Strange Schlage SC8 key

[primetime]

I'm trying to order a new key, but there's something funny about this key. (I don't want to duplicate the key, since it's getting fairly worn and sticky.)

I have the key code, and I purchased a key online from the code. It matched exactly, except for a tiny notch by the bow of the key. This is a Schlage SC8 key, so there are only five pins. This notch isn't one of those five pins—it seems to be an additional, sixth cut. (It's definitely not an SC9 key, as it's too short!)

(cropped for security)

I was able to get this key to work in some of the locks by filing in the notch myself. As you can see above, I didn't do a great job, so the key is sticky.

Any idea what this notch is called? I can't find anywhere in town that will cut an SC8 key, so I'm stuck using an online service, and I just don't know what to call this notch.

(If it helps, this is a master key. The non-master key is identical, except one cut has a different depth, and it doesn't have this mysterious notch.)

[Evan]

I was able to get this key to work in some of the locks by filing in the notch myself. As you can see above, I didn't do a great job, so the key is sticky.

Any idea what this notch is called? I can't find anywhere in town that will cut an SC8 key, so I'm stuck using an online service, and I just don't know what to call this notch.

(If it helps, this is a master key. The non-master key is identical, except one cut has a different depth, and it doesn't have this mysterious notch.)

Umm, that notch is too close to the shoulder to be anything other than a machining error (not tightening the blank properly in the key machine vice jaw) that was corrected by whomever made the key...

So you have a "master key" and a non-master key that are all the same except for one bitting ?

As far as you not being able to have someone cut a 5-pin Schlage "E" keyway key for you in your town (which seems very odd, are you lacking anyone with a code cutting machine nearby, or just someone who doesn't stock any key blanks other than the kinds he/she uses everyday ?) Perhaps you should purchase some blanks and see if that helps with your problem...

~~ Evan

[jeffmoss26]

That is a very common blank that most hardware stores should have. It's not something they would cut every day, but I can't see them NOT having one.
As far as the notch goes, it's got to be a mistake someone made when duplicating, like Evan said.