by Kheops » 7 Nov 2015 8:54
It's not quite as simple as that, however, it is "possible". No locking system is perfect, but some are pretty darn near close, ex: Protec 2, an extremely secure lock. However, no matter how good your lock, no matter how expensive and complicated it is, once someone else can get there hands on the key, you are definitely much less secure.
Decoding a key is exponentially easier than picking, or decoding a lock... Recreating the key is a whole other manner, but technology being where it is now, it is getting easier.
Yet it's still not easy: There aren't very many "shady" dealers who can cut higher-end Abloy's, or who can even obtain the necessary blanks. It's just not that easy, and the risks are pretty high (copyright infringement lawsuits, etc).
Most 3d printers won't be able to get the tolerances close enough to work, it might take several trial-and-error attemps. But even 30 years ago, someone with a good milling machine, a good lathe, TIG welder, and a good micrometer...and a lot of patience, someone could recreate virtually any key.
Conclusion: If someone gets there hands on the key, you are correct, it no longer is secure, even an abloy...but it's true of pretty much every lock, some are just a little harder to decode.
