Unique Security Products and Specialty Locksmith Services

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October 30, 2018

As Winter Approaches - Now May Be The Time To Get Proactive To Protect Family, Customers, Friends and Strangers

The current seasonal shift is well underway, no matter what part of the planet you live on.

Of course with the northern hemisphere changing over to Winter, so come the inevitable virus', colds, flu, pneumonia and other potentially life threatening illnesses.

An often over looked issue, that faces all of us regularly is the transference of potentially harmful pathogens that can occur when differing users might touch or operate a door handle, safety bar, handrail etc. Do you know who touched the item before you? Do you care?

A little over 7 years ago we wrote an article about the recently released (at the time) blockbuster movie, starring Matt Damon and Gwyneth Paltrow. We included the preview in our article too. (See the article we wrote in October 2011, below).

When you go to a hospital or medical clinic, you hope that the managers of such public places care enough about the health and welfare of their consumers to have policies and rules in place to mitigate any harm potentially caused therein, right?

I'm sure you have seen and continue to see many private and public places include a pump bottle of hand sanitizer near a restroom and often signs posted inside a restroom requiring employees to wash hands prior to handling food or after using the facilities. This modern day policy stemmed from the outbreak of the highly contagious H1N1 virus that threatened many thousands of people all across the planet. Luckily the quick action of governments worldwide and especially the CDC in America, stemmed the threat, but not before thousands of people, animals, birds etc, were slaughtered or died.

See our post from October 1, 2011.

Contagion



Just last week my wife and I went to see this movie. I found it to be one of the most entertaining suspense filled films I have seen in ages.

It stars Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Lawrence Fishburne and a gaggle of other big name stars.

The storyline involves a woman who returns home to the USA from abroad who has been in contact with someone who passed on a virus to her. Anything or anyone she came into contact with seemed to also contract the contagious virus.

To make a long story short, many millions of people become infected and die before a cure is found.

The realism in this fictional movie was astounding. The film director makes the audience feel that the whole scenario is entirely plausible and probable.

The recent bird flu and H1N1 virus' that the world contracted in the last couple of years, makes this film even more realistic and topical.

Why do I post this review here?

I am the exclusive USA importer/distributor of the sensational Serrature Meroni brand of locks and door and cabinet hardware from Italy. Serrature Meroni, a few years ago introduced a unique line of inventory that includes especially designed anti-bacterial polymer door knobs. These handles minimize the potential impact of transferring diseasebetween people.

Virtually all people touch a door knob to operate a door at home or work or the doctors surgery or a hospital or any other public building, in order to enter or exit a room or the building. All people rarely consider the likelihood of catching and spreading germs from unknowingly touching a surface that a possible infected carrier has also touched.

Remember when those recent well known virus' (Bird Flu and H1N1) were breaking news all over the media? Pharmacists, grocery stores and merchants everywhere suddenly began selling notoriously huge amounts of hand sanitizers and similar products. Many institutions enacted strict policies forcing people to use hand sanitizers as often as possible and some even required employees to wear face masks to minimize the potential spread of airborne diseases.

The realism of the movie Contagion, made me think about how easy it would be to spread disease.

But thanks to forward thinking companies like Serrature Meroni, we can now rest easier with the assurance that forward thinking home owners, hospital management, doctors surgeries, chemical research laboratories and other concerned proactive people, are taking steps to protect their customers, staff, friends and families from the potential deadly side effects of unknown or even known virus'.

October 25, 2018

Antique Locks - A Collection Of Articles Written By Us That Are Proving Popular

We organize  categories or subject headings or labels on the right side of this website, where you can view all the articles we have submitted under that label.

One of our more popular labels/categories we find to be Antique Locks.

One article that we have seen a relatively large number of pageviews in our site analytics is...

History Of Locks - Sargent & Greenleaf



Sargent & Greenleaf are arguably the second most well known lock industry brand. Right behind Yale. Their history dates back to 1857, when young James Sargent, an engineer with Yale & Greenleaf, decided to branch out on his own with his invention, a magnetic dial combination lock.

Halbert Greenleaf was the partner and financier (known today as Venture Capitalist) of Linus Yale Jr. Yes, the same Linus Yale Jr credited with the invention of the modern day pin tumbler lock cylinder system, which was awarded it's patent in 1865. Their joint company was called originally Yale & Greenleaf. Halbert Greenleaf ended his partnership with Linus Yale Jr. at the outset of the American Civil War to become an officer in the Union army. After completing his service, Halbert sought out his former employee James Sargent and decided to finance his company, creating what we know today as Sargent & Greenleaf.

