Question: unusual looking bitting at tip of Schlage key

[Squelchtone]

So I'm trying my hand at impressioning and the Schlage deadbolt and SC1 key it came with has a weird looking tip. I've left off the rest of the bitting as it's not important, but wondering how that happened? Shouldn't there be some more material in front of the very first bitting? I'm concerned that when I file a new key, I can't perfectly recreate the tapered front edge that is pictured.

[m1ttens]

So I'm trying my hand at impressioning and the Schlage deadbolt and SC1 key it came with has a weird looking tip. I've left off the rest of the bitting as it's not important, but wondering how that happened? Shouldn't there be some more material in front of the very first bitting? I'm concerned that when I file a new key, I can't perfectly recreate the tapered front edge that is pictured.

Sorry to double post, or is it just worn out?

[tpark]

That just looks worn to me. An impressioned key won't look exactly like the original, but the heights will be correct where the pins contact the key.

[m1ttens]

Cool, thanks for the reply. Is it due to the (probable) old age of the lock and key and constantly going in and out of the keyway that the edge of the tip wore away like that? Key doesn't show any signs of it being sheared off...

[tjohn]

That is nothing more than wear (if old key) or a factory mishap either in key production or cutting.
The tip is just like all other cuts, flat no funny angles or anything

[ltdbjd]

Just an FYI; the vast majority of key bittings start with #1 at the bow, and the last bitting at the tip. The arrow is pointing to the very last bitting. I just mention it because it will be important when describing things to others.

[RedE]

That is nothing more than wear (if old key) or a factory mishap either in key production or cutting.
The tip is just like all other cuts, flat no funny angles or anything

Agreed on it being a worn key; look at the rounded-off peaks next to the other cuts too.

On a side note, I do not believe that the OP's key is a factory cut original. While it looks to be made of OEM nickel silver, the root widths of the cuts are too wide for the key to be a factory cut Schlage.

[m1ttens]

Thanks for the replies. It probably isn't the factory original key, but as long as I file the depth to spec, then it shouldn't matter if there's wear (I hope!).

Itdbjd- thanks for clarifying that the 5 or 6 digit code starts from the bow and goes forward, I didn't know that.