Making a key - Blacksmithing

Making locks is something I have wanted to learn more about for quite some time. I'm no locksmith, but you're welcome to join me as I explore the process starting with the forging of a simple key.
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#blacksmithing #forged #blacksmith
Blacksmithing and related activities can be hazardous. These videos are not a substitute for competent professional instruction. Your safety is your sole responsibility. Always use appropriate safety equipment including eye and ear protection when working in the shop. Follow manufactures safety guidelines for the use of all equipment. In the event something shown in one of these videos seems unsafe, it is up to you to make the appropriate changes to protect yourself.

[@dicksargent3582]

The wards are the obstructions in the lock, ways are the slots or openings in the key that MAKE WAY FOR THE KEY TO TURN past the wards. The ways in your keys will need to be filed much wider than the thickness of your ward material or cut as a radius. This will allow the key and ways to rotate around the circumference of your wards.

[@robertlamb7513]

If one is not learning then they are dead . Those that love your channel will stay and watch whatever videos you put out

[@BlackBearForge]

Well said

[@stephenpadilla4086]

My father said, "The day you stop learning is the day you start dying."

[@LukePieper-us8rt]

I've been a locksmith for over 42 years. To make the 2nd key make the lock first then make the key fit. Like all of your videos

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks for the tip

[@ericericson4]

It would seem to me, that the easiest way to get a duplicate key would be to sand cast one from brass. For a more decorative key, they can be cast of silver and a stone added. Once the original is made, anything is possible.

[@sasssquatch1467]

Always easier to start with a lock. Blacksmith of 18 years here. I acquired a bunch of Victorian era door locks and latches. While I normally concentrate on axes, knives, and camp gear, I really enjoyed making new keys for them.

[@handwerkskunst_handicraftarts]

I love watching channels like this one: here you get 100% craftsmanship in a 100% authentic and friendly atmosphere and you also learn something. What more could you want on a relaxing evening?

[@BlackBearForge]

Wow, thank you!

[@thatmckenzie]

Please continue this project! The incidental lessons as you experiment and figure it out (like using the vice instead of the anvil, or heating only one wide of the bow to allow it to stretch) are the reason I'm here. Thank you.

[@TommyVee63]

I am delighted to hear you say that you want to make videos on things *you* want to do rather than those things that chase viewers or try to game the KZbin algorithm. I will be very happy to watch those videos, even if they are light-years ahead of anything I could try to emulate anytime soon. I appreciate your basic videos, but you have a lot of those already. I look forward to seeing what takes you out of your comfort zone.

[@BlackBearForge]

I appreciate that!

[@gerryprater3003]

I truly enjoy the diversity of content on your channel

[@jazzmusician46]

Hi John, I’m from Australia and have just discovered your channel. I’ve watch 5 of your videos so far and love them. I’m not a forger, but love watching metal being transformed into works of beauty. I am an avid Forged in Fire fan, so your channel is the cream on top. I love your teaching style. It’s clear, informative and honest. I’m looking forward to watching more of your videos, particularly the locks. Take care, Graeme.

[@mrimmortal1579]

Hi, John! I’m not a blacksmith. I did a little bit of hot-metalworking in a high school shop class, but those memories have been old enough to drink for over a decade now. I enjoyed it. I always thought that I’d like to learn to do more of it. I doubt if financial and physical limitations will ever allow it for me though. With all of that being said, I do immensely enjoy watching your videos. Your camera work is great, we always get to see close up what you’re doing and how you’re doing it. Your commentary is fantastic, never boring and always clearly stated. Your sound is perfect, both your voice and the sounds of metal being worked have a strangely soothing quality. And best of all: no annoyingly loud annoying music dubbed over slow-motion montages of sparks flying from your power hammer! I’m glad to see that you’re finally going to branch out into projects that you will find more challenging and enjoyable. I’m very much looking forward to the lock & keys project, and will gladly follow along into whatever adventures you find yourself in next!

[@adrienmonti402]

I've been watching your youtube channel for almost 5years now, and I've enjoyed every single video you uploaded. You gave me the basics to begin my blacksmithing journey, in your always super-well edited video. I would always be glad to see your videos, and the only thing I want to see in them is you making something you enjoy ! Have a nice day, and thank you for sharing your knowledge :)

[@rbfcaf]

I think you should go whatever you want. I like all your videos. Thanks as always.

[@6Sally5]

I second that!

[@richardbonner2354]

Me as well...; the onlies' way to go! 🙂 Rick Bonner Pennsyltuck

[@df-intheshop330]

Nice! Can't wait to see how it turns out

[@BlackBearForge]

Same here. This is a whole different style of work for me.

[@lodianbothma828]

That's a yes from me. I am always happy to learn more, especially locks and keys.

