Bow, shank and bit - what are they?
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (361946)
Rockingham, Australia
August 29, 2025 1:12am CST
I learnt the parts of a key last night from Antiques Roadshow. By key, I mean house or shed key. You’d think a key would be a key but each part has a name. And you’d think a shoe-lace would be a shoe-lace but the tiny pieces on each end are called ‘aglets’. I remember being quite impressed when I learnt that.
So the piece of a key that you hold is called the ‘bow’, the piece you insert into the lock is called the ‘bit’ and the part between the two is called the ‘shank’. I wonder how long I’ll be able to remember these words.
The photo is of a complicated security assembly on a chest which was on display in Melk Abbey in Austria. The caption reads: Treasure Chest. In cases of acute danger the most important treasures of the monastery were brought to safe places. For example, in 1683 they were protected from the Turks in St. Peter in Salzburg. Chests like this one were constructed for this purpose.’
8 people like this
9 responses
@DaddyEvil (158175)
• United States
11h
It seems some people have entirely too much time on their hands if they feel the need to name individual parts of a key or a shoelace. 
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (158175)
• United States
7h
@JudyEv I learned about aglets from a crossword puzzle I was doing in the 6th grade. I kept giggling about it until the teacher asked what I was laughing about so I explained it to her. She thought people had too much time on their hands, too. (I believe she meant me but she pointed at the puzzle book. It was recess time so I know she couldn't have been referring to me, personally. 
)
I learned about aglets from a crossword puzzle I was doing in the 6th grade. I kept giggling about it until the teacher asked what I was laughing about so I explained it to her. She thought people had too much time on their hands, too. (I believe she meant me but she pointed at the puzzle book. It was recess time so I know she couldn't have been referring to me, personally. )1 person likes this
@luisadannointed (8362)
• Philippines
7h
You always post an info-blog-post, I think this is so interesting.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (199219)
• United States
1h
At first I thought we would be learning about equine terms. lol Thank you for the education.
@arunima25 (92160)
• Bangalore, India
10h
Sometimes back, my younger daughter told me about 'aglets'. I have not used it yet. These parts names of a key is very interesting. I am going to tell her today. One thing she is obsessed with ( a thing of her autism) is learning these unusual things and words.
. These parts names of a key is very interesting. I am going to tell her today. One thing she is obsessed with ( a thing of her autism) is learning these unusual things and words.1 person likes this
@JudyEv (361946)
• Rockingham, Australia
9h
I would never have thought that an aglet would have its own word. I was really intrigued at the time.
I was really intrigued at the time.
