A snapped key is one of those problems where the wrong DIY move makes it dramatically worse — usually by pushing the broken fragment deeper into the cylinder. The good news: a fragment that's still partly visible in the keyway is usually removable at home. A fragment fully recessed inside the cylinder is a locksmith job. This guide tells you which situation you're in and what to do.
How keys snap (and why it matters)
Three common causes in Cornwall:
- Old, fatigued keys — brass keys wear thin after 20+ years of daily use. The bow (the head you hold) is the weak point.
- Force on a stiff lock — if the lock is stiff or seized (common after a wet Cornish winter), the temptation is to lean on the key. The key gives before the lock does.
- Frozen mechanisms — water gets into the cylinder, freezes, the key won't turn, you force it. Cornwall coastal salt air accelerates this in unprotected locks.
The lesson: if a key starts feeling resistant, lubricate the lock before you force it. A £5 spray prevents a £100 callout.
What NOT to do
Mistakes that turn a £60 extraction into a £200 lock replacement:
- Superglue. Plenty of online "hacks" tell you to glue something to the fragment and pull. The glue almost always bonds the fragment to the cylinder pins instead. Now you need a new lock.
- A flathead screwdriver. It rounds off the pin sockets and damages the cylinder permanently.
- Pushing harder. Once a key has snapped, more force can only push the fragment deeper or shear it further.
- WD-40 or 3-in-1. They lubricate short-term but leave a sticky residue that attracts dirt and gums up the cylinder over weeks. Use graphite, PTFE, or silicone instead.
- "Trying" the spare key. Doesn't dislodge the broken bit — it just snaps the spare key too.
The car ignition variant
Key snapped in the ignition? Most modern cars (2003 onwards) have a steering lock that engages once the key is fully out. So the fragment is wedged with the column under tension. Cornwall mobile auto locksmiths handle this every week — typical cost £100-£180 including a new key cut and programmed. Don't try the ice trick on a vehicle ignition — meltwater near the electronics is bad news.
What a Cornwall locksmith does differently
A professional has:
- A proper broken-key extractor set (8-10 different head shapes)
- A pick gun or electric pick to vibrate the fragment loose
- Diagnostic experience to know within 30 seconds whether the cylinder is salvageable or needs replacing
- Replacement cylinders in the van if it can't be saved
The advantage: usually they extract, dust the lock with graphite, and you've got a working lock again. No replacement needed.
What it costs in Cornwall
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Broken key extraction (daytime) | £60 – £120 |
| Broken key extraction (out-of-hours) | £100 – £170 |
| Cylinder replacement (if cylinder damaged) | +£80 – £140 |
| Car ignition fragment + new key cut & programmed | £100 – £250 |
| Spare key cut from cylinder/code (no original) | £25 – £80 |
Preventing the next snap
- Cut a spare from the original — never from a copy. Copies of copies drift in shape.
- Lubricate annually with graphite or PTFE spray. Cornwall salt-air homes: twice a year.
- Replace worn keys. If your daily key is visibly thinner at the tip than at the bow, it's near the end. £5 to cut a new one is cheap insurance.
- If the lock feels stiff, fix the lock, not the key. Stiff = needs servicing or replacement, not more arm strength.
Got a snapped key in your door or ignition right now? Submit your postcode and we'll match you with a Cornwall locksmith who'll quote up-front and usually save the cylinder.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to remove a broken key in Cornwall?
£60-£120 daytime for residential locks; £100-£170 out-of-hours. Car ignition extractions (which usually include a replacement key) are £100-£250 depending on make and key type. If the cylinder is damaged during extraction, replacement adds £80-£140.
Will the lock still work after the key is extracted?
Around 80-90% of the time, yes — the cylinder is salvageable if you haven't tried glue, screwdrivers, or forced it further. The locksmith will dust with graphite and the lock often works better than before.
Can I just buy a broken key extractor and do it myself?
If the fragment is partly protruding from the keyway, yes — a £8 extractor set plus needle-nose pliers usually solves it. If it's fully recessed (no visible portion to grip alongside), the geometry needs proper picks and you'll likely make it worse with DIY.
Why did my key snap in the first place?
Three common causes: old, fatigued brass key (20+ years); forcing a stiff lock that needed servicing; or a frozen/seized cylinder (salt-air Cornwall coastal locks are vulnerable). Annual lubrication with graphite or PTFE prevents most snaps.
Is WD-40 OK to free a stuck key?
No — short-term it works, but the residue gums up the cylinder over weeks and attracts grit. Use a dry graphite spray, PTFE, or silicone-based lock lubricant. Most Cornwall hardware shops carry them for £5-£8.