The above 7 minute video gives a brief history of the evolution of the company from it's roots.

It is interesting to see in the video, some of the products that Sargent & Greenleaf produced, many of which are still in operation today in the field. Products like the reversible panic exit device, door security bolts, entrance door hardware, push/pull plates among others.

Below find a 15 minute industrial video from the 1950's that shows the production of Sargent & Greenleaf products.

Read more »



There are about 13 separate articles appearing under the Antique Locks label, of which you might be interested in reading some of them in the list. Just click on Antique Locks here or on the link in the categories menu.


Feel free to comment below or on any individual page. We accept links to your sites in your comments, although please remember that comments are subject to moderation.

October 24, 2018

Facial Recognition Technology Has Really Come Of Age Thanks To Apple Iphone - Check Out This facial Recognition Security Device From About 10 Years Ago

Almost 10 years ago we wrote an article about some facial recognition technology and especially one particular product that we also sold a number of.

The post we wrote in December 2009 was one of the last posts that year, but proved to be wildly popular. I dont know why exactly.

I have sold about 4 of these units and I believe my customers are still using them today.

Face Recognition Security - For Doors

I have been touting the use of biometric access control systems, especially residential fingerprint controlled door locks, for quite some time.

Recent experience installing some of these products has lead me to understand some of the pitfalls of the technology, especially age related syndromes that affect interface operation by elder users.

Here is a new product, recently released that adopts a variation in biometric access technology.

Facial recognition technology is still in it's infancy compared to other existing biometric systems (like fingerprints etc). Embrace the world of advanced time attendance systems. Beautifully designed to compliment any imaginable décor, this facial identification time attendance system recognizes faces in 3D by utilizing the internal dual sensor and dual camera that allows it to establish an incredible facial recognition algorithm in a fraction of a second.

At a Glance...
  • Lock and unlocks doors
  • Face recognition technology
  • Record employee attendance
  • Time keeping and data logging
  • Export and Import from a TXT file
  • Download recorded data via USB or TCP/IP
  • Included software for detailed record keeping and analysis

October 18, 2018

Scammers Still Infuriating The Wider Market and Industry - Post Revisited

A little over 5 years ago we posted the article below and have seen significant numbers of pageviews therein.

The issue of scammer locksmiths continues to plague the wider consumer market, but it's not just locksmiths. It is also a number of other once highly respected industries too.

In the article below, there is a video by #ABCTHELOOKOUT which was a current affair series exposing nefarious alleged scammers in a host of differing services.

We still advise all our customers and all consumers to be cautious when choosing your desired professional.


From June 2013....


We have warned consumers many times over the past 5 years about the slew of scammer companies posing as locksmiths ripping off victims, all across the United States and Canada.

These perpetrators are now invading many other countries operating similar scam operations in AustraliaNew ZealandGreat Brittain and other European countries.

This news is not really news to the locksmith industry but thanks to the Network Television companies, like #ABC, prime time television now has provided a much wider net to expose the shenanigans.

My good friend and colleague, Mike Bronzell of All Hours Locksmiths in Chicago, has been one of the leading voices exposing these crooks for the last 10 years. I joined Mike about 5 years ago in Chicago to watch a case filed against Dependable Locksmiths by the Illinois Dept Of Professional Regulation. that prosecuted one David Peer for running a similar scam company. (the court found the company guilty of fraud and fined them and cancelled their business licenses, but they simply popped up again under a different name to continue their victimizations. Just this year, in February we discovered that all charges against this company had been dropped and the judgement overturned due to improper court procedures)

The leader of the company operating these scams has finally been exposed, thanks to the in depth investigation and reporting by the team at #ABC's The Lookout, a highly acclaimed television series developed to provide the marketplace with expose's on many ripoff artists scamming consumers across the USA.

Meni Agababayev is the name of the owner of this company. 




The video above is the whole episode from this weeks #ABC's The Lookout, but the actual story we are referring to runs for the first 20 minutes.

October 12, 2018

Door Frame Repair - After Break In, Using Strikemaster II

We just completed another repair project on behalf of a property management company, where the tenant had been the victim of a burglary attempt where the door was kicked in and the frame failed.

We are not painters and advise our clients of such during the estimate phase. We are happy to perform the required repairs quickly and at the residents convenience.

