Keytek – Lock Brands

Different Lock Brands

When you are starting off in the Locksmith industry it will be hard to know what brand of locks are out there and which is the best one to work with. We have put together a quick guide to the main lock brands.

 

Yale

Chances are, you’ve heard of Yale, it’s the most popular and well-known brand of locks in the world. Its not surprising that they are so well known, they designed the first pin-tumbler lock in 1861 and are oldest international lock brand. Yale have remained relevant over the years by developing and incorporating new technologies into their products, such as smart door locks.

Yale have also maintained their reputation by providing good quality products and providing security solutions with excellent functionality.  You can’t go wrong with a Yale lock, they are not the cheapest on the market, but you are paying for quality and longevity. You don’t want to install a cheaper lock, only to be called back to the customer 2 months after you fitted the lock, to find its broken. Keytek® believe Yale are one of the best lock manufactures out there, which is why we have them in our stock and tool kits.

 

Abloy

Abloy has a large product range including electric locking, padlocks, door cylinders and door openers. Similar to Yale they invented a type of lock the detainer disc cylinder that went on sale in 1909 and they are still one of the most reputable high security lock companies in the world. The Abloy Protec system has a unique rotating disk-based system that is completely bump proof and extremely pick resistant, which is a huge selling point. They are self cleaning, which is also a neat feature, if any dirt or grime gets into the lock, it will easily fall out when the key is inserted and removed.  They also tend to have a one-day shipping time from when the order is placed, so you should receive any orders quickly.

 

BiLock

BiLock is another high security brand that has its own unique locking system. They call theirs a Quick-Change Core or (QCC). It features a unique U-shaped key that utilizes a pin and sidebar system that makes BiLock locks very pick resistant and bump proof. The QCC system means that the core can be removed and a new one replaced instantly. It’s very popular with casinos and businesses, so it’s worth considering using it for your customers.

 

ERA

ERA have been around for over 175 years and have always strived to be up to date with the latest methods of security. They have adapted over the years to meet the needs of their customers and to stay relevant, so you can trust that you are getting the most up to date kit with them. ERA are the only lock manufactures that are endorsed by Neighbourhood Watch.

What Keytek® likes about ERA is that they offer a Total Security Guarantee, which means If your customer experiences a break in for which an ERA component failed, they will receive; full replacement of the damaged window and/or door and £5,000 cheque as compensation. As a Locksmith, this should give you piece of mind, that you will not be in the firing line if a break in occurs. This is why we use ERA locks in our stock and tool kits.

 

TSS

TSS believes that quality locks shouldn’t cost a fortune, they pride themselves on providing high-quality locks that are affordable. They provide products for the domestic, commercial and industrial markets, all while maintaining a low price. They offer especially good trade prices, so as a Locksmith they are a good place to start to get some stock, if budget is an issue. Keytek® believe that TSS provide good quality products, which is why we have them in our stock and tool packages.

 

Insurance Compliant Door Locks

As a trained Locksmith you will know the best type of locks for your customers homes are those that are British Standard, insurance approved. There are three main locks found on doors including:

5 Lever Mortice Lock

5 lever mortice locks are found embedded into wooden doors and require a key to operate. We recommend that all new 5 lever mortice locks are British Standard approved but if your customer is not keen on replacing their 5 lever mortice lock then an additional lock, a Nightlatch that is British Standard is required to meet insurer’s requirements.

A British Standard mortice lock is more secure than a standard mortice lock as it will have been tested against common burglary techniques such as lock picking and drilling. You can tell if a 5 lever mortice lock is British Standard by indentifying the logo on the lock itself or by indentifying the number BS3621.

A 3 lever mortice lock is NOT British Standard and offers far less protection than its 5 lever counterpart. A 5 lever lock is identified with the words ‘5 lever’ engraved onto the lock.

 

Multi-Point Locking System

A multi-point locking system is operated with a key and is fitted within the body of the door, they are usually found on uPVC and composite doors. There are a number of multi-point locking systems available including 3,4 or 5 points, with 5 being the most secure.

Multi-point locking systems only require one cylinder which makes it easier for the homeowner as only one key is required. The cylinder can be upgraded further to include an anti-snap lock to offer even more protection against burglary attempts. To ensure the cylinder meets the requirements of some insurers it must be at least SS312 Diamond Approved or TS 007 3 Kitemark which will have been tested against the common burglary methods.

We recommend upon installing a multi-point locking system you make your customer aware that they must first lift the handle to engage the locking points and then lock the cylinder to ensure it is locked correctly. If the multi-point locking system isn’t locked correctly it could void the terms of their insurance policy.

 

Nightlatch and Rim Locks

Rim locks are mostly found on wooden doors and rather than being embedded within the door or frame they sit on the surface of the door. There are a couple of variants that differ on whether they can be deadlocked on the inside and outside of the door or just internally.

Rim cylinder locks are cheap to replace as you only need to replace the rim cylinder without the need to change the lock base but rim cylinders do not offer enough security to be used on their own without a mortice lock. Without an additional lock it will not be insurance approved and there is a higher risk of a successful break-in.

 

British Standard

A British Standard lock is one that has been rigorously tested to ensure it can withstand burglary attempts such as lock picking, lock snapping, drilling etc. British Standard locks are easily identifiable with the British Standard Kitemark which looks like a heart with an ‘S’ inside it engraved on the lock or by identifying the British Standard number BS3621.

 

Keytek® Locksmiths Academy

Did you find our lock brands guide useful? Why not check out some of our other Locksmith advice guides such as Stock and Tooling and Accreditation or Qualification?