Serrature Meroni Series 21 Screw-On Lock

Pictured above is the Serrature Meroni 2130 Screw-On Cabinet/Drawer Lock. This is a pin tumbler lock made to the exceptional standards demanded by many leading international cabinet makers and furniture designers. 

The second picture above, displays some technical drawings showing some applications the 2130 can be used for.

The third drawing above, shows the technical dimensions of the 2130 lock.

This product is available in brown, black and white (inside body). Each lock comes with 2 keys.

(price on application)

(Source...)

Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket Door Lock - First Samples Arrived

In April this year we posted about Lockwood Australia's new 7444 Cavity (pocket) sliding door lock and have received numerous inquiries about it.

As the above video explains, this new product is tailored to allow easy onsite installation by a keen DIY'er or handyman (person).

Competitively priced, this product makes securing pocket/cavity sliding doors much easier.

The design of this style of lock is not made for replacement of the common square/rectangular pocket door catch, most common in the USA. The Cowdroy P697 Double Cylinder Pocket Door Lock is designed for that very purpose, to enable easy replacement of your existing pocket/cavity sliding door catch.

We just received our first samples of this new product and are putting it through our testing regimen.

The product comes in it's own blister pack that can be displayed easily on a hook. You will be required to cut the packaging to take the product apart, prior to installation.

It uses a 5 pin tumbler LW4 keyway, which is identical to the popular KW1 (Kwikset) key profile, prolific in the North American market. This means that the lock can be keyed alike with other similar branded keyway profiles. With a little modification, we can provide restricted key cylinders for use in a master keyed system.
The product cannot be keyed to Schlage or Yale keys at this time.

We are working out the final pricing details now and expect to sell this product for about $110.00 plus shipping.

(as you probably understand - many imported solutions incur significant duties and customs/shipping costs that directly impact the list/wholesale costs. Whereas, you may be able to purchase these products elsewhere abroad, whilst they may advertise a significantly cheaper price, it is important to remember that customs duties/shipping has not been included)

Yeti 1250 Solar Powered Generator

The Yeti 1250 Solar Powered Generator is not directly a security product or equivalent item that i usually write about in this blog.

However, being a professional locksmith tradesperson, with a mobile service vehicle and an array of machines and power tools that I require to use onsite, I need to run that equipment in my truck and sometimes away from the truck when there are no other power sources available.

I currently use a wired-in inverter to power my machines in the vehicle and this usually requires me to run the motor to keep the secondary battery I use charging.

I have been searching for a cost effective alternative to installing a professional truck generator that feeds directly from the gas tank (~$7,000 Installed) and this may well fit the bill.

It's not that i run a lot of machinery constantly, but my work truck gets pretty warm inside during summer and i would like to be able to have a refrigerator and air conditioning unit/fan that i could run separately from the vehicles power system and also enjoy the ability to operate power tools without having to run long extension cords.

As you can see in the promotional video above, there are multiple uses for this fantastic device. I think I have found the perfect item for my holiday wish list.

Arguably, this product could be an assist to any site that might want to run CCTV cameras remotely, like in a field (nowhere near available power) or to provide the power for a remote gate or door without digging trenches for running cables to grid power. So, perhaps you could use it as a backup power supply for security products?

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Schlage™ Keyed Entry Lock - With Built-In Alarm

Schlage are widely considered one of the leading lock manufacturers in America today. They try to be at the forefront of design and perhaps they have achieved this with the introduction of their newest product The Schlage Keyed Entry Lock With Built-In Alarm.

Expect to see this product soon at major retailers and select locksmith companies across America.

(source...)

MEM Mechanical Electro Magnetic Locking Devices

FSH are an Australian company at the forefront of design for electric locks, strikes and unique security locking devices. Trevor Mackle is a principal and leading engineer/designer with FSH and was awarded with the People's Choice Award from the ABC television program "The New Inventors", a couple of years ago.

A rather interesting video on their website shows the actual segment that explains how this product differs from mainstream electro magnetic locking devices.

The MEM is actually smaller than other brands but packs significantly better mechanical locking attributes and equal to superior holding force.

