Best compatible SFIC blank question

[WOT]

I've used some Best SFIC compatible blanks. I think they're made by Star and I find them to be too frail with thin keyway that has deep cuts close to the bow.

Based on what I found on Ilco site, I believe Nickel silver blank is the solution.
"Q. Why are some keys made of nickel-silver material?
A. It is more difficult to break a key made of nickel silver material. It is often used when the keyway is thin. "

So, how do I know what the blank I'm about to buy is made of and where can I get nickel silver blanks?

Looking thorugh Ilco's Look-Alike section of the catalog, the 1A1##1 (##=keyway code) series is said to be nickel silver. They also offer the same keyways in A1114## series. Are both series nickel silver?

[raimundo]

brass is yellow, bronze is dark yellowbrown, each of these has different colors for oxidation and ageing. Nickel silver is a grey metal that has a slightly white surface when polished. (real silver is white as a piece of paper when cleaned with sulferic acid.) You will be familiar with nicklesilver from original schlage or best keys.

[WOT]

hmmm I still find it hard to tell them apart.

Also, anyone know what the "MA" blank is? They're around on the internet, but doesn't show what. I'm thinking it is a master blank of a sort like the FM.

[IC-Johnny]

I have had very good luck with the ILCO 1A1XX type. They are the harder type nickel-silver, just like the BEST originals. They are pre-cast with the words "Duplication Prohibited"

[2octops]

nickle Silver blanks do not wear as fast as brass. That is the main reason most commercial original blanks are coated with it.

As far as the MA, it is not a master, it is just a sectional keyway from Best that is semi-restricted (can not get it from Ilco, Star, Jet, KSP, ect).

[WOT]

nickle Silver blanks do not wear as fast as brass. That is the main reason most commercial original blanks are coated with it.

As far as the MA, it is not a master, it is just a sectional keyway from Best that is semi-restricted (can not get it from Ilco, Star, Jet, KSP, ect).

The ones going around on eBay certainly aren't Best original.

[2octops]

You will be hard presed to find any OE Best keys uncut anywhere.

[WOT]

You will be hard presed to find any OE Best keys uncut anywhere.

I don't follow. You said the MA is 'semi restricted' and unavailable from third party. The "MA" blanks are available on eBay and they're definitely from a third party mfr.

[David Swearingen]

WOT, all Best keys are restricted. Technically, that means that Best will not sell any of their key blanks to anyone except an end user who has been assigned that particular keyway, and who has purchased a Best key machine to cut their own keys. Still, a surprising number of original uncut Best key blanks have been available on eBay this year.

[xequar]

WOT, all Best keys are restricted. Technically, that means that Best will not sell any of their key blanks to anyone except an end user who has been assigned that particular keyway, and who has purchased a Best key machine to cut their own keys. Still, a surprising number of original uncut Best key blanks have been available on eBay this year.

...And I'm not going to complain about that, as it's helped me, an unregistered Best user, gain OEM blanks.

In all of my readings and experiences with Best (and I don't consider myself a moron in regards to Best), I have not seen an aftermarket or OEM "MA" keyway. I've seen the aftermarket "FM" blanks that no one can definitively tell which keyways they're good for, but never any "MA" blanks. Can someone link up a pic or an auction or something?

[WOT]

WOT, all Best keys are restricted. Technically, that means that Best will not sell any of their key blanks to anyone except an end user who has been assigned that particular keyway, and who has purchased a Best key machine to cut their own keys. Still, a surprising number of original uncut Best key blanks have been available on eBay this year.

I wouldn't call that restricted. "restricted keyway" means there is a legal protection against the manufacturing of blanks with the same keyway by anyone other than the patent owner and/or it's designee. Even after the patent expires, ilco might not bother to make blanks so uncommon that profit can't be realized but if they want to, they are free to do so.

Even Kwikset KW1 and Schlage SC1 blanks are not that common, except the ones they provide with their locksets.

In all of my readings and experiences with Best (and I don't consider myself a moron in regards to Best), I have not seen an aftermarket or OEM "MA" keyway. I've seen the aftermarket "FM" blanks that no one can definitively tell which keyways they're good for, but never any "MA" blanks. Can someone link up a pic or an auction or something?

Here's the link to a supply who sells the "MA" blanks.
http://www.jmlock.com/browseproducts/US ... -case.HTML

[rangerpat]

I've been working with the best A2 system for around 8 years or so now. Best Has so many keyways you need to be familiar with them to recognize the small differences. There are keys out there that will work on multiple keyways. For instance if you can have two buildings, each exactly the same. The pinning charts are exactly the same for both buildings. You can have one building on an A keyway and the other on a K keyway or whatever the "keyway master" as we call it here is compatable with. I' have never used these myself, but have been told by some old locksmiths I used to work with that they are very fragile and very prone to cracks/breaks. The main reason for them as far as I can see is for emergency response, one key can open all if on a GM system regardless of keyway.

[UWSDWF]

do you know GSA_DENIED?

[rangerpat]

GSA Denied? is he over here in Korea?

[2octops]

I've been working with the best A2 system for around 8 years or so now. Best Has so many keyways you need to be familiar with them to recognize the small differences. There are keys out there that will work on multiple keyways. For instance if you can have two buildings, each exactly the same. The pinning charts are exactly the same for both buildings. You can have one building on an A keyway and the other on a K keyway or whatever the "keyway master" as we call it here is compatable with. I' have never used these myself, but have been told by some old locksmiths I used to work with that they are very fragile and very prone to cracks/breaks. The main reason for them as far as I can see is for emergency response, one key can open all if on a GM system regardless of keyway.

You are correct.

We have done buildings in the past where each floor was laid out exactly the same. Each floor was keyed exactly the same, except on different keyways.

It made life real easy to pin everything up.

Yes, the master keyway keys are thinner compared to the rest of the keys becasue they have to pass thru all of the keyways. This does make them a little more delicate, but they are still brass.