We live in a world where everything works on chance, and thrives on uncertainties, everything from homes to workplaces from sale deeds to security arrangements of living spaces and vehicles; everything is left to chance as the aura of uncertainty does lurk above our lives owing to the nature of life itself. This uncertainty was the primary motivation for the creation of locks and keys and safes and this uncertainty is also the reason behind the creation and existence of the concept of Locksmithing and lock bumping. By definition or understanding Lock Bumping is a technique used by Locksmiths to pick locks. They do this by using a bump key specially used for pin tumbler locks. One such bump key will act as a convenient tool for all locks of the same type. This technique works on pin tumbler locks by acting on the heap of stacked pins and bumping them open without really breaking the lock. This technique is almost the top of the mind technique for locksmiths as this is one of the foremost techniques they gain expertise in before they perfect the art of lockpicking.

The background of Lock Bumping:

Lock bumping as a technique used by locksmiths has been in existence for a long time and the first patent according to reliable historical sources date back to 1928 filed by H R Simpson., however the technique remained obscure until the late 1970s and rose in popularity only as late as 2005-2006 when this organization called The Open Organization for Lockpickers (TOOL) started active talks and promotion of this technique to the whole of the United States and Europe. However like all lockpicking techniques this technique too must follow the strict code of conduct lay down by the locksmiths of the past and must adhere to certain rules owing to the nature of the technique and the possibilities of it.

The method:

Lock bumping uses the key in the first place by inserting it into the notch foremost in the keyway but it into the keyway however care is taken to avoid a full insertion into the notch. The key is then bumped inward and sent deeper into the keyway. The bump key has teeth with a special design which transmits a very mild impact fierce on the lower pins in the pin tumbler lock, where the pins of the key then transfer the same force to the driver pins which ensure that the keys do not get disturbed from tire position. Due to the elastic pin movements the pins jump a bit for a miniscule second and causes the cylinder within to lie lower than the pins taking the jump, it is in this fraction that the lock is bump opened. The key pins, the cylinder and the lock itself remain undamaged yet the lock has been opened. This technique an almost open any pin tumpler lock however safe they may claim to be. Locksmiths never bump a lock without the permission of the lock owner or a law enforcing entity thus giving the technique and the profession a high level of personal ethics and work culture.

Why is lock bumping a relevant concept and how is it useful is a question that hardly needs an answer owing to the fact that most of us at some point in time have been stuck with a bad lock situation. Whether it is a car key that is lost or the house keys that have remained inside the house while we are out, whether it is an ancient safe handed over to you whose keys have been lost in the slipping away of time or your travel suitcase that refuses to open in any way… locksmiths can help and bail you out of these situations by using the simple lock bumping technique. Similar to the pick gun technique, lock bumping is very useful for travelers, realtors, law enforcing personnel and the like. All said and done the intrigue of a lock that needs more than a key is too much to resist, in fact this has led to popular lock sport clubs where newer more efficient lock picking tools are invented and lockpickers have a field day displaying their talent to pick almost any lock and create records.