Below you can see the "before" images and understand what we were about to encounter.

 This view is from the Garage side of the door we were to repair.

We advised the property manager that future painters would also be required to repair the walls and gaps around the exterior side of the frame.

Whomever had rehabbed this place, obviously decided to cut corners to save money (a common action of house flippers)


 You can see the damage to the interior trim, the location where the strike for the entrance set and deadbolt has completely been broken out. Also the paint on the inside wall was torn away in the attack.


Here is a better angle of the damaged door frame.


This project type is one of our common project requests. Customers requiring to fix a broken door frame after suffering from door frame failure resulting from a kick-in attack.

When considering to repair or replace the entire door and frame, understanding that the average cost in the local market to supply and install a new door and frame can be ~$1100 - $1500 for a quality professional to install a standard door and frame, it becomes worthwhile to seek alternative solutions that reduce cost while upgrading the security of the location.







Enter the Strikemaster II. This phenomenal security and repair product is expertly designed and manufactured in the USA. A Safe Homes is a company based in the Carolinas that is on the forefront of product development, especially when it comes to safety, security and protection of the doors we all use daily.


This next image shows our completed repair using new trim and the Strikemaster II expertly installed,

Comparing this to the before pictures shows the entire gaping hole left by the door kick-in (where the entrance set latch and deadbolt go), is now completely hidden.

You can still see the area that requires painting, another project for another tradesperson for another time.
 This image shows a different angle of the new trim and the still damaged paintwork.

Professional painter and decorators will first use caulk to seal the gaps between connecting pieces, Some painters will also remove the trim and paint the wall, then re-install the trim, creating more professional looking lines, that can then be caulked after the paint dries
This final image of the completed project shows a better view of the Strikemaster II. the unique patented product uses a 2 part process to create a "laminating" effect. Also the outer steel uses a lip designed to hook around the edge of the door frame. This lip is an integral part of the product design, because it increases the strength of the product when being attacked.

Strikemaster II also uses stainless steel screws about 3" long, that tie the product, through the flimsy thin frame, to the stud behind, effectively anchoring the new product and providing almost impenetrable strength.

Being 5' long and using 8-10 stainless steel screws, combined with the lip and the laminating effect, the product is very strong because a new attempt to kick-in the door will spread the weight applied by the kicking action across a wider surface.


It is unfortunately, all too common that a great many homeowners, property managers, residents and tenants just are not proactive enough to anticipate future events like door frame failure, by installing products like this in advance of an event. Perhaps purchasing new designer shoes is of greater importance than providing security protection for your family and colleagues.

Speaking to your local locksmith can provide you with some great knowledge and experience to effectively mitigate issues and events down the road.

This entire repair project cost about $300.00 and they could maintain their existing door and frame. Compare that to the average door and frame replacement cost, that does not apply similar door frame strengthening to prevent another kick-in attempt and you effectively spent almost a thousand dollars more without increasing security and protecting your family and possessions satisfactorily.

October 1, 2018

Repairing Building Entry Door Using Plast-Aid

Often we find ourselves receiving calls from customers who request repairs to their entry doors on commercial premises.

There are many and varying types, styles and functions of entry doors, used across the world. In the United States, many commercial entrances use aluminum shopfront entrances, often installed by professional shopfitters.

Last week a client called us to repair a shopfront aluminum entrance door on their church entry.
This door was probably about 40 years old, judging from the style, the lock, the fading etc.

The initial repair was simply a readjustment of the door closer to enable correct closing distance.
We explained to the client that the use of double cylinder locks on primary entrances is a violation of building codes/life safety codes. We recommended they contact their local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) to get in writing, permission to use an inside cylinder on their entry door, while explaining that potentially, their insurance could be void if someone was locked inside and unable to easily escape. Life safety codes trump security, especially on commercial dwellings.


Here is an image of the outside of the front entry door. You can see where someone previous to me, decided to attempt to upgrade the security of the door, by installing a long metal plate along the door edge, to attempt to prevent a would be intruder from gaining access without damage.

While this is a great suggestion to increase the security of an entrance, in this particular case, the installer actually reduced the security of this entrance by removing the strike plate from the door jamb making the gap between the edge of the door and the door jamb too wide - preventing the deadlatching activator from operating correctly and making the latch mechanism easily able to be loided (latch pushed in using a screwdriver or plastic card)






This image shows the strike removed from the door jamb.

