Lock Bumping Keys

Unlike many modern inventions, the bump key doesn’t have a specific, drawn out history. It is generally accepted that bump keys became most popular about 25 years ago in Denmark and other parts of Europe. Locksmiths began using blank keys to fabricate a poor man’s master key to locks manufactured by a particular company. This method proved to not only work on that manufacturer’s lock, but also on others. The concept was simple enough: take a key designed for the keyhole and make it so it can manipulate the pins in the tumbler lock.

This method was utilized to make opening the locks fast and easy for the smiths. As population continued to grow and more and more people required the services of locksmiths, the practice of using a bump key for a quick fix grew along with it. There has never been a patent placed on a bump key, as they are not typically sold for profit. There has been talk from some companies about patenting bump keys to prevent dealers from selling them, but this would then require the companies to make the knowledge of the dimensions needed for a bump key more readily available.

There is also a registered patent between 1926 and 1928 for a device similar to the bump key. The theory of bump keys have been around for years, though, and it is only since the past few years that their knowledge has come to light in the public. The Open Organization of Locksmiths (or, TOOOL) first helped to spread the word about this potential danger to business and homes around the world. Since then, the term has become relatively commonplace. So far, however, we have seen no sudden shift in the paradigm or methodologies used by criminals in relation to this. The ALOA (Associated Locksmiths of America) warn that it is only a matter of time before the widespread knowledge of the bump key causes truly drastic events