The following Glossary of Locksmith Terminology is provided courtesy of the Master Locksmith Association (MLA). Click on a letter below to be taken to its corresponding terms.

Face plate - The outer of a double forend. A strip of metal fixed to the inner forend, thus forming a double forend.

False Notches or false gating - 1. The notches in the bar of the levers and the bolt stump of some locks to improve the security against attempted picking.
2. Cuts or notches which are put in some keys to give the appearance of greater intricacy although they serve no useful purpose.



Feather Spring - A spring made of flat strip bent approximately to a V shape with a loop or eye at the apex of the V to fit over a stump of the Lockcase.



Final exit door - The exit door through which entry must later be obtained, and so cannot be bolted. It is usually the front entrance door or final means of exiting.

Flat steel key - A key made from steel sheet or strip, without corrugations in the thickness, but having the edge(s) notched to provide the differs.

Flush Bolt - A door bolt which can be recessed flush into the edge or face of a door.



Follower - That part of the latchbolt or (to which furniture is attached) which or horns which act on the bolt foot. springbolt mechanism containing a square hole to admit the spindle withdraws the springbolt when turned. It has one or two projections.

Forend - That part of the lock or latch through which the bolt(s) protrude, and by which the lock or latch is fixed to the door.

Four-way lock - A rim lock so made that it can be fitted as either a right hand or left hand installation on doors opening either inwards or outwards, without alteration, except that in some types the springbolt may need reversing.

Full rebated (lock or forend) - A mortice lock or latch with a specially shaped forend and striking plate to suit the shaped meeting edge of a single door which overlaps the door frame or a pair of doors which overlap each other - and such overlap or rebate is at the centre of the door thickness. Such locks or latches are always handed, and the hand must be stated when ordering together with the size of the rebate. See “Handing”.

Full width padbar - Usually purpose made, a steel bar spanning the full width opening of a door with supporting brackets or staples fixed to the frame and secured by a padlock.

Furniture - The additional items needed, which are screwed to one or both sides of the door to enable a lock or latch to be manually operated. Known as door furniture, lock or latch furniture, locksets or latchsets (when complete with lock or latch) and can be either knob, lever handle, pull handle or push button.

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