[@SamEddy4321]

I think watching you learn teaches us more too, seeing how a blacksmith thinks about problems, very interesting too

[@mountainwolf1]

Thanks for giving a shout out to Denis frechette. He was the first blacksmith I watched on you tube and started learning from. Then there was dave friesen of crossed heart forge followed by you mr.switzer. if was not for you three I would have had a hard time learning blacksmithing/bladesmithing and thank all of you for giving a foundation to build on. Great work as always john godbless and good health much love from arkansas.

[@viberaiding]

I'm just getting here and will be going thru the library of videos throughly but I hugely support keeping this interesting for yourself and more challenging for your viewer base.

[@BlackBearForge]

Welcome aboard!

[@Joe_for_real]

I love the content when you get out of your comfort zone. Keep it up, if you can.

[@bjh4970]

Locksmithing is an area I definitely want to explore, looking forward to seeing more of these projects 🗝

[@quintonrowan9886]

Love the locks and other more detailed stuff. I’ve been looking at locks for a while now and like you have found little information. Glad you’re doing this.

[@chrisoleary6570]

I love seeing you work on what you want you've given us so much knowledge over the years it's time you make what you want to make thank you for everything you do

[@stevelambert6404]

Love seeing videos that show just how diverse blacksmiths had to be

[@MarkKelly1307]

John - I love this type of stuff! Always enjoy learning new things. Please produce more videos like this! Like you said, your library is there for their learning as well. Cheers, Mark

[@johnneykrew]

Always good to flex our mind muscles on something new. I look forward to watching the process. Keep up the good work.

[@hawkbox]

I'm really enjoying what you're doing with this John.

[@dadegroot]

I made a viking era padlock a few years ago - was a lot of fun, so I'm very keen to see the more complicated projects you have in mind.

[@profmelvin3467]

I started blacksmithing a few years ago and I watched your channel to try and create my own style based on your methods , if you are going to be trying to do new learning projects I am extremely excited to see how that goes because I enjoy learning new things. I have watched pretty much all your videos and I always love seeing new content.

[@ga5743]

Looking forward to the rest of your lock and key project. Many years ago I made a lock and key out of wood on my scrollsaw. Sure was fun and the fact that it still works to this day is amazing to me. 😊 Thanks for all your videos, much success on this project Enjoy your day John.

[@TheInquisitor7]

keep doing what youre doing. there are so many beginner blacksmith videos, i just want to see your shop and your project. keep making. I just started out blacksmithing this year. hunting down an anvil in norcal (damn expensive) and found your videos late last year for inspiration when i knew i was working up to having my own shop. keep on keeping on!

[@noahrockland7184]

I would love to see more content like this!

[@4ager505]

John, I have watched a lot of your videos over time, and they varied greatly in content...but all were interesting and informative. My suggestion for your future channel direction, just go your own way...I'm sure I will enjoy anything you share...and I think others will also. One thought...don't be timid about trying new things. Thanks for all you do to help the community.

[@BlackBearForge]

I appreciate that!

[@lars2you]

Love this content! Who doesn't love the old keys? I have a lock with no key that I dug while metal detecting. I'll bet my blacksmithing guru can give me the knowledge to eventually make one! Thank you for the videos...

[@malloystiggles5087]

Just something i've found helpful to prevent marring on my work in the vice is to use leather, I use 1 big strip and fold it over for the other piece rather than having two small pieces lying around. Love the videos, every different project is a new inspiration, and revives the diversity and malleability of the craft/trade/art of blacksmithing.

[@tomcarlson3244]

John, this is a fun project. I think I may try to make some small keys for little pendants. I can’t wait to see you make the complete chest. That could be a great series.

[@bigredbeard65]

Interesting subject, I'm looking forward to the rest of your videos on this project. Personally I like learning new skills. Thank you for doing and showing us this project.

[@ewanhamilton1012]

John, we love all your videos! You're one of the best blacksmithing channel on KZbin, especially for those of us who are learning. Thanks for all you do! P.S. I discovered your channel last year, about a week after you were in Amana, Iowa. I live only a few miles away and would have come to see you if I'd known sooner! Hope you come back some day!

[@terrycarwile6499]

Very definitely interested in more of this content. I have the first Spruce Forge book, and I'll be ordering the second one. Would you please list the other books you mention? Love to have those as well. Thanks!

[@rjordans]

Looking forward to the series. Hadn't realized that Dennis had this book out but it's on its way here now! Thanks for the tip

[@iregretit6376]

Im not learning like others here but DO I LOVE THE ATMOSPHERE so relaxing

[@jamesbrandon8520]

I love your videos but I’m glad that you finally are making something that uses your skills and pushes your creativity to a new direction

[@BlackBearForge]

I appreciate that!

[@doingitoutdoors7083]

Loved it. You doing things that interest you makes it more interesting for us.