Compact enough to fit in a variety of applications, the product is light years ahead in technology and design. It is very user friendly and surpasses many international standards.

Master ™ 1500EDXB Digital Combination Padlock - A New Era In Combination Dial Padlocks

Master Lock Co. have just released their newest creation and now introduce a significant and modern interpretation of the humble combination padlock.

The product features an electronic digital interface that provides speed, ease and multiple personal codes per unit.

The padlock comes a resettable primary code and 3 additional guest/user codes.

 Each padlock comes with CR2032 cell batteries included that will last about 5 years with moderate use. The batteries are easily replaced.

2-1/16" (51mm) wide metal body, each padlock can be operated one-handed, is built with Boron Alloy steel shackle that provides extra resistance to sawing or cutting.

For INDOOR USE ONLY - Do not allow padlock to get wet.

(source...) 

Low Glo Key Fob - Always On Flashlight

Our friends over at ThinkGeek have recently released this terrific unique product that is a Low Glo Key Fob.

Designed to enable one to have that torchlight always handy, this "always-on" low glow flashlight is designed with a non replaceable (need) LED that operates on a cell battery similar to the ones found in watches.

The "always-on" technology is a sensational idea because it is low glow, meaning it consumes very little power. When needed, simply press the button and the light will brighten for a period of time.

The keyring attachment means you can clip it to your keys or your tent zipper (for campers) or just anything else you fancy that extra little bit of light for.

They say the battery is designed to last for 1 year and is easily replaceable.

(source...)

V-Lock ™ - A Unique Universal Lockable Mounting System

Boat enthusiasts are rejoicing thanks to this unique invention that secures virtually any accessory to your pleasurecraft.

The multitude of uses for this sensational product is limited only by your imagination. The product is made from marine grade materials that secures almost any accessory to your boat or work bench.

The intelligence of this product conveniently does away with the need for separate mounting assemblies for all your products.

Simply attach your accessory's mount to the steel plate and then lock the plate into the V-Lock™ bracket.

As seen in the video, there are virtually unlimited uses for this product. Securing your items has never been so easy.

(source...)

Ultra-Sil® Daypack Fits On Your Keyring

The Ultra-Sil® Daypack is a new product from Sea To Summit Outdoor, Travel and Backpacking Gear that actually compresses to the size of a keyring attachment allowing you to have that extra bag handy when required. A novel and unique aid for travelers or anyone in need of an extra portable storage solution.

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Theft Recovery Microchips

Theft recovery microchips are a modernized version of the ages old microchip technology we have been using for many years in identifying pets or animals.

Similar in purpose to those types of devices, this tiny chip can be programmed with the owners information and contact details and then embedded in any tangible inanimate product. If that property or product should happen to be stolen, it would be possible to identify it easily and it's owner by scanning the device for the existence of the microchip.

This is certainly another useful device to aid authorities in finding the correct owner of a stolen item, no?

(source...) 

Hidden Bookshelf

Sometimes, securing your room or office is a very personal task. In the movies of the last century, many films used props that included secret passageways and secret doorways that were hidden by false walls or Hidden Bookshelves.

Now an enterprising manufacturer has made the Hidden Bookshelf concept available at a competitive price.

This product is made from your choice of Oak Wood, Maple Wood or Cherry Wood and uses a high strength rail and pelmet system to make the function and use easy to manipulate.

How private would you like to make your room (mancave)?

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Hone For iPhone 4S

Misplacing your keys is definitely not a fun activity. It is one of those things that happens to a great many of us.

I am a locksmith, but I am constantly placing my keys somewhere and forgetting where i put them. Or they fall between the cushions on the couch (when I fall asleep, there) and when I want to leave in a hurry it is painful to have to spend an extra 15 minutes (or more) searching for them.

There are multiple offerings that enable you to locate your keys, but the Hone For iPhone 4S as shown in the above video is a new idea that simply works with the planets leading smartphone.

Anyone recognize the smokin hot brunette comedienne in the video? (Wasnt she in that TV sitcom "2 Broke Girls"?)

(source...)

