Awards

• Commended for Foreword Indie Awards - Autobiography & Memoir 2021 (United States)
• Winner of Foreword INDIE Awards - Autobiography & Memoir 2021

Overview

Like a character in a Hitchcock movie, Dave McOmie travels the country breaking into bank vaults, cracking jewelry store safes, and decoding unbreakable codes secured deep in government facilities. He's never been arrested or charged with a crime--because it's his job! Safecracker reveals a shadowy world where tumblers are twirled, skeletons are exposed, and longstanding mysteries are solved. You'll ride shotgun with Dave for one crazy week, beginning with an impenetrable vault in Vegas with a midnight deadline, and ending with Prince's ultra-secure music vault in the basement of Paisley Park. In between are factual stories that read like fiction: drilling the same model ATM from the notorious episode of Breaking Bad, meeting a mystery man from the Department of Defense at a remote location to crack two high-security safes, chronicling the corruption and ineptitude that dogged efforts to develop the first electronic safe lock to guard our national secrets, tackling a hundred-year-old antique bank vault in downtown Salt Lake City, and more. What's in all these safes and vaults? Gold and silver, drugs and cash, guns and ammo, family heirlooms and X-rated paraphernalia . . . and a few secrets that should have remained secret. Shhhhh!

Full Product Details

9781493058518

Table of Contents

Reviews

"""A mesmerizing unputdownable book from the best in the biz."" --Steve Hamilton, Edgar Award-winning author of The Lock Artist ""When we needed to consult a safecracker for one of our movies, Dave McOmie was the obvious choice. His expertise and wit were matched only by his fantastic stories: drilling the Vegas vault (like Ocean's Eleven but real!), cracking special safes for the government, opening the late Prince's bank vault at Paisley Park, and more. These adventures form the core of Safecracker, a fun and fascinating memoir that breaks new ground in the genre--there isn't anything remotely like it."" --Adam Yorke, Head of Development, Wildling Pictures ""If Jobs and Wozniak had combined their DNA into one person with a passion for safes rather than computers, the result would have been (something very much like) Dave McOmie. Dave is as comfortable with abstract concepts as he is with concrete details, and his innovative safecracking classes have long been the industry gold standard. He is a living legend, and Safecracker is hands-down his best book."" --Rick Rolland, Chief Executive Officer, Rolland Safe Co., Inc. ""Ask professional safecrackers who they want in their corner on a tough safe or vault, and they'll answer in unison: 'Dave McOmie.' Dave's knowledge of his arcane craft is unrivaled, and Safecracker is your backstage pass into the shrouded, whispery world he inhabits."" --Martin Holloway, covert entry specialist and President, Hollotec ""The weight of all the drill bits Dave McOmie has used in his long and storied career would sink the Titanic. He's a monster. He's also the most prolific author in the field. But in Safecracker, Dave has outdone himself. You'll root for him when the pressure is on, cheer at each victory, and cross your fingers for a sequel!"" --Jeff Volosing, President, StrongArm Inc. Advance Praise for the Author ""Dave McOmie's books and articles line the shelves of almost every lock and safe shop in the country. Whether he's drilling a bank vault, opening a secret safe on a covert op, or teaching Burt Reynolds how to crack safes for a movie, Dave's adventures have informed and entertained working professionals for decades. Talented wordsmiths are rare, master safecrackers even rarer. Dave is both."" --Lance Mayhew, Ada County Lock and Safe, Idaho ""There are givers and takers in this world. Dave McOmie is a giver. He has trained several generations of field technicians, and quite literally wrote the books that the rest of us rely on every day. The truth is, most of us wouldn't be where we are without him."" --C.D. Lipscomb, Navco Safe & Lock, Texas ""Dave's books and articles jump-started my interest in safes and vaults. Attending one of his famed Penetration Parties was like playing in a football game with Vince Lombardi coaching. Unforgettable."" --Michael Jennings, Solid Lock and Safe, Louisiana ""Other than my father, Dave McOmie was the single greatest influence on my career as a safe and vault technician. His willingness to share information and his ability to teach are unparalleled."" --Michael McElheney, McElheney Locksmiths, Ohio ""When your vault is locked, don't go off half-cocked: Call Dave!"" --Rusty Bramblett, Bramblett Locksmith, Florida ""Generous with his knowledge and intensely loyal to his industry colleagues, Dave McOmie is the go-to guy when a tough safe or vault is reluctant to reveal its secrets."" --T. A. Martin, Antique Safes, Wisconsin ""Dave McOmie's dedication to his craft and his fellow safecrackers is matchless. There isn't anyone quite like the master."" --Scott Clark, S.G. Clark Safe Services, New York ""Every industry has its hero and mentor. In the safe and vault world, we have Dave McOmie."" --W. Scott Maness, Blair and Sons Locksmith, Alabama ""Dave has been the single biggest influence on my career as a professional safe technician. He's always willing to help, and I'm eternally grateful for it."" --Walt Peterson, Floyd Security, Minnesota ""If you are in the business of opening safes and vault, Dave is the guy you want to know."" --Ernie Lay, BranchServ, North Carolina ""If it weren't for Dave, I wouldn't be the safecracker I am today. Virtually everyone in the trade today can say the same thing."" --James Green, Peifer Lock, Tennessee ""Dave's depth of knowledge on safes and vaults is peerless. He's truly one of a kind."" --J. Drew Van Deventer, Alpine Safe and Lock, Florida ""Many years ago, I met Dave McOmie at a convention, but he was so low-key I didn't know who he was. I told him safecracking was pretty simple now that some guy is writing technical books on the subject. My father later pointed out that the guy I was talking to was the author of those very books."" --Jacob Feinberg, Carl's Locksmith Service, Massachusetts ""When you need a hand, Dave's the man!"" --Jerry Kruss, Certified Lock & Safe, California ""Dave McOmie is the authority on safes and vaults. Period. He's also a great guy, and I'm proud to call him a friend."" --Jim Wiedman, President, Associated Locksmiths of America ""Dave McOmie's books and classes have advanced the skills of thousands of safe and vault technicians around the globe. No other person has had a greater impact on the industry."" --Mike Potter, President, Safe and Vault Technicians Association"