We thought of multiple ways to effect a simple repair to this issue, to reduce the gap between door and jamb, when closed.

We settled on a repair using the fabulous Plast-Aid moulding repair product.

We combined the Plast-Aid powder and ointment to a sufficient amount for the project, letting it cure to the point of a useable putty.

We applied the putty to the door jamb, where the strike plate would normally fit and let it harden sufficiently to recreate the function that the strike plate would provide.

The Plast-Aid product hardened in about 10 minutes and made the region of the door that the deadlatching pin was to hit, wider ensuring that the pin would then activate the security of the latch mechanism.

You can see in the next image, the door almost closed and the Plast-Aid repair product, jutting out sufficiently to encounter the deadlatching activator,

The local AHJ had already been and required them to change the double cylinder into an inside turnbutton, while allowing them to continue using the paddle on the inside and not having to replace the whole fitting with a panic exit device.












this image shows the latch mechanism fully seated in the strike hole (where the strike would normally have been fitted), contacting the deadlatching activator and securing the latch mechanism from loiding.

This whole project enabled us to maintain using the custom made blocker plate installed by the previous technician but repair the deadlatching feature and provide  stronger security, as intended by a dealatching lock system.

Home Advisor (formerly Service Magic) Testimonials And Sites That Recommend Us

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Testimonials

Danny was very professional and friendly at the same time. He not only gave me the quote and fixed the exterior door and explained his work. He was prompt and upfront about the work and did the work. He came in time took care of it on the same day. (Sasheethn K St Louis MO) June 2018d out problems but assured not urgent. Please feel free to have Danny pass out my number for my total experience review 314-351-5553

Charlie M. (St Louis, MO) November 2015


Danny was pleasure to meet and was very knowledgable. He explained several lock replacement options but I decided none of them were a good fit for a storm door, however, I did replace a lock on my entry door with a type of lock I had never seen before. I would highly recommend this company.
Patricia J (Bridgeton, MO) March 2014
They were prompt and showed up when he said he would show up. He knew his stuff. I had ordered new handles and he was honest enough to say that we don't need them that he can fix the doors and he did. Made me lock and unlock my doors to his satisfaction so that I knew what to do. Am very, very pleased with the service and cost.
Joyce K (Glencoe, MO) May 2015

Showed up on time for appointment. Was very knowledgeable about the project and offered a solution beyond what I asked to be done.
Stephen G (Chesterfield, MO) May 2015


Daniel was right on time, assessed the problems I had with two doors, made the repairs, and explained what caused the problems to begin with .... He is a "door expert" and a true professional. I highly recommend him.

Vince V (St. Louis MO) May, 2015




Danny was fabulous! He went over my concerns and he provided me with more than a fair quote. He was there when he said he was going to be there. I would highly recommend Danny. Cheers!
Denise S (Imperial, MO) May 8, 2014

Hired Danny to re-key locks on "new" house purchase. He advised to replace with new deadbolts & door knobs on 3 entry doors instead which I agreed with. All doors have 1 matching key & the safety of excellent quality product & workmanship. He also added new strike plate to door frame to complete project.. I recommend as your 1st & only call to a Locksmith.

Denise F (St. Louis, MO) April 3, 2014


Danny was very helpful in solving a pretty complex problem involving many lock.
Scott C (Eureka, MO) March 27, 2014




Needed patio door track to run smoothly. Arrived early, fixed door and explained what he was doing during repair. Quick and easy. Door works great, my wife will now speak to me, and I've become a better dancer.

Mike W. (Arnold/Oakville MO) July 2013


The owner spent a longtime with me on the phone helping diagnosis the problem. He was on-time, friendly and helped resolve my issue. I will definitely use him again!

Chris C (Lake St Louis, MO) July 2013


I had a very pleasant experience with Master Key Systems. They came out, did the job (which took longer than expected) and they did not change the price they quoted me. Now, I am not certain that it was a great value for the money because I don't have a comparison, but they did what they said, when they said, for the price they said. Enough said!!!

Antonio B (Saint Louis, Missouri) March 2013


Professional.. Upfront about charges. Fixed the sticky door within 20 minutes. I will recommend Master Key for exterior door issues.
Muthu R (Ballwin, MO) July 2012


Danny was a master craftsman, knowledgable and professional. I will be calling on him again in the future as well as passing on his services to friends and family.

