Titan deadbolts are so easy to pick

[kepiblanc]

This link shows a Titan that I pick open regularly.

http://s106.photobucket.com/albums/m277/kepiblanc/?action=view&current=DeadboltLocks055.jpg

[Schuyler]

Wasn't it determined that Titans were a sub-brand of kwikset, who then dropped the product line and replaced it with the Max and Ultramax security? =P thus my lack of surprise.

[kepiblanc]

Schuyler,

"Titan" was a brand name once used by just Kwikset alone. It was a particular product line of locksets produced by Kwikset. Here is a direct quote from the Kwikset Corporate website's company history timeline:

1992 – After 40 years of leading the market in opening price point locksets for residential construction, Kwikset develops its higher-quality, high-security Titan product line. Targeted to sophisticated consumers demanding high quality in every purchased product, the Titan line is heralded with an aggressive marketing program and a new corporate direction.

It was decided ten years later to terminate the Titan's production run. Here is another direct quote from the Kwikset Corporate website's company history timeline which refers to this:

2002 – Kwikset undergoes an initiative offering new products and features such as Kwik-Install™. This revolutionary feature makes installation virtually flawless with pre-installed screws. Kwikset also reorganizes its product offering into three new brands. The brands are Kwikset Security®, Kwikset Maximum Security® and Kwikset UltraMax Security®, presenting the consumer with a move-up strategy. The Titan product line is re-branded to the UltraMax product line.

[unbreakable]

Schuyler,

"Titan" was a brand name once used by just Kwikset alone. It was a particular product line of locksets produced by Kwikset. Here is a direct quote from the Kwikset Corporate website's company history timeline:

1992 – After 40 years of leading the market in opening price point locksets for residential construction, Kwikset develops its higher-quality, high-security Titan product line. Targeted to sophisticated consumers demanding high quality in every purchased product, the Titan line is heralded with an aggressive marketing program and a new corporate direction.

It was decided ten years later to terminate the Titan's production run. Here is another direct quote from the Kwikset Corporate website's company history timeline which refers to this:

2002 – Kwikset undergoes an initiative offering new products and features such as Kwik-Install™. This revolutionary feature makes installation virtually flawless with pre-installed screws. Kwikset also reorganizes its product offering into three new brands. The brands are Kwikset Security®, Kwikset Maximum Security® and Kwikset UltraMax Security®, presenting the consumer with a move-up strategy. The Titan product line is re-branded to the UltraMax product line.

The guy sure knows his kwiksets......

[kepiblanc]

Here a Southord "L" rake can be seen inserted into the keyway, along with my mini tension wrench.

[Lucky1406]

Do you use that rubber band for tension or is it just for looks. Thats a great idea for keeping constant tension, I will have to try that. Where did you get that idea from? Or did the pick just come that way? thanks,
Nick

[Ray_Air]

I had put a Kwikset Titan on my parents front door with a security strike plate back in 1995 after they got their door kicked in. The Titan always raked open easily. It uses a standard 6-pin set-up, no modified drivers. Well, they lost the key so I am going back out there and putting Schlage's on.

[kepiblanc]

Do you use that rubber band for tension, or is it just for looks?

I use it occasionally for tension, but more for hanging it from another tension wrench that is in the central pocket of my Southord MPXS-62 cowhide leather case. The reason I used it here was because of the space limitations on the turning radius of tension tools in general, due to the placement of the lock and door jamb.

That's a great idea for keeping constant tension. I will have to try that. Where did you get that idea from? Or did the pick just come that way?

I believe that I have read about this concept before in one book about lock picking by Eddie the Wire, but the tension tool seen here was already the way it is when I got it. It was one of several tension tools given to me by Barry the Key at the Fifth HOPE in 2004. He said that they were all European in origin.

[digital_blue]

The guy sure knows his kwiksets......

Maybe he works for Weiser.

db