Home Invasion Statistics Across USA

Home invasions across the USA are increasing supposedly due to the poor economy and the ease at which perpetrators are learning to ply their trade, thanks in part to the enormous amount of information spreading across the internet.

There are a few companies here that are producing unique quality products aimed at preventing home invasions and identifying criminals.

StranDNA is one such company that produce a modern itteration of the ages old door chain.

Strikemaster II is produced by A Safe Homes International, designed to repair a broken door frame casing while at the same time preventing future door kick ins.

OnGard Door Brace is produced by an Atlanta based company designed to prevent door entry.

Bilock is an internationally acclaimed guaranteed 100% bump proof and virtually pick proof key system with keys that cannot be copied.

Many of the above products cannot be purchased at the big box stores, only from approved industry professional locksmith companies.

For further information on any of the above listed products, please contact us at your convenience.

Chain Reaction DNA - 21st Century Door Security Chain

StranDNA are a United Kingdom based company that have re-invented the humble door chain, found across the world for the past couple of centuries.

This intelligent device provides two distinct differences from the humble door chain of yesteryear.
A) A 110db piercing alarm at the point of entry.
B) Sprays a UV mist with a unique DNA

The law enforcement agencies across the world have been using modern forensic technologies for the last few decades to identify perpetrators of crimes. But speedy results have been difficult to achieve until recent developments in DNA sequencing.

StranDNA have produced a replaceable canister that is easily installed into the unit. The fluid/mist, when encountering the perpetrator, leaves a unique identifiable DNA trace that remains active for up to 3 months (based on exfoliation)

The Society Of Professional Locksmiths is the USA based approved instructor of especially trained and permitted StranDNA products.

Criminal defense attorneys in the USA will have an unsurmountable burden of proof to dissuade a court of their clients involvement in a crime, when the DNA product clearly provides investigators with conclusive proof of their involvement, dramatically reducing lengthy investigations and reducing the costs for local law enforcement agencies to provide incontrovertible evidence of involvement.

Soon to be released in the USA, only approved installers trained by the Society Of Professional Locksmiths will be able to help residents and tenants and also local law enforcement departments effectively reduce crimes.

(source)

Light Bulb Key Ring

People who receive a service call from me often are delighted when I give them a little LED keyring with my name, phone number and website on it. I used to hand out business cards until I woke up and realized that the reason I rarely received business from those cardholders was because the cards were too easy to get lost or trashed.

An innovative company has produced a miniature version of a flashlight that is novel and different to the norm.

The Light Bulb Keyring operates on 4 replaceable cell batteries and fits easily on your keyring.

Ladies fumbling though their pocket book in a dark spot can now do so with this small unobtrusive flashlight.

(source...)

Glowing Bicycle Lock - With Chip Key

China is the preeminent home of all things bicycle. With such a huge population, bicycles are the preferred mode of transport. As is the case in many high population centers, differentiating your bicycle from your neighbor can be a daunting task. No more.....

This concept is borne from peoples fascination for car keys with remote controls. A unique bicycle lock that glows when activated by the key, helps you easily determine which is yours.

WeMo - Home Automation Just Got Smarter

WeMo is a new product just released by Belkin, designed to make home automation more accessible to the masses.
With the quantity of devices in use in our homes today, many users would enjoy the convenience of 24/7 access to their appliances.

The video above explains it well.

Why do I post this here? Many security products today are electrically powered and often users forget to set them or switch them on.  I believe that lighting is an integral part of your homes security and therefore should be included in modern intelligent security systems. Controlling your appliances remotely can only serve to enhance your home security as well as making your life easier.

(source...)

GPS Spy Tracker - Real Time Bicycle Security.

Bicycles can cost a fortune. Losing a bicycle to theft can be quite distressing. Distress no longer. Integrated Trackers make and offer this excellent product aimed at the bicycle enthusiast market.

Available in Europe and the USA.

(source...)

Installing Serrature Meroni Classroom Knobset To Classroom Doors

About 6 months ago we completed installation of about 40 new Serrature Meroni Combina K17 Handle sets in place of the existing (and comparatively more expensive) Arrow and Schlage grade 1 handle sets.

