down to keep the
Speaker 2: lock secure.
Speaker 1: Unless the right key comes along and lists them up exactly.
Speaker 2: And then there's the keyway, which is the slot where
Speaker 2: you insert the key.
Speaker 1: Okay, So the key lifts the pins, they align at
Speaker 1: the sheer line, and the lock opens.
Speaker 2: Boom.
Speaker 1: It's amazing how all those little parts work together.
Speaker 2: It's a beautiful thing.
Speaker 1: What about master key systems those always seem kind of
Speaker 1: magical to me.
Speaker 2: They are pretty cool.
Speaker 1: How can one key open multiple locks with different pin arrangements?
Speaker 2: So master key systems use these extra pins called master pins, okay,
Speaker 2: and these master pins create multiple sheer lines within the lock, so.
Speaker 1: Instead of just one unlocked position, there multiple positions precisely.
Speaker 2: So a change key will align one set of pins,
Speaker 2: and a master key will align a different set, including
Speaker 2: those master pins.
Speaker 1: That's so clever. It's like having multiple secret handshakes within.
Speaker 2: The lock exactly. But designing these systems is complex. You
Speaker 2: have to make sure each key only grants access to
Speaker 2: the intended locks.
Speaker 1: Yeah. Security is key. Literally, it's mind blowing how much
Speaker 1: goes into something as seemingly simple as a lock.
Speaker 2: And we're just getting started. There's so much more to explore.
Speaker 1: I can't wait me neither, buckle up, Let's do it.
Speaker 2: We're diving deeper into the world of locks and locksmithing.
Speaker 1: Awesome, let's go.
Speaker 2: You know, it's amazing when you really start looking into it.
Speaker 2: There are so many kinds of locks out there.
Speaker 1: Oh yeah, we've been talking about door locks, but I
Speaker 1: mean think about it. It's endless padlocks, bike locks, even
Speaker 1: those little TSA locks on luggage.
Speaker 2: Exactly, and each type has its own little world of details.
Speaker 1: So like with padlocks, is there more to it that
Speaker 1: meets the eye? Oh?
Speaker 2: Absolutely. You can't just grab any padlock. There are different
Speaker 2: levels of security, just like with door locks, right.
Speaker 1: Because a bikelock needs to be way tougher than something
Speaker 1: just securing a little box exactly.
Speaker 2: You have to consider the environment, what someone might try
Speaker 2: to break it with makes sense.
Speaker 1: So there's no one size fits all padlock.
Speaker 2: Nope. And even within say pin tumbler padlocks, there are
Speaker 2: so many variations. The way they're built, materials, all that
Speaker 2: affects how strong they are.
Speaker 1: So you really have to think about what you're protecting
Speaker 1: and what kind of security you need exactly. Okay, let's
Speaker 1: talk about the heavy hitters safes.
Speaker 2: Now we're talking serious security.
Speaker 1: When you need to protect something super valuable, a safe
Speaker 1: seems like the ultimate solution.
Speaker 2: They're built to withstand a lot more than just picking
Speaker 2: heavy duty steel, intricate locking mechanism like a bank vault. Yeah,
Speaker 2: pretty much. And there are so many types home safes,
Speaker 2: gun safes, all the way up to those massive bank vaults.
Speaker 1: I guess the main thing is fire resistance and burglary protection.
Speaker 2: Right, because a fire safe might not stop someone from
Speaker 2: breaking in, So.
Speaker 1: You really have to think about what you need the
Speaker 1: safe to protect.
Speaker 2: Against absolutely and look for safes that meet industry standards
Speaker 2: like UL ratings.
Speaker 1: So those ratings tell you how well a safe will
Speaker 1: hold up against fire or a break in exactly.
Speaker 2: That way, you can compare and choose the right level of.
Speaker 1: Protection, and the locks on safe for a whole other
Speaker 1: level too.
Speaker 2: Right. Oh yeah, we're talking complex combination locks, multiple dials,
Speaker 2: internal mechanisms designed to be super resistant to tampering.
Speaker 1: So not your average combination lock.
Speaker 2: Nope, These are serious business. Cracking one of those would
Speaker 2: take a lot of skill, time and the right tools.
Speaker 1: They're like the fort Knox of locks pretty much.
Speaker 2: Plus they often have these relocking devices that trigger if
Speaker 2: someone tries to mess with the lock.
Speaker 1: Wow. So it's layers upon layers of security exactly.
