Some Safes Should Not Be Called Safes...

Many of the above style of safes can be found at the big box hardware and department stores, like Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, K-Mart and Target. These "safes" are marketed as secure but in fact are by no means worthy of being titled "safe".

What do you think? Would you purchase something like this to secure your valuables? I hope not!

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Kwikset Smartkey Fault... more problems

I certainly hope you havent invested in the latest Kwikset Smartkey technology. The problems with this product continue to mount.

Baldwin products were recently purchased by the same parent company as Kwikset and have started making their locks and hardware using the same types of cylinders.

If you purchase new products from any of these related manufacturers, you need to be aware that the techniques for opening these locks are too easy to duplicate.

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New ANSI Gr 1 Push Button Entrance Hardware about to be released...

Standard Features

Fingerprints Accepted: No

Biometric Sensor Type: No

PIN Codes Accepted: 99 users + 3 Admin codes (for programming)

Mechanical Key Override: Yes

Cylinder Type: Mortise rim cylinder (replaceable). Schalge "C" keyway; 6-pin

2 keys included

Latch Type: ANSI Grade 1, US Apartment-style mortise (with deadbolt)

Door Thickness: 1-3/8 to 2 inches

Certifications: CE, ANSI, UL

Power Source: 4 AA batteries (6v)

Hardwired: No

Install Outdoors: Yes

Weatherproof: Yes

Handedness: Field Reversible by installation professional

Available Finishes: Satin Nickel (US15), Satin Chrome (US26D), Polished Brass (US3)

Antique Brass (US5), Chrome (US26)

Warranty: One Year

Special Features: One-Time Passage Mode, Free-Wheeling Clutch design,

Free Passage Mode (keeps SK1 unlocked), Individual user removal

Audit Trail: No

Networking: No

Installation Rating: Professional

Fits doors machined per ANSI A115.1 (Type 86) Mortise Lock prep

Applications: Residential, Commercial, Outdoors or Indoors

Accessories/Upgrades: Curved Lever (shown above) is standard. Specify ADA Lever

or Straight Lever when ordering.

This product has not been released yet, but it planned for release soon. More information when available.

Our most popular searches for July 2010 include...

The month of July, 2010 realized 397 direct hits from searches on this website. Just short of our all time monthly record, it shows a definite upward trend in hits from search results.

Month over month we show a 27% increase in search query results.

Pictured to the left we show the more popular search terms from our analytics. These terms are collected from all the search engines and are the most common searched for terms that lead people to this site.

While I am pleasantly surprised at the inclusion of our signature product Bilock into this months list, Pocket door locks with key, continues to post significant gains in popularity. Interesting too is the quantity of searches for Schlage Securekey Problems.

We are finding increasing quantities of calls locally for door repairs, especially due to the increased extreme weather conditions experienced this year. These door repairs include warping thresholds, doors dropping, hinges loose etc.

Our primary training is in the field of locksmithing, but locksmithing actually is an amalgamation of a number of other specialist trades. Specifically Boilermaker, Fitter and Turner, Welder, Carpenter, Auto Mechanic, Machinist, Lathe Operator, electronics technician, architect.

Master keying is a part of the trade that is unique to locksmiths. Many modern day proximity card system manufacturers take their ideas from the advances made by the locksmith industry. If it were not for locksmiths, many of todays quality physical and electronic security products may not have been created. It is because of locksmiths that many of todays security products are scrutinized to determine their viability for market.

Consulting your local locksmith should be considered a priority in any decisions about door locks, hardware, security systems, keys, access control and protection for your home, office, colleagues and family.

Lost Keys...

The employment situation, the last couple of years has seen many companies retrenching many employees that hold keys to the office. The regular need to re-key locks often involves replacing all the keys in the office.

But what if you could own a system where each individual employee has their own unique original key, different from each other and copy proof.

Basically, a low tech approach to access control that minimizes the cost of having to change locks and replace every other employee's key. When you lose that key, you can easily remove it from the system without affecting any other users.

New sophisticated low tech solutions are now available. Please email us for details.

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Competitive lockpicking growing in US popularity

SOMERVILLE, Mass.—Schuyler Towne took a gleaming brass lock, inserted a small bent piece of flat steel into the keyhole and gently applied finger pressure. Then he slid in a lockpick and manipulated the mechanism until it swung open, in less than 20 seconds.

Towne, 26, is not a burglar. He's a lockpicking instructor and part of a growing competitive movement called "locksport" that involves learning the theory of locks, analyzing the devices and figuring out ways to quickly defeat the systems without destroying them.

While lockpickers thrive on the intellectual thrill of beating all sorts of locks, they oppose attempts to use the skill for mischievous purposes and have laid down universal ethical guidelines: "You never pick a lock you don't own and you never pick a lock that's in regular use," Towne said.

Some lockpickers observe a code of responsible disclosure by providing manufacturers information on weaknesses they discover in locks they defeat -- just like responsible computer hackers do when they detect security flaws in software.

Still, the sport worries some law enforcement authorities, like James Pasco of the National Fraternal Order of Police.

"I'm sure that they are having a good time and I'm sure that the vast majority of people engaged in it are just puzzle solvers of a sort, (but) you run the absolute risk of educating criminals who might be inclined to pick locks for illegal purposes, you know," Pasco said.

Babak Javadi of the U.S. chapter of The Open Organization Of Lockpickers, or TOOOL, disagrees. He says locksport requires enthusiasts to invest a lot of time and patience to learn the skills. What's more, crooks are likely to use crowbars and saws to quickly pick locks because they do not care about surreptitious entry, he said.

