North Carolina Locksmith Practice Exam

Which tool is described as a hand-held key bitting punch?

1. Blind Code

2. Clipper

3. Depth Key Set

4. Code Key

The correct answer is: Clipper

A hand-held key bitting punch is essentially a specialized tool used in locksmithing to create precise indentations or 'bittings' on a key blank. This process is crucial for ensuring that the cuts made on the key will match the pins within a lock cylinder, allowing it to operate correctly. The Clipper is a specific type of tool designed to facilitate this task by providing a means to punch the necessary cuts into a key blank directly. Its design often ergonomically supports the locksmith's hand, allowing for accurate control when applying the force needed to create the bitting. The other tools mentioned, while related to locksmithing, serve different purposes. For example, the Depth Key Set is used for measuring the depth of cuts on a key but does not function as a punch. A Blind Code refers to methods used to decode locks without having physical access to the key, while a Code Key is typically a key that corresponds to a particular lock code but does not perform the punching action necessary to create bittings on a blank key directly. Thus, those tools do not fit the description of a hand-held key bitting punch in the same manner as the Clipper does.