Waterloo Evolving Locksmiths

Waterloo Locksmith 519-489-2586

Waterloo Evolving Locksmiths

Locksmiths have been practicing their profession for thousands of years. The oldest known lock dates back over 4,000 years and was discovered in Egypt. The science of making and opening locks, or locksmith, comes from the combination of the words lock and smith. Smiths were traditionally tradesmen that shaped metal using forges and molds. A locksmith was a tradesman who shaped and assembled locks and keys using a forge or mold.

Typically, locksmiths’ work is centered on installing locks in homes and businesses, and opening locked doors. Other locksmiths limit their work to motor vehicles, repairing door locks and removing broken keys from ignitions. Both areas are full time work. Locksmiths work in different environments. Some work from an office while others work from a vehicle. Others are employed by institutions to maintain their locking and keying systems.

Over time the locksmith’s trade has expanded and diversified.

While there are still a few experts who are capable of making complicated repairs to locks, most locks are now mass produced and the majority of locksmiths make commercial and residential lock repairs by swapping out parts. While today’s locksmith still repairs and opens locks, the focus has moved to installing better quality locks and designing key control systems for buildings that can be managed and tracked. Taken one step further, some locksmiths specialize in servicing electronic lock and access control systems for large companies.

Some locksmiths become security consultants.

Their function is to access the physical security needs of organizations by determining the risk level and security requirements of their buildings. The task then becomes one of designing and overseeing the installation of combinations of security equipment that forms a layered security system – a system that takes into account all possible security threat possibilities for a particular building. Such a system may include cameras, secured entry that requires a coded badge and readers and alarm systems.

One of the few areas of locksmithing that has remained relatively the same is repairing and servicing safes and vaults. The locking mechanisms in large safes and vaults are unique and custom made; no two are exactly alike and demand specific knowledge. Consequently, a locksmith must be trained and professionally certified to work on them.

Professional locksmiths are formally educated, trained and certified in the specific areas of locksmithing they practice. Their training and certification also includes a required period of apprenticeship through a locksmith association.

Locksmiths have plying their trade for hundred of years and as long as there are buildings and homes to be secured and safe, they will continue to grow and evolve in their profession.