The Keyhole Surgeon – Locksmith, Teacher, Safe Technician

Need a locksmith to repair and restore your Mortise locks? Make new keys for that vintage heirloom? Pick a stubborn Chubb padlock? The Keyhole Surgeon can repair, refurbish and manufacture locks, make keys, pick locks and is able to service anything that opens with a key or a click. The Keyhole Surgeon is Aaron Smith, a locksmith with a love for old things built to last, antique locks and teaching traditional locksmithing methods – his aim is to preserve the skills of this trade through promoting repair and restoration of locks, padlocks and safes, not replacing them. You can find him in Melbourne, but he can service anywhere in the world.

[thekeyholesurgeon]

I am pleased to say that I have a segment on the 7:30 Report on the @abctv tonight. I think it will be on iview later.

I haven’t seen anything but I am sure they have done an amazing job.

I wanted to highlight the need for rare and lost trades, our need to preserve traditional trade skills and knowledge. I am passionate about what I do and know that I have much more to learn.

Many thanks to @issinstitute @gaf_community @abctv @losttradesfair @glenrundellchairmaker @endangeredheritage @smithjournal @smithymcsmithface and @melbpoly

[thekeyholesurgeon]

This was a big test. Making keys and repairing locks for a 1956 Maserati A6G 2000 Allemano. The locks were incredibly fragile and needed to be treated carefully. With only 60 examples made, each one was hand made just like the keys. No catalogues, no guide books. Just careful attention to detail.

The boot lock (trunk) was a real pain as it was sealed and we didn’t want to pull it all apart. 

There are 3 in Australia being restored to their former glory. This one above recently sold at Pebble Beach for a nice price. Photos of the car are from http://www.maserati-alfieri.co.uk/alfieri222.htm the picture of the locks and handles is mine. 

[thekeyholesurgeon]

Well, it’s our last workshop in Melbourne for 2019, and wouldn’t you know it, it coincides with the Federal Election.

So the choice is yours: Vote early; avoid the crowds, burnt democracy sausages and come build a padlock. Alternatively, vote with the masses, dodge the volunteers, buy an overpriced sausage and miss out for 2019. Head to

thekeyholesurgeon

#locksmiths #locksmithing #losttradesfair #auspol #australiavotes #maker #melbourne #hammertime

[thekeyholesurgeon]

A lock mechanism that I had only seen in patents and books. The Butters lever mechanism was patented in the early ‘50s for the Josiah Parkes Co in Willenhall.

Until the key moves the bolt the stump is completely unable to contact the levers. Such a clever idea. Made keys to this and refitted into a wonderful mid century home. #melbourne #mcm #locksmith #losttrades #handtools #nationalendangeredskills #locksmithing

[thekeyholesurgeon]

Taking a little time and care when opening any lock. A few seconds to tape up around the keyhole can save a lot of pain. Then after a little filing and determination you have working keys. Happy to have worked on this amazing mid century Italian drinks cabinet. Call us if you have lost keys to your prized piece of furniture or your movers have. #locksmith #melbourne #midcenturymodern #lostkeys #antique #australia

[thekeyholesurgeon]

A small selection of work from the last week.

Keys made to suit a 17th century French lock and keys made to a espagnolette lock which had to be picked open.

Also a new lock to fit a 17th century long case clock based on the original hand made lock. Just needs a test fit and then can be finished off. If you have lost keys to your antique furniture, we can help you. #Locksmith #handmade #antique #lostkeys #melbourne #custom #problemsolving #keys

[thekeyholesurgeon]

The Hobbit Door!

Created by the amazingly talented George Smithwick, the poster boy of the @losttradesfair and 6th generation master Cooper. Genuinely humbled to be a part of this great work. The custom made lock has come up a treat.

#hobbit #locksmith #custom #losttradesfair #antiquelock

[thekeyholesurgeon]

Back to Sydney after a little bit of TLC. A few missing parts remade, a good clean and new keys. This lock will be ready to go for another 100 years or so done at The Rocks.

Melbourne locksmith but work from across Australia and the world!

[thekeyholesurgeon]

I have an amazing job. Whilst completing a job for the Grimwade Centre for Cultural Material Conservation I was astounded to see a 5 year old child mummy. Yep Egyptian mummy! Incredible work being done by fantastic folk. @unimelb @issinstitute @heritage_skills_initiative @gaf_community #locksmith #melbourne #mummy #egypt https://www.instagram.com/p/BnF27OGABIx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=muzlmoqnbezk

[thekeyholesurgeon]

I have only two spots left for this Saturdays padlock making workshop at the Abbotsford Convent. Come along and make a traditional brass 4 lever padlock using traditional skills. Bookings at shop.thekeyholesurgeon.com.au

[thekeyholesurgeon]

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Today is my last day in Madrid. I leave Europe with new friends, more knowledge and even more appreciation of those continuing to follow their passions. Thank you again to @valentino__mazzoni for a day in Italy I will never forget. A heartfelt thank you to the Germans who opened their home to us and my new friends in the UK especially @chubbsafesuk and @davidappleby who opened so many doors. Thanks so much to the team @issinstitute @heritage_skills_initiative and @gaf_community Thank you to @melbpoly To my ever supportive @smithymcsmithface I couldn’t do anything without you. (at Madrid, Spain)

[thekeyholesurgeon]

@valentino__mazzoni demonstrates the internal mechanisms of a trick keyhole cover. On the other side are large rivers. All have to be moved in the correct sequence to reveal the keyhole. Ingenious. #locksmith #forge #blacksmith #italy #losttrades #melbourne (at Finale Emilia)

[thekeyholesurgeon]

Learning from a master locksmith has been a great privilege. We cleaned, stabilized and protected this Neo-Gothic lock from Venice. Cleaned and removed paint from the large iron lock. What a day. Thank you @valentino__mazzoni I will be back to learn how to make a Venetian key. Thanks again to @gaf_community @issinstitute @heritage_skills_initiative @losttrades @rundellandrundell and @melbpoly and @smithymcsmithface #locksmith #conservation #metalwork #iron #forge #antiquelock (at Finale Emilia)

[thekeyholesurgeon]

While I sit on the delayed plane ✈️ to Madrid I thought I’d share a few more of the amazing items in the Lock Museum. Thank you Germany 🇩🇪 #schlüsseldienst #locksmith #antique #velbert #fellowship #germany🇩🇪 (at Velbert)

[thekeyholesurgeon]

The German lock museum or Deutsches Schloss und Beschlärge Museum. It was amazing to have a museum all to myself with just the director. The last photo is killer! Velbert is truly blessed to have such an inspiring collection. It’s a Wilkes lock! Or the footballer lock in the collection. #locksmith #fellowship #germany (at Velbert)

[thekeyholesurgeon]

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Made at the Locksmith House in an 1840’s workshop using original tools and equipment. What a day. The family made these locks, which is a unique design, mostly for the South American market. #locksmith #fellowship #handmade #forge #blacksmith @bclivingmuseum @issinstitute @heritage_skills_initiative @gaf_community (at Locksmith's House)

[thekeyholesurgeon]

I have had a great day!! I forged parts for a lock in an 1840’s locksmith workshop and then under the watchful eye and gentle instruction of Andy we built it. I am blown away by the skill of the Willenhall locksmiths. Hand bellows, anvil and hammer were my tools. I loved it and would do it again. Photos of the locks in a bit. #locksmith #forge #losttrades #fellowship #willenhall #wolverhampton @issinstitute @melbpoly @gaf_community @heritage_skills_initiative @bclivingmuseum (at Locksmith's House)