$ for $ comparison pitted the Meroni hardware at about half the cost of the other more widely recognized brand names. (Including installation costs)

  
The first video above, shows the handle set just after it was initially installed before the final inside cover was installed.

We used Don-Jo scar plates to cover the 2-1/8" crossbore holes allowing the Combina hardware to easily and securely fit.

KOMO Seattle Report On Locksmiths

The video here is a follow up to a KOMO Seattle news segment that generated a significant amount of chatter among the wider locksmith community around Seattle and other cities across America.

This segment offers a insight into an independent consumer magazine that runs a non-profit consumer reporting publication called Checkbook.org. This particular Checkbook listing involves locksmiths in the Seattle area.


The quantity of reported reputeable locksmiths seems rather high in my opinion. Perhaps because there is little to no regulation or gazetted qualifications for locksmiths, almost any person (or their brother or sister) can call themselves a locksmith and go out a ply the trade. Unlike other countries,

FUKI SM-12 Knob Set Key Blocker

Pictured above is a product made by FUKI. The SM-12 is a device catering to landlords and managers wishing to temporarily prevent unauthorised access by a key holder to a particular door. It only works with a knob set and enables the owner/manager to secure an entry at short notice, without necessarily re-keying the lock. (re-keying may have to be done later)

FUKI are a Japanese manufacturer of keyblanks, tools, specialty locks and key machines for the locksmith industry. FUKI is the modern name for the company originally named GOTO Corporation, started in 1958. They renamed the company in 1971. The word FUKI in Japanese is a flower called a Butterbur and is meant to symbolize  growth, strength and long life.

(source...)

Wireless Peephole/Video Intercom System - Answer The Door Without Answering The Door

Pictured above is the base station for a product aimed at the wireless video intercom market. A very popular search term that leads interested readers to this site, is "Wireless Peephole". 

A wireless peephole is a product that enables an entry point to have the ability to identify a visitor remotely.

Locks Are Only As Strong As The Doors And Frames Holding Them

Recently came across this fascinating video about how easily firefighters break down entrances.

Conventional thinking, with regard to security products and locking systems, rarely actually take into account the strength of the door or jamb. Sometimes, it may not matter how expensive a lock you install on your entry, a determined burglar with the right tools will cause such destructive entry all too easily.

Video after the jump.

Poly-Control Z-Wave Access Controller For Euro Cylinder Deadlock

Poly-Control have also released a version for the European market. However this product requires a special Euro cylinder to be provided to enable the correct compatibility.

Like the US deadbolt version, you can enable the wireless, internet controllable Z-Wave system to add the access control capability to many of the existing deadlocks found across the Euro zone.

Again, with the popularity of Android and iPhone products, the added ability to control the lock using your smartphone increases the market effectiveness of these products.

Poly-Control Z-Wave Retro Fit Access Controller For Deadbolt Locks

Poly-Control is a Scandinavian company on the cutting edge of product design, especially aimed at the access control and home automation market.

They recently released this sensational product that enables computerised digital access control capability that can be added to your existing deadbolt lock without any necessary hardware replacement (except the turnbutton).

As the video above shows, you can easily add this product to your existing installation and convert your existing deadbolt into an internet controllable wireless access control solution.

Meroni Combina K13 Keyed To Kwikset Key

In the previous post I included a video of how to dismantle and reassemble a Meroni Combina Entrance set. I pulled the video because I felt it was pretty bad.

On Friday I installed the one in the above video, in place of a Schlage F series entrance set. The customer has a Kwikset Smartkey deadbolt fitted to their front door and wanted a handle on the same key. While i could have sold him another Kwikset lock, he chose the Meroni after a demonstration.

This video is slightly better than the previous one. I hope you enjoy it.

Reassembly And Installing Serrature Meroni Combina Entrance Set

[video removed]

Today I installed 2 new Serrature Meroni Combina Entrance Sets. I tried to record the reassembly and installation using my Android phone.

The Serrature Meroni Combina entrance set is a beautiful and functional product that is precision built to tight tolerances, ensuring top quality and long lasting functionality.

