Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket Door Lock - Price Reduction

We decided today to temporarily reduce the price of this product. We have dropped it by $10 to $115 + shipping.

The reasons for this reduction are multiple:

First, the currency exchange rate has dropped which makes purchasing direct from Australian resellers more competitive with us.

Second, the manufacturer just announced that due to the increasing cost of raw materials, the large drop in the currency in the last few weeks and the increasing cost of manufacture in China, they will be instituting a 7% across the board price increase  November 1st 2015.

With international shipping costs with carriers like US Post or Fedex Or UPS, the average per unit shipping cost from Australia for this product, that weighs 3lbs bagged, is about $75.00. These costs often do not include customs duty, that will be the responsibility of the purchaser (often not noted on overseas merchants websites).

So when you see comparison prices from abroad that indicate AU$45.00 - AU$49.00 per unit (US$31.50 at exchange rate of AU$1 = US$0.70) and then add the average international shipping cost of US$75.00 (depending on carrier), this equals about US$105.50 for 1 unit. Expect to receive an invoice from your carrier for customs duties, broker fees and supplemental charges, sometimes up to 30 days after receiving your product. The amount of duties, fees and supplemental charges are unknown, because each shipper and customs officer can apply the correct customs code at their discretion. Dont forget that any change in the currency exchange rate can affect your cost at any time.

So....purchasing your product from abroad may seem like a method to save a few dollars however often you will be paying significantly more with unknown charges arriving after receipt of product.

Or simply purchase from us to avoid this whole mess.

August Smart Lock Reviews - Not so Smart II

We have mentioned about the August Smart lock numerous times over the last couple of years and finally have found a number of reviews about this product that we feel important to share.

Some of the reviews below are from multiple countries and experiences and may not be an accurate portrayal of the product, however often online reviews are helpful to convince a would be purchaser that they are making the correct decision about a product or service.


These first set of reviews are sourced from the Apple App Store. There are multiple pages of reviews there. We are including a selection from the first page... (click on the link above to read more)

The impetus here is not to denigrate the product offering, but more to provide our readers with more information about the product to assist with their personal research.

(reviews after the jump)

Heritage Locksmiths - Buffalo NY

Heritage Locksmiths, owned by a colleague and fellow member of The Society of Professional Locksmiths is a family owned and operated professional locksmith company servicing the greater Buffalo, New York region.

Heritage are also fellow Bilock distributors and are our recommended NY service center for all Bilock Extreme Security bump proof and virtually pick proof restricted key systems.

Many years experience and a penchant for continual learning, Hillel and his team are practised in the art and craft of locksmithing.

Specialising in Automotive, Commercial and Residential locksmith and security services, they are more than just another mobile service. they have a professional workshop and showroom and hold some inventory to meet the needs of their discerning clientelle.

If you reside in the greater Buffalo NY region, I highly recommend Heritage locksmiths as your first choice for reputable, knowledgeable and prompt service and expertise.

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Joystick Door Handle Concept

 Well it seems that many designers around the world are actively designing concepts aimed at making life easier for all of us.

Perhaps this concept designer is unaware about the fabulous Meroni handle collection, designed and produced in Milan Italy since the 1970's.

We are proud to be the North American distributor of the Serrature Meroni line of door locks, hardware, hinges, camlocks, padlocks, furniture locks,

This concept door handle may indeed appeal to the pilots among us and even to the amputees and others with disabilities, who may be looking for a unique concept.

Meroni have already commercially produced a wide variety of simple to operate door handles in stylish designs and wide varying colors and finishes.

 The statistics pointed out in these pictures, I have not verified and cannot attest to their accuracy but i suggest that it may be correct, the very possibility that many disabled's or amputee's or even the less mobile among us are unaware of the many products that already exist aimed at maximizing their ability to interact with everyday items like door handles.

The drawings here are on the mark for some of the problems experienced by arthritis sufferers, amputees and even people with their arms full.

