Brass Cylinder Blanks

[michael12]

I have a friend who wants to know where he can buy brass cylinder blanks, because everyone seems to sell nickel.
He said he bought 50 brass from SKS but they are all the same. He wants them for impressioning, brass being softer they will be easier to mark. Thanks in advance.

[Evan]

@michael12:

It becomes much easier to answer your seemingly simple question when you provide some additional information:

-- Where are you and your friend located ?

-- What keyway or lock manufacturer are you asking about blanks for ?

Those two minor details are important in determining the best answer for you...

~~ Evan

[dls]

brass pins make brass marks on brass blanks and brass marks on steel. the contrast between the steel and brass will be more useful on lighter marks and the steel will last longer in the hands of a beginner who will most likely over torque the blank.

[maintenanceguy]

When impressioning a key, the brass pins leave impressions in the brass blank. They don't mark the blank by leaving a deposit of brass. So you want a soft key that will dimple easily like brass, not a steel key that brass can't dimple.

[dls]

Thats just the way i do it, a mark or depression gives the same result i find simply rubbing your finger across a fresh cut on a steel blank is enough to dull its finish to see the brass mark.

[cledry]

Here brass is the norm, nickle silver is usually for sectional keys, you do often find nickle plated brass, but that is the same as brass for impressioning purposes.