Keyway wards

Keyway wards, “vías del cilindro” in Spanish, are the channels and ribs that run along the keyway of the cylinder and guide the key as it goes in. They are the negative of the key profile: where the key has a groove, the keyway has a rib, and vice versa. Only the key that fits them goes in.

The Spanish term is not standardised, and some manufacturers also use it for the internal paths along which the pins or locking elements work. If a technical sheet does not make clear what it refers to, ask.

In practice two things count: the narrower and more twisted the wards, the less room they leave for manipulating the cylinder; and if they are very simple, almost any commercial blank key will go in.

To get an idea, compare your key with an ordinary flat key. If you want to upgrade, take a look at our security cylinders or our cylinder replacement service.