While their complexity is easy to take for granted, keys and key cutting affect our lives every day. Without them, we couldn’t lock up our homes, secure our bikes, or safeguard our luggage. To this end, Jim’s Bike & Key Shop in Columbia, MO, is happy to explain how these intricate mechanisms keep your home and belongings safe.

If you take a look at all the keys on your key chain, you’ll notice the “teeth” that run along their sides are all different. They vary in number, shape and size, and their uniqueness is what provides you security.

The most common lock type is the cylinder pin-tumbler lock, which has pins that run vertically down the center. It was invented back in the mid-19^th century, so the concept has been around for quite a while. When your key is inserted into the lock, the teeth along it push the pins upward at various heights. When they are all in the right position, the lock can turn and open. That’s why you might find a similar key that can fit into your lock, but, for some reason, can’t open it—its profile doesn’t match the configuration of the pins.

When you take your keys to a key cutting center to make copies, a locksmith makes sure to cut new copies shaped exactly like the original. Any discrepancies will result in a dysfunctional key. If you get locked out of your home or can’t unlock your bike from a bike rack, locksmiths will use a pick to open the lock. With this tool, they can experiment with the pins and move them into different positions until the whole mechanism falls into place.

To prevent yourself from getting locked out, make exact spares with professional key cutting services. That way, you always have a hidden copy of keys to open your lock! Jim’s Bike & Key Shop has been cutting keys and helping with lock issues for years, so call them at (573) 442-7011 for more information. You can also visit their website for contact details.