Weird car key?

[Uisgdlyast]

ok well my sister got a new car, its like a 90-something Honda Civic... anyways i noticed that her key is really weird.

It looks like a key but has metal around the cut-out.

To make it more clear picture a blank, a thick blank, and then carve out the design of a key on both sides while still leaving the cent of the blank there.

I could take a picture but i figure people will know what i'm talking about. I'm just wondering how this key works, if its common, and is it pickable? At first i thought it might have been electric but it has some cuttings...

thanks

[stick]

I keep thinking lasercut keys, but I'm pretty sure that's not what he's referring to.

[kodierer]

I think the VW Jetta keys look the same way.

[Uisgdlyast]

if you search google images for "honda civic key" w/out quotes it is the 3rd row down 3rd in from the left

[vector40]

My mother's Mercedes has the same sort of key.

[stick]

As far as I know, almost all current Honda and Acura keys use that type. I'm pretty sure it's just a standard pin tumbler, with the keys cut funky so they're harder to duplicate, but that's just what I guessed when I first saw them.

[TOWCH]

I was under the impression that was called a split wafer lock, or am I thinking of something else?

[noctorum]

No, I'm pretty sure all automotive locks are wafers? :/

[TOWCH]

Most are but not all, but the key word was "split".

[raimundo]

description is a mercedes benz type of key, but others may have it too, does it also have a 'throat cut' (old terminology from the lever lock flat keys.) a deep square cut near the open end of the keyway?

[ufd538]

Yes, what you are all talking about are lasercut keys...I normally refer to them as sidewinders, as they are cut on the side. But I am wondering if that is what your sister has. Honda really didn't start using them much until the late nineties. And I believe the first model to use them was the Odyssey. Since they have added them to a few other models. I have my doubts that any civic from the nineties would have a sidewinder.

now for general info about sidewinders....I believe Mercedes was the first to utilize them sometime in the early eighties. In the late eighties, Saab and BMW started to use them. Mid to late nineties lexus, followed by VW, toyota, mazda, and honda. And now GM is using them on the new Pontiac GTO

they use wafer tumblers, and are pickable, but probably VERY unlikey with typical picks. Picks have been made and are availible, but are expensive, and aside from that, you would need several to cover all the different models. A machine to cut the keys are not very cheap as well.

I personally believe that it is a feeble attempt at security. I don't believe too many thiefs rely on picking to steal a car. I am a locksmith and pretty well versed in the automotive area, and if I wanted to steal a car, would not rely on picking. If I wanted to steal a car, and making a key would not be a quick thing to do, a drill can be amazing if you know what you are doing and have a good bit. But a drill can bring much grief you don't have a clue.

[AUTOLOX]

a drill

If you are doing alot of auto work, you should invest in a flip pick from lockmasters.
If I had to drill a customers car to gain entry, I do not think they would recommend my services

[Uisgdlyast]

he was talking about stealing a car, not doing a customers lock-out. If you knw how to replace locks then drilling would be a good idea, but i doubt you'll even replace it and just have it stripped.

Anyways does anyone know how these lasercut keys work? just like wafers only "split" and are they really cut by lasers?

if anyone has pictures i'll confirm the key, but so far thats what it sounds like.

[AUTOLOX]

should have read it properly

go to lasersecurity.net you should get same info

[Varjeal]

The technical terminology for "laser cut" and "sidewinder" keys is "internal two track, internal four track, external four track" keys.

Locks which use split wafers are of the "four track" variety, basically meaning that the lock is bi-directional, AND uses split wafers. Instead of being lifted and lowed by the blade of the key, the wafers have "flags" that follow the contour of grooves along the side of the key.

The design of the lock is such that special picking tools were designed to manipulate them. The wafers, especially the split ones, are fragile in comparison to standard wafers and will not suffer the abuse that standard lock wafers will.

The keys are usually cut or originated by the use of glorified milling machines.