Abloy Protec2 - A Legend Revised

Abloy Protec2 is the newest revised version of the world reknowned Abloy High security Key Systems.
It is a product that is well known for it's super-high pick resistance and bump proof qualities.
The keys cannot be duplicated by any mainstream duplicator. It offers unsurpassed high security mechanical protection for all mechanical locking applications.

Abloy products are found worldwide and are considered to be in the upper echelon of security hardware products. few products offer similar qualities to Abloy Protec2.

One product that comes close to the levels of pick resistance and is also guaranteed 100% bump proof is our signature product Bilock.

Rosslinear Battery Powered Electric Strike - With Solar Powered Remote Option

The video above shows an option for creating a solar powered wireless remote release for the Rosslinear Battery Powered Electric Strike.

By using a solar panel connected to a regulator and battery pack, you can connect these parts to the panic button feature of the Rosslinear electric strike and then enjoy wireless remote control capability for an access control solution that increases security for a remote gate, where mains power is unavailable except at significant cost.

Many electric strike solutions require that mains power be necessary for external gates. But some properties do not have ready access to mains power, especially remote country properties. With the Rosslinear Battery Powered Electric Strike, now even distant gates and doors can be secured with the ability to have codepad access control at a fraction of the cost of mainstream solutions.

This product is proudly designed and built in Australia.

(We are the exclusive USA distributor of this product)

Credit Cards Used To Duplicate Keys

We first posted this article in September 2008, but have received many inquiries about our fabulous Bilock Extreme Security product that virtually eliminates this threat. Bilock  keys are unable to be copied surreptitiously in a similar fashion, due to the product using two blades with different key cuts on each blade. Combined with the patented Bilock interactive element, both in the key and the cylinder, security of both the key and lock are protected in an unequalled manner.

LAS VEGAS -- Life takes Visa, says the credit card company's catchy and ubiquitous TV ads.

And now, according to a group of security researchers speaking at the DefCon hacker conference in Las Vegas, Medeco high-security locks take Visa, too. As well as MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards.

To be more precise, the researchers say that plastic used in all of these credit cards can be easily fashioned into simulated keys that open three kinds of M3 high-security locks made by the Virginia-based Medeco Security Locks company -- locks that are used to secure sensitive facilities in places such as the White House, the Pentagon, embassies and other buildings.

"Virtually all conventional pin-tumbler locks are vulnerable to this method of attack, and frankly nobody has really considered it or looked at it before," says Marc Weber Tobias, one of the researchers.

Personal Safety Product - Iladusk

The Ila Dusk Portable Safety Alarm is a new product that would make an excellent gift idea for anyone concerned about the personal safety and security of their loved ones.

The 130db screaming siren is akin to a loud lady's voice. This will definitely scare the bejeebus (it that a word?) of just about anyone within earshot.

Sensible and intelligent personal security product at an affordable price. It is designed to last up to 3 years and connects to a pocketbook or handbag.

I think an alternative use for something like this, could be for retailers to secure a product from being shoplifted.

$30.00

(source...)

Bicycle Safety Product - Glow In The Dark Handlebars

Riding bicycles is a favored passtime of many commuters worldwide. Many bicycle riders will ride their prized possession at night and want the safety and security of being extremely visible to all others on the roads.

Bicycle security is not just about locking up the bike to prevent theft. It is also about being visible. There are many products available that promote safe bicycling habits but this new concept by a designer named Mitchell Silva, is clearly an advancement in safety and security design.

Handle bars that glow in the dark. The easy to install system uses LED's embedded in handle bar covers that have a novel separateable rechargeable battery hub that connects to a USB outlet.

While not an actual lock product, I feel it is appropriate here because it involves life safety. It actually protects people by making them more visible.

Lets hope this concept see's some traction.
What do you think?

Lockwood Symmetry Pocket/Cavity Door Locks

We recently posted about Lockwood Australia's new 7444 Cavity (pocket) sliding door lock and have received numerous inquiries about it.

We still carry the fabulous Cowdroy (P/TT) 697 Double Cylinder Keyed Pocket Door Lock, but this product designed and produced by Australia's leading lock and door products manufacturer, shows that they genuinely care about their customers and their needs.

