Us (About Us)
Calgary's oldest family run locksmith company.
David was a journeyman machinist in the 80s, when it was hard to find work during the cheap oil days in Calgary. A machinist makes metal parts, such as gears, from raw pieces of metal, for use in large machines like oil rigs.
One day he came upon a box of door viewers and began a service installing them in the local community. His customers soon wanted him to also help fix their locks. His machining background was a natural fit with locksmithing, and so began a 35 year journey as a master locksmith. He has met many Calgarians along the way, and has got a kick out of learning greetings in all the different languages his customers have taught him.
One of the main key cutting machines we use today is an industrial machine David designed and machined himself, out of some choice raw blocks of metal.
David now leads a tight family of locksmiths who he has helped train, including his son, who started with him when he was 10 years old.
who picks up today
Master Locksmith, BSc Hons in Computer Science. Andy runs the shop his father, David Leung, started in Calgary in 1982, and he runs it the way his father did. He sponsored every apprenticeship in this shop, so the other locksmiths on this page have their tickets because of him, and he sponsors and teaches locksmiths beyond it as well. Before he took over the trade full time he earned an honours degree in computer science, so the electronic side of modern locks is home ground for him. He is also a landlord and property manager, so he knows a building from the owner's side: tenants, turnovers, keys that walk away.
Entry and security specialist. Isaac came up as a lock picker first. Andy handed him a Mul-T-Lock and said if he could pick it he was hired, and he did. He holds his journeymanship and works the hardest jobs we get: world class high security lock picking, and safe dials opened by hand, by feel and by measurement, like a scientist, so the safe still works afterwards. He is now setting up camera systems and home security systems too. Outside the shop he is a protector of animals and a talented musician.
Machinist and inventor. David is a journeyman machinist with a background across the trades, and he has run his own business. He fabricates parts out of heavy metal and is always building his own tools; if the right tool for a job does not exist, he makes it. He runs most of our calls, so he is the one most likely to arrive at your door, and he does our access control systems. Survivalist; gritty as a bear.
Two Davids come up in our history and they are two different men: David Leung, Andy's father, a machinist, who founded the shop in 1982; and David Reid above, who is not related to the family.
More on the business we have built: 20,000+ Calgarians served since 1982, and our certification.
Since 1982
David Leung opened the shop. Andy runs it the way his father did: “Our father, uncle, grandfather were locksmiths. We learnt from the best.” One of the key machines still in use is an industrial machine David Leung designed and machined himself. 20,000+ Calgarians served, 80% of it word of mouth and repeat customers.
Licensed and certified
Certification
David Locksmith is a certified locksmith family under the Security Services and Investigators Act of Alberta, governed by Alberta Justice and Solicitor General.
This guarantees three things from us
- Passed full training and journeyman certificate requirements.
- Passed police checks, both local and federal.
- Fully accountable for customer service, and guaranteed public liability.
We are also Government of Alberta SSIA registered, and bonded, licensed and insured.
Locksmith Training
How every locksmith here learned the trade.
Every locksmith here came up through an apprenticeship in this shop. Andy Leung sponsored every one of them. Isaac holds his journeymanship, and David Reid is nearly done his. We are certified under the Security Services and Investigators Act of Alberta. See Certification.
If you are looking to get into the trade in Calgary and have a question about how the path actually works, call or text us. We are happy to talk about it, the same way Andy did when a hobbyist phoned him asking for old locks to practise on. That story is here.