Well, being an escape artist I find I should get an understanding of locks, because if I don't know how it works, I can't defeat it!!!

Many of you have degrees and all that, How should I go about getting one

Perry

Go to school...

http://www.jfbdtp.com/locksmithlinks.html#schools

Thanks, I found one nearby

Perry

Are there any good schools out there?

Roger

Perry

There are a few other threads on here that do deal with this. Read a few of them and PM those who have posted on them. I am sure that they will help with advice if you ask them. I unfortunately cant help here as I am not a lock smith. But I do like to take locks apart to see how they work, it is a nice start.

Regards
Wolflock

Wolfie...that's what I tell everybody. Go to a local builder or carpenter. Ask them to save all the locks they take off when they replace them. Take them to pieces and find a way to bypass them. Fit them into pieces of wood to simulate a door and try to get it open.

There is nothing better than hands on. Books can tell you the theory, but when you put it into practice, you have to use this information and then some!!!!

This "some" is the information in your head when you have studied those old locks.

I have been a Master Locksmith for over 30 years and I'm still taking locks to pieces, particularly new models to see if I can bypass the "anti manipulation" modifications put in by the makers. It's great fun.

Enjoy

Mick H

Hi Mick, took the words right out of my mouth.
For the techniques you need for escapes, you don't need a full locksmithing course, only the good 'secret squirel' stuff.

Ian

Hehehe... Secret Squirel? Showing your age Ian

If you know what he means, then so are you Ros. :o)

LOL at Wolf.

I had to ask my Grandad first.

Uh huh! We believe you. LOL. Too late for the save.
j/k

If you are serious about becoming a locksmith, there are several "correspondence" type schools out there. I recently completed the Thompson/Education Direct course, and just today, I opened a co-worker's truck in which he had inadverdently locked the keys. When the door unlocked, I told him, "You are sooo buying me dinner one night!" It was cheaper than a service call for a locksmith!

I have also heard good things about the Foley-Belsaw course. Of course, the best thing I did while taking the course was to go to a local locksmith company and hang out with them. They helped me when I needed help, and also let me get some practice in when applicable.

Margarette

Margarette, you were very lucky to be welcomed into the locksmith's domain. The locksmiths in my area were not very nice to me. I think the fact that you are a good looking girl may have helped you out. I was yelled at and ran out of a few locksmith shops in my area for asking lock questions. I learned a lot from library books, the Foley-Belsaw course, and from a lot of trial and error. Lately, I have found a lot of good info on-line...if any of you are looking for lock info, especially basic info, run "how locks work" on a search engine and check out different sites and their links. Mike

Holy yeppers Michael!!!!! The locksmiths were not very nice to you? Yelled at you and ran you out of the shop for asking questions? Hmmmm, very odd behavior as I have never experienced anything like that. Everyone I have ever talked to in a locksmith shop was always courteous, and loved the questions.

Roger

Ros, you young wipper snapper, wait until you get to the convention, I'll dribble on you. (LOL) Glad grandpa remembers the squirrel.

Ian

If your questions are leading up to you spending money in their shop...then yes, locksmiths are very sweet. But when you ask why you are not having very good luck picking open an American 700 padlock, then thier demiener changes dramaticly. In my neck of the woods, competition is fierce and we also are very heavily populated with automotive plants. These plants hire on average "joes" and then send them to locksmith school so that they can keep several full time locksmiths in their plant around the clock. These "joes" almost always start up little home based businesses of thier own and the ultimatly hurt the full time locksmiths. So you see why they might get a little upset over the thought of another would-be locksmith picking their brains and taking their business. I have a couple of great (horror) stories about when I first tried to get into the business in the early 90's...I will share some of them with you when I have more time. Mike

Ian, I just wanted to take a second to introduce myself to you and give you the reconition you deserve. I am The Amazing Michael aka Mike England, and I have been a big fan of yours ever since I first saw your work. You are a fantastic craftsman!!! If I ever had the ability to do what you do... as well as you do...I would be beside myself!!! Please keep up the good work! Please feel free to e-mail me if you ever want to chat about anything...I would love to hear from you. We have a lot in common. Mike

G'day The Amazing Michael,thank you, check you PM.

Ian

I checked out the local locksmith school near me and the tuition was nearly $10,000. The worst part is that I can't even work part time as a locksmith after I graduate to help offset the cost of the school. It seems Police Officers in New York are not allowed to work as lock smiths as it is considered a conflict of interest. I guess I'll have to check out some of those correspondance courses for now.
Best regards, Tony Parisi
PS Just for the record I'm a big Secret Squirrel fan

I don't know if my gender played any part in the way I was received in the locksmith shop, but the first time I went into one, I walked up to the counter and asked for help. I was having trouble making a key for a lock and told them. The locksmith was a bit taken aback when I told him that I was taking a locksmithing course....I believe his response was, "Why?" Anyway, he was very helpful, and told me to come in any time I needed any help or if I just wanted to hang out and observe. I won't mention what locksmith shop I went to, but they ended up giving me a lot of old locks to work on.

Margarette

Ha! I resemble that remark! Ian, you hold him down and I'll kick him...kids these days!......

Ms.M