When you find yourself in need of spare keys, it’s easy to use a kiosk-based key-cutting service. These are cheap, easy to find, and generally are available from 9-5PM. That makes them easy to go to when you are out and about doing other things. However, while kiosks are generally a decent place to start for getting keys cut, they can rarely, if ever, match a local locksmith or professional key-cutting service. Using local locksmiths VS kiosks is almost always the best course of action.
Search on Google for “key cutting near me”, and you’ll find all manner of services. Some will be kiosk services from big-name brands, while others will be professional locksmith companies. To help you appreciate the difference, and to reinforce the importance of contacting a local locksmith over using a kiosk, we contacted Lock & Key Leeds – why do they recommend using a key-cutting service like their own?
What is the main difference between sticking with a standard, quick-and-easy kiosk or going to a full-service locksmith?
Kiosks Are Popular, But Can You Trust Them?
Look, we are not here to lie to you and claim that kiosks are dangerous. Most kiosk-based key-cutting services are fine. They are operated by licensed professionals whom you can trust to do a good enough job. However, most just use the same kind of key-cutting machinery you could buy on your own.
They are not trained locksmiths, meaning that they are less likely to be as detail-oriented or as reliable. Also, with a kiosk, they can simply follow the template that you give them. If you do not have a key to follow as the base template, they cannot cut the key for you. That limits your options if you need new keys cut as opposed to just a duplicate of the current set of keys you already have.
At the same time, many kiosks are not operated by a locksmith. As such, they may miss small attention-to-detail matters or finishing touches that affect the quality of the key cut. These are often minor details that are imperceptible to us, but they make a difference in how long the key lasts and how likely the key is to be able to use without damaging your locks.
What Makes Local Key Cutting Services More Accurate & Safe?
When it comes to getting keys cut, there are quite a few considerations to take into account. Yes, going to a local kiosk is often quicker, and you can deal with it in person as opposed to waiting for a locksmith to turn up at your home or business. There are many benefits to relying on the pros for this job, though. Some of the main benefits include:
Expertise & Precision
The first benefit is the most important: the quality of work. A kiosk usually just relies on generic key-cutting machinery. That means that the work they do is often only as good as the machinery allows.
If they are using outdated key-cutting machinery or the machinery itself has become damaged, that has an impact on the quality of the keys cut. By using a professional locksmith, they are far more likely to have up-to-date machinery. That means less risk of problems with the key, but also:
Variety Of Keys Covered
Not every key you need cut is a basic house or shed key. You might need a specialist key type, such as a high-security key or a safe key. Most kiosks are simply unable to offer this key-cutting service.
Go to a locksmith, though, and they can create you just about any key. If you need a more specific type of key, a locksmith is far more likely to be able to meet your requirements. There is also the benefit of knowing that a locksmith can also cut more specific key types, such as keyed alike keys or master keys; a kiosk is usually limited to cutting basic keys like house door keys and padlock keys.
Manual Lock Inspections
A locksmith will usually cut the key that you need for you at your premises. That means you get the peace of mind of knowing that they actually test the key out there and then.
This is doubly important if you are dealing with a key-cutting service where you do not have the key to use as a template. A locksmith can cut the key for you from scratch; a kiosk cannot.
Checks & Balances
Finally, a kiosk is less likely to spot those minor imperfections on a key that could compromise the key or the lock. That could include small metal shards left over from the cutting, or misalignments that mean the key is not quite the same as the original key.
That can cause locks to jam or stick, or the key to fail to turn the lock properly. Eventually, that wears out your lock. A locksmith can offer a great level of certainty that they have checked the key carefully and that there are no shards, debris, etc. that could limit your key’s usage or longevity.
Always Hire A Locksmith For Any Key Cutting Service You Need
We appreciate that it’s often ‘easy’ to just go to a key-cutting service kiosk rather than call a locksmith. You can then get your new keys cut on your own time and pick them up there and then. Useful, right?
Not as useful, though, as all of the above benefits that you get by hiring a locksmith. You are trading on ease of access but foregoing reliability, professionalism, and checks. Remember, a locksmith can often come straight to your home/business and start the key-cutting service on the spot. That means they can verify the key is accurate, test it for you, etc. – Can you get that with a kiosk?
People who rely on key-cutting kiosks potentially find themselves having to go back to the kiosk to get problems fixed. Or, worse, they need to call a locksmith regardless because the key cut for them did not work and/or damaged their locks!
For the best outcome, hire a locksmith. There is a reason why they offer a professional key-cutting service – if kiosks were the perfect option, locksmiths would not offer this service. For precision, call a locksmith.