As the above video explains, this new product is tailored to allow easy onsite installation by a keen DIY'er or handyman (person).

Priced competitively, this product is making the difficulty in the past, of securing pocket/cavity sliding doors much easier.

The design of this style of lock is not made for replacement of the common square/rectangular pocket door catch, most common in the USA. The Cowdroy brand is designed for that very purpose, to enable easy replacement of your existing pocket/cavity sliding door catch.

We hope to make this product available soon to clients here in the USA.

Borg Mechanical Digital Locksets - No Batteries Required

Borg Lock Company, are an international manufacturer of superior grade mechanical digital lock and access control products.

Pictured above is their especially designed product for securing metal gates. This revolutionary design allows for multiple options including double codepad (keypad inside and outside), lever or knob release handles.

The quantity of applications where secure controllable access is required, but no power is available, seems to be increasing in frequency.

Bicycle Security - A New Look At The Infiniti3D System

For many years automobile owners have enjoyed the ability to secure their wheels to their vehicle using wheel lock nuts.

Now an enterprising company has decided to offer a similar type of system designed to better protect our bicycles.

Bicycle locks come in many varieties, shapes, sizes and grades of security. Most often bicycle security products involve a chain or cable secured by a padlock or other type of lock like a D lock. D locks are designed to secure the wheel and chassis around a pole or similar. They are often bulky and can be quite heavy, if not awkward to operate and store on the bicycle.

Bicycle riders have been known to carry their elaborate locking system in a napsack or clipped to the bike rack but this often increases the weight and rattle of the bike.

But when you have secured your prized possession to the pole, often the wheels and pedals and other parts may never be included in the security package.

Emtek By Assa Abloy Announce Price Increase Effective April 2, 2012

Breaking News: Emtek Hardware announce that effective April 2nd, 2012 their entire product line will increase in price.

Quotes prepared prior to April 2nd, 2012 will be honored at the old pricing for 45 days.

Emtek, owned by Assa Abloy have been producing beautiful quality and ornate door hardware for residential

How To Open And Make Keys To Antique Furniture Locks

Antique furniture locks come in all shapes sizes and styles. Often people lose their keys when the pieces are locked. As a locksmith, I have been called upon numerous times to open and make keys to these antique furniture pieces.

Many antique furniture pieces including curio cabinets, use really old hardware made from brass and iron. Many of the locks are small and can be rusting.

The most efficient and easiest method for opening a locked drawer or door...

How To Install A Keyed Pocket Door Lock

H.M. Cowdroy recently informed me of their manufacturing code change. The P697 is a blister (display) pack while the TT697 is the bulk pack. We have the bulk pack in stock, now.

Here is how the installation is performed, according to the manufacturers instructions. While I suggest that your carpenter or builder be asked to install it, it is a reasonably straightforward project for the home handyman to perform, presuming they have the correct tools. **NOTE** This product is designed for doors up to 42mm (1-11/16") thick....

Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket Door Lock

Our largest selling product, The fabulous Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket Door Lock is flying off the shelves.

The simplicity in it's design and the ease of installation provide great security and access control to consumers desiring simple security and access control for their pocket or cavity doors.

We continue to see increasing numbers of units going to Canada and the east coast of USA and also discerning tastes across the west coast of the USA.

The installation animation below shows just how simple this product is, to install.



The lockset uses a standard 5 pin tumbler keyway, similar to Kwikset's standard keyway and therefore able to be keyed alike to Kwikset keys.

Originally designed for 1-3/8" thick doors, due to significant numbers of requests for use on 1-3/4" thick doors, the manufacturer decided to update the product line with a simple modification that allows the product to be used on 1-3/4" thick doors too.

We have sold roughly 2500 units over the last 4 years, with only 2 reported failures (both units replaced free of charge and overnight delivery).

Demand continues to be strong and our current inventory has dwindled to only 5 units left, as of this writing.

New inventory is expected in the next 4 weeks and unfortunately, due to the US$ currency dropping in value to foreign currencies, we will be forced to increase the cost.