While I doubt that this concept will see the light of day, especially while companies like Serrature Meroni are already producing high quality and especially aesthetically pleasing, easy to install and operate handle hardware, locks and related products.

We are seeing increasing awareness and interest in the fabulous Serrature Meroni range of handles that include the original Nova - push button knob (available since 1972), the oval shaped Forma press button handle sets, the modern Combina cap-press handle sets and the especially simple to operate lever type version that comes in 3 distinct styles, the Pigio 1, 2 or 3.

While the Joystick handle looks like a novel approach that may appeal to some, I doubt the concept will be commercially viable, especially because there are already significant players across the world who already produce handle-sets aimed at helping the less privileged among us to still enjoy life simply.




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Okey - The Key Chain For Runners

A Kickstarter campaign that never received full funding, Okey is a novel concept that could aid fitness fanatics who are looking for that simple lightweight solution to enjoying their run while unencumbered by the jingling and dangling of keys on their body.

A concept that didnt generate enough interest through Kickstarter but may be produced by another entrepeneur who can see (even) a small select market.

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Loki - Hybrid Bike Helmet And Security Device For Bicycles

 The Loki is a concept hybrid bicycle helmet and lock system designed to minimize affordable bicycle locks and safety helmets.

Stylish in it's design, the helmet has an in-built reflector that can house a flashing light for extra visibility and a novel cam lock that is hidden while on your head but sports a retractable chain that conveniently allows you to lock the front wheel of your bicycle, making would-be thieves unable to ride away.

 Simply connect the helmet to your front wheel using the embedded lock system and secure with your personal key.

Having a built in reflector is an excellent added safety feature, but the battery powered rear light is also a step up in safety. Similar to head mounted tail lights seen on many cars and trucks on the roads today that increase visibility.


Safety and Security. A Concept that has real-world benefits.

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Folding Bike Zone is an informative site designed to help searchers find information about different bicycle products especially about folding bikes. Folding bikes are becoming a highly sought after product by the bicycling consumer for their obvious advantages. An article there in about How To Choose A Bicycle Helmet is a very worthwile introduction to anyone comparing products currently available. Check out their interesting site for additional details.

https://www.foldingbikezone.com/how-to-choose-a-bike-helmet/

Ovio - Concept Restricted Key Cylinder That Is Self Changing And Aimed At Eliminating Locksmiths

 The Ovio is a concept mechanical key cylinder aimed at eliminating the needs to call a locksmith to rekey your locks.

This uniquely designed concept allows you to alter the combination of your desired lock yourself, negating the need to call a locksmith to change your locks and provide you new keys.

 While self-changing lock cylinders are nothing new in the market, with the likes of Kwikset Smartkey and similar iterations already gracing the marketplace, this unique product could be a step up in terms of restricted keys and pick or bump resistant mechanisms.

The unique styling and ability to change your own locks, on the fly, make this concept quite intriguing, especially to locksmiths like me.

The ability to use your own key and adjust it to different combinations for different cylinders, makes this concept even more exciting.





Imagine a situation like an apartment complex for example. Every tenant, requires their own key to access their own door and often apartment managers will ask locksmiths to build complex master key systems that allow for individual keys to operate individual doors, while maintaining separation from each other and those same differing keys to operate communal doors (like the laundy or swimming pool access or parking lot gate etc).

The Ovio concept would allow each cylinder to be coded with an individual code and the user/keyholder would be able to adjust their individual key themselves, to access communal doors.

Will this concept see the light of day? It would depend on cost of course, but this is one concept that I suggest will be favorable to dwelling managers who use and operate master key systems today.

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New Award - Thumbtack Service Professional Award 2015

Thumbtack, a service provided online to provide customers in need, with professional service providers recently awarded us as their #1 Locksmith in Saint Louis Missouri.

We strive to always provide the best possible services to our clients and we appreciate being nominated and subsequently receiving this award.

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Best of 2015 - Locksmiths in Saint Louis

These professionals have received great reviews from Thumbtack customers for projects related to locksmiths in Saint Louis, MO.

1. 

