The Signs You’re Using a Poor-Quality Key Copy
In our adult lives, we can find ourselves having to get keys cut on a semi-regular basis. From our kids needing a set of new keys to getting new keys cut when we change our locks, there are many times when you might need to get new keys cut. However, not every key-cutting service offers the same quality of work. To help you determine whether or not the keys cut for you are good enough, we asked Lock & Key – a reputable, expert locksmithing service in the UK – for advice on what to look out for.
Poor-quality key copies can become a serious issue. Not only are they more liable to break, but they could even damage your locks, requiring you to go for a more expensive lock replacement. Using a poor-quality service can also lead to security or privacy issues that could come back to bite you later down the line. This quick guide from Lock & Key Leeds will help you identify whether your keys are up to standard.
Why You Should Never Accept Poor Quality Key Cutting Services
We appreciate that if you get keys cut, you might not have time to go back and raise concerns with the key-cutting service you use. However, you mustn’t use poor-quality cut keys.
Why? For one, keys cut to the wrong specifications often stop working. They might work at first but will quickly degrade; this can be down to incorrect sizing, or the use of poor-quality cheap materials. That leaves you with the need to get yet another set of keys cut, meaning your time and money was wasted.
However, there is a more serious issue: poor-quality key cuts can seriously damage your locks. Using a key that is not the right size or the right shape can lead to locks getting scraped or broken entirely. Naturally, such issues are something you would rather avoid – and rightly so. Replacing a lock is far more expensive than getting keys cut, and until you get the locks replaced, it leaves you vulnerable.
How can you tell if you have had poor-quality keys cut, though? What are the main signs of shoddy work?
The Warning Signs Your Key Copy Is Of Poor Quality
The good news is that distinguishing good-quality key cuts from poor-quality ones is quite easy. There are often some pretty important telltale signs that can give you an inkling of an issue, including:
The Metal Feels Cheap
Most keys today are not quite as durable as those from previous decades, but they should still not feel malleable enough to bend. If you find that your new key is a bit too bouncy, replace it!
A key should feel strong and durable enough that it does not bend or flex when you push on it. This is a sign that your key is made from high-quality materials. If your key feels like it is about to bend or snap when you put some pressure on it, it’s been made from cheaper, lower-quality metals.
Edges Look & Feel Rough
Once you get your keys cut, make sure you take the time to look them over closely. Run your finger over every edge and tooth on the key; you should not feel any rough or sharp edges. If any edges feel rough or tough, the key has not been cut properly. This could be down to using low-quality machinery or to the key-cutting service using an unsuitable template, but it’s still a problem.
If the original key is imperfect, then it takes a super-skilled locksmith to avoid these imperfections from forming on the duplicate key. When getting keys cut, make sure you use only the original, unblemished key; otherwise, you may wind up with this exact problem.
The Lock Struggles To Turn
The next sign of a key that is not up to standard is that the lock does not turn properly. Can you get the key to enter the keyhole, but then the lock seems to stick a little or jam when you turn the key? That is the first red flag. You also need to pay close attention to another sign of trouble: does the lock only turn properly when you pull the key out of the lock a little? If so, it’s not the right size for your lock.
If the lock sticks or does not turn fully, or at all, when you turn the key, it’s a clear sign that your key is not cut to the correct size. Now, that could be down to using the wrong blank or template, or the wrong key cutting machine, but it’s still a problem. Continue to use that key at your own risk.
Generally, if the lock feels very stiff to turn but the key seems to fit properly, it was cut too shallow. If the key fits into the lock but feels like it spins and does not “bite” the lock mechanism, it is likely too deeply cut. Both problems are worthy of complaint, though.
Pro Tip: Always Use A Reputable Locksmith For Key Cutting
Is it easier to just use a basic little kiosk near your house to get keys cut? Yes. Does it often result in a poorer quality of key that either degrades or downright breaks your locks? Unfortunately, also yes!
Do yourself a favour: hire a locksmith with a proven reputation. Look for a locksmith with 3+ years of industry experience and plenty of positive reviews for their key-cutting service. Run an online search for “key cutting near me”, and you should be able to find a reputable and reliable locksmith who can make sure that any keys cut are accurate, safe and durable.