Currently the product sells for US$128.00 plus US$25 shipping to the lower 48 via UPS Ground.
If you're siting on the fence, hoping to find it cheaper elsewhere, you wont. We do not offer the product through Amazon or eBay, only through our sites. We maintain the manufacturers warranty of 12 months and also offer a 30 day money back guarantee*

Purchase options

Also Available (on request)
Lockwood 7450 Passage Version
Lockwood 7410 Privacy (bathroom) Version
Lockwood 7400 Passage Latching Version

Most Searched For Terms That Lead People Here - January 2012

This graph indicates the quantity of search inquiries that lead people to this site during January 2012.

The 10 most popular search terms include:

Kwikset Smart Key Problems

Schlage Securekey Problems

Crime Statistics - Greater St Louis Region 2/20/12-3/20/12

The map to the left shows a poor picture of the area we principally conduct our onsite service business in.

The last 30 days crime statistics are listed here as found in the source below.

Alarms - 256

Breaking & Entering - 37

Robbery - 80

Theft - 112

Hoppe - Locks Of Distinction

Hoppe locks are a very well known high-end door hardware brand originally designed and manufactured in Germany.

Friedrich Hoppe started the company in the mid 1950's and has built manufacturing facilities in many other European countries.

Built to very exacting standards, these high end residential entry systems are often found in patio door applications across the world.

Europeans generally install their keyhole upside down...

Freekey - No More Broken Nails, Finally!

There is almost one universal issue we all complain about when it comes to keyrings.

It is sometimes a painful task to remove or attach a key to the little wire rings we use to bind our keys together, isn't it?

Many customers, over the years struggle to remove or attach keys to keyrings and sometimes even break a nail or two in the process.

Manicures are not expensive, but they are time consuming. I'm sure many a manicurist or two has received business from customers wanting to have their nails repaired following a breakage that may be a result of attempting to open the keyring

FREEKEY is a novel solution to this ages old problem. Simply press on the indicator to spread the ring allowing easy access to removing or attaching that key and saving a broken nail and consequently the expense and time of a manicure.

(source...)

Breaking News! Schlage Price Increase.

All Ingersoll Rand security products including Schlage, Von Duprin and Glyns Johnston to rise on the 5th.

(source...)

Cowdroy P697 Pocket Door Lock With Key UPDATE! 2012

Many inquiries I receive are from people requesting hardware to effectively secure their sliding pocket doors. There are very few products in the USA that achieve this without considerable expense.

A forward thinking company from Australia have already produced a competitively priced key locked pocket door lock that is simple to install and looks good too.

The Cowdroy P697 Cavity/Pocket Door Lock, ...

Run-Local-Locksmith Caught In Bait And Switch

News Flash! As Seen on KSDK5 February 22, 2012.

According to the St Louis branch of the Better Business Bureau, Michigan-based company, Run Local Locksmith, is the focus of several complaints from St. Louis area customers who say they were lured by low advertised prices, but then charged much higher fees by workers who responded to service calls.

Beware St Louis, another company has been discovered by the BBB to be fraudulently scamming locals using classic bait and switch tactics online, using sponsored advertising in search engines and other sites across web sites.

Essentially you see these ads at the top of the page when you search. These ads clearly say $15 Service Call. Most genuine locksmiths like us charge the average $65 for an opening, but these guys are taking advantage of people.

Bird Flu - Still A Menace In Asia And Beyond

A couple of years ago the H5N1 - Bird Flu virus made news headlines across the globe. There were about 350 reported deaths across the world and many thousands more were infected before an anti-virus was found.

In recent days days (see source below), a discovery has been made in Vietnam of a new strain (mutation) that is allegedly impervious to the anti-virus.

10 people have died in Cambodia, Egypt, Indonesia, China and Vietnam. The new strain has also been found in Bangladesh and Nepal.

The WHO (World Health Organisation) is remaining tight lipped about it, but I think it is vital and important to be aware that Bird Flu is again on peoples minds.

Whereas the transfer of the virus is usually through peoples contact with poultry, these viruses are known to mutate quite quickly and could spread rampantly due to migrating birds.

