I've thought about that quite a bit myself, actually. My place was built around 1895, and when I moved in, I was pretty charmed by the old locks and skeleton keys. But after a neighbor had a break-in (thankfully nothing serious), I started rethinking things. From what I've read and experienced, yes, older locks are easier to pick or force open compared to modern deadbolts or smart locks. That said, I've found a middle ground: I kept the original hardware on interior doors for the vintage charm but upgraded exterior doors with modern high-security deadbolts. It's a compromise that lets me sleep better at night without sacrificing too much of the home's original character.
Have you considered maybe doing something similar—keeping the vintage hardware for aesthetics but adding discreet modern locks for actual security? It worked well for me, but every home is different...
"I kept the original hardware on interior doors for the vintage charm but upgraded exterior doors with modern high-security deadbolts."
That's pretty much what I did too. My house isn't quite as old (1930s), but the locks were still sketchy enough to make me nervous. I kept the vintage knobs inside because they're just too cool to ditch, but outside doors got a modern upgrade. Ever had one of those skeleton keys snap off in the lock? Trust me, not fun...
I've never had a skeleton key snap, but I did have one get stuck once—spent a good half-hour jiggling it around before finally giving up and calling a locksmith. Not exactly budget-friendly, haha. Did you end up replacing the whole lock after yours snapped, or were you able to salvage it somehow? I'm always curious if there's a DIY fix for these vintage locks...
Had a similar issue with an old skeleton key lock at my grandma's place a while back. Locksmith quoted me some crazy price, so I figured I'd give it a shot myself first. After some YouTube deep-diving and a trip to the hardware store, I ended up carefully removing the lock from the door and soaking it overnight in WD-40. Next day, I gently tapped out the broken piece with a thin wire and a bit of patience. Surprisingly, it worked like a charm afterward—no replacement needed.
Honestly, vintage locks are pretty forgiving if you're gentle and patient enough. I get why people call locksmiths (sometimes it's just easier), but DIY can definitely be budget-friendly if you're willing to risk a little trial and error. Of course, your mileage may vary depending on how stuck or damaged things are...but it's worth a shot before shelling out cash for a pro.
Totally agree—WD-40 can work wonders on old locks. One thing I'd add is that after soaking, it's usually smart to clean off the WD-40 residue and apply a proper lubricant like graphite powder. WD-40 loosens things up nicely, but over time it can attract dirt and gum things up again. Graphite powder keeps the lock mechanism smooth without collecting grime. Learned that the hard way after a similar DIY fix on an antique door lock...worked great until it didn't, haha.