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You Can Locksmith Too :
Train with Kan Locks
» WE CAUGHT UP WITH Christopher Smith of Kan Locks , whose nickname is “ The Surgeon ” because of his precision with deadlocks , bypassing bolts . Christopher , who dedicated his whole career to locksmithing , now dedicates his time to helping those seeking a career change to become elite locksmiths .
How I Became a Locksmith
I have been a locksmith since the age of 14 , and I am now 44 . Following in the footsteps of my father , who also worked as a locksmith and handled reop contracts for Halifax and Nationwide , I became selfemployed 14 years ago . Over the years , I ’ ve accumulated a wealth of experience in various roles .
I worked at a big wholesale supplier from ages 19 to 20 , and then spent eight years at locksmith centre based in Manor Park , specialising in auto locksmithing and installing vehicle deadlocks for Ford Transits . Being a bench locksmith for a long time enabled me to hone my skills in key cutting and building cylinders for master key systems , as well as other intricate tasks . I left Manor Park to go to a company in Winchmore Hill , whom my father had a close friendship
with the owner , which led to an enriching eight-year tenure . My journey suffered a setback when I sustained a football injury at around 30 and my father retired at the age of 48 . I began helping an alarm company establish a locksmithing arm , after which I was encouraged by a highly skilled locksmith friend to set up my own locksmith company . I then pursued work with a company managing warrants and began changing locks on properties .
To start my business , I invested £ 1,000 in a startup kit and I also purchased a van . For the last 14 years , I ’ ve never looked back , running my own company and providing a service to clients who have numerous contracts with energy suppliers , all needing access to their equipment . My career has been a blend of hands-on locksmithing , entrepreneurial ventures , and continuous learning and adaptation .
A Deep Passion for Locks
I ’ ve always had a deep passion for locksmithing , partly because I didn ’ t know anyone else who did it and I felt good at it – I would say that I ’ m now more experienced than my father , which would make him so proud . One memorable job was at an abandoned new build site in Ramsgate , where my mate and I picked every single lock on 28 properties , including some tricky ones with an Ultion picks .
Training New Locksmiths
I train others interested in becoming locksmiths , sharing my skills and experiences . I ’ ve attended many warrants and have used YouTube extensively as a fantastic tool for learning and refining my techniques . This , combined with a significant investment in new tools , helped me develop a deep understanding of lock mechanisms , almost like having X-ray vision , which I incorporated into my methods .
14
AUGUST 2024
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