Apartment Key System

[apts4rent]

I'm about to have a high-rise apartment building I just purchased re-keyed. I want to make sure that tenants cannot easily copy keys. The existing system is "Abloy Novel" but all the doors have SFIC cylinders so I can easily switch if needed.

In my other buildings I use Schlage Primus and have never heard of Abloy Novel. The locksmith that services this area really pushes these and says they're good.

Which are better? Schlage Prius or Abloy Novel?

[apts4rent]

I guess the more important question. How hard is it to have someone make unauthorized copies of their Abloy Novel keys.

[greengrowlocks]

I guess the more important question. How hard is it to have someone make unauthorized copies of their Abloy Novel keys.

Well the blanks are available on ebay right now. So your tenants would be able to get blanks. They would have to cut the keys themselves or find a locksmith to do it. How difficult it would be find a locksmith willing to cut the keys I don't know. From my understanding the Novel isn't mean to be a high security system. I have not got a chance to play with the Novel but I have ordered two that should be coming in a week or so.

Abloy Novel Blanks
https://www.ebay.com/itm/5-X-ABL4P-CANA ... SwLApZ2Azt

The Primus locks have different levels of key control. Depending on what level the keys are they would be easier or harder to obtain. In terms of picking resistance the Primus would be easier to pick than the Novel.

[GWiens2001]

I can recommend Keycenter_sofia as a seller for blanks, though it takes time to get here from Bulgaria.

Have several sections of Schlage Primus blanks with no sidebar cuts, so if you have a Sidewinder cutter, you can copy Primus.

Anything can be found if you look hard enough. Either one would likely meet your needs, but at least in my area I see a lot more Primus and very few Abloy. That would tell me that it would be harder to find someone to cut Abloy than Primus.

Gordon

[Wizer]

The blanks on ebay need wardings before they fit your lock. Prepairing the blank would be harder that to make the actual cuts.
See the profile on this key for example. I guess there are several key profiles for Novel, other models have about 10 variants of keyway.
https://www.abloy.com/en/abloy/abloycom/products/abloy-key-systems/abloy-novel/