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Crenshaw Lock

Broken Key Extraction in Ojai · 24/7 mobile

Broken Key Extraction in Ojai, California

Crenshaw Lock Company provides 24/7 mobile broken key extraction in Ojai, California. If a key has snapped in a door, deadbolt, gate lock, or ignition, we come to you, remove the broken piece, and cut a replacement. Call (323) 997-8867 any hour, any day.

  • Mobile to your Ojai location
  • Available 24/7
  • Price quoted before we start
Call (323) 997-8867or tap to call — we answer 24/7
Broken key stuck in a lock cylinder next to an extractor tool
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A key that snaps off in a lock is one of those problems that feels small until it leaves you stuck. In Ojai it can happen on a quiet evening outside a bungalow near Libbey Park, in the driveway of a ranch property at the end of a long road, or at a vacation rental when guests have just arrived. The broken half sits in the keyway, the door will not open, and pulling on it with pliers usually makes things worse.

Crenshaw Lock Company has served Greater Los Angeles and Ventura County since 1987, and owner and lead technician David Shar built the business around being fully mobile. We have no storefront for you to drive to. We bring the tools to your door, your gate, or your car, at any hour, because locks do not break on a convenient schedule.

Broken key extraction is delicate work. The goal is to get the fragment out without damaging the pins, wafers, or cylinder, so that in many cases the lock keeps working and you only need a new key. We then cut a replacement so you are not left with the same weak, worn key that snapped in the first place.

How it works in Ojai

  1. 1

    Call and describe what happened

    Phone us at (323) 997-8867 and tell us where the key broke: front door, deadbolt, padlock, gate, mailbox, or ignition. Let us know whether the fragment is flush with the lock face or sticking out, and whether you still have the other half of the key.

  2. 2

    We travel to your location

    Because we are fully mobile, we come to wherever you are in the Ojai Valley, whether that is a downtown address, a wooded Arbolada lot, or a rural property off SR-33 or SR-150. We do not make any promises about arrival time over the phone beyond that we are available around the clock.

  3. 3

    Inspect the lock and the fragment

    We look at how the key broke, how deep the fragment sits, and what kind of lock we are dealing with. An older mortise lock on an early-20th-century building behaves differently from a modern deadbolt or a car ignition, and the approach changes accordingly.

  4. 4

    Extract the broken piece

    Using purpose-made extractors and fine tools, we remove the fragment from the keyway while protecting the internal parts. If the other half of the key is available, we can often use it to help line up the cut and confirm the lock is working properly afterward.

  5. 5

    Cut a replacement key

    Once the keyway is clear, we cut a new key and test it in the lock several times. If the lock is worn, damaged, or the original key was heavily worn, we will explain options such as rekeying or replacing the cylinder, and you decide what makes sense.

  6. 6

    Check operation and wrap up

    We confirm the lock turns smoothly, the latch or bolt moves freely, and the door closes and secures as it should. You leave with working keys and a clear idea of whether the lock needs any further attention.

Need broken key extraction in Ojai?

24/7 Mobile Locksmith across Greater Los Angeles & Ventura County. We answer 24/7.

Call (323) 997-8867

What affects the price

  • How deep the fragment is lodged, since a piece sitting flush takes more careful work than one still protruding from the lock.
  • The type of lock involved, such as a standard deadbolt, an older mortise lock, a high-security cylinder, a gate lock, or a vehicle ignition.
  • Whether a replacement key is needed and what kind, since transponder and high-security keys take more effort than a basic brass key.
  • Whether the lock was damaged during the break and needs cylinder repair, rekeying, or replacement rather than extraction alone.
  • Time of day and how remote the location is, as after-hours calls and properties farther out in the valley can affect the overall cost.
  • Access considerations such as gated driveways, intercom entry, or vacation rentals where we need to coordinate with a host or manager.

