Do bump keys still work?

Question

I bought a few bump keys, which are keys custom made and cut in a factory to have all the valleys cut down so they will slide in a lock then when u hit the key it is supposed to open the lock, a while back and was wondering if they would open a modern lock.

Answer 1

The short answer is No they do not work...

Answer 2

"Bump" keys are an urban legend. There was never any such thing. The videos on YouTube are a hoax.



If you actually paid money for a "bump" key you got swindled.



http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/bumpkeys.asp



Basically, it's impossible to make the idea work. You'd have to hit the key so hard, it would make too much noise. Then you'd have to SUDDENLY apply torque to turn the lock a few microseconds after you hit it, before the top pins fell back down again.



If you apply the torque too soon, it would create too much friction and the top pins wouldn't bump up. If you apply the torque too late, the top pins would fall back down before you turned the lock.



Only a skilled magician would be able to get that to work. And there are way easier ways to break into a house.



Actual statistics suggest that professional burglars never use bump keys. No criminal has ever been caught carrying a bump key.



It's a hoax. The only way it can work is on a trick lock that has all the pins cut to the same length, and the notches on the key are all the same depth.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

Do bump keys still work?

I bought a few bump keys, which are keys custom made and cut in a factory to have all the valleys cut down so they will slide in a lock then when u hit the key it is supposed to open the lock, a while back and was wondering if they would open a modern lock.

Answer 4

Yes, I have a set of bump keys for Schlage and Kwikset locks, and although it might take a few tries, they do work just like the videos I watched on Youtube, very cool!

Answer 5

Hahaha don't believe anyone who says they don't work, they do, I am a hobby lockpick and I have tried a few bump keys and cheap locks like kwickset and schlage are very vulnerable, security pins make them a little harder but if you get the feel for very light tension you can get it to work on basically anything.



For the argument that "HOW CAN U OPEN THE LOCK BEFORE THE TOP PINS FALL DOWN MICROSECONDS LATER" well tell me this, how come lock pick guns work the same way? you pop the top pins up while applying tension and the lock magically opens....magic? or science?

Answer 6

NO