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From Cutting Hair to Cutting Keys : All City Locksmiths
Stelios Papa of All City Locksmiths Ltd , based in Blackheath south-east London , told us about his extraordinary journey into locksmithing . Originally a barber , Stelios cut hair for over 10 years managing two barber shops in Kent , he told us all about how he went from cutting hair to cutting keys …
The transition : From one type of lock to another
I saw an old friend out of the blue that I had not seen for years . We were having a chat as I got him into my barber chair and he told me he was getting into locksmithing ; it sounded very interesting and really got me thinking . We stayed in touch and in 2021 he persuaded me to do a locksmithing course .
I have been trading for two years now as a locksmith . My friend also has a successful business growing stronger by the year .
Did your prior experience help you with locksmithing ?
Well yes , in a way ! Instead of cutting keys I was cutting hair , it ’ s a different skill , both requiring a lot of patience : one wrong cut can lead to a spoiled job . Through barbering I learned how to deal with the public and how to manage a business : both of these skills have helped me as a locksmith .
Where did you train ?
I did an MLA locksmith course , however classroom learning really didn ’ t suit me . The MLA gave me the basics , but the other people on the course were already multi-traders for a large housing association and it was new to me . I needed some one-to-one training being new to the industry , so I did a mortice lock picking course with a trainer , Jason Hiller , in Halesowen Birmingham .
‘ It was great to be given the kits to take away and use , in return for feedback and recording some videos of the tools in application .’
I also attended the Souber training recently with Paul Souber and Paul Batty which was a great day . Paul taught us how to use door and window opening kits and did useful demonstrations of the tools . It was great to be given the kits to take away and use , in return for feedback and recording some videos of the tools in application .
What do you like about being a locksmith ?
Every day there ’ s always a new challenge or something different and I love helping people . I have to admit , the hours can be long ( working 24 / 7 ), and there is a large outlay for tools at the start . But , if you ’ re prepared to put in the time and effort , with a lot of patience , practice , research and learning , it is an achievable and rewarding career .
What ’ s next for All City ?
I don ’ t currently do safe work but I would love to learn how to do it . I ’ m always looking for another iron in the fire . I really enjoy learning and I would like to be experienced in all aspects of locksmithing . For the time being , I will just keep on going and growing my business .
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JUNE 2024
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