Lock catagory question

[Stonebreaker]

The key in the image below is for a Volkswagen, I've got a few questions about it:

What category of lock uses a key like this?
Can these locks be picked? If so, what kind of tools are used?
Anyone know where I can see an illustration of the inside of the lock?

I'm not planning to pick the lock, just wondering what kind it is. I've been reading a lot about lock picking and haven't seen this type of lock mentioned yet.

The other side of this key has a similar groove.



Thanks for taking a look.

[globallockytoo]

High Security Automotive discussion is for advanced access only

[datagram]

It's just a wafer lock that uses a "laser cut" key. Instead of raising the wafers with the cuts on the key each wafer has a leg that is raised based on where it sits in the track of the key.

dg

[jdislandlock]

around here, we call it a sidewinder key..... High Security Auto is another term.

[Stonebreaker]

Thanks for the replies, wouldn't have guessed it was a wafer lock.

BTW, I bought Deviant Ollam's "Practical Lock Picking: A Physical Penetration Tester's Training Guide" from Amazon last week, I'm about halfway through it, this is an excellent book for beginners like myself.