Notice Board the best things happen when my camera isn’ t even on me. I’ m respectful, I always let people know I’ m recording. Someone once asked me to take a video down, so I did. Most people don’ t mind. I blur them out anyway.
I edit my videos on either an ipad or PC in my converted garage, along with my mini-3D print farm, lock station, solder / repair station, and all-around workshop. Some would call it a‘ mancave’ but I like to call it my studio! The rest happens on the fly using the CapCut app. I find that CapCut is fast and simple, and enables me to put together videos without spending hours learning Adobe or DaVinci Resolve.
Sometimes I’ m up late editing after a long day, sometimes I fall asleep at my PC. It’ s hard work, but I enjoy it, and it keeps me connected to everything happening across social media.
Locks Aren’ t Security Locks aren’ t security- that’ s my biggest message. There are so many scammers who drill easy locks and charge $ 300. My area has a lot of lowincome families, and that’ s a month of groceries gone. You can survive without ripping people off.
Cheap fingerprint and digital locks? Some of them open with a pick and a twist. You can take the whole panel off of cheap digital locks and hotwire them without tools. They’ re marketed as high security, but it’ s false advertising. Locksmiths say I’ m helping criminals, but I want people to know the truth. Don’ t rely on locks! There’ s always another way in. Cameras and alarms are real security. Even fake cameras deter criminals. I’ ve got eight cameras on my own home.
Three years ago, there was a shooting outside my house. My cameras caught it and the police got the guy.
How I Become Park of Covert Instruments
I’ d been a fan of Covert and LockPickingLawyer for years. I used their tools constantly and tagged them, hoping they’ d notice me, but they didn’ t, so I messaged them on Instagram and asked if we could collaborate. Sometimes you just have to ask, somehow, I had been overlooked.
Now I have my own creator kit. I didn’ t design the tools, but I hand-picked everything. It’ s the one minimalist set I think anyone in North America could use to get into almost any lock. I also speak highly of LadyLocks. She’ s better than most lock sporters out there! We’ ve talked a fair bit, she’ s about 20 hours away, and now we’ re both partners with Covert.
Locksmithing is Forever
I don’ t ever want to leave this industry. I’ ve worked in construction, IT, software engineering … I’ ve dipped into everything. Locksmithing is the only thing I’ ve stuck with long-term. Having executive dysfunction can make things tricky sometimes, I find it hard to keep track of everything; all the tasks I have to do, to stay organised. But I’ ve learned to work with it, and blend it into everyday life. I love making videos and helping people, and I just focus on what I can control. I want to support my family, make an honest living, and provide great content to show what this locksmithing industry is really like.
About Gizmo
Gizmo is a Louisiana-based locksmith and one of the most recognisable digital creators in the trade. With 207k followers on TikTok, 64k YouTube subscribers, a growing Instagram audience of 18k and 9k Facebook followers, he reaches viewers across the U. S. and beyond.
Known for his real-world field videos, flip-flops-in-any-weather attitude and straight-talking style, he brings an authentic look at the job. A former light parkour enthusiast with a hint of daredevil energy, he approaches locksmithing with the same boldness: unconventional, practical and unafraid to challenge industry norms.
Partnered with Covert Instruments and committed to honesty and education, Gizmo has become a standout modern voice in locksmithing.
Connect with Gizmo Web: www. gizmotherogue. com Email: gizmotherogue @ gmail. com TikTok: @ gizmotherogue Instagram: @ gizmotherogue YouTube / Facebook: Gizmo
DECEMBER 2025
15
Issue Takeover locksmithjournal. co. uk