Lock Bumping Keys

The immediate and obvious answer as to whether a bump key works on all locks or not is “no.” Electronic, magnetic, or biometric locks—locks which do not utilize a keyed system cannot be subverted by a bump key. Tumbler and simple dimple locks, however, can be defeated by bump keys. Some locks are harder than others while some are blatantly easier.

A bump key is designed to with tumbler and dimple locks. The lower quality locks can usually easily be thwarted by a bump key. At the same time, a lock of too low a quality can also be shattered relatively easily. While investigating the option of a higher quality lock, home and business owners may be surprised to find out just how much a so-called “good” lock can cost. Furthermore, many manufacturers’ locks were rated without consideration being given to the wide-spread use of bump keys. It is quite likely that at least some of these “high quality” locks will lose their rating upon closer inspection of the proliferation of the knowledge of bump keys.

Typically, the more expensive a lock, the harder it is to defeat. This isn’t necessarily always the case when faced with the prospect of a bump key. The tumbler locks made of hardened steel can be more resistant to damage that would cause lesser locks to jam. At the same time, stricter tolerances in regards to the pins positioning can also prove to be a better lock’s own defeat, and these typically allow the pins to move smoother and more freely.

One particular type of tumbler lock that has proven especially resistant to bump keys is one that employs horizontal sidebar technology. Of course, as with anything else, you generally get what you pay for. Locks that do not require keys are impossible to compromise with a bump key. For standard 5 and 6 pin tumbler locks, however, the bump key poses a serious threat.

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