Kimball Safe & Lock Service

06/02/2026

The 60's were a weird time for door hardware. Check out this center of the door k**b, with mid-century modern escuchon. My customer wanted it converted to a modern electronic deadbolt and handle. She also wanted the ability to change the code remotely with her smartphone. We chose a Schlage Encode plus deadbolt, and I began the retrofit. The old 2 foot long latch would not come out of the door, so I literally had to cut the new hole right through it. Turned out pretty slick! I also managed to install the strike through the old copper weatherstrip, which is hard to do. Now she has modern hardware, while maintaining the mid century vibe.

If you have an interesting problem, (or a boring routine one for that matter) I can help! Call Kimball Safe & Lock Service today! 616 414-2644

05/07/2026

Opened this long forgotten bank safe in a Muskegon basement today. It was once a depository for bank bags, and had a chute that used to come from the street level. This dates to roughly the 1940's. It put up an admirable fight. The lock was very gummed up with old hardened grease, but I convinced it to open. The owner was pleased enough to reward me with a glass of Col. E.H. Taylor's finest bourbon.

04/29/2026

02/10/2026

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04/15/2025

Thank you to Justin at IKandy Finish for laying down a ceramic coating on my work van! Ever since you did it to my Harley, I have been really impressed with how easy it is to clean the bugs and road grime off. Super impressed you even went the extra mile and gave me the full exterior detail. The tire shine really sold it for me. Very reasonably priced, as always!

10/21/2024

Local Locksmiths need YOUR help!!! Google is removing small businesses in favor of scammers that pay big for ads! Several local and vetted locksmiths have had their Google presence deleted! This is devastating to those newer businesses trying to build a customer base. YOU the consumer are being scammed by unlicensed and inexperienced out of state businesses!

Here is what you can do to help yourself and legitimate businesses: When you search for a locksmith on Google, DO NOT call any of the ADVERTISEMENTS on the top of the page! Doing so will get you a dude with an electric drill, and a $300-$900 bill! Your home or building will have the lock drilled off, and you will be left regretful and vulnerable. I hear new stories of this every week!

The following businesses are experienced and vetted locksmiths, and I know each of them personally. Put a number in your phone NOW, and save yourself $$$ and trouble later!

All of these locksmiths serve the Lakeshore West Michigan area

Kimball Safe & Lock Service (616)414-2644
Bill Kimball
KimballSafe.com
Spring Lake

Lakeshore Lock Service 231.750.5504
David Trudell
lakeshorelockservice.com
Whitehall

Keppels Lock & Safe 616.392.3639
Ed Lamblin
keppelslockandsafe.com
Holland

Lock Master Security 269.694.5258
Joe Selent
Lockmastersecurity.com
Otsego

12/08/2023

A burglar tried to get in to this floor safe at a local business. He broke the handle, ripped off the dial, and punched the lock spindle all the way through into the safe. The burglar didn't get in, but I did. Crime dosen't pay, but locksmithing does! I quickly opened the safe, and will be repairing the handle, and installing a new lock. Should be all fixed early next week! Just like it never happened!
Kimball Safe & Lock Service 616.414.2644

10/06/2023

A client contacted me who just had this beautiful Herring Hall & Marvin safe shipped all the way from Alaska! It spent it's entire life protecting valuables in a small Gold and Copper mining town, and the combo was lost over 70 years ago! It was important to the customer to be as minimally damaging as possible. After a failed manipulation attempt, I had to carefully drill the outside door. Once opened, we discovered a second door with a key lock! Luckily that was not locked. Then we found a third, even more secure vault inside! That was manipulated open with no damage. What a rush to open a safe who's combo was lost to time! The owner will have a beautiful piece of history that should protect all of his valuables for another hundred years!

If you need a safe opened, repaired, or refurbished please call Kimball Safe & Lock Service today! 616.414.2644

09/09/2023

Big things are coming. Thanks to Jim Kimball for delivering the next Kimball Safe & Lock Service van all the way from Florida! Coming soon to a driveway near you!

09/07/2023

Liberty Safe is in the news for providing a factory set safe combination to the FBI with a search warrant.

Most...if not all...safe companies have a similar process to recover lost combinations. The safe manufacturers keep records of every safe combo that leaves the factory. They only provide that information to Government agencies and Law enforcement with a warrant, and to industry recognized Locksmiths who have gone through multiple background checks. This is an important service, because many people lose the combo to their safes. It happens every day.

If you do not want your combination information to be accessible by this method, there are steps you can take. Call Kimball Safe & Lock Service to discuss how. 616 414 2644