Notice Board |
|||||
|
taught how to fix things .
I joined the air cadets when I was 11 years old , which progressed to doing jobs for the MOD . When I was 17 , they got me breaking into safes and then the technical work really started . I really love problemsolving and learning how to do everything in the trade , it really fascinated me .
Talking About Top Skills I would say my top skills are picking locks and gaining access to properties quickly . Sometimes it ’ s knowing the ‘ tricks of the trade ’ which can only be learnt on the job and over many years . Everything a great locksmith needs to know cannot be learned from a course , but is gained from working in the trade , it takes time to pick-up the skills . If someone is locked out , don ’ t pick the front door lock as the cylinders tend to be higher security and harder to access , pick the back door lock it will be easier . When UPVC doors are stuck , simply adjust the hinges - there ’ s often an easy fix .
Windsor Castle had a majestic gate that required repairs – specifically , the lock needed fixing , and a new key required . As a locksmith , this was right up my alley ! Even though I had the original key ( a worn-out relic made by blacksmiths of old , forged
|
from real steel and practically indestructible ) the task was to ensure everything was in perfect working order .
Paul Souber , a longtime friend , and I often shared our lock-picking experiences . A true locksmith ’ s skills are being able to get into places without leaving a trace .
I ’ ve always been known as “ Willo the Wisp ” due to my knack for flitting from one job to the next , a master of bypassing locks rather than breaking them . In my line of work , handling 15 to 20 locks a day under magistrates ’ warrants is part for the course . My speciality is overriding locks without causing any damage , a skill I ’ ve honed to perfection .
One memorable challenge was in St Albans . I was called to deal with a high-security 10-lever Ingersoll lock . Four locksmiths before me had tried
|
and failed to open it ; the client insisted on wanting it opening without damaging the lock . With my expertise , it took me just one minute to open it , leaving the lock intact and fully functional .
In all my years , my work has been a blend of skill , knowledge , and a touch of finesse . Whether it was bypassing a high-security lock or finding a way into an impenetrable warehouse , I always took pride in my ability to solve these puzzles without causing damage . My reputation preceded me , and many would say you wouldn ’ t even know I ’ d been there .
As Hard as Nails I used to do parachute jumping back in the day . I ’ ve had a lot of joints replaced – I ’ ve had two new shoulders , I ’ ve got a plate and screws in spine , and a false eye – but
|
I ’ m still going strong . I ’ m not so much of a dare devil as I used to be , but I ’ m still going and I challenge myself every day . I ’ m waiting to retake my driving test .
I did a special job in Columbia and was stung by a scorpion ! I dropped something in a grass and when I went to pick it up it stung me . I sucked my finger and spat out the poison , I felt OK and thought I got away with it . But , after a few months back in the UK I started to lose a lot of weight , so went for health checks . It was discovered that my pancreas has completed melted away ! Now I ’ m on 15 tablets per day , including a special drug formulated from pig enzymes to help regulate my blood sugar and support digestion .
Looking Forward
I feel very fortunate to have lived a great life . I ’ m looking forward to going to Australia this year to visit my other son Anthony and my wonderful grandchildren who live there . I will continue to work as a locksmith as long as I ’ m physically and mentally able to , supporting my son Chris and other local locksmith friends . I cannot wait to see my story printed in The Locksmith Journal .
www . ad-cozzi . co . uk
|