Generic Mul-T-Lock?

[mkultra23]

the patent is officialy expired. Ilco is selling Mul-T-Lock Classic key blanks and [url]lazertechlocks.com[/url] is producing a copy complete with cards and Mul-T-Lock keys. Just wondering what people think of this and if anyone has worked with one of their locks. realize these are of course high security locks so no discussion of opening methods, just wondering what the community thought about this.

[mkultra23]

I meant to say Mul-T-Lock style bows, not Mul-T-Lock keys

[jpb06080]

Thanks for the link. This is always interesting to see what happens when patents expire. Is there a similar copy of medeco out there anywhere? Original and biaxial patents are expired by now. Abloy systems are of course copied to death but the abloy patent is almost 100 years old.

[mkultra23]

Medeco stays on top of key control by patenting new keyways frequently. But once the 20 year mark has passed anyone can manufacture those keyways (Keymark, Freedom, Patriot) . I haven't seen any direct rip-offs of Medeco but some other companies have been using biaxial pins Emhart interlocking pins for one (keyblanks are another story as ILCO has look-alikes forthe more popular old keyways). But Lazertech is just a blatant copy of Mul-T-Lock. Unlike Arrow's use of Best's patent for their interchangable core system, this duplicate won't be benfeficial to either the locksmith or the end user as these look like Kwikset quality locks. People will assume incorrectly that these lock are just as good as Mul-T-Lock...at least until they end up locked out due to malfunction. Even then the cost factor will contribute to their popularity. Case in point: Kwikset locks are everywhere, despite the fact they of no protection. Why? As ridiculous as it is people go for cheapness and ignore quality. Just look a bit key mortise lock from 1910 and then the new locks being sold to replace them; they're practically disposable. I'm glad to see some companies like Assa-Abloy's lock pantheon, are still commited to producing quality, but even they are increasingly outsourcing parts to sweatshops in China. Oh well, that's my rant for the morning.

[Jaakko]

I'm glad to see some companies like Assa-Abloy's lock pantheon, are still commited to producing quality, but even they are increasingly outsourcing parts to sweatshops in China.

So? If they get the same quality for cheaper, of course it is the route they'll take You know, not everything that is made in China sucks

[mkultra23]

I'm glad to see some companies like Assa-Abloy's lock pantheon, are still commited to producing quality, but even they are increasingly outsourcing parts to sweatshops in China.

So? If they get the same quality for cheaper, of course it is the route they'll take You know, not everything that is made in China sucks

Of course I know this, I drive a Jiangling Landwind.

[fjardeson]

The only decent Chinese locks are their Abloy knock-offs. Anything else is open in < 60 seconds flat. Some of them are so sloppy you can shim the cylinders FROM THE FRONT. Ouch.

[MacGnG1]

does this mean there will be cheaper versions of mul-t-locks that will still be pretty secure?

[Major Boothroyd]

I keep a Mul-T-Lock I got a while back by the computer to play around with, think I've got a wannabe on my door though.

Locksmiths use em as a cheap replacement, sometimes (I'm guessing) overcharging for the work and throwing in the lock for free.

Most people don't see the point in paying extra for a lock, let alone an alarm system. Some just don't have the money for it. Others just would rather take a chance, thinking if someone wants to break in, they will no matter what.

Would probably explain the amount of theft going on here but w/e.

[fixer]

Ilco now produces blanks for some of the Biaxial keyways.

The 'G' keyway is definitely available as I have some

The knock-off mul-t-lock locks are junk. They look like mul-t-lock, but the cut-to-cut spacing appears to be different.

Remember we are talking about the 'classic' keys. The ones without a moving 'chip'.

[tacedeous]

I'd be pretty weary of a china made knock off of a multilock... I'd be willing to bet we won't see one soon, as they're QC is horrible... and the tolerances involved surpass profitability, within they're manufacturing standards... just my thoughts...

but cheaper blanks is cool, now lets see cheaper machines to cut those blanks...

[mkultra23]

US Lock is now selling another MTL classic knock off as well as Lazertech. It's very cheap but it is definitely more secure than your typical yale cylinder...well slightly. The quality of the hardware doesn't seem that great though. While it's a cheap alternative to a genuine MTL system for the locksmith the ones that sell these are charging their customers for a high security system typically jacking up the retail price.

[raimundo]

do these knockoffs have the interactive pin?

Given that the tool to pick these is available, and from what I have seen on youtube, its not difficult at all to pick them useing this tool.

So why do they still get the securityobscurity treatment in the advanced section?

A lock that has been shown to be easily picked by a tool that can be bought relatively cheap should not be considered high security.

All that is high security about these is the fact that many pickers dont' encounter them and havent bought the tool
I think that tool can be largely reproduced from stuff like plastic pen barrels piano wire etc.

[mkultra23]

No interactive pin Raimundo, those are still under patent until 2014. But like you said, with the existence of this new pick from H&M the pin in pin system seems to have lost it high-security rating. I had a copy of an Israeli newspaper article featuring the H&M pick detailing how it was becoming commonly used by burglars on the lock systems they once felt were impenetrable. I'd like to see a homebrew version of the pick, maybe I'll start working on one and save some money over the H&M which is kind of expensive.

[n2oah]

I haven't seen any direct rip-offs of Medeco but some other companies have been using biaxial pins Emhart interlocking pins for one (keyblanks are another story as ILCO has look-alikes forthe more popular old keyways).

Medeco Biaxial and Emhart's "biaxial" pins are totally different.