   Unique Security Products

   Master Key Systems America LLC - St Louis Locksmiths

   5/5 stars 8 reviews · 3 credentials

   #1 Locksmith in Saint LouisRequest a quote

Locksmiths Ready to Help in Nearby Locations

• 

  Business Locksmith Services

  Master Key Systems America LLC - St Louis Locksmiths

  This company provides creditable local locksmith services at a price that is budget-friendly. They handle all kinds of lock problems for both residential and business properties.

  5/5 stars 8 reviews · 3 credentials

  Request a quote
• 

  Local Locksmiths

  GACO

  Do not let broken door locks deny you access. Hire Jim Arnold. This professional is among the best locksmiths who also offer minor home repair services.

  5/5 stars 1 review · 5 credentials

  Request a quote
• 

  Locksmith

  ASAP Lock and key

  For reliable residential and commercial locksmith services, choose ASAP Lock and key. They specialize in safes, deadbolt, car keys and rekeying locks, among others. Get in touch with them by viewing their Thumbtack page.

  7 credentials · Licensed in MO

  Request a quote
• 

  Lock Services

  USA-Locks

  Select USA-Locks if you need mobile locksmith services. They have technicians who are also available for 24 hour locksmith services.

  1 credential

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• 

  24 Hr Locksmiths

  Ebers Electrical & Locksmithing

  For emergency home and auto lockouts, check out Ebers Electrical & Locksmithing. Aside from locksmith jobs, they also perform electrical services.

  1 credential

  Request a quote
• 

  Trusted Locksmith

  Pop-A-Lock

  Are you looking to find a locksmith who is dependable and reliable? No need to look further as Pop-A-Lock has a team of vehicle locksmiths who will help you out anytime you need them.

  1 credential

  Request a quote
• 

  Locksmith Services

  Owen Ford

  Are you looking for a business that will do commercial and residential locksmithing, key duplication, key cutting, transponder key programming, and more? This company will provide quality service with free estimates.

  0 credentials

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Bilock Deadbolt And Strikemaster II Prevent Break In Attempt

Even us locksmiths are sometimes preyed upon by nefarious people.

I arrived home just now, from running a service call, to find this picture of my lockbox smashed open.

Luckily there was no key inside.

I also saw a boot mark on the door, where they might have attempted to kick-in the door. About 3 years ago, I installed one of my Strikemaster II door frame protectors to this door frame and apparently it has performed it's task perfectly.

The Bilock deadbolt prevented picking or bumping and the Strikemaster II prevented the frame from being destroyed.

No losses occurred except for the one elcheapo lockbox.


So.....this is one of the reasons we continue to sing the virtues of the products we sell and recommend.
We choose to practise what we preach. If it's good enough for our select customers, it is also good enough for us too.

We have been designing, constructing and installing Bilock products for over 25 years and across 4  continents. It is one of the best products aimed at maximizing your security, while minimizing potential threats from picking, bumping or even unauthorized key duplication.

We became a distributor for the fabulous Strikemaster II Pro, about 5 years ago and have installed a great number, usually to customers who have already suffered a door frame failure resulting from their door being kicked in. The Strikemaster II Pro is one of the best methods for repairing a failed door frame, without the need to replace your entire door and frame. (Average cost in the greater St Louis region to replace a standard entrance door and frame is about ~$1200.00 - ~$1500.00)

I must say, I am very pleased that these products have lived up to their hype.

Zephyr 3310 - User Reset-Able Mechanical Combination Locker Lock

Pictured above is a Zephyr 3310 Mechanical Push Button Locker Lock. 

This lock is quite unique in it's design, in that it has a user reset-able combination. This means it is another inexpensive solution for use in gymnasiums, schools, staff locker rooms etc.

Using a unique over-ride key (25 different combinations available) so that manager access can be granted easily.

below is the Zephyr 3310 in the locked position.

Locks are unlocked by default and set by the user at the time of use. Totally mechanical means no batteries and therefore no ongoing maintenance (unlike comparable electronic/battery powered versions)

Certainly there are other uses than just lockers for these locks, but that is the market it is aimed at.

