10/3/24

When it comes to the world of keys, you’ve probably heard of Schlage and Kwikset, and maybe a few others.  They are each shaped in a unique way.  But there are actually thousands of different shaped keys in the United States.  And other countries commonly use even more keys that don’t match any of ours!  (Had a guy bring in keys from his ‘vacation house’ in Mexico, and we couldn’t duplicate a single one because they were so different!)

Schlage and Kwikset are EXTREMELY common in the USA.  So common that you can make copies at key machines in some home improvement stores.  So common, almost everyone has one on their keyring, and so common, that in a large city there are probably a few houses that have the same cuts on their key!!!  

Common keyways are also comparatively easy to pick open.  

Depending on your desire for security, that may not ‘cut’ it for you!

So . . . higher security keys were developed that were less common and harder to pick.  There are even keys that state ‘DO NOT DUPLICATE’ on them, however, the blanks are easily purchased and there are no laws that prohibit a locksmith from duplicating a ‘DO NOT DUPLICATE’ key.  We do it all the time.  Go figure!  Is that really high security?

So . . . special keys called Primus keys were developed that were patented (meaning it’s illegal for anyone else to make the blanks).  Locksmith shops could purchase rights to a patented key from Schlage (who makes Primus keys) and ONLY THAT SHOP can ever purchase their patented key blank.  That means, if a customer, (let’s call him John) has Locksmith A install their patented key on a building, only Locksmith A can make duplicate keys for him.  John can take that key to Locksmith B, but Locksmith B won’t have that blank.  It is theoretically IMPOSSIBLE for them to duplicate that key.  It is theoretically impossible for any other locksmith in the WORLD to make a duplicate of that key.  

To add another layer of security, Locksmith A keeps a card on file with the signatures of the individuals that are allowed to request duplicates of John’s key.   That may just be John, or it may be a handful of individuals who are in key roles related to that building.  If one of those individuals brings in their key and asks for duplicates, Locksmith A compares their signature to the card on file and WILL NOT make duplicates for anyone, unless the signatures match.  

An even further layer of security is, these keys have two rows of teeth.  One row is low on one side of the key and the second is on the top like a normal key.  This makes the lock nearly IMPOSSIBLE to pick!!  

There are a few other types of keys that have this level of security, Medeco being one.  And, as you’d expect, these types of locks and keys are more expensive as they are specially made for each locksmith.  When we order our Primus cylinder, they don’t have any sitting around ‘in stock’ anywhere.  They make and ship only what we order, when we order it.  

A1 Lock and Safe has owned a patented Primus key for about 20 years now, and we have a number of customers using them.  Some are banks.  Some are churches.  Some are celebrities or politicians.  Many are normal businesses and individuals who simply want a higher level of security.   

So now you know a bit about Primus keys and that will help you understand my Tales of a Locksmith #17!  (Cliff hanger!  Yep, now you’ve just GOT to read it!)