It’s that time of year when everyone is publishing their Best of 2023 lists, and Locksmith Ledger is no exception. We started early, listing our Top 20 Products of 2023 in our December issue. In our January issue (mailing soon), we list the top 20 magazine articles. Both lists are based primarily on Google Analytics data (which only tracks online readership). It's much more difficult to identify the most-read print articles.
Everyone will have their favorites, including the Locksmith Ledger editors and writers. So, in no particular order, here are five of my favorite articles from the past 12 months.
Getting Started in Automotive Locksmithing by Steve Young. The right knowledge, tools and training are all required in this increasingly high-tech specialty. There are so many opportunities here for tech-savvy locksmiths, not to mention a new ALOA group, the International Association of Automobile Locksmiths, which hosted its first convention in 2023.
Five Common Masterkeying Mistakes and How to Fix Them by Ralph Forrest Ball. Simply put, masterkeying is the art of making one lock operate with two different keys, the author wrote. Masterkeying can start out simple and quickly grow far more complex, leading to businesses and institutions losing any control over their keys. Fixing mistakes is a good first step to preventing serious security breaches down the road.
Back to Basics: Rekeying A Pin Tumbler Lock by Wayne Winton. This article was the start of our Back to Basics Series, intended for new locksmiths and potential new locksmiths. Finding and hiring new locksmiths is definitely a challenge and we hope this series – complete with videos – will help lockshop owners train future locksmiths.
Saying Goodbye to the Lock Industry by Arnie Goldman. For many years, Goldman has written thoughtful articles about locksmith distributors and the locksmith industry for our Know Your Distributor issue. In his final installment, Goldman looks back on a distinguished 45-year career in locksmith distribution. We hope he is enjoying his well-deserved retirement.
Success Story: Action Safe & Lock and Succeeding in the Residential Market, both by Steve Kaufman. These two interviews highlight two different locksmith shops and their strategies for success, serving a challenging residential market by providing excellent customer service and a high level of expertise.
Best wishes from all of us at Locksmith Ledger for happy, healthy holiday season and a prosperous 2024!
Emily Pike