[@TheJpmuzz]

your willingness to try something new is why i love your channel. Knives and swords are great but I really enjoy the everyday items that Blacksmith have to work on.

[@williamgable2297]

Whenever I'm doing detail work, clamped in the vice, I use wood blocks or brass sheets to keep from damaging the work rather than rubber. It holds it more steady.

[@BlackBearForge]

Good idea

[@rbaker1423]

Hi John. I'm excited for this series and other future projects. I've been interested in this type of lockmaking since watching Peter Ross dabbling in it as a kid. I'd love to see more of it, along with other more advanced projects. Lots of slot and tab construction coming up I would guess, eh? Maybe other future projects could include things like a pair of dividers, or scissors. Things that don't just show the basic blacksmithing skills, but show how to apply them into making interesting and useful things. Whitesmithing is a term known to almost nobody these days, but played such a large role in so many items. I think that variety of projects is one of the things that made Peter Ross so enjoyable to watch, along with his massive skill and personability, but few modern blacksmiths venture beyond the basic projects.

[@BlackBearForge]

There was a series of videos several years ago on a pair of wing divider for the 1500mm challenge kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIW7lJiJq9p4bqcsi=9W9T2Tpo2F1m6h0i

[@holry7778]

Love the lock idea. Like the more advanced project.

[@stephenpadilla4086]

Thank you for showing the selective heating to stretch out the hole in the right direction. It is this sort of stuff that really helps me with my learning process here!

[@BlackBearForge]

You are welcome!

[@tcrevels]

This is great, cant wait for the rest of the project!!! Way to go!

[@anthonygiaconia7880]

Yes, I would like to see more of these projects.

[@thecreativecave]

Love what you’re doing, I use your videos all the time as reference and they’ve helped me every time. Seeing you do more complex projects is a really great idea and will give me more motivation to up my skills

[@GodschildinNC]

This is neat to see, I will be glad to see what you do and learn with/through you.

[@markfarnay1330]

Yes please. More advanced work would be great 👍

[@EXARCWithGrandpop]

Sounds like a great new interest to follow. I know I'm interested. The end goal for me would be a gate with a lock. I think I would have just made one key out of a thicker piece of metal the split it down the center with the bandsaw. That way they would be perfect matches.

[@davetymchyn9072]

Would love to see more intricate stuff like locks. But anything you do is worth the watch. Great work as always

[@albertoarrigoni6724]

I love love lock smithing. From Italy xxoo

[@FeatherHorseforge]

Looking forward to this John I plan on making a Viking style tube padlock soon🙂

[@michaeledwards5954]

Loved this. I made a wood chest a year ago to store small chisels and punches. Made the hinges and corner bits so it looks a bit like a pirate chest. Been wondering how to finish it off i.e. clasp and lock, you have my full attention, and I can't wait to see the next bit.

[@thomaskelly5457]

Love watching other people’s learning process, keen to see more :)

[@paulfarley454]

I'm with ya. Total agreement.

[@GreasyLuckForge]

John, thanks for sharing about my book. I'll hopefully have my second book out later this year. It's much more in depth than the basic padlock book and is twice as thick. It's pronounced Boo-shay, but everyone gets it wrong.

[@BlackBearForge]

I'll be looking forward to the next edition of the book.

[@GreasyLuckForge]

@@BlackBearForge my goal is October, but sooner if I can. I'll make a video about it and post all over my instagram as usual.

[@peterlogan1623]

I have to make a similar key for an armada / pirates chest here in the UK your video have inspired me. Thankyou

[@michaelgundersen7645]

First lesson from Peter Ross. 1/4 x 3/4 is all you need for anything.

[@stoneinthefield1]

I use a piece of angle iron with a glued on wood face as a metal bandsaw safety push block. It works great give it a try.

[@ethanphillips8637]

a beeswax print will help with matching keys. I use an altoids tin filled with beeswax to make the impression. only after the original gas been finally fitted and working to the lock.

[@BlackBearForge]

Great sugestion

[@ohdubwest7533]

I’ve been thinking about doing a decorative door. Decorative banding, hinges, latch, hardware, etc. It would be interesting to see what you would come up with for that sort of project.

[@scarymonsterguy]

I’d love to see more advanced things. I gage have been working I forging Viking locks lately

[@TheNotGinger]

John, I've gone through your repository of blacksmith knowledge and it's been the majority of my blacksmith learning. Please continue doing more of what this video is. More advanced, more of what you want to learn yourself, more of what you enjoy! It's been a blast learning from you thus far and now it'll be fun "learning with you" kind of sort of, not really lol

[@pivers01]

I love all of your videos, and I would also love to see you forge locks etc. just as blacksmiths did in the past.

[@Dominic.Minischetti]

I loved watching Dennis make the Nuremberg box! Fascinating! Looking forward to see what you come up with!

