Fichet cylinder

[vector40]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 30382&rd=1

o_O

[master in training]

looks like it has 4 sets of pins, all side mounted, looks like it has about 6 ins in each side (although i could easily be wrong), so 4x6=24 pins, sounds a bit nasty to pick!

it looks like having an I shaped keyway is a security flaw to me though, it looks like having the keyway go all the way across at the top and bottom gives you the space to ppick like a normal cylinder, just with no wards.

these are all guesses simply from looking at the ebay link though, maybe a google search would yeild more, but its too late for me to look now, im going to bed!

[Jimmie]

the Fichet H (model 480 & 484) is not for sale anymore because of some flaws of security on these models

don't be fooled by the look of the keys !!

some tools have been developed to open/decode these locks in particular by Falle but also in France by small cies

the new one 787 S has been also changed for a new model 787 Z because some people have found a way to open them very quickly (without visible damage)

look at

http://www.chez.com/montmartre/hautesecurite.html

[NKT]

There are a lot of novel "high security" locks out there. Whether they actually are high security is impossible to tell without a place like this to test them!

Most of these "high security" locks are just a fancy key, and few of them actually have better security against picking and manipulation attacks, or, due to the small manufacturer, the small number of installations, etc., no-one spots the bypass technique until quite a lot have been sold.

As for copying a key secretly, there are several techniques that allow copies of complex metal parts without much trouble. A variant on lost-wax casting would do the trick, and if not, a mould made from silicone would allow a low temperature metal to be cast into it.

Keeping your key physically secure is the only way to keep your key physically secure... I mean, it's not rocket science, is it?

[eric343]

This is an interesting lock... the Falle tool for it is pretty huge and complex! Apparently the lock itself uses an interesting lever mechanism and is fairly secure.