Lever tumbler lock Puns

Hey guys,

I'm not entirely sure if this is the right place to post this, and I feel like such a newbie, posting this among all of these other advanced posts.

Anyway.

A few days ago I knew nothing about keys or locks.

However, the need to obtain a key-copy arose, and I thought it might be fun to try to do it myself (odd, I know, but I'm that sort of person).

So I started trying to get a basic understanding of locks, and I figured that the lock is a lever tumbler lock, as the key looks exactly like the one shown in the animated GIF on this article.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lever_tumbler_lock

I then discovered that these locks are often referred to erroneously as "mortise" locks, despite the fact that mortise refers to the way it embeds into the door, rather than the actual lock mechanism.

(Please correct me if I'm wrong here)

So I've been trying to locate a source of the correct key blank, however I've noticed that most key blanks sold are for pin-tumbler locks, and there seems to be a lack of the kind I need, however I have seen some for sale on eBay that might be suitable.

It's worth noting at this point that I have constant access to the key and the lock, and I'm in no particular hurry to copy the key.

To my untrained eye, the key looks like it would be pretty easy to copy, as the original actually looks quite crudely done, with some bumps in the cut areas like it has been cut with multiple attempts using a cutting wheel, and the bumps haven't been filed down.

So I'm thinking that with a vice, some files, a saw, etc, and some patience, continually trying it in the lock until it works smoothly, I should be able to do it.

So in my search for a key blank, I have noticed that the dimensions of the key bit are usually given as width and height in millimetres, but the thickness seems to be in "gauge".

I contacted one seller to ask him about what "7 gauge" means and he responded that it is 3.5 to 4mm.

The bit of my key is about 2mm thick, but I've tried, and tried... And tried to find a table or a chart of key gauges and their equivalent in millimetres, to no avail.

In fact I can't even find any reference to this "gauge" measurement, so I've no idea why this information is unavailable, or maybe I am looking at the problem wrongly.

Either way, I need to know the thickness of the bit before I purchase a key blank, but the "gauge" value given

I received a safe in the mail today and I looked up what type of lock this safe has. From what I can figure it's a lever tumbler.

So I had two questions, firstly is this a lever tumbler lock?

Secondly, what are some methods for opening these. I'm very well practiced at pin tumblers, but this appears to be a totally different game!