That is pretty slick! Wonderful use of space.

CLOSED

please refer to part two for more everyday carry

Rob, I was looking at the pics you posted of your EDC. I would caution you about showing pics of your keys. To the trained eye, a duplicate could be made. You showed what appeared to be a vehicle key and a house key. The house key showed enough detail to be duplicated. It appears to be a Weiser or Kwikset key, but whatever, keys are numbered to identify the cut. That is, if the key is stamped 44325, that represents the cuts starting at the rear end. To an accomplished burglar, they could make a duplicate in short order. I know, if they want in they will get in but don't make it any easier. Neither should you leave your house key on the ring when leaving the car for service, turning over to a valet, etc. Most people never think of this and would be perplexed if they had a burglary with no signs of forced entry. Just a thought to ponder. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Boone

Well, I for one have never thought of it and it's a good tip. Thanks for the warning.

Regards, Vince

They arn't always numbered to represent the cut. Often they are coded where one would have to look up the cuts. However, any good locksmith could cut a key based on a good picture anyway, especially for a lock like a Kwickset or Schlage.

After I worked with a locksmith for a while I changed all my locks in my home to Medeco. You would be amazed how easy it is to open the locks people commonly use in their home or get a key made up. (Especially when not installed correctly)

It's scary how fast a pick set will brute force common door locks and deadbolts

Of course, a boot will do it too if being quiet isn't a concern <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

That's why I changed to steel doors and frames and lexan on the lower windows, as well as the locks <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

The WalMart key pictured in RBruce's photo above is almost pictured to scale. The picture could be printed, the key cut out of the picture, and a duplicate made in short order. Very risky. Medeco locks are probably as high security as you can buy. I know the government uses them a lot. Some of their keys cannot be duplicated on an ordinary key cutter.
Keypad locks are getting to be more common but I don't know how secure they are. I have always thought you could pry the keypad off the wall and short out the wires to open the lock but I don't know that it would be that easy. At any rate, if I was going to picture a key in my EDC, I would find a key that fit nothing and use it in the photo. You can't be too careful. Reporting a burglay with several hundred dollars loss and no forced entry causes you to be suspect in the eyes of the insurance company and/or the police investigator.

Just my two cents worth. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Reality Check Time:

What are the odds of anybody actually printing out his key and creating a functional copy? First, somebody that unsavory has to be in our forum. They would have to live relatively close to the owner of the key photo (it would hardly make sense to take a plane flight or drive several hours to burglarize this guys house). The bad guy would have to figure out his address (how?). Unless it is a petty thief, you would want to case the joint a while to be sure it is worth the bother, etc, etc.

My opinion, anyone skilled enough to do this can likely pick your lock in a fraction of the time. If unskilled and they want in bad enough, they'll kick in a door or bust a window.

Not trying to riducule, but I think worrying about a pic of a key on a newsgroup leading to foul play is as likely as winning the lottery. Save your concerns for more critical issues. Worry about the real creeps in your neighborhood, not newsgroup lurking key forgers.

My 2 cents, TR

I agree with Pizzaman on this, someone with the ability to dupe a key from a picture will not need a key to get into your house.

Something that is somewhat more likely, when you get new keys made pay attention to what you say. I can't tell you how many times i have cut keys for someone and as they are handing me the keys they are telling me that the new keys are for their neighbor. As they are going away for a week or two on vacation and then pay with a check. If i was a thief i now have my own set of keys to your house, i know when you will be gone, and i have your address.

Of course my favorite one was a geezer came into the shop some time before Y2K as he writes a check for his purchase he explains that he is very concerned about the effect of Y2K on financial institutions. He goes on to say that he is going to liquidate several hundred thousand dollars worth of investments and bury the cash in his back yard. I did ask him what time he was planning to go to bed on new years eve and if the address on his check was where he was planning on planting a bunch of money. Amazing.