Impressioning Pack

Introduction

Impressioning is a covert, non-damaging technique used to create a working key from a lock. For more information about how impression works, check out our Impressioning 101 page.

The Impressioning Pack is a curated collection of the must-have tools for impressioning. With this pack, you have everything you need to learn, perfection and apply your impressioning skills in the field.

The pack is built on 10+ years of in-the-field experience and refining our own impressioning "every-day carry" kits.

Need extra practice blanks? Check out our Brass Blanks Pack.

What's included?

• Magnifying Tool
  To see the impressions left on the key blank, a magnifying tool is required.
  The Lock401 Magnifying tool is purpose built for impressioning. It can work with natural light, desk light and flash-light - adapting to all conditions encountered in the field.
  
  It has an embedded mirror system which projects incoming light perpendicular to the key edge, allowing for easy identification of marks.
  
  Pocket-sized, well built and with no moving parts, the Lock401 Magnifying Tool is the tool that Lock401 has been using on a daily basis for over 10 years.
  

• Mini MagLite
  While natural light is the preferred light source - providing full spectrum light - for low-light or covert situations, an artificial light source is required.
  
  The Mini MagLite uses an high-CRI bulb, which provides a warm, full-spectrum light making mark identification easy.
  
  The Mini MagLite fits perfectly into the Magnifying Tool with no light-leak - perfect for covert situations.
  
  
• Vice Grips
  Impressioning requires torque and movement to be applied directly to the key and pins. If the key is not held rigidly, impressioning is literally impossible - meaning pliers or fingers are out of the question.
  
  Lab401 uses and recommends genuine Vice Grips: The key is locked firmly into place, without any chance of slipping. The Grips included in the pack are perfectly sized to provide the right amount of torque and leverage without snapping the key blanks.
  
  
• Vallorbe Files
  In order to have an even surface to see marks, high-quality files must be used.
  
  The Lock401 Impressioning Pack includes two Vallorbe files. These files are world-renowned for their quality, and typically used by jewellers.
  
  The files are the perfect width for key cuts, and come in two versions: The Vallorbe T0 File and Vallorbe T2 File , corresponding to a coarseness - allowing you to control the amount of material you remove - if you want to work quickly or precisely.
  
  
• Level 1 & Level 2 Practice Locks
  The right choice of practice lock is crucial to ensure to steady progress, avoid frustration and develop skills that are relevant to the locks you'll encounter in the field.
  
  The Lock401 Impressioning Pack contains two practice locks: Level 1 and Level 2 , allowing for learning and perfecting your skills respectively.
  
  
• Universal Brass Blanks
  The right choice of blank is vital for successful impressioning. Brass is the preferred material - it is soft enough to receive marks, but strong enough to resist the torque and leverage applied.
  
  These blanks are compatible with both practice locks.
  

Please see the individual product pages for more information about each product.