Genuine blanks

[tpark]

In which cases is it worth obtaining genuine blanks vs. third party ilco/JMA type blanks? I was looking at blanks, and I note that certain third party blanks are thinner but still work OK - do most people care only if the key works, or do people have a better perception of your shop if you use genuine blanks? In some cases, the third party blanks are pretty good (Like the "JET" best blanks) but in other cases, the keys seem kinda flimsy.

[mastersmith]

My experience is that most folks don't care. A working key is all they worry about.

[Papa Gleb]

I find that original blanks are much better in terms of material used. They even have a different look of the metal (brass mainly) which makes me believe they would last longer HOWEVER longer means 15 years as opposed to 10 years which brings us back to no one cares about that. For a customer, no one will ever ask for originals not to mentions originals will cost twice as much or even more in some cases. On a collector side, if you have a very nice rare antique lock, original key would bring the value up so it would be worth getting originals.

[10ringo10]

Can depend on key : someone who spends a lot of money on a classic car - original keys might be asked for

I have had customers that have lost keys and for some reason - think you can supply the exact same key original

possible reason saves explaining why the key was lost - stolen or misplaced

Two prison officers wondered into the shop many years back - Wanted original keys - Identical they must be !

[Anarchy_won]

I know some car guys like OEM keys for when they restore VW's (I have made some good $ selling OEM VW blanks I got in a large lot of blanks from ebay)

[jeffmoss26]

As a collector, I prefer original blanks. For day-to-day use, Jet or Ilco blanks are just fine.

[mdc5150]

I've only ever had one person care if it was an oem blank. And that was a Yale blank for KW1 keyway.
He was a real ass about it I remember. Other than that only car people.

I had a guy bring in an original old Toyota blank and I had to impression an old pin tumbler lock for his Land Cruiser with it. Made me nervous as hell but it got done.

[tpark]

Thanks - it looks like the original blanks aren't needed in most cases, except for when the lock (or the item that it's used on) is a collector's item. I looked at some original Schlage original blanks and their equivalents, and it looks like Schlage (original), ESP, and Ilco use a lighter colored metal, but JMA and an anonymous Chinese blank use a darker metal. I never tested for hardness though.

[dmasters]

At my old shop, master key systems were original cylinders and blanks only and we were firm on this policy. Lab pins, too. Aside from that, we gave the customer the choice and charged accordingly

Here at my "institution" I do original blanks whenever possible and let Jet and Ilco fill the gaps on my key-board.

[MrWizard]

I also agree on commercial master keying I always use original blanks and cylds. The original nickel silver blanks last longer and cut accurately every time on my Pro Lok blue punch where as I have had varied results using Ilco and especially the Jet line.

I always buy Ilco when not using original blanks as they seem to be the most accurate. I now refuse to use Jet blanks for any reason as I have had them ride slightly high in the keyway if cut on manual punch for whatever reason.

If you explain the difference in quality and longevity of original blanks to the consumer they many times will buy originals.

An uniformed customer will go with the cheapest thing you have.

[WestCoastPicks]

I would only care if the original key had some nice designs. Other than that, it's just a key to me ☺

[GWiens2001]

Was working on a car that belonged to a "locksmith". I asked a few questions any residential locksmith (what he 'claimed' to be) should be able to answer. I got some Genuine Blank stares from him.

Gordon

[Jaakko Fagerlund]

The standard Abloy Classic key blank here is about 60 cents for a Silca made one and 1 EUR as an Abloy made one. Doesn't make much of a difference, the usual cutting price for it is 5-10 EUR depending on the location. As for how long they last, I have no idea, the keys I have had for 30 years still function and the other is Silca and the other is Abloy original.

[MrWizard]

Was working on a car that belonged to a "locksmith". I asked a few questions any residential locksmith (what he 'claimed' to be) should be able to answer. I got some Genuine Blank stares from him.

Gordon

hahaha got some Genuine Blank stares.

[tpark]

Was working on a car that belonged to a "locksmith". I asked a few questions any residential locksmith (what he 'claimed' to be) should be able to answer. I got some Genuine Blank stares from him.

Gordon

Out of curiosity, what kind of questions should a residential locksmith be able to answer? "How do you install a deadbolt and not let the pets out?" "Which brands of lock can be swapped without having to modify the existing hole in the door?"