Speaker 2: Choosing a safe is all about understanding your needs, researching
Speaker 2: different models, and finding the one that provides the right
Speaker 2: level of protection.
Speaker 1: It's not something to take lightly.
Speaker 2: Nope.
Speaker 1: Now let's talk about the people who make all this
Speaker 1: security magic happened. Locksmiths, ah, the masters of locks. It
Speaker 1: seems like a job that takes a ton of skill
Speaker 1: and knowledge.
Speaker 2: Oh definitely. Locksmiths are way more than just door openers,
Speaker 2: I am having. They're experts in lock mechanics, security systems,
Speaker 2: key duplication.
Speaker 1: So they're like security consultants for our homes and businesses exactly.
Speaker 2: They install in repair locks, rea key systems, create master
Speaker 2: key systems, and advise on security upgrades.
Speaker 1: It's a lot more than just picking locks.
Speaker 2: Right, and with all the new smart locks and electronic
Speaker 2: access control systems, their skills are evolving to.
Speaker 1: Speaking of which, this book mentions something called lock bumping.
Speaker 2: Oh yeah, that's a real thing.
Speaker 1: Is it really as easy as it looks in the movies?
Speaker 2: Well, it's not quite movie magic. It uses a special
Speaker 2: key called a bump key to transfer energy through the
Speaker 2: pins and potentially unlock the door.
Speaker 1: So you just hit the key and boom, the lock opens.
Speaker 2: It's a bit more nuanced than that. The impact has
Speaker 2: to be just right, and it can damage the lock
Speaker 2: if you don't know what you're doing. Sounds risky, yeah,
Speaker 2: definite something to try at home. And it's important to
Speaker 2: remember that any technique used to bypass locks should be
Speaker 2: done ethically and legally.
Speaker 1: So leave it to the professionals. Right now. What about impressioning?
Speaker 1: That seems even more specialized than lock picking.
Speaker 2: Impressioning is like creating a fingerprint of the lock's internal mechanism.
Speaker 1: Okay, how does that work.
Speaker 2: You use a blank key and special tools to map
Speaker 2: out the lock's pins, filing down the key until it
Speaker 2: perfectly matches.
Speaker 1: So you're basically making a working key based on the
Speaker 1: impressions left by the locks parts exactly.
Speaker 2: It's a super precise process, takes a lot of skill
Speaker 2: and patience.
Speaker 1: I bet so not something just anyone could pick up
Speaker 1: and do.
Speaker 2: Nope, and as locks get more complex, impressioning gets even.
Speaker 1: Harder, which is why manufacturers are always coming up with
Speaker 1: new security features.
Speaker 2: Absolutely, it's a constant battle between those who want to
Speaker 2: create security and those who want to break.
Speaker 1: It, a security arms race exactly.
Speaker 2: But remember security isn't just about having the strongest locks.
Speaker 1: So it's not all about the hardware, right, you have to.
Speaker 2: Think about how it's used and implemented, so.
Speaker 1: Like making sure doors and windows are properly secured and
Speaker 1: not leaving keys lying.
Speaker 2: Around, Exactly. It's about taking a holistic approach to security.
Speaker 1: Thinking about all the potential weak points.
Speaker 2: Right, and that's where locksmiths and security professionals come in.
Speaker 2: They can assess your needs and recommend the best combination
Speaker 2: of locks, systems and practices.
Speaker 1: So it's like having a security expert on your side exactly.
Speaker 2: Now, are you ready to step into the future?
Speaker 1: Woh? I like where this is going.
Speaker 2: Let's talk about electrical access and exit control systems.
Speaker 1: Okay, we're moving beyond keys and locks now we are.
Speaker 2: This is the next level of security technology.
Speaker 1: So are we talking like key card systems or those
Speaker 1: biometric scanners you see in spy movies?
Speaker 2: You got it? Electrical access control systems can be anything
Speaker 2: from simple key card readers to those high tech biometric
Speaker 2: scanners that use fingerprints or iris scans, so.
Speaker 1: Instead of physical keys, we're using electronic signals to control
Speaker 1: access exactly.
Speaker 2: And these systems have a ton of advance like what Well,
Speaker 2: For one, you can easily grant or revoke access without
Speaker 2: having to change any locks. That's super convenient, and you
Speaker 2: can track who's coming and going, which is great for
Speaker 2: security monitoring, so.
Speaker 1: It's like having a digital logbook for your building exactly.
Speaker 2: Plus you can integrate these systems with other security measures
Speaker 2: like alarms and cameras, so.
