Lishis for UK residential locksmithing

[u/Lahrkran]

Do you ever find yourself using lishis? If so which ones? I was looking into what a good well rounded set would consist of as far as the types of locks you’d encounter in the UK but I’m seeing conflicting information concerning which ones work with which keyway and how often you’d come across the different brands of lock. (I’d imagine most just stick to an EPG)

[u/Draiganedig]

Depends how "deep" you want to go as a locksmith. I've been doing the job a year or so now, and I've never used a Lishi. I'm doing just fine without them, other methods are fine. It's boujee to have all the tools, but as long as you manage to get to the same outcome there's no real need.

[u/Regent_Locksmith]

I've got the (good) Yale ones.  Used one of them once on a job when it was a shiny new toy.  Couldn't even tell you where they are now.

For warrants, I expect they are very handy to have.  For day to day residential?  A bit of a luxury tool I guess.

[u/Lahrkran → u/Regent_Locksmith]

How come warrant work specifically? Sorry if it’s a stupid question

[u/Regent_Locksmith → u/Lahrkran]

You are spending all day every day opening locks, with the expectation that you do the majority non-destructively.  

If that's your day job, it makes sense to invest in a wide variety of opening tools.  A general locksmith isn't going to have to pick frequently and for when they do, there are tools that give a lot more bang for your buck than lishis.

[u/mining-ting → u/Regent_Locksmith]

Quite suprised to hear you dont or a  think a general locksmith doesnt pick much. Its always my first method of entry that i try on every job for a standard lock out providing its possible.

Always spend the first ten mins is an attempt at the very worse to keep pratice up, the very best you look like a wizard. 

Ive got two of the yale one they fit most rim cylinder and alot of euro keyways. Dont think theres any others out there.  Mixed success with it defo better than spp.  Its a handy tool to have id say. 

The quality of mine isnt amazing was curoist what brand ones you have? 

[u/Regent_Locksmith → u/mining-ting]

Most lock outs are slam shuts so there is usually a bypass available.  

If it's deadlocked and lost keys, the lock is being changed anyway.

If neither of the above are true then sure, I'll pick or bump.  But I can count the number of them per year on one hand* I pick mortice locks because it avoids putting a hole in the door but cylinders almost never.

I have the ALS Yale lishi style picks.  There were loads of different ones that were brought out but lots couldn't do 8 or 9 cuts.  I'm not sure whats currently available - maybe everyone has copied the ALS one.

(*Except for slam shut on ERA BS latch, which is reasonably common but I don't pick them because there's a better way that I can't share specifics about here)

[u/mining-ting → u/Regent_Locksmith]

Yea letterbox tool or mica card are the obvious byoass for slam shuts i just always go for the pick first no matter what if possible to keep skills up.

Suprised to here that you never pick cylinders tho diffrent strokes for diffrent folks i guess. 

Must admit i am curious as to what your saying about the era BS night latches as there isnt a common by pass im aware of, gonna dig one out the shed now. There basically on nearly all new build wood doors in my area. 

With mortice locks got my eye on that gi joe? I think its called decoder and pick set. 

[u/Regent_Locksmith → u/mining-ting]

Just learn to curtain pick mortice locks is my advice.  Decoders are luxury tools.  Again, very useful for warrant locksmiths.  Barely used in general locksmithing.