Broken Key Extractor & Removal Tools for Locks / Mechanics / Car Doors

Broken Key Extractors - Professional Tools for Removing Snapped Keys

A snapped key is one of the most frustrating lock problems you'll encounter. One moment you're unlocking a door as normal, the next you're holding half a key while the other half sits firmly jammed inside the cylinder. The lock is blocked, the door won't open, and without the right tools, you're stuck.Broken key extractors are designed for exactly this situation. These specialist tools grip the broken key fragment and pull it free from the keyway, getting the lock back in action without damage or fuss. Whether you're a locksmith, property manager, or simply someone who wants to be prepared, a quality broken key extractor set is an essential addition to your toolkit.

Why Keys Snap in Locks

Keys break for several reasons, and understanding why can help prevent it happening again.
**Worn keys** are the most common culprit. Over time, the constant stress of turning wears the metal thinner, particularly at the shoulder where the blade meets the bow. One day, the weakened metal simply gives way.
**Worn locks** cause similar problems from the other side. As the pins and springs inside a lock wear down, the mechanism becomes stiff or sticky. You apply more force to turn the key, and eventually that extra pressure causes a break.
**Cheap key copies** are especially prone to snapping. Poor quality blanks use softer metal that fatigues quickly. If you've recently had a key cut and it snaps within weeks, the blank is almost certainly to blame.
**Forcing a stuck lock** is asking for trouble. When a key won't turn smoothly, the temptation is to push harder. That extra force has to go somewhere - usually into snapping the key at its weakest point.
**Cold weather** can also play a role. Metal contracts in low temperatures, and locks can become stiff when moisture inside freezes. Forcing a frozen lock is a reliable way to break a key.Whatever the cause, the result is the same: half a key stuck in your lock and a problem that needs solving.

How Broken Key Extractors Work

When a key snaps inside a lock, the broken fragment is held in place by the pins and springs pressing down on the cuts. The jagged teeth of the key blade grip against the pin stack, making it surprisingly difficult to pull free - even when most of the key is still visible.Broken key extractors are thin, hooked tools designed to slide into the keyway alongside the broken fragment. The hooks or barbs on the extractor blade catch against the cuts in the key, allowing you to pull the fragment back towards you and out of the lock.The process requires patience rather than force. You're working in a confined space, trying to hook a small piece of metal without pushing it deeper into the cylinder. The right tools make this manageable; the wrong approach can turn a simple extraction into a much bigger problem.

What's in a Broken Key Extractor Set?

A comprehensive broken key extractor set includes multiple tools because no single extractor works perfectly in every situation. Different keyway shapes, key positions, and break types all call for different approaches.
**Hook extractors** have one or more small hooks at the tip. You slide them past the broken key, hook the first available cut, and pull back. Simple and effective when the key fragment is accessible.
**Saw-type extractors** have teeth running along one edge, like a tiny hacksaw blade. These grip multiple cuts at once, providing strong purchase on the broken fragment. They're especially useful for keys with deep, well-defined cuts.
**Needle extractors** are ultra-thin tools for tight keyways where standard extractors won't fit. European and high-security cylinders often have restricted keyways that demand these slimmer profiles.
**Parallel extractors** use two thin blades that slide down either side of the broken key, gripping it from both edges simultaneously. These provide excellent control and work well when other methods struggle to get purchase.A quality set gives you options. When one extractor doesn't quite work, you move to the next until you find the right tool for the job.

How to Remove a Broken Key

Before reaching for an extractor, take a moment to assess the situation.
**Check the key position.** If the broken fragment is protruding from the keyway, you may be able to grip it with needle-nose pliers or tweezers without needing extractors at all. Even a millimetre of exposed metal can be enough to pull on.
**Try lubricant first.** A spray of lock lubricant can loosen a stuck fragment significantly. Let it penetrate for a minute, then try wiggling the key piece gently. Sometimes this alone is enough to free it.
**Don't push it deeper.** This is the most common mistake. Attempting to turn the lock, jamming tools in carelessly, or pushing too hard with an extractor can drive the fragment further into the cylinder - making extraction much harder.When you're ready to extract:
1. Select an appropriate extractor for the keyway size and key position
2. Slide the extractor into the keyway alongside the broken key - don't force it
3. Feel for the cuts in the key blade with the extractor hooks or teeth
4. Once you have purchase, apply gentle, steady pressure to pull the fragment towards you
5. If the key doesn't move, try a different extractor or approach from a different angle
6. Work patiently - rushing causes more problems than it solvesOnce the fragment is out, inspect the lock for damage before using it again. If the mechanism feels rough or sticky, the cylinder may need servicing or replacement.

Who Needs Broken Key Extractors?

**Locksmiths** use broken key extractors daily. Snapped keys are one of the most common callouts, and having the right extraction tools means faster jobs and happier customers. A comprehensive set covers every scenario you'll encounter.**Property managers and landlords** deal with tenant lockouts, maintenance access and emergency situations. Keys break at the worst possible times, and being able to handle extraction yourself saves waiting for a callout and gets tenants back inside quickly.**Facilities managers** look after multiple buildings with hundreds of locks. Over time, keys wear and break - having extraction tools on hand means you can resolve the issue immediately rather than taking a lock out of service.**Security professionals** benefit from extraction capability as part of a broader entry toolkit. A broken key blocking a cylinder can prevent other bypass methods from working; removing it first opens up your options.**Prepared homeowners** appreciate having tools that solve problems without expensive callouts. A snapped key doesn't have to mean waiting hours for a locksmith or paying emergency rates. With the right extractor set, you can handle it yourself in minutes.**DIY enthusiasts and hobbyists** who enjoy lock sport or lock maintenance will eventually encounter broken keys - whether their own or in locks they're servicing. Extraction is a useful skill and satisfying to master.**Beyond Broken Keys - Other Uses**While broken key extraction is the primary purpose, these tools earn their place in your kit for other reasons too.**Broken lock picks** can jam in a cylinder just like keys. If you've ever had a pick snap while working a lock, you'll know the frustration. Extractors retrieve broken pick tips using the same technique.**Debris removal** from keyways is another common use. Dirt, grit, and foreign objects can accumulate in locks over time, causing sticky operation or preventing key insertion. Fine extractors can hook and remove debris that lubricant alone won't shift.**Lock servicing** often requires clearing the keyway before other work can begin. Extractors are a standard part of any locksmith's toolkit for exactly this reason.

Quality Matters

Cheap extractors bend, break, or simply don't grip properly. When you're working inside an expensive lock cylinder, the last thing you want is your tool snapping off and adding to the problem.Our broken key extractor sets are manufactured from hardened steel, precision-ground to the correct profiles and built to last through years of professional use. The hooks and teeth are sharp enough to grip key cuts firmly, while the blades are thin enough to fit alongside fragments in tight keyways.Every tool in the set serves a purpose. We haven't padded out the count with redundant variations or useless additions - just the extractors you'll actually use, built to a standard that professionals trust.

What's Included

Our comprehensive broken key extractor set includes everything you need to handle extraction jobs confidently. Multiple extractor types cover different keyway profiles and break situations, while the included storage case keeps tools organised and protected.Whether you're adding extraction capability to your locksmith kit, equipping a maintenance team, or simply preparing for household emergencies, this set has you covered.

Looking for Lock Picks?

If you're here because you're locked out rather than dealing with a broken key, we can help with that too. Browse our full range of lock pick sets, practice locks and specialist entry tools to find what you need.Explore our complete broken key extractor range below.