Type f keys

[sugurfoot]

As a novice I learned the two type of lock and key Kwikset and Schlage and the cousins. Is this the only two type lock and key for entry use? I know some commerical locks are Schlage but beside padlocks and cabinets this is all thats used?

[barbarian]

I've noticed a few different locks in common use. Different types seem to be used in different ares of the country. Did you mean strictly homes, or business too ?

I've seen, Abloy, Assa, Best, Corbin, Medeco, Sargent, Yale.

Many of the businesses around here are going to Abloy or Assa. Many others are still using Medeco. Most homes are like you say, Kwikset and Schlage. I have seen a few Primus and Medeco around tho.

[Squelchtone]

As a novice I learned the two type of lock and key Kwikset and Schlage and the cousins. Is this the only two type lock and key for entry use? I know some commerical locks are Schlage but beside padlocks and cabinets this is all thats used?

May I direct you to the list: http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=22505

Squelchtone

[sugurfoot]

I know there are other locks but do they all use the same key blank or type of key blank? I see they fall into 2 groups and are called "cousins" because you can cut a key for Sargent say with a kwikset key blank?

[barbarian]

Key control is a big part of security. The locks I mentioned pretty much all use different blanks.

We have Assa at work. A couple of guys I know use Primus on their home. Some of the higher security places I go have Abloys.

Many of the businesses are using Medeco, and others are using Best sfic. I think Best have a big bunch of different keyways themselves.

Now for home use, from a hardware store, then yes there seem to be a few major makes and their clones. But I would say that many businesses will pay a little extra for a key that can't be copied at Walmart.

[sugurfoot]

Thank you. That was clear.

[Squelchtone]

I know there are other locks but do they all use the same key blank or type of key blank? I see they fall into 2 groups and are called "cousins" because you can cut a key for Sargent say with a kwikset key blank?

The clear answer is no, they do not all use the same keyblank or handful of keyblanks. Just because the keys on the rack at the store 'look similar' the shapes of the key profile (the shape of the keyhole) is quite differnet. A Sargent key cannot be copied onto a Kwikset blank, but a generic KW1 lock that such as Mountain Security or Defiant can be copied onto a Kwikset KW1 blank. But there are dozens if not hundreds of different keyblanks, lenghts of key blanks, and the keyblank profiles (shapes looking down the key, or into the keyhole of the lock)

To say they are cousins is to say that a Ford Tempo is cousins with a BMW 328i. Sure they both have doors and 4 tires and an engine, but I guarantee you none of the major parts are interchangeable, aside from maybe the #194 turn signal light bulbs.

Can a keyblank from let's say Schlage be made to fit into another lock, such as Sargent or Medeco? yeah, anything is possible if you have a set of files, a Dremel, and lots of spare time, but that's really doing it the difficult way.

Stop by a local locksmith and check out their wall of key blanks, it's gonna blow your mind. The Axxess key machine area at Home Depot is just a small selection of the typical locks uninformed home owners use, so it may at first appear as if the only keys in America are the Kwikset KW1 and the Schlage SC1.

That's why I linked you the looong list of all the lock manufacturers. Most of them have their own keyway profile. The ILCO (Independent Lock COmpany) keyblank catalog is a great place to learn, it shows the key shape as well as the keyway shape. Check it out:

Manufacturers A-J:
http://www.kaba-ilco.com/key_systems/key_download.aspx?File=key_blank_directory_catalog_60_2004_cylinder_a_to_k.pdf&Attachment=True

Manufacturers K-Z:
http://www.kaba-ilco.com/key_systems/key_download.aspx?File=key_blank_directory_catalog_60_2004_cylinder_k_to_z.pdf&Attachment=True

happy reading!
Squelchtone