Hardware Schlage
New Kwikset Smartkey vs the New Schlage Secure Key
Lock picking has always been a professional's easiest way to get into a home, but it took some training and experience to gain the skill. Technicians knew of a technique called lock bumping, but most preferred picking as it demonstrates their skills—and locksmiths like to demonstrate their skills. Then the technique of lock bumping was made publically available via the internet. This technique gave anyone with a few dollars and an internet connection access to over 90% of the homes in America and poses a great risk to home security. High security locks have always been available to combat this problem but only at considerable expense.
In the past few years, two very popular lock manufactures, Kwikset and Schlage, have released products that in our opinion represent a giant leap forward in home lock technology. These products were introduced to solve the lock bumping issue, but the technology makes the locks extremely difficult to pick. They are also rekeyable by the homeowner. Installing these locks will significantly improve your home's security, whichever brand you choose.
But which, in a professional's opinion is the better lock? After all, new locks are a considerable investment and if you're going to invest in new locks, which should you buy? Both make similar claims; that they are bump and pick resistant. For years our opinion was that Schlage locks represented the better, higher quality product, but now that we've been working with both of these locks for several months, that's about to change.
Both brands make good on their promise of bump and pick resistance. Although the Schlage has been successfully picked by a few of our technicians it is much more difficult to do. The Kwikset product has not been successfully picked. Our anecdotal data agrees with the results from a lock picking challenge at the 2010 Associated Locksmiths of America Expo in Orlando (full disclosure, the challenge was in the Kwikset booth). It should be noted that there is a way to easily get into the Kwikset product using a bypass tool, but this tool is not generally available. There is at least one report that the Schlage lock has been bypassed using the same technique. I'm calling this one a draw.
We still give the edge to Schlage in terms of general strength of materials (heavier casing, thicker bolts, etc…). However, one factor that weighs heavily against Schlage here in Arizona is their new use of plastic parts in their residential product. With summer day time temperatures well over 100 degrees, these plastic parts installed on a sun-facing door simply aren't going to last – as none in AZ ever do. Why Schlage chose to go with plastic was probably a profit issue, but it's a deal breaker in the Arizona heat. So even with Schlage's general construction, we give stength to Kwikset. NOTE: their light commercial grade product, not available at typical home improvement stores, does not have plastic parts.
General quality? We've read about, and experienced, several issues with both locks after installation. Keys getting stuck, keys stop working, etc… it's not a substantial amount for either product, so we're calling this a draw. Both could improve.
Lastly, both products are rekeyable. The Schlage product requires a special "blue" key that is cut to the working key's depths, while the Kwikset product uses a "Learning Tool" in combination with a working key. Now here's the gotcha. If you lose every copy of your working key and can't find your Schlage blue key, you're dead in the water. There is no way to make a key for your locks and every lock you have will need to be replaced. This is not true for the Kwikset product which makes a reset device for professional use. Again, we favor Kwikset.
Conclusion? For general home locks, the new Kwikset product is the way to go. If you are replacing all of the locks within your home, or building a new home, consider Kwikset's Smart Key. However, if you are simply replacing a subset of Schlage products, say just the deadbolts, to gain bump and pick proof features, it's a judgment call. It will be less expensive to stick with Schlage but the above items may make it worthwhile for you to change brands. Alternatively, you could simply go with our #1 Recommended Product from a Phoenix Locksmith to get the pick and bump protection without buying any new door hardware.
One last note, as a security professional we typically don't sell the type of locks you'd find at a home improvement store unless we are asked to do so, and then only after explaining the advantage and disadvantages. We prefer the light commercial grade products for their overall strength. They come with the same finishes, are much more difficult to pick and bump, are much more robust, and as mentioned contain no plastic parts. Our favorite brand here remains Schlage.
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