Marsha L (Saint Louis, MO) July 2012


Danny was excellent! I called him on a Monday to fix a sliding glass door. He happened to have the exact part we needed (and it was not an easy find - we had looked everywhere) and he came over Tuesday evening. He stayed until 8:00 until the job was done, and cleaned up afterwards. He was courteous, professional, and efficient! I could not be happier!

Rachel P Maryland Heights, MO (July 2012)


He did an excellent job. Got there on time and quickly solved the issue. Was very pleasant and explained the situation and how to keep the door from sticking in the future. Would definitely use Master Key LLC again!

Neil F. (Saint Louis, MO) April 2012


Danny was very friendly and knowledgeable, although his apprentice seemed to do most of the work, Danny kept an eye on him to make sure it was done right. He had very reasonable pricing for re-keying.
Greg D (St Louis, MO) October 2011


He was extrememly fabulous and helpful and did a wonderful job. He was very professional.
Shannon M. (Arnold, MO) October 2011


Growing up spending so much of my time in Italy, the uniqueness of the Nova Classico left quite an impression on me. To be able to have and enjoy them in my own home here in the states is a nostalgic indulgence I'm enjoying beyond words. Thank you Danny for coordinating this transaction.

Joseph M (Chicago, IL) September 2011





great job. hired on the spot and he did job right then at great price

Ron B (Arnold, MO) July 2011







I searched the internet and found your services. I received three phone calls within several days. A service call was scheduled. Two gentlemen arrived promptly, analyzed the problem and fixed it.
James & Florenc M Saint Louis, MO July 2011

The repairman was on time and did an excellent job of fixing a very stubborn door lock. He was persistent and cleaned up the work area afterwards. I would use this service again.

Brenda F (Saint Peters, MO) June 2011


Danny at Master Key Systems has succeeded in making the purchasing of our Meroni door locks, from Italy, an absolute breeze. Even though I live in Australia with a 16hr time difference and was ordering door knobs from Italy that weren't in stock, the whole process was faultless. Danny was prompt and efficient with all his emails and made sure we had covered every possible variable so that the product I received was exactly as required. I would have no hesitation in recommending Danny for your next purchase.
Patrick Carr (Canberra, Australia)


Your product really helped because I needed to secure a nurse's station adjacent to a waiting room and needed a pocket door. Unfortunately, no real options were available to lock a pocket door effectively that would keep me compliant with HIPAA and secure an area that stores medical supplies. This was vitally important as this particular waiting room was for "waiting detox patients". Thank you very much.
Randall R The Fritz Clinic (Birmingham, Al) March 2011


Danny was very polite and knew what the problem was and how to fix it. He also gave me some information about other issues that could arise with my door and locks. Will hire again if I ever need that type of work done.
Jason M Imperial, MO March 2011




I had an exterior basement door that dragged when opening and closing. The hinges were not fitting properly and the door frame had shifted, probably due to the age of the house.The screwswould not go far enough into the wall without hitting stone...even using a special drill bit. Dan worked a long time drilling and sanding to shore up the door as best as possible. I know it will never be perfect. He could have easily sold me a new door and the same issue would happen. He was honest, thorough, and did an excellent job without charging me a fortune. I'm satisfied with the door now. If you want an honest, experienced man, Then Dan is the man

Roger M Saint Louis, MO March 2011


I purchased the Cowdroy P697 Pocket door lock with key over the internet. I emailed questions before my purchase and was provided with the answers quickly by return email. The purchase was quick and easy and the lock was shipped immediatly. Installation is quick and easy. But you do need to convert millimeters to inches (use the internet) in the installation instructions. And the lock looks great and works great. I will do business with them again. THANK YOU

Ed D (February, 2011)





Who Are We?





Welcome to Locks210.com.
This site is to inform about historical and modern approaches to Keys and Physical Security products and services.
Locks210.com, established in 2006, offers residents and businesses of St Louis Locksmith premium quality products and services. As the Premier Bilock Extreme Security Dealer in The Mid-West,
Our conveniently located workshop and service vehicles are uniquely designed to offer trade qualified, bonded, insured tradespeople with knowledge and experience spanning multiple countries and product lines.

Shipping and Returns

All products are sent in manufacturers condition.
All products are subject to sales tax where applicable.
All products are dispatched within 10 business days of remittance.
All products are subject to manufacturers warranties.
All products returned within 30 days, will be 95% refunded less shipping.
Prices are subject to change without notice.
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