Moving on to a schlage

[Fire Fox]

I've been working on Defiant locks for a while now. I'm up to 5 pins with security pins included. I got a bit confident since I can fairly easily pick these locks with hardly any effort. So, at work I got a Schlage lock ... talk about differences! I realized after the first attempt that it's going to take me quite a while to move up to being able to pick Schlage.
I can see now why everyone recommends starting with cheaper locks. I've learned the basics and instead of being frustrated by the new lock I can see where I need to make things more precise in my skills.

[Eyes_Only]

Yeah, Schlage is a higher tolerance lock and is much better quality than a Defiant. Plus their spool pins are way trickier to beat than a Defiant.

[Fire Fox]

Good to know about those spool pins. This lock also has six pins.

[Squelchtone]

Good to know about those spool pins. This lock also has six pins.

Are you moving onto a Schlage, a Schlage Everest, or a Schlage Primus? does your key say c1 23 on it? or PRIMUS? or just SC4 ?

Thanks
Squelchtone

[Fire Fox]

squelchtone I think that it's just a conventional schlage lock. I checked with the maintenance guy and he had no idea. He takes the new locks to a locksmith and they install it. Here are a couple pictures:

[deception]

Photo's are alittle blurry, but it looks like a normal Schlage to me.

[nsquidc]

Ah, I remember the moment of moving from Defiants to Schlages very clearly It can be kinda frustrating, so here are some suggestions:

a) The pin shape is different between Defiants (mostly flat) and Schlages (fairly tapered.) This can make SPP with a traditional short hook a little more difficult as the flat surface has a tendency to slip. Try using a small half-diamond first.

b) I would repin the cylinder to just 1 or 2 pins first, just to get the feel of lifting a tapered pin.

c) Though there are no security pins in the conventional 5-pin Schalges I started with, the tolerances are much tighter. This means you have to be much more careful with your tension.

d) The straight keyway style of Defiant gave plenty of room to insert a tension tool and gain good control. The Schlage keyway is more angular and it is easier (IMHO) to have good control when rotating counter-clockwise.

Just my 2 cents. I am in no ways an expert, but I do remember being in your shoes

[inquisitor35]

I've found it to be true that Schlage knob locks are generally easier to pick counter-clockwise than clockwise almost every time. I haven't noticed this with the deadbolts or the locks made to be mounted in commercial-style levers.
Something fun to remember with those is how they come apart: for the knob locks and most of the in-lock levers it doesn't matter which way the lock is turned in the handle for dis-assembly, just that it is not longer in the locked position. Take it 90 degrees either way and you can disassemble the handle, granting entry.

[Fire Fox]

Thanks for the tips nsquidc and inquisitor35. It is quite frustrating going from Defiant to Schlage, so what I've been doing is working on the Schlage for a little bit and then going back to the Defiants so I don't get too frustrated.

nsquidc that's a good tip to take it apart and just leave one or two pins in there. I was hoping to be able to pick it without doing that, but it looks like I might have to.

[mcm151201]

Looks a bit more like Corbin to me. Do you have a key? What does it say on it?

[Fire Fox]

mcm151201 it is definitely a Schlage because that's what the company I work for buys. It doesn't say anything on it. Also, I don't have a key for it. The building maintenance department had it in their "spare parts" box and gave it to me.

[ALLS London]

it's a Schlage AL series Neptune lever- it's 5 pin unless it's been re-keyed. if you work in a large institution, it's probably master keyed, which is often 6 pin, but usually easier to pick.

If you don't have the key, shim it open and remove a few stacks while you get used to it. counter clockwise usually works best for the shape of the keyway, and start with fairly light tension while you get the feel for it.

Schalge isn't generally very difficult to pick once you get the feel for the closer tolerances.

[mcm151201]

The reason I suspect a Corbin cylinder is because the plug face is slotted. I've just never seen Schlage do that.

[Fire Fox]

ALLS London, I checked today with the maintenance guys and it is indeed master keyed.

mcm151201, I found out that the cylinder is bought separately from the lever. I wrote down the numbers on the cylinder box, but forgot it at work. I'll try and remember to bring it home tomorrow.

[Fire Fox]

Ok, I checked on the lock the cylinders come in a box marked 40-100 626 SCN I have figured out that this means it's a conventional, satin chromium plated, but I don't know what the SCN means.