In the continual march of post-industrial progress, the artistry of handcrafted products is fading into the shadow of our collective memory. As technology propels us forward, we find ourselves questioning the transitory nature of time-honoured trades.

The rich tapestry of Singapore wove organic communities together and provided business opportunities for traders during the early 19th century. Within the bustling Five-Foot Way is a narrow shophouse walkway measured at five feet. Portable stools and tables created a makeshift marketplace where commerce thrived. Amidst the hustle and bustle, a community flourished, fostering cultural exchanges and social bonds among residents, neighbours, and passersby.

Text by Cheng Jia Wei

Traders, weathered by time, found themselves at a crossroads. Some crafts vanished into obscurity, and others adapted to new retail spaces, leaving behind cherished echoes of their past. In these evolving times, Mr Ho, the second-generation keysmith of Good Luck Locksmith, stands as a beacon of tradition and resilience. Mr Ho’s father is a tenacious roadside vendor who navigated the challenges of Singapore’s city development, relocating multiple times. The unwavering support of customers carved a stable and permanent home for Good Luck Locksmith between the charming streets of Jalan Besar.

The value once associated with possessions and craftsmanship seems to have worn off in the face of readily available resources. Mr Ho reminisces about an era when his father put craftsmanship to the test with each hand-filed key, a dedicated process that requires time and skill. Today, however, the emotional bonds that once connected individuals to their belongings have gradually decreased as the rise of industrialisation takes them by storm. The old and faulty belongings are no longer in repair demand. They are swiftly replaced by a disposable culture where the old is discarded for the allure of the new, as the accessibility and efficiency of machines are unparalleled.
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“HOW SOON WILL THE ECHOES OF THESE CRAFTS FADE INTO THE VAST EXPANSE OF THE PAST, LEAVING BEHIND WHISPERS OF A BYGONE ERA?”

Such cultural shifts can make it challenging for crafts and craftsmanship to retain their significance in society. Yet, the family-led business remains a sanctuary of tradition. Acutely aware of the delicate balance between heritage and progress, Mr Ho has embraced the early versions of key-cutting machines with the human touch of precision.

While machines and technology have advanced many aspects of our lives, human expertise, creativity, and supervision cannot be replicated by machines. A hand-painted signboard from the days of Five-Foot Way proudly displayed alongside the storefront door is also lovingly preserved with the enduring spirit of craftsmanship guiding the legacy of his father’s business, reflecting the importance of this noble endeavour.

Preserving tradition isn’t merely sustaining a craft: it is safeguarding the soul of a community, nurturing its identity, and passing on the torch of traditional craftsmanship to future generations. Good Luck Locksmith illustrates as a standing guardian of a vanishing craft and a guiding light illuminating the path forward. Their dedication serves as a testament to the enduring significance of craftsmanship, reminding us that even in the face of industrialisation, the art of creating something by hand holds a unique and irreplaceable value in our rapidly changing world.

With a bittersweet smile, Mr Ho gazes into an uncertain future on the continuity of the next business successor as he observes a lesser inclination of the young to acquire the skills necessary to preserve the tradition of craftsmanship.

In every genuine trade that once met the community’s needs, there is a loss of tradition that resonates with the inevitable end of vanishing crafts, marking the passage of time.