What’s it like to be a locksmith?

As the date of my week long course at the MLA “General Locksmithing” grew nearer, so did my thoughts of “why, oh why?!”. Stood with a list of essential tools in hand and no idea what some of them were, I began to wonder just what I had signed up for.

However, after some help from the man of the house, I was on my way.

The MLA runs various courses for locksmiths ranging from the general course to safes to auto locking to an opening course. The General course is designed as an introduction for new entrants to the market and covers a vast array of topics: Basic Locksmith tools; Principles of levers, pin tumblers and disc tumbler mechanisms; Health & Safety; Key cutting, etc.

What the course brochure doesn’t tell you is the wealth of knowledge, experience and information the excellent tutors can offer you.

As part of the Mul-T-Lock (UK) team, it was interesting for me to see some of the fairly typical new entrants to the market and the challenges they face. The tutors were all from the industry, albeit with various backgrounds and were all very knowledgeable and helpful.

I learnt a great deal during the week, not least how to use a chisel, drill and metal file. The buzz that comes from cutting a key by hand to a lock can only be experienced and those that know me will understand this is praise indeed from a dedicated shoe shopper.

I thoroughly recommend anyone who has the opportunity to attend the course.

I will be following up on numerous tasks for Mul-T-Lock aimed at assisting customers more in the future.

For further details on the MLA and their courses visit www.locksmiths.co.uk.
 

Sarah Massey