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“ I carried out very tricky repairs to the intricate internal mechanisms and finally completely handmade a key using small files and saws . The new key took over a month to make , on and off between jobs , it was the sort of work that required a clear head and revisiting with fresh eyes , with it being a very delicate design ; I couldn ’ t afford to make any mistakes . My client requested the key to echo the original style of the lock . The lock was manufactured from old steel and the detail was one of the most intricate and fine examples of spectacular historical craftsmanship I ’ ve ever worked on .
“ With extremely close , comb-like internals I advised my client that this would weaken the key , therefore we agreed for the lock to be modified slightly ( in-keeping with the original design ). I bypassed the fine cuts by making and replacing a small delicate section of the lock in order to retain as much authenticity as possible . The key was the most intricate part of the job with its 3D stem , fancy ornate top and with crosses ( within crosses ) in the bit .
“ My customer was very pleased with the result and the respect shown to the original structure of the lock and craftsmanship . Although the project was very challenging , I appreciated being involved in such a work of art which was an amazing achievement . The lock and key finally sold to a collector in America for £ 10,000 who donated it to a museum in New York .”
How about your recent projects ?
“ I ’ ve made keys , locks and ironmongery renovations / repairs for many historical buildings and interesting projects . My late father taught me longforgotten skills such as enabled me to repair and overhaul a 250-year-old lock and furniture on an 8ft oak door main entrance to Aston Hall in Birmingham , and a lock repair for singer Mick Jagger by his architect .
“ There are far too many projects to mention , but the chances are – over the years – we have done it ! The way I look at things is ‘ if it ’ s not up to my exceptional standards then it ’ s not good enough for my customers ’. I ’ ve seen some terrible attempts at locksmithing over the years and , as my electrician friend says : “ me changing a euro lock barrel doesn ’ t make me a locksmith , likewise you changing a fuse doesn ’ t make you an electrician ”. Experience has no price if the job has to be done correctly .
“ I have done work for a big jeweller in London , which I ’ ve also designed small padlocks the size of penny made of gold and silver ; some at the height of only 25mm working with tiny delicate parts including levers . I have recently refurbished 18th century locks , keys and ironmongery on a huge building in London , including some 3ft by 4ft ancient hinges , all done by hand . I have also made and designed locks that are now longer available with enquiries from Assa Abloy , amongst many others , and people after oddball locks like 300mm backset dead locks .”
How did you get into locksmithing ?
“ I ’ ve been playing with locks and pretty much anything else to see how things work since I was a small child . My father , Keith Carrier , was a locksmith and he formed Keith Carrier & Son in 1988 . My father ’ s locksmithing journey began with him serving an apprenticeship at James Gibbons at Snowhill , Wolverhampton , where he learned a lot of his specialist handcrafting skills .
“ When I was old enough , I spent many weekends helping my father and , when I left school , I started working alongside my father . I carried on the business after he sadly passed away in 2014 . I am very proud of the craftsman skills my father taught me , and I ’ m able to keep his legacy and this trade alive - not only through wonderful memories of him , but also by using the skills I learned from him - to make a difference : that ’ s the specialist services of Keith Carrier & Son .”
Dedication to the trade
A dedication to the , somewhat dying , trade of handmade quality craftsmanship allows Keith Carrier & Son to serve a very niche area of locksmithing , whilst also offering a complete locksmith service to domestic and commercial sectors .
Keith Carrier & Son has built a solid reputation within the industry for assisting large other lock and key manufactures and suppliers such as Davenport-Burgess , Squire and amongst others . Many of which have , over the years , approached them to help with problem solving to find key , and lock solutions , as well as repair , make and supply .
About Keith Carrier & Son
Keith Carrier & Son is an award-winning specialist , with a unique and appreciated expertise in manufacture and restoration of antique locks , keys and ironmongery for churches and other historical buildings . Also , offering a complete locksmith service , they can turn their talents to pretty much anything to do with locks and keys . Along with standard modern lock and key smith requirements .
Also , a supplier of a huge range of plant and cast key blanks . Based in Willenhall in the West Midlands , famous for being the heart of lock making , they are proud to help revive and keep alive the forgotten skill of handcrafting .
www . carrierlocks . co . uk info @ carrierlocks . co . uk Office - 01902 605818 Mobile - 07792 797148
APRIL 2024
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Issue Takeover locksmithjournal . co . uk