We post this here to remind our readers of the Serrature Meroni Anti-Bacterial door handle products, that mitigate the transfer of potentially threatening virus' and other diseases by contact.

In many environments in our daily lives, we often will touch a door handle or knob that has been touched by others. In high-trafficked environments, we can have little to no control over the spread of illnesses and having the benefits of Meroni anti-bacterial door knobs on our doors, could help to prevent us from getting sick.

(source...)

Crime Of Opportunity - Do You Really Know Who Has A Copy Of Your House Key?

I did a job for a customer the other day who had her home burglarized and her insurance company refused to pay the claim.

The reason is, there was no sign of forced entry.

This lady had only recently moved to the new home and when she moved in, had new locks installed.

She took her car to the local mechanic, who she had been going to for many years, to get it serviced. As normal, she pitched the keys to the mechanic and went to wait in the waiting room.

Little did she know, but the mechanic had recently taken on a new employee, laborer to do general duties in the workshop. The mechanic shop thought they were doing a good thing by giving an unemployed person a job.

According to the police report, they searched this persons house on suspiscion because the mechanic shop is the first and only place the lady went to, where she was without her keys. The good investigative work by the police, found her property in this persons possession after contacting the mechanic and getting a list of the people that worked there the day the lady brought the car in.

Being without her key for a short time, the burglar had opportunity to get the number off the key, see the customers records, obtain her address and get a key made to the code number. Then they obviously robbed the home.

I recently changed the locks to restricted copy proof keys, that prevent any similar scene from happing again.

Do you know and trust everyone who may have access to your keys?

ABC News 10 New York - Deceiving Viewers

ABC News 10 New York back in early November started airing some odd interviews with a former burglar, in a rather odd attempt to get advice to consumers about how to secure your homes.

While some of the advice is on par, it is troubling and obvious that this "expert" does not know the law or life safety codes regarding double cylinder locks and why they should not be used.

He goes on to suggest other ideas as well that are a little ambiguous also. He suggests that alarms are the difference between security and not. Nothing is further from the truth. Alarms cannot and can never provide any form of physical security protection.

Virtually all burglars know that if they set off an alarm to an unoccupied property, sure the authorities will turn up eventually, but the burglar just hides out of sight from the authorities. Usually the authorities will deem the alarm a false alarm, write the owner a bill for their attendance and leave the premise. The burglar comes back a second time and may indeed set the alarm off again, but is secure in the knowledge that the authorities are not going to return quickly to that property because they think it is false alarming. The burglar then does their damage and the homeowner suffers the loss. Often insurance companies will likely reject a claim because the authorities have written a false alarm ticket.

This "expert" suggests to use a "charliebar" in a sliding door. This is a suggestion however all burglars know how to easily and quickly bypass a charliebar. The suggestion of a broom handle or 4x2 in the track is often better, but the best suggestion is to put a self tapping screw in the top of the track to prevent the door from being lifted.

The only suggestion of merit in the article (see source below) is using 3" screws or better strike plates, but this is the primary reason the Strikemaster II Pro is such a formidable foe to burglars.

When it comes to windows, this "expert" suggested double cylinder locks. Double cylinder locks are illegal in almost every jurisdiction in the USA, if used on primary entry doors. The best suggestion is to use products like ShatterGard window security film, that actually prevent a window from being broken.

Shame on you ABC 10 New York for misleading consumers with advice from a burglar instead of a professional locksmith security expert.

(source...)

Sentry Safes - They Arent Really Safe Y'know!

Many consumers buy safes from their local big box store, like Lowes, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Kmart, Ace Hardware or even Harbor Freight.

Ever heard the expression "pay peanuts and get monkeys"?

The very popular Sentry brand of safes is on sale at just about every big box store in the USA. The one shown above is one of their popular models. There are methods that we locksmiths employ that can get you into these safes with little to no damage but often the costs to pay for the specialized safecracking skills are so much more than the safe is worth.

After viewing the above video, would you trust your valuables to this brand or type of safe?

Purchasing a safe from a locksmith or specialty safe provider, usually gets you value and quality for money. How much are your valuables worth (Sentry buyers)?