Best key series?

[kinerry]

I was wondering how I go about reading best keys to determine what blanks to buy.

For example, if the key says cb51 with an m at the bottom.

[Squelchtone]

I was wondering how I go about reading best keys to determine what blanks to buy.

For example, if the key says cb51 with an m at the bottom.

A good resource of key profiles is:

http://www.kaba-ilco.com/key_systems/pdf/Key_Blank_Directory_catalog_60_2004_NA_Cylinder_1.pdf

http://www.kaba-ilco.com/key_systems/pdf/Key_Blank_Directory_catalog_60_2004_NA_Cylinder_2.pdf

Ever since the 1995 Best vs. Kaba Ilco lawsuit, Ilco has been making BEST blanks. Actually, I read they've been making them since 1993.

I could not find anything on a CB51 key, could this have been stamped by the locksmith who cut the keys for this lock or building?

post us a picture of the bow (the part you hold when turning the key) don't include the blade or it's bitting (the cuts on the key) if this lock is still in use somewhere, no need to give away that time of info.

good luck,

Squelchtone

[Squelchtone]

um, I wish we had EDIT button.

here's a great list sorted by key blank number and it's associated lock type

I notice BEST does not have 51 in any of their locks and BE2 is as close as it gets. good resource for everyone here.

enjoy

Squelchtone

[Squelchtone]

as I was saying.. EDIT button ..



http://www.lvsales.com/keyrank.htm

if a mod wants to paste that link into the prior post and delete this post that would be appreciated.

thanks!

[kinerry]

Yea, it's still in use, I'm guessing the numbering is a locksmith thing.
I have an even stranger question though for the best experts here, I use to handle a combined L and M series master key (was literally labeled LM), how would that even be possible unless it's ordered from the manufacturer special?

[kinerry]

I can take a picture of the LM bow if anyone is just curious to see one.

[David Swearingen]

To answer kinerry's original question, you go by the letter(s) at the bottom of the bow (head end of the grooving). The key is "M" keyway; "CB51" is the key number and designates this key as the 51st servant key under the CB submaster, under the C master key. Almost all Best keys have the keyway designated in this manner, although certain large users specify that the keyway letter be ommited from their keys.

The "LM" key was specially milled by Best to enter both the L and M keyways. Best considers the "JKLM" keys a family, meaning that any two or three of these keyways, or even all 4 of them, can be combined in the same GGM system by milling special keys to enter those keyways. Their terminology for this is "double-milled", "triple-milled", or "quad-milled" depending upon the number of keyways the specially made keys will enter. So far as I know, "JKLM" was the only set of four keyways that was specifically designed as a family. Other double-milled and triple-milled combinations have been made (DE is the most common), but they were an afterthought and not originally planned to be used together. When I have time, I'll write a complete story about the history and development of all the Best keyways from A to Z.