Restricted Key Sections
What’s a restricted section? Well it’s not something that THEY do to get you locked away. It’s a key with a profile or shape (i.e. its section) that prevents other locksmiths obtaining key blanks and thus prevents them copying your keys. (It used to be a protected design but now it has to be a patent, so cylinder manufacturers are forever inventing silly gizmos just so that they can patent and protect the key blanks.)
Should you ask for a restricted section? Well, the advantage is that you can stay in control of how many copies of your keys are in existence. This can be particularly important if you are blessed with nannies, cleaners, dog walkers or au-pairs (AKA nannies, cleaners and dog walkers).
However, key copies will cost you more: maybe £9 rather than £3; and possibly considerably more for some famous London locks. And you will have to make sure you don’t lose your registration letter or card. And new occupants will be sticking pins in wax images of you when you neglect to give them the registration on moving out.
And locksmiths can retire or go out of business, so make sure you know about escrow — who really manufactured the restricted section and how you go about getting copies from them.