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Smart Safes - Not So Smart

An article recently appeared in Wired magazine, an online resource with articles about new generation wired and wireless electronic products.

"Smart" products is the collective name, usually used in marketing, for the new era of computer controlled products. Everything like, cellphones to coffeemakers, cars to safes, there is a "Smart" product around just about every corner and near you (and me) right now, I'll bet.

The video above highlights an issue with a particular brand of safe, commonly found in hotels and other establishments around the world.

The ever increasing number of hackers who attempt (and often succeed) to discover non-destructive bypass and entry techniques for all manner of products, have once again used a products exposed access ports to develop and market the fault, as explained.

With the likelihood of more and more products of this ilk, making their way to market, hackers will have plenty of opportunities to determine their next target product. We just hope that people will do their due diligence when researching and educating themselves about products aimed at their security protection and storage of their personal documents and items.

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Schlage F Series Knobset - New Improved Function Thanks To Overwhelming Demand

Pictured here is a typical Schlage F Series Plymouth design entrance knob set.

Schlage have been selling versions of this Grade 3 product across the market for about 15 years now.

The most common complaint, from an overwhelming quantity of purchasers of this product, is the ease of ability to get locked out.

You see, the typical F Series knobset was designed by someone without taking into consideration the pitfalls of the classic emergency escape mentality.

Until a recent product update that has dramatically changed this product (and all F series knobs too), Schlage, in their infinite wisdom, had allowed the inside turn button to actually lock the outside of the knob, while still allowing the inside of the knob to remain unlocked.

That poorly designed feature, was to maintain emergency egress (escape) function to comply with the International Building Codes demands. But so many people found themselves accidentally locked out of their homes as a consequence. It is not uncommon, to lock the door, using the little turn button inside and then "forget" that the lock is locked, when turning the handle to exit, effectively locking yourself out. (I have seen multiple instances of different people accidentally locked out in their underwear, from this).

Schlage have answered the demands of the market and converted the new F series line, so that turning the inside knob, actually unlocks the outside handle.

I expect that the thousands of locksmiths across the world who have made so much money over the years from attending to lockouts, are bitterly disappointed in this turn of events, but good on Schlage for stepping up and answering the call of the thousands of bitter customers who have used these products for so many years.

Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket Door Lock - New Pricing As Informed

Our ever so popular Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket Door Lock has literally been flying off the shelves to unabated demand.

As previously mentioned, the cost of this product is now returning to the previously listed price (from 12 months ago) of $125.00.

Shipping is still the same rate and varies by options of Ground, Economy Overnight and Priority Overnight.

We also have a limited supply of the privacy version and the passage version, available on demand (email us for details and special pricing)

Our expansion kit, to allow installation to thicker doors is still delayed, unfortunately. We recently supplied our expansion design to about 10 separate installers to understand the viability and effectiveness of the modification kit, While the kit performed to task and exceeded our expectations, the difficulty in accurately installing the modification kit (drilling the correct holes) proved somewhat difficult for 50% of our test group. (Our test group being experienced contractors and carpenters). For this reason, we are holding the release of the kit until significant improvements are made that will make installation painless.

With this price increase, we understand that some may feel put off by the meteoric increase, but we discounted the product 12 months ago thanks to our supplier giving us a quantity discount even though the exchange rate was significantly higher. Combine with the shipping and customs costs (everyone has their hand in it - as usual) and our hands are forced.

Compare our cost to the other products in the market and we are still significantly cheaper for this highly sought after, quality product.

The Maunder Minimum - A Natural Revolution

A recent report tabled by the Royal Astronomical Society, published Thursday July 9, 2015, highlights the phenomenon known as The Maunder Minimum.

A respected Russian scientist, Prof Valentina Zharkova has just published findings about this repeating event that affects not only our planet but most of our solar system too.

But, as we are the only known (to us) planet with educated life, these findings will have a noticeable affect on the daily lives of most of the planets inhabitants, within the next 20 years.

