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histprofdave t1_j3jo22y wrote

This is actually a really good way to illustrate an answer to a question my cousin's kid asked the other day, about why you can put the wrong key all the way into a lock but can't get any actual purchase with the mechanism.

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Scoobz1961 t1_j3jwqp8 wrote

The reason you cant put keys into other keyholes is often caused by the zigzag pattern of the key being different to the lock. The zigzag is there to increase security.

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I_SOMETIMES_EAT_HAM t1_j3kt83p wrote

The zigzag is called the keyway. While they may increase security somewhat, they’re not unique. I think key manufacturers typically have a few dozen different keyways that they use repeatedly. That’s why every once in a while you may find a key fits into an unrelated lock.

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Pcat0 t1_j3l9tqh wrote

> I think key manufacturers typically have a few dozen different keyways that they use repeatedly.

I feel like you are overestimating the variety of keyways. Like 90% of door locks in America either use the Schlage SC1 keyway or the Kwikset KW1 keyway.

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Scoobz1961 t1_j3kz8v7 wrote

Definitively not unique. Which is why it's not uncommon to find another key that fits.

The pattern makes big difference in trying to manually pick the lock pin by pin. Good locks will have very small room for maneuvering the lock pick.

Older locks, for example the one pictured above, have plenty of room for you to comfortably pick.

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