Impressioning

Impressioning, written “impresioning” in Spain and also called the impression technique, involves obtaining a key that opens a cylinder from the marks its pins leave on a blank key. Those marks are used to shape a key that ends up working.

It is a slow method that takes real skill, but it has one problem for the owner: the result is a key that opens the lock without breaking anything and can be used again and again. That is why it is a concern in homes that stand empty for long periods.

It is prevented with security cylinders whose pins and profiles leave no useful marks, with side locking elements, or with protected profile keys, whose blanks are not freely sold.

If you notice your key turns slightly differently, or you have found fine metal filings at the mouth of the cylinder, have it checked. We advise you on security cylinders.