"Best" brand Lock Info

[Exodus5000]

I tried googling up this lock manufacturer but could not find their page. I have not tried picking this type of lock yet, but from what i gather they seem to be faily good security. I've determined that at least one of their door models have 7 pins, they tend to be for commercial use only it would seem, and they flag each key with a "do not copy" notice. Likewise i asked a guy i know who cuts the keys at my local wal-mart, and he claims that they dont even sell blank Best keys, that you have to go straight to the distributor. Interesting, what else do people know about these locks?

[CitySpider]

Search on SFIC.

[Varjeal]

"Best" brand locks are indeed decent security-wise. As you may have guessed, they are predominantly for commercial/industrial/institutional purposes only, and this is reflected in the cost(s) involved and the type of hardware association with that type of locking system.

Places such as Wally-World and your local hardware store definitely do not stock the keyblanks. Also, a locksmith would (or at least should) NEVER sell uncut keys, and will most definitely be inquring as to proper authorization and ownership before duplicating such keys. 7 pin locks are the most common, though there are 6 pin varieties out there in mostly older systems.

In theory, most Best-type locks should be easier pick due to multiple shearlines. (Quite a large number are used in master key systems) However, because of higher tolerances (higher quality plug to shell, and overall quality of the locking mechanism itself), and added security features, your success rate may be limited.

[randmguy]

Take a look here http://www.bestaccess.com/

[Chucklz]

The Best page is full of nice pictures and some historical info, but nothing particularly useful, I hate to say.

BTW, asking the guy who cuts keys at a Walmart for lock information is about as good as asking the guy in the street who washes car windows for spare change about the stock market.

[rakemaster]

Try
http://www.crypto.com/photos/misc/sfic/
and
http://professional.schlage.com/pdfs/pc ... manual.pdf

SFIC means small format interchangeable core and its the
kind of lock best uses.

Rakemaster

[Daolas]

Atleast in my own experience, I've found Best locks to be entirely pickable. I was recently working out of town and took two Best Padlocks and my trusty Master Confidence lock. For two weeks straight I tried different picks, techniques and tensions. My technique is as follows.

Start with no tension on the wrench, it's just holding itself in the key way. Place the pick(i use a half diamond) deep into the keyway and use a ripping technique. Very slowly add tension and pick pressure. After 10 or so rips, I release the tension to allow the pins to return, then try again. Typically I'm doing padlocks in 1-2 minutes and key in know or deadbolts in 2-3 minutes. I have found that it's definately easier to do a Best padlock if the pins are oriented such that they are on top. I think mean ole mister gravity helps to keep the bottom pins clear of the shear line.

Happy Picking

Daolas

[Mad Mick]

"Ripping" as in 'raking'?

[Bulldog567]

Does anyone have the keying depths for Best?? I have the 0-9 keying depths off of SFIC (schlage website)...starting with 0 = 0.3187", 1 = 0.3062"....etc.. Is this the same as Best? Also, what is a source for purchasing the punch style machines used to 'cut' Best keys?? Any more informatin about Best locks would be greatly appreciated.,, thanks

[jimprice]

Information about depths from a code book
Best locks had different series of pin depths
there is a 6 and 7 pin series
also the depth go from 0-9, 0-6 and 0-5
key blank reference is 114A
spacing .150 (imperial)

depths 0-9
0=.319 1=.3065 2=.294 3=.2815 4=.269 5=.2565 6=.244
7=.2315 8=.219 9=.2065
depths 0-6
0=.318 1=.300 2=.282 3=.264 4=.264 5=.228 6=.210
depths 0-5
0=.318 1=.297 2=.276 3=.255 4=.234 5=.213

hpc do a key punch machine

hopes this helps

[Chucklz]

Schlage also makes a key punch, but you need to plan for what system you wish to use, A2, A3, A4 .

[Exodus5000]

I purchased a "Best" lock from my school. It has 7 pins, and they even through in a door handle to come with the SFIC. How nice. This is what i've learned through trial and error:

These are nice locks, with some very respectable security. For the longest time i could not understand why i couldn't pick my "Best" lock. It is rather hard to hear the pins set/fall on this lock, so i never knew for sure if i was setting any pins. I also found that this kind of lock required what i consider to be a great deal of tension. It is spring loaded first of all, and required a great deal of tension to turn the plug with a key as well.

What i did to solve this was i used my tension wrench that is twisted so that i rest my fingers on the flat side of it. (I always apply more tension with this wrench because of it's structure) and even then i applied more tension than i normally would. I raked the the pins lightly at first, then moved the rake very high on the pins - i'm not sure if it is my specific lock, but the pins want to set high and the pins are also rather long. I cleaned up after this with my hook pick and i managed to open it a few times.
The feeling of a plug turning on a respectable lock such as this, cannot be put into words.

[CitySpider]

Two questions.

1: Your school sells locks?

2: Is your BEST an SFIC -- and I was under the impression that all of them are -- and if so, what allowances (if any) did you make for that?

[Chucklz]

1.) Best does make Cam locks for drawers and cabinets etc, that are NOT SFIC. They are very very nice locks btw.

2.) your school sells Best locks?! Sign me up!!

[Exodus5000]

Yeah, it's a SFIC.

I was talkin with my housing director, and asked her if she had any extra locks lying around that i might be able to take with me when i leave. She said there were extra ones, but she doubt she could just give them to me, so i offered to pay some money. I was just talkin with her, and when she offered me the lock it wasn't just the core, it was door handle and all with a dead bolt no less. So i have a door handle "best" lock in addition to a dead bolt one. Threw in the key for the core too. alll for $20 becuase they're installing new equipment over the summer. What a great find huh?