Mike, totally agree with ya.
I believe in freedom of knowledge too. I do think that easy bypasses and destructive entry should be restricted though. But even those should be alerted. Like lock snapping. I don't divulge info on how to do it. But I do alert that it can be done ("did you know a lock installed like that can be broken? call a locksmith" kind of thing).
This happens on all areas whatsoever. The world of business is changing and no one has the right to try to hold off to old business models.
Sharing is the new "secret of the trade".
Seen many companies actually teaching their secrets online. The fact is many people still go to tha company for their services. The simple fact of the lock seller teaching how to change the combo may give enough trust on him/his company to go there and buy other stuff. Or use other services. Or recommend to a friend.
Think Google. That is the new business model. At least for the next 10 years. Then it'll change again, and we'll have to adapt.
Now, to come back to the subject:
The local locksmith were I go, don't take me wrong, I have lots of respect for the guy, is absolutelly old fashioned.
He told me he has no interest on picking a lock, because when he goes on a lockout he wants to make money: "I go there to destroy the lock. I then sell them a new one and charge both the openning and the new lock+installation. I'm here to make money, not lose it".
Although I can understand that, it is, IMHO, wrong. He doesn't have many regular clients. Maybe with a fast, cheaper opening he would: first, do the job faster and be ready for other jobs (I saw him turn of a job because he knew he was going to take a lot of time on the job at hands). Second, get the costumer recomend him to others, as here a lockout is fucking expensive. Third, save the costumer of having to copy new keys and have the work of handing them to their family and all that shit.
He also says he doesn't like to sell quality locks. Because they don't need maintenance and don't give trouble. So he sells them once and doesn't get the costumer there again.
I do not own a business, nor I want to teach anyone to do so. This is just an opinion and I respect every other's. But for me this is bullshit. If I buy a lock and it gives me hell, I will buy on another store. If it's great, I'll do everything lock related on that store. I will also recommend that store to others. And all my keys are going to be copied there, even if it's more expensive than other places. Just because I trust that store.
I'm sad to say that it is a store without growth for many years. And all his shit are there collecting dust.
To finish, I think no locksmith has ever lost a considerable ammount of money because of Matt Blaze's text. Just by reading that I wouldn't just disassmeble the lock and clean an lube it. If I had only the theoretical knowledge that the text gives me, I wouldn't mess with the lock. And the manipulation wouldn't be done just like that.
And even if it was... That would be because the guy insists on coming to my house and blow my safe up and charge me 300$ for doing that. Not interested.
Again, just an opinion, I respect every other's just as my own!
Go ahead, keep plugging away, picking on me! You will end up on bypass or with rigor mortise.
- GWiens2001