What is "european" and "american" locks?

[atikin]

What are they? What's different? How to know, where is a "european" lock and where is "american" (or another one)? What kind of picks do I need for both?
Thank you.

[n2oah]

European locks usually include locks like lever locks and pin-tumbler locks (I'm going to disregard their high-security locks)
American locks usually include just pin-tumbler locks, as lever locks aren't in wide use in the US.
There is also a difference in how they are mounted. Typically, a "European" configuration has the key pins facing upward, and in an "American" configuration, the key pins face downward.

[weerwolf]

European locks are mostely Euro Profile cylinders , where American locks will usually be rim locks.
It isn't true for all European cylinders. Scandinavian locks use a different type of cylinder. And Switserland use still another type.

As N2oah pointed out , European cylinders are mounted the other way around than American cylinders. This has to do with interchangability between lever locks and cylinder locks. Basically , the design of the lock case is mostely the same , and the nose of the Euro profile cylinder acts like the biting of the key on a lever lock.

[prag]

Those are good distinguishing factors of European and American locks.

In SA we use the European or British system mostly. Moritice or lever locks ie 2,3,4 or 5 lever lock are commonly used. This will be in tandem with a night latch. Usually a Union or Cisa locks are used. There is a variation of a mortice lock with a europrofile cylinder( either a pear shaped or oval) is used.

In America, locks like Medeco, Kwickset etc are used.

There are lot of info in this site and the manufacturers sites if you want to google it.

[patrickson]

I read somewhere that American keyholes are wider, while European and Japanese keyholes are slightly narrower than Americans.
That s why you need different picks to use.
If you look at most retalier sites, you can choose between American and Euro-Japanese SLIM sets.

Oh wait, I found it:

In 2006, we first introduced our customers to a line of lock picks designed especially for European and Japanese locks, which have longer, narrower keyways than most pin tumbler locks found in the U.S. We've found that these "Slim Line" lock picks work well on all U.S. pin tumbler locks, especially those with small or narrow keyways. Traditional European and Japanese locks are designed similarly to USA made locks with one exception...there is less room to work in.

it was on http://www.lockpickshop.com/Euro-lock-Picks.html

[n2oah]

I read somewhere that American keyholes are wider, while European and Japanese keyholes are slightly narrower than Americans.
That s why you need different picks to use.
If you look at most retalier sites, you can choose between American and Euro-Japanese SLIM sets.

Also a great point. This is mostly true. I can think of a few notable exceptions (like some of the Medeco Keymark keyways and a few Best keyways). When faced with Americanized picks and Slim set, I'll always reach for the Slims because of their maneuverability and versatility.

[atikin]

Ok, thank you. So, the main difference is the keyhole size. May be somebody knows what size is an eropean keyhole and what size is an american one?

[MacGyver101]

Ok, thank you. So, the main difference is the keyhole size. May be somebody knows what size is an eropean keyhole and what size is an american one?

There isn't really a good answer to that question, as there are hundreds of different styles of keyway, for both "European" and "American" locks.

The Ilco Key Blank Directory is a good place to start, if you want to learn more about different styles of blanks.

[weerwolf]

In my area (Belgium , Europe) the most commonly used blanks are;

- 9CS
- LT3
- 14KH
- ST91A
- H10F

I've used the Ilco refference for these.

[n2oah]

In America, there are two extremely popular keyways for residential locks, and those are the KW1 and SC1.

[greyman]

Depends what you are talking about. There are many different aspects that are specified by manufacturers, eg brand, type of cylinder, function, finish, etc.

For pin tumbler cylinders, the main differences are:

European typically means Europrofile (DIN standard), although oval cylinders are also common.

American locks often use rim or mortice cylinders, with a round body.

Hope that helps.

[globallockytoo]

greyman is on the money here although perhaps the most common denominator and the primary difference between Euro and American style cylinders is the position of the bible.

Commonly, Euro style determines the bible on the bottom while American style is on the top.

So you put your key in (standard type key) with the cuts down in Europe and the reverse in America.

[mikitric]

it seems like this thread was a long time ago, but if its still for value i would recommend having a US set and the one or two slim sized picks. For the most part US picks can handle most US locks, but unless ure good at using torque at the top of the key hole, your torque wrench can get in the way depending on the cut of the lock.