[@jackdawg4579]

I've not seen that style of lock you want to make before. It looks like it will be an interesting project!

[@RobKenchu]

This is the exact thing I've been hoping to see. I am absolutely stoked!

[@brendanesposito]

Looking forward to seeing some new stuff and what interests you!

[@skilletborne]

I adore your videos, John, and more complex and advanced techniques would be more than welcome Perhaps I need to practice the basics more, but they're pretty firmly in my mind thanks to you

[@iajtywuCOLO]

I look forward to how you solve design and implementation issues you come up against and all the thought on what you are doing and WHY you are doing it discussion. I don't do much forging, but use a lot of the ideas and techniques in other areas of metal working and wood working. On your lock project, I've had to engineer a key to fit and work with the lock on a very old microscope box, including all the cutouts. It was an interesting exercise.

[@kennethomeara9848]

I am glad you will "endeavor to persevere" thank you for all that you do.

[@PogyForge]

Enjoyed this video very much. Carry on.

[@jsmyrick8066]

Great stuff! Looking forward to it.

[@selwynhackett5471]

I'm glad to see you are doing something that interests you! I really enjoy these more interesting projects.

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

This is so good. Thanks for sharing with us John. Looking forward to the next part. Keep up the great videos. Fred.

[@Kristoferskogsberg]

Love to see that!

[@TonyUrryMakes]

Stacking two hacksaw blades in the same handle(one reversed- one normal orientation) is useful for making a controlled- wider kerf.

[@BlackBearForge]

Excellent suggestion

[@doingitoutdoors7083]

Yes it is

[@robbullis5025]

I will be looking forward to any and all of your videos John.

[@virtusleather]

Cool stuff Jon!

[@holyhammerironworks2384]

The book you recommended The New Spruce Forge Manual For LockSmithing authors are right here in my neighborhood! I have the book too and also highly recommended it. I also appreciate your honesty on braking the file! It happens and many might have edited it out.

[@MASI_forging]

How awesome, such a great work 👏👏

[@davidbendig961]

Great project.Looking forward to to see the lock and the chest. Locks have warding to hinder the passage of things that are not the key and a keyway to allow the correctly shaped key to enter the lock and get into the position where it can turn and open/close the lock.😇

[@Huskiedrive361]

A ward stands proud of the surface and acts as a wall or obstruction. A way is a groove cut into the surface or object and acts as a passage

[@richardbonner2354]

Making a key... These skills (a Man or Woman's or Boy's or Girl's "mind over matter") can be used to "reverse engineer" the shape of a long lost key to cabinets and china cupboards. As with most exceptionally fine Work...; it ain' "rocket science", just Will and muscle and Heart applied to the material. Very good work; You've created a treasure that'll be used for generations. Ain' that jes' exACTLY what Smiths usually do? 🙂 Rick Bonner Pennsyltuck

[@toddcaldwell5614]

Interesting video , never thought about making locks , maybe I can make a key for the chest my mom has . Lock is built Into the hasp . Thanks for sharing g

[@BlackBearForge]

Sounds like an interesting project.

[@jackshadow325]

Looking forward to seeing some new and challenging projects.

[@SchysCraftCo.]

Nice work 😊

[@edwarnock9884]

New stuff! I like it!

[@JoeK0322]

This is really cool!

[@BakedBads]

I just bought that book after attending the ABANA conference. What a coincidence that it once again pops up.

[@robsonsantosOSO]

Forge is The way and a hammer is a key for the anvil door of paradise.

[@SuburbanBlacksmith]

You're a mind-reader, John! I just cleaned up a mid-century mortice lock in my house and have spent the last few days thinking about how to make a key for it. Your timing couldn't have been more perfect! I'm still very new to blacksmithing so the only finishing I've done is blacking with beeswax, but I'd like to avoid any oily or blackened finishes that might rub off in my pocket. What would you suggest?

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad to help

[@danielwood6843]

Try using lead covers for your vice English gunsmith I’ve been using them for years for small pieces

[@BlackBearForge]

Interesting idea

[@stevemiller8497]

I head about the wildfire near Buelah. Hope you are safe.

[@BlackBearForge]

It's about 3 miles from us with about 400 fire personal on scene. We seem to be in good shape

[@drewhimself5490]

I've got an old jewelry dresser with a locked drawer, I've been wondering if i could forge a key to fit it, i appreciate all your information!

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad I could help

[@BrandonGraham]

For alternate soft jaws on that vice, have you tried aluminum or copper instead of plastic or rubber?

[@ericericson4]

I have repaired several 18th and early 19th century locks, but I have never made a key or built an entire one from scratch.

[@louisaziz1235]

Another great video. Thank you. I always learn something from your videos. Out of curiosity and concern for safety, is there a reason why you don't use a miter on your drill press?