Reverse lockpicking

[skroo]

Question for everyone out there who is actually capable of picking a lock... If I brought a key to Defcon, would someone there be able to at least identify its application?

This one's rather unique, at least from what I've seen before... Four planes at 90deg angles to each other (i.e., it's plus-shaped when you look at it end-on), five tumblers per plane. Sorry if my terminology's weak here, but I've never been good with locks.

Haven't been able to dig anything up online, but that's more likely down to my general ignorance of all things lock- and key-related.

[astcell]

Sounds like a key for THE CLUB automobile steering wheel lock.

[TheCotMan]

Question for everyone out there who is actually capable of picking a lock... If I brought a key to Defcon, would someone there be able to at least identify its application?

This one's rather unique, at least from what I've seen before... Four planes at 90deg angles to each other (i.e., it's plus-shaped when you look at it end-on), five tumblers per plane. Sorry if my terminology's weak here, but I've never been good with locks.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

[Deviant Ollam]

i would say, yes, chances are if you brought an exotic key someone would know what it is (or at the very least would provide a potential vendor name that could point you in the right direction for a google search)

folks like mike glasser (a.k.a. Laz) and marc tobias have had a lot of experience with people in all walks of the locksmithing industry... with the amount of crazy stuff they've seen in the past i'd bet one of them could ID your key. also, any of us with ties to TOOOL, DC719, and the LPCON staff may be able to help you out. hang around the public lockpicking area in the contest room, look for people that seem to know what they're talking about, and whip out your key.

[akasteve]

It might be an Abus Plus Keyway

[renderman]

Sounds like a key for THE CLUB automobile steering wheel lock.

That's most likely what it is. 4 sets of pins, one on each plane, however there are usualy only 2-3 pins per plane. Even then, it's odd orientation and having to pick 4 seperate directions makes them a pain in the ass at the very least.

[kallahar]

The cheaper ones have the cuts on four sides, but only pins on one. Many "double sided" keys work that way as well, it's more of a convenience feature or snake-oil rather than true increased security.

[astcell]

If I bring a STU-III key can someone make a lock?

You'd be famous, I promise.

[Deviant Ollam]

If I bring a STU-III key can someone make a lock?

heh, someone could get a STU-III working an place a call to the pentagon saying something like, "hello... this is brigadier general Leeto McDrunkerson with the 88th First Amendement detail. we're pinned down, taking heavy fire from hostiles at 36.789º N, 76.232º W! requesting a tactical air strike!"

[skroo]

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Agreed. Camera's down right now, though, and may or may not be back up in time for Defcon.

As for the suggestion that it's a key to The Club... I guess it's entirely possible; I've never owned one, so can't say.

[Siviak]

where did you get said key?

[skroo]

where did you get said key?

In all honesty... Denny's. Someone left a lanyard with a bunch of keys on it behind at one of the LA2600 meetings and the manager handed it over to me. Odd thing is, it had car keys, etc. on it, so I'm really left wondering how they got home - or at least why no email ever hit the list asking if anyone had found the things.

And I managed to grab three photos, which can be found here. In the first picture there's a small lump just barely visible on the top part of the plastic covering. Our best theory so far is that this is an alignment mark used to determine the key's orientation as it's inserted into the lock. The other two pictures are varying degrees of out-of-focus (my camera's having issues ATM), but do show the difference in the cut in the planes.

Haven't had any luck turning anything up on it via Google, but then I'm kinda at a loss as to what terms I should really be searching with.

[akasteve]

Here is a link the might help you narrow your search
Its for cruciform style key blanks

http://www.davenport-burgess.com/pag.../cruciform.pdf

[skroo]

Here is a link the might help you narrow your search
Its for cruciform style key blanks

Interesting... Thanks for that. It looks like mine is most closely related to either the Papaiz or Tuff Elephant keys.

Hm, more digging...

[Twigman]

Oooo....that looks *very* similar to a style of security lock for doors I have seen (although this is the UK)...

I will try and find out what its called but Im not an expert, but they are the kind that are installed at the top and bottom of an external door to provide extra security, and turning it pushes a round bolt into the frame...I guess much like a normal lock...lol

There is one at someones house I know...I'll go and have a look and see if I can get a name.

This maybe completely wrong but it does look pretty familiar.