Locksmith Tip: Impressioning Keys Trick

This locksmith tip will help you learn how to impression keys better. Impressioning is a locksmithing skill that can take time to learn. This tip will help you see those marks! After this tip your impressioning skills will be even better! Happy Locksmithing!

Impressioning a key in the locksmith industry can be one of the most satisfying jobs! In Episode # 13 PJ shares a technique that will help you get the job done and will give you the confidence needed to impression keys!

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[bobdobolina]

Bosnian Bill does a good video on how to impression with a really good tip 4 getting your initial spacing marks

[colinevans]

Would have liked to watch the whole thing, and making the key

[SadisticPicker]

This is definitely something I want to be able to do!

[WiliamBennettwildarbennett]

PJ as how I'm very new to the Lock Smithing world. By no way an expert in this subject, I would be willing to be wrong if I were not more seasoned at machinist and tooling.
The FILE is not designed to used as a saw. Its performance is greatly better by a smooth straight one direction push. Not back and forth sawing motions. To quote Wilford Brimley in an old western movie
'Smooth and easy, and you'll have a more harmonious outcome.'
Again Thank You for your instructions. And keep up the great work.

[PROTEK]

i use a lit candle to blacken the key also, let the soot from the smoke cover the blank . it will help .. trust me

[caymanlocksmithandsafespec]

impressioning is a skill you develop overtime and you got to be able to read the pibs too.know your spacing.ilove impressioning its my number1 skill

[Seedthedrummer]

If you have a unocode machine, it helps to cut some 0 cuts on lw4 blanks for spacing purposes, keep them in your bag and that's half your job done ready for impressioning on site.

[mmohammedbrr]

Thanks alot...I'm going to try this and let you know soon

[AquaTech]

Tried many times without doing this only to break keys trying to get marks I could see with no luck. Definitely trying this next

[shaiyehudi]

Over 25 years ago I had one of those old Hank Spicer videotapes on impressioning. Does anybody remember that old man?

[pauleyedwin]

#Lockboss. Something I haven’t got into yet.

[RubberBanned]

As a competitive impressioner, that filing was not my favourite. Glad to see more posts about impressioning, though!

[happyg.]

Can you use a magic marker to mark the edge for a clearer view of the impressions because the marks would remove the magic marker in those areas? I have to make an ignition key. I've never done this before.
Your thoughts?

[danathompson]

Hi, I don't know if you check these old posts...
But thanks for the info.
So how does this work on automotive? Specifically
Ignition cylinders.
Or... what is the best way to cut a key if all keys are lost.
I love Toyota, but don't know if any other manufacturers are as nice.

[garyanvil]

Lately I have been practicing impressioning locks with a file...
Let's say you have a lock that unlocks clock wise Does it matter what side of the key you make your knife edge from?
Should I concentrate on one side of the other? Looks like you did both
I really want a Lishi cutter do they make a better end product looks a lot easier.
Thanks

[bernardhaegeman]

Are these blanc keys original keys or special soft blancs from another material ?

[Ghost_Os]

Knife it and smoke it! I've also heard of people using machinists' blue, haven't tried that one out yet.

[gabrieluribe]

Very helpful hints! Thanks for making these videos! #lockboss

[deanstreet]

Noticed your filing action was 2 way don't want to be overly criticizing . Was told by a locksmith i worked for once that a file only cuts in one direction pulling back with the file still on the key sounds like it is dragging not cutting could be flattening the knife edge. What do you think? #Lockboss

[marksmith-powl]

Thanks alot PJ, this helped ALOT! Liked and subscribed!