When we needed to consult a safecracker for one of our movies, Dave McOmie was the obvious choice. His expertise and wit were matched only by his fantastic stories: drilling the Vegas vault (like Ocean's Eleven but real!), cracking special safes for the government, opening the late Prince's bank vault at Paisley Park, and more. These adventures form the core of Safecracker, a fun and fascinating memoir that breaks new ground in the genre--there isn't anything remotely like it. --Adam Yorke, Head of Development, Wildling Pictures If Jobs and Wozniak had combined their DNA into one person with a passion for safes rather than computers, the result would have been (something very much like) Dave McOmie. Dave is as comfortable with abstract concepts as he is with concrete details, and his innovative safecracking classes have long been the industry gold standard. He is a living legend, and Safecracker is hands-down his best book. --Rick Rolland, Chief Executive Officer, Rolland Safe Co., Inc. Ask professional safecrackers who they want in their corner on a tough safe or vault, and they'll answer in unison: 'Dave McOmie.' Dave's knowledge of his arcane craft is unrivaled, and Safecracker is your backstage pass into the shrouded, whispery world he inhabits. --Martin Holloway, covert entry specialist and President, Hollotec The weight of all the drill bits Dave McOmie has used in his long and storied career would sink the Titanic. He's a monster. He's also the most prolific author in the field. But in Safecracker, Dave has outdone himself. You'll root for him when the pressure is on, cheer at each victory, and cross your fingers for a sequel! --Jeff Volosing, President, StrongArm Inc. Advance Praise for the Author Dave McOmie's books and articles line the shelves of almost every lock and safe shop in the country. Whether he's drilling a bank vault, opening a secret safe on a covert op, or teaching Burt Reynolds how to crack safes for a movie, Dave's adventures have informed and entertained working professionals for decades. Talented wordsmiths are rare, master safecrackers even rarer. Dave is both. --Lance Mayhew, Ada County Lock and Safe, Idaho There are givers and takers in this world. Dave McOmie is a giver. He has trained several generations of field technicians, and quite literally wrote the books that the rest of us rely on every day. The truth is, most of us wouldn't be where we are without him. --C.D. Lipscomb, Navco Safe & Lock, Texas Dave's books and articles jump-started my interest in safes and vaults. Attending one of his famed Penetration Parties was like playing in a football game with Vince Lombardi coaching. Unforgettable. --Michael Jennings, Solid Lock and Safe, Louisiana Other than my father, Dave McOmie was the single greatest influence on my career as a safe and vault technician. His willingness to share information and his ability to teach are unparalleled. --Michael McElheney, McElheney Locksmiths, Ohio When your vault is locked, don't go off half-cocked: Call Dave! --Rusty Bramblett, Bramblett Locksmith, Florida Generous with his knowledge and intensely loyal to his industry colleagues, Dave McOmie is the go-to guy when a tough safe or vault is reluctant to reveal its secrets. --T. A. Martin, Antique Safes, Wisconsin Dave McOmie's dedication to his craft and his fellow safecrackers is matchless. There isn't anyone quite like the master. --Scott Clark, S.G. Clark Safe Services, New York Every industry has its hero and mentor. In the safe and vault world, we have Dave McOmie. --W. Scott Maness, Blair and Sons Locksmith, Alabama Dave has been the single biggest influence on my career as a professional safe technician. He's always willing to help, and I'm eternally grateful for it. --Walt Peterson, Floyd Security, Minnesota If you are in the business of opening safes and vault, Dave is the guy you want to know. --Ernie Lay, BranchServ, North Carolina If it weren't for Dave, I wouldn't be the safecracker I am today. Virtually everyone in the trade today can say the same thing. --James Green, Peifer Lock, Tennessee Dave's depth of knowledge on safes and vaults is peerless. He's truly one of a kind. --J. Drew Van Deventer, Alpine Safe and Lock, Florida Many years ago, I met Dave McOmie at a convention, but he was so low-key I didn't know who he was. I told him safecracking was pretty simple now that some guy is writing technical books on the subject. My father later pointed out that the guy I was talking to was the author of those very books. --Jacob Feinberg, Carl's Locksmith Service, Massachusetts When you need a hand, Dave's the man! --Jerry Kruss, Certified Lock & Safe, California Dave McOmie is the authority on safes and vaults. Period. He's also a great guy, and I'm proud to call him a friend. --Jim Wiedman, President, Associated Locksmiths of America Dave McOmie's books and classes have advanced the skills of thousands of safe and vault technicians around the globe. No other person has had a greater impact on the industry. --Mike Potter, President, Safe and Vault Technicians Association

Author Information

Dave McOmie is a leading member of the elite cadre engaged in opening safes and vaults for banks, insurance companies and estates. He's a rock star in his profession. He opened his first safe in the spring of 1972 and was hooked. He spent the spent the next decade learning the craft. In August of 1986 he began writing a monthly column on safecracking for The National Locksmith magazine. In the fall of 1992, in conjunction with National Publishing, he started The National Safeman’s Organization and has been its Director ever since. Over the course of the last two decades he has written 16 how-to books on the arcana of safecracking, developing and refining drill points for most of the safes and vaults that have been used in the United States. After 33 years in this crazy and obscure business, he is still having the time of his life.

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