The Maunder Minimum is the event that determines sunspot activity and directly interferes with our planets weather patterns. One of the more recent Maunder Minimum  observations was recorded in the years 2000-2001  and threw out a slew of orbiting satellites, interrupting global communications and, for all intensive purposes, marking the possible beginning of the 1000 year drought currently being experienced in the western part of the United States.

The report tabled by Prof Zharkova, highlights a 30 year study, using widely sourced astronomical records to produce a model that is suggesting close to a 97% accuracy in predicting the next 'mini ice age' that will affect our planet.

According to the report (in the source below), the model suggests that solar activity will fall by 60% in the 2030's, "to conditions last seen during the 'mini ice age' seen in 1645" .

So, why is this pertinent to this website?

There is an overwhelming market, currently unfolding across the world. The age of the electronic connected smartlock is currently a multi-billion dollar a year industry and is set to increase exponentially in the next 2-5 years.

People everywhere are increasingly interested in having and using electronic, connected lock and door systems that require infrastructure (wiring) to maintain power to operate. Even if a product is touted as wireless or battery powered, it still uses internal wiring to run the electronics on board.

More well known to the average person, is the facts that anytime water (humidity, condensation etc) gets into any electronic component, those components suffer sometimes catastrophic failures.

The locksmith industry evolved to include electronics into products aimed at improving inter-operability of mechanical locking systems. For many years the simple electric strike was seen as the introduction of the modern electronic security products field, with many apartment complexes across the world eliminating the concierge or front desk guard, in favor of intercom systems that directly control the entry to the building and consequently access to residents/tenants therein.

Even today, the reach of electronics has invaded our homes and offices, our cars and buses, our trains and planes. many of these same services were previously operated using mechanical products that seemed to last forever with minimal maintenance.

Yes, electronics has improved our lives trememdously, however the age of the mechanical door lock is far from over. 

The unrealistic expectations of market driven capitalists hoping to cash in on this evolving market, is seeing an increasing multitude of variations of products aimed at whetting our appetites to the better mousetrap. But with all the electronics cluttering up our locks, there is less and less room for the quality components that actually provide the protection we are seeking for our families and our properties.

And with the Maunder Minimum set to rear it's ugly head again, only this time with an extended 'mini ice age' similar to the 70 year one experience in the mid 1600's, the age of failing electronics and unsecure doors, safes, gates, vehicles etc is again upon us.

To those who still agree that your security, the security of your family, your home, your office or your friends and coworkers is something you take seriously and not for granted, investing in the tried and true mechanical physical options, that protect and secure without the costly electronics (that will fail), the industry applauds you as forward thinking people.


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Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket Door Locks Almost Sold Out - New Inventory Expected July 24th

Our very popular Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket Door Lock is selling extremely fast with fewer than 10 remaining in inventory.

We are expecting replenishing supplies July 24th, 2015.

At this time, we expect that due to manufacturer cost increases, the cost for this wonderful, in demand product will increase consequently.

We are unsure as to the anticipated cost, at this time, but are expecting at least a 25% increase.

So, if you have been sitting on the fence, hurry while stocks last at the old price.

Little Known Key Facts - Does Your Key have A Twin?

A report on Fox 4 News out of Kansas City, Missouri on July 6, 2015 exposed a little known phenomena that many people probably dont realize.

Many keys that we all use every day, may in fact be copied throughout the marketplace.

Manufacturers only make a limited number of keys for their systems, but the probability of finding a matching set of keys is quite rare, except in the case of a woman in Kansas City, Missouri (see the link in the source below).

She bought 2 Honda vehicles, 2 years apart and was surprised to find that the mechanical keys were actually identical for both separate, yet different vehicles.

Now, this does not mean that you may be lucky to find someone else with your key too and in the case of the modern automobile industry, this is actually irrelevant thanks to the use of transponders or electronic chips embedded in keys that read the onboard vehicle computer.

But it is still newsworthy.

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