Why Ojai chooses us

  • We have been in business since 1987, so we have seen nearly every way a key can snap, including old, brittle keys in aging hardware.
  • We are fully mobile and available 24/7, so there is no shop trip and no waiting for business hours.
  • We aim to save the lock rather than push replacement. If extraction leaves the cylinder in good shape, we tell you so.
  • We are comfortable with older mortise and period hardware common in Ojai's early-20th-century buildings, and we respect the character of historic properties.
  • We can handle gate, intercom, and high-security lock situations on rural estates, not just standard residential doors.
  • We are straightforward about what we find and what your options are, with no pressure to buy anything you do not need.

Broken Key Extraction across Ojai

Ojai's character comes from its rebuilding after the 1917 fire, when the Spanish Colonial Revival downtown and the Libbey-funded Arcade on Ojai Avenue took shape. Many buildings in Downtown / The Arcade area and the surrounding bungalows still carry original or period hardware. Older keys in older locks are more prone to snapping, and because the city's architectural review keeps a close eye on visible hardware, we favor careful extraction that preserves what is already there rather than swapping in something that does not fit the look. Calls in ZIP code 93023 around Libbey Park, Bart's Books, and the Ojai Valley Museum are a good example of where that care matters.

In the Arbolada, 1920s custom homes sit on wooded lots, and their locks often have decades of wear. A key that has turned thousands of times can fatigue and break at the worst moment. If a replacement lock would be needed, we can talk through period-appropriate options that respect the home's style. Out in the East End and the wider valley, ZIP code 93024 and the roads off SR-150 and Maricopa Hwy include ranch properties and gated estates, where a snapped key may be in a gate lock, a barn padlock, or a high-security entry, and we bring tools suited to each.

Vacation rentals are common here, whether near the Arcade or around the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. A guest who snaps a key in a lockbox or door needs a fast, discreet fix, and hosts often want keypad programming or a rekey afterward. We also serve neighboring Meiners Oaks, Mira Monte, and Oak View. Call (323) 997-8867 and we will come to you.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

24/7 Mobile Locksmith across Greater Los Angeles & Ventura County. We answer 24/7.

Call (323) 997-8867

Other Ojai locksmith services

See all of our Ojai services, or our citywide broken key extraction page.

Broken Key Extraction in Ojai — FAQs

What should I do right after a key breaks in the lock?
Stop trying to turn it or pull it with pliers, since that can push the fragment deeper or damage the pins. Keep any pieces of the key, and call us at (323) 997-8867. We will walk you through what to do and come to you.
Can you really get a broken key out without replacing the lock?
In most cases, yes. With proper extraction tools we can remove the fragment and leave the cylinder working. If the lock was already worn or damaged, we will tell you honestly and discuss rekeying or replacement.
Do you come to homes in the Arbolada and East End?
Yes. We are fully mobile and serve the Arbolada, the East End, Downtown, and the rest of the Ojai Valley, including long driveways and gated properties. Call (323) 997-8867 any time.
Can you extract a key broken in my car ignition?
Yes, we handle broken keys in vehicle ignitions and door locks. We remove the fragment and can cut a replacement, depending on the vehicle. Tell us the make, model, and year when you call.
Do you work on older mortise locks in historic Ojai buildings?
Yes. Many early-20th-century buildings downtown have original mortise hardware, and we are used to working carefully with it so the lock and the building's appearance are preserved wherever possible.
I manage a vacation rental and a guest broke a key. Can you help?
Yes. We can extract the fragment, cut a new key, and also discuss rekeying or reprogramming a keypad lock so lost or broken keys are no longer a concern. Call (323) 997-8867 to arrange it.
Is this available at night and on weekends?
Yes. We are available 24/7, including nights, weekends, and holidays, and we come to you since we have no storefront.
How is the cost determined?
It depends on the lock type, how the key broke, whether a replacement key or lock repair is needed, and the time and location. We do not quote numbers in advance on this page, but we will explain what affects the cost when you call.
DS

Reviewed by David Shar — Owner & Lead Technician

Crenshaw Lock Company has served Greater Los Angeles & Ventura County since 1987.

Last updated 2026-10-12.

Call (323) 997-8867 · Open 24/7