Every family has a story about a lost padlock key. The trunk that stayed shut for a month, the terrace gate opened by a neighbour’s hacksaw, the shop shutter that a locksmith was called for on a Sunday. Keys go missing all the time. What matters is knowing whether a padlock duplicate key is the right fix or whether the lock itself should go.
How many keys does a padlock come with
Most padlocks come with two or three keys, and some models with four. Lockset’s Elite Series and HTX padlocks, for example, are listed with three keys each. The idea is simple. One key for daily use, one spare at home, and one kept with a trusted person or in a safe place.
The problem is that all three often end up on the same key ring, which defeats the point of having spares.
When a duplicate key is fine
If a key is worn, bent or simply misplaced inside the house, getting a duplicate cut from a remaining key is perfectly reasonable. The lock is still secure because no one outside your circle has the missing key.
Take the best remaining key, not the most worn one, to the key maker. A copy of a worn key is a worn copy, and it may not turn smoothly.
When you should replace the lock
If a key was lost outside, stolen with a bag, or left with someone who is no longer trusted, a duplicate does not solve anything. Whoever has the original key can still open the lock. In these cases, replace the padlock or, for a door lock, change the cylinder.
This is especially true for shops, godowns and gates. A new padlock costs far less than the stock it protects.
Dimple keys and special keys
Some padlocks use dimple keys or other special key profiles. Lockset uses CNC machines for dimple keys in its factory. These keys are harder for ordinary key makers to copy, which is good for security but means duplicates may need a specialist or the manufacturer.
If you choose such locks, keep track of the spares carefully from day one.
A simple system to avoid the panic
Label spare keys with a code rather than the location. “G1” is safer than “Main gate” written on a tag. Keep spares in one known place at home, away from the daily ring. For a shop or office, keep a small register of who holds which key.
When you buy new locks, ask for extra keys at the same time. It is easier than copying later.
Shops and offices need a key policy
For a home, a lost key is a family matter. For a shop or office, it is a business risk. Write down a simple policy. Who holds which keys, where the spares are kept, and what happens when a key is lost. If staff know that a lost key means the lock is changed, they tend to be more careful.
When an employee leaves, collect their keys on the last day. If a key is not returned, change the lock that day, not next month.
Buying extra keys with new locks
When buying padlocks in quantity, ask the supplier whether extra keys can be supplied with each lock. For institutions and businesses, a few extra keys per lock, stored safely, save many duplicate cutting trips later. For dimple key locks, this is especially useful, since copies can be harder to get locally.
Do not hide keys near the lock
Many people hide a spare key under a flower pot, above the door frame or inside the meter box. Thieves know every one of these places. If you need a spare outside the house, leave it with a trusted neighbour or family member instead.
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Talk to Lockset
Need replacement padlocks or locks with extra keys? Call Lockset on +91 84399-49652 or email sales@lockset.in. Browse the Lockset website to find the right lock for your property.