The practice of lockpicking is generally legal if the picker owns the lock or has explicit permission from the owner to pick it. But possession, creation and distribution of lockpicking tools may be illegal, depending on the location.

Locksport fans compete in several formats, including head-to-head contests that determine the fastest lock picker. In the so-called Locksport Wizard, each contestant is given a burlap sack containing an identical set of locks and is required to blindly pick them using only tools they have put in the sack.

In other challenges, participants have to pick their way out of handcuffs before attempting to defeat a set of locks. There also are competitions to disassemble locks and reassemble them properly.

"This is why I pick: I love competing," Towne said. "Nothing makes me happier than sitting down across from another person and attempting to open a lock faster than they can."

Towne's group meets once a month in a Somerville garage converted into a studio for artists. Winners at its contests take only one prize -- pride in being the best lockpicker.

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ALOA National Convention 2010 Orlando FLA

The Associated Locksmiths Of America (ALOA) are holding their annual convention this year, August 1-8 at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando Florida.

This is the 54th annual conference and security expo of the most widely known locksmith industry showcase. The trade exhibit's run August 5, 6 & 7.

ALOA are expecting significant attendance from across the country and around the world. Exhibitors from the leading security products manufacturing companies are all providing booths and show specials.

We intend to showcase some of the exhibitors with articles here. We hope you find these products and news interesting.

Kwikset Smartkey Problems...

8/23/2018 UPDATE: We just updated the video above to a better video from our colleague Terry Whin-Yates.




Came across an interesting blogpost today that has several comments by product users, all complaining about similar problems shortly after installing Kwikset Smartkey locks.

One such comment by a poster....

"Our smartkey failed this evening. We locked both deadbolt and door as we left, came home to locked out. I called kwikset and after working with them on the phone trying to wiggle the key to the 1/4 turn position to try and get it to the learn position – nothing worked. The customer support person said since we had keys duplicated using the grinding method instead of having a locksmith stamp them out the keys had made the cams in the lock out of alignment. I asked CS how we will get in if we are on the OUTSIDE wanting in and he said we would have to either find another way in or drill out the cylinder. They are sending a replacement cylinder. No thanks – I don’t want to take the chance."

Another...

"My husband just bought this and installed it yesterday. While “rekeying” to our key, it stopped working! Now both the key that came with it doesn’t open the door nor the new key. I was looking for the company’s website for troubleshooting the problem and found this! Glad we kept the receipt as this installation is not continuing! Thank you all for commenting! You are saving more people from getting ripped off with this lock!"

Another...

"What a nightmare.My baby boy moves out to his first house and buys the kwikset smartkey to assure his security.comes home one night,pouring down rain and 28 degrees outside cant get in the house the key doesnt fit the lock .He has to sleep out in the car all night long.what a nightmare.never again will a smartkey be bought especially $80.00.there needs to be a recall on the kwikset smartkey.what a let down."

Another...

"What a joke, installed YESTERDAY, worked perfectly fine until coming home today with groceries and a 6 month old, to find out our key no longer worked. Was told by customer service that this is NOT an issue and people do not have this problem (Obviously I told him to check this website, because he was wrong)

Option one, I can take the deadbolt off my front door to bring to Home Depot and have them fix the lock, which would leave my house unsecure as there would be NO lock on my door. The other option is to wait 5-7 days for a new lock from them. He said the new lock they will send me is more efficient then the one month old lock already installed and he guarantees it will not have this problem.

In the meantime, how the heck am I supposed to get in and out of my house if my lock doesn’t work?

WHAT A JOKE! Take these stupid things offffff the market"

Another...

" I received the new smart key cylinder from

Kwieset and installed it on the front door. From the get-go I had problems, only some of the existing keys worked. Bought new keys and they seemed to work better for a short time. Now they are giving me problems. I have to jiggle them inside the lock to unlock the door and even now they are giving me problems. Finally I had enough: no trust in the lock and never knew when I would be locked out again. I took the smart key cylinder out and installed the old lock, which is a non smart key. At least now I have peace of mind that it will always work. I am keeping the old smart key locks, because I know with all the problems that everybody is having, there has to be a recall and maybe I can get my money back, but I will not hold my breath. Keep complaining to Kwikset about the so called smart key. I wasn’t very smart to buy it in the first place."

Many people seem to think that locksmith services are too expensive. In fact locksmith services are often cheaper than purchasing the DIY products from the big box hardware stores, because locksmiths have taken the time and training to master their product lines. Installation, service, maintenance all taken care of by a true technician with experience in the field.

I understand the perception that DIY is often cheaper, but realistically the locksmith (one of the oldest professions) has deliberately trained to service, advise and protect consumers from the poor advice and suggestions often received at the big box stores from untrained, unknowing part time sales assistants.

I regularly see both Kwikset Smartkey and Schlage Securekey products in the field. Often they are purchased by consumers at the big box hardware stores because most locksmiths refuse to stock them.

I can easily reset the tumblers for clients, often because they have lost the reset tool for the Kwikset or are simply unaware that the process is uncomplicated. The Schlage Securekey is a little more complicated process to re-key, but this is because many customers no longer have access to the blue reset key.

For the better (and often cheaper) products, visit your local locksmith today and find out the why's and how's behind purchasing suitable functional and correct locking systems and products.

See also Kwikset Smartkey Locks - Making Keys

Kwikset Smartkey Fault


Kwikset Smartkey Non-Destructive Entry