Kwikset Smart Key Picked!

[Wolf2486]

I finally figured out how to easily pick these Kwikset smart key locks. I know there are a lot of destructive ways to bypass them, but finally I was able to find a way to easily pick them. Here's a video on the technique I used. Sorry for the poor video and audio, my camera is very cheap. Maybe I'll re-film me picking one on a better camera.

Even with my technique though, I'd say these locks still hold their own. The only way I could make a short and sweet video was by only having 4 pins in the lock instead of 5 as 5 seems to take significantly longer than four. I'd hate to see how long a 6 pin would take.

Here's the vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTU8vxTCd1o

[jgor]

Interesting technique, I wish I could find my SmartKey to try this out. Actually it could be argued that it's destructive in that you lose the original pinning, but still very cool.

[Wolf2486]

Actually it could be argued that it's destructive in that you lose the original pinning, but still very cool.

You do lose the original pinning, but you can easily reset the lock back to the original key as I did in the video. If you're at a lockout then you can reset it to any kwikset key and then reset it back to the original key once you have access to the original key, but everything remains in working order, so I doubt you could really call this "destructive".

[Safety0ff]

Actually it could be argued that it's destructive in that you lose the original pinning, but still very cool.

You do lose the original pinning, but you can easily reset the lock back to the original key as I did in the video. If you're at a lockout then you can reset it to any kwikset key and then reset it back to the original key once you have access to the original key, but everything remains in working order, so I doubt you could really call this "destructive".

A better term would be convert.

Only illegitimate/clandestine picking using this technique would leave a trace, unless the person preserves the height of the pins or decodes the lock before turning too far.

Nice job picking that lock and finding a technique that works for you!

[Eyes_Only]

Just saw your video and I'm giving this technique a try right now. I haven't had success yet and I'm still practicing but I do get a much cleaner and solid feedback with this method compared to picking by relying on rotational tension only, lock doesn't feel all mushy when trying to pick it.

[Wolf2486]

What helped me was taking one or two pins out and trying it. This way, you get a good feel for what a correctly set wafer feels like and just when you should apply rotational force with the pick.

[Eyes_Only]

I'll give that a shot.

[op-sec]

Nice job man. I'll have to get out my SmartKey deadbolt when I get home and give it a shot.

Question... How far are you inserting the smartkey tool? Just enough to apply pressure to the mechanism or are you actually engaging it?

[Wolf2486]

Nice job man. I'll have to get out my SmartKey deadbolt when I get home and give it a shot.

Question... How far are you inserting the smartkey tool? Just enough to apply pressure to the mechanism or are you actually engaging it?

You can't actually engage anything until the key is inserted and all the wafers are in line with the sidebar, so I'm just pushing in the smartkey tool as far as it will go and thus applying tension.

[op-sec]

I tried this last night with no luck. Perhaps I'm not applying enough pressure with the smartkey tool but, the lock didn't feel much different than no tension at all.

[datagram]

I figured this out a while back, but the problem (for me) was finding a way to do this while the lock is mounted. It is easy enough when you hold the cylinder in your hand, but a bit harder to control when you have to hold the Smart Key with just your fingers.

I've been mulling over ways to provide automatic tension against it but haven't made any prototypes just yet.

dg

[Wolf2486]

I had this problem as well but I just bent the smart key out a little less than 90 degrees and that worked like a charm.

[prag]

That's good out of the box thinking. There are always more than one way to do things. I like your method and will try it soon.

[eddiedial]

I actually like the lock, I had one customer the other day that wanted all the locks rekeyed (bad divorce) the smart key lock was on the front door and was different than the rest of the house and she didn't have the key.I was able to take it apart and figure it out, and I have to be honest and tell you it took me about 45 minutes but I enjoyed playing with something different. To me Kwikset wanted to develope a bumproof lock and I think they achieved that. I do think their goal was to cut locksmiths out of a little work, but the average person forgets that #1. he can change it his self, 2. where is the change key, and 3. what did I do with those instructions, so I don't think they sell too many of those 10 dollar kits to rekey it yourself which is good for us after all.

[Wolf2486]

I like the design concept of the lock, I will admit that. However, I would never use it to secure my home. I love the lock as a hobbyist because it isn't exactly easy to pick and once I pick it, I can throw in another key to change the wafer combination and it is like having a different lock (except for the setting order of the pins). I certainly do not believe it to be a secure lock and am troubled by how much undeserved credit it is getting, and in turn how many people are putting their utmost faith in the lock to secure their home.