Small Motel Key System

[davidm]

I run an extended stay motel of 40 rooms. We've got the oddest key system I've ever seen. The keys say ABLOY on them and they have no teeth. Instead they've got bumps on them.

1. Is this a system worth re-keying and sticking with? I DO want to stay with physical keys, not electronics.

If so,

2. How secure are these? Easy to copy?

3. Can these be master keyed? Could they be keyed to all open the laundry/common areas?

4. How easy is it to replace/rekey after loss?

Thanks

[YouLuckyFox]

Welcome! Do you have any pictures of key and/or lock? This would be most helpful in answering your question! Also, the clearer the picture, the better.

[Squelchtone]

Abloy are not pickable in the traditional sense, and many consider them the best high security locks on the market, you only go down hill with anything else you would replace them with, so stick with them.

A local locksmith must have installed these, because you have to be a licensed dealer to sell Abloy, so if you need more keys cut or certain locks master keyed, your local Abloy locksmith can easily do that work. A guest or one of your employees will not be able to walk into the local hardware store and make a copy, ever!

Over the years Abloy has gone through several different models, so please post a photo and we will tell you more, my personal bet is you have Abloy Disklock Pro with the triangle shaped hole in your black key heads.

To upload pics, go to http://tinypic.com then Copy/Paste the link here.

Thanks,
Squelchtone

[davidm]

I actually don't own a digital camera, Blackberry, etc which I'd be able to use to post to the website, but I looked at the Abloy website, and couldn't find the ones I have on there.

They've got the black on the head you mention with the triangle to attach to your keyring. They've also got a yellow plastic triangle "opposing" the hollow triangle.

[Wizer]

Abloy Disclock Pro?
Google for images.
Those are rekeyable, masterkeyable, and VERY hard to pick.
Keys can not be copied easily, and masterkeying should be done only with Abloy-certified locksmith.
Look for a key-card(s). The locksmith may want that before he cuts keys for it.
Very good locks overall, but if there is no Abloy-lockie in your area, servicing them and getting keys might be hard and expencive.

[MBI]

Does anyone else think it's extremely cool, not to mention unusual, that someone at some point in time went to the expense of putting such nice quality, high security locks on a small motel?

davidm, would you mind telling us in what state you're located, perhaps even the city? I'm just really intrigued by this. I've travelled a lot and I've never once seen a small motel with a locking system like this. Granted, I've never travelled in Finland, where it's probably rather common to see.

To parrot what everyone else here is saying, you most definitely do have locks that are worth keeping. I hope you're able to find a local locksmith who is able to service them for you and redo your masterkeying system if that's what you need. When it comes to masterkeying, you have one of the most versatile locks that are on the market. While the specific model you have is not the newest one that is made by Abloy, it is still an excellent product. Take care of them, and those locks will probably last longer than the building itself.

[ARF-GEF]

Does anyone else think it's extremely cool, not to mention unusual, that someone at some point in time went to the expense of putting such nice quality, high security locks on a small motel?

I do

To add on the points already raised I would considering adding other locks in a different master key system even if the you can't supplement the current system with new locks. Those are fantastic locks.
If you are still unsure what they might be google abloy classic and abloy exec.
The pictures in the abloy articles by the legendary Han Fey might also be worth a look o help you ID it.
Those are all amazing articles so if any lock enthusiast reading this post haven't yet alread any of them he/she should do so soon
http://toool.nl/Articles_by_Han_Fey