Speaker 1: It's all connected, creating this web of security exactly.
Speaker 2: We're talking about a more holistic and intelligent approach to security.
Speaker 1: This is blowing my mind. We've gone from ancient Egyptian
Speaker 1: wooden locks to futuristic access control systems.
Speaker 2: And it's all driven by that same human desire for security.
Speaker 1: It's incredible how much things have evolved, but one.
Speaker 2: Thing remains constant, the ingenuity we use to both create
Speaker 2: and overcome security measures. It's a never ending game of
Speaker 2: cat mouse exactly, and it's what makes this field so fascinating.
Speaker 1: It's amazing to think about all the different ways we
Speaker 1: try to protect ourselves and our stuff.
Speaker 2: It is and it makes you realize that security is
Speaker 2: more than just gadgets and gizmos.
Speaker 1: It's about understanding the human element too, Exactly.
Speaker 2: This book actually delves into some of the legal and
Speaker 2: ethical sides of locksmithing.
Speaker 1: Yeah, I was surprised by how much of that was
Speaker 1: in there.
Speaker 2: It's important stuff. I mean, locksmiths have a lot of
Speaker 2: knowledge and skill, and it's crucial that they use it responsibly.
Speaker 1: Right, because those skills could be used for good or bad.
Speaker 2: Exactly. There's a fine line there, and that's why the
Speaker 2: locksmithing profession has all sorts of regulations and ethical guidelines.
Speaker 1: It's not just about knowing how to pick a lock.
Speaker 1: It's about knowing when and why you should right.
Speaker 2: It's about building trust and making sure those skills are
Speaker 2: used to protect people, not exploit them.
Speaker 1: The book even talked about some of the gray areas
Speaker 1: locksmith's face.
Speaker 2: Oh yeah, like what happens if someone asks you to
Speaker 2: copy a key that says do not duplicate, or.
Speaker 1: If someone refuses to pay after you've done the work.
Speaker 2: Those are tough situations that require a lot of judgment
Speaker 2: and understanding of the law.
Speaker 1: It really highlights the fact that locksmithing is a profession
Speaker 1: built on trust and responsibility.
Speaker 2: Absolutely, it's not just about the technical stuff, it's about
Speaker 2: the ethics too.
Speaker 1: So as we wrap up this deep dive, what are
Speaker 1: some key takeaways for our listeners.
Speaker 2: Well, I think the biggest thing is awareness. Don't wait
Speaker 2: until something bad happens to start thinking about security right,
Speaker 2: be proactive exactly. Take some time to think about what
Speaker 2: you need to protect and what the potential threats are.
Speaker 1: So assess your vulnerabilities.
Speaker 2: Exactly, and then you can start exploring solutions. But don't
Speaker 2: underestimate the power of simple measures.
Speaker 1: Like making sure your doors and windows.
Speaker 2: Are locked exactly, and be careful who you give your
Speaker 2: keys to, and if you see something suspicious, report it.
Speaker 1: Those basic things can really make a difference.
Speaker 2: Absolutely, and ounce prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Speaker 1: Now, when it comes to choosing locks or security systems,
Speaker 1: any advice.
Speaker 2: Do your research, invest in quality products from reputable manufacturers.
Speaker 1: Don't just go for the cheapest option.
Speaker 2: Right, look for products that meet your specific needs. And
Speaker 2: remember security isn't a one.
Speaker 1: Time thing, it's an ongoing process.
Speaker 2: Exactly. Stay informed about potent threats, keep your systems up
Speaker 2: to date, and be ready to adapt as technology changes,
Speaker 2: because the.
Speaker 1: World of security is always evolving. Always. This deep dive
Speaker 1: has been fascinating. I feel like I've learned so much
Speaker 1: about the history, mechanics, and even the ethics of locks
Speaker 1: and locksmithing.
Speaker 2: It's a really interesting field and it affects all of
Speaker 2: us in some way.
Speaker 1: As technology keeps advancing, I'm sure we'll see even more innovations.
Speaker 2: And challenges, definitely, but the human desire for security will always.
Speaker 1: Be there and that's what drives this whole industry forward
Speaker 1: as well. That's a wrap on our deep dive into
Speaker 1: the world of locks and locksmithing.
Speaker 2: Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 1: We hope you learn something new and maybe even feel
Speaker 1: a little more empowered to take control of your own security.
Speaker 2: Remember, knowledge is power, Stay curious, keep exploring, and as always,
Speaker 2: thanks for listening to the Deep Dive.