Rekeying refers to changing the inner mechanisms of a deadbolt or key in knob lock so that it works on a different key.\u00a0 This would be something that you would want to do if you had just purchased a home or business or if you are a landlord with new tenants in a property or perhaps you lost some keys and wanted to be sure that no unauthorized person had easy access to your property.<\/p>\n
This task has traditionally been done by locksmiths or other people with knowledge of locks and access to the specialized kits that are required to do the job.<\/p>\n
Three of the major lock manufacturing companies have come out with entry locks that can be rekeyed without the use of specialized tools and rekeying kits.\u00a0 Kwikset and Baldwin both call theirs “Smartkey” and Schlage calls theirs “SecureKey”.<\/p>\n
The Smartkey systems come with a learning tool that allows the lock to change to a new key when the old key and the learning tool are used together.\u00a0 The Schlage SecureKey comes with a blue rekeying key that is required to do the same thing. You will have to get the blue key cut to match the desired new key.<\/p>\n
I have worked with all three of these systems a few times.\u00a0 They are easy if you follow the instructions and it only takes a few seconds.\u00a0 I have read some online reviews and there seem to be some cases where the locks have rekeyed themselves for no apparent reason.\u00a0 The systems have not been around long enough to really have a track record so I would advise doing a bit of research on your own before choosing one over the other.<\/p>\n
There was recently a lockpicking contest at a locksmith convention in Florida.\u00a0 56 Kwikset SmartKey and 56 Schlage SecureKey were challenged.\u00a0 On that day the Kwikset product proved to be much more pick resistant.\u00a0 Only one was picked whereas forty four of the Schlage locks were picked.\u00a0 Here is link to the full article:<\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20100825005392\/en<\/a><\/p>\n