Key Duplication in Sherman Oaks, CA

What does key duplication actually involve, and when should you do it?

Key duplication means cutting a new key that matches the pattern of an existing one. It sounds simple, and for a plain brass house key it often is. But a copy is only as good as the key it's made from and the machine and care behind the cut. A sloppy copy of a worn original can turn a working lock into one that sticks, drags, or eventually jams.

Most people think about a spare house key only after they've been locked out, or after the one key they own has gone missing. That is the worst moment to start. The best time to copy a key is while the original is still crisp and the lock still turns smoothly. A copy made from a copy loses a little accuracy each generation, so when you can, duplicate from the original and keep that original somewhere safe.

If you already have no key at all, that's a different job. A lockout or a lost-key situation involves getting in and often rekeying, not duplicating. For that, see our lock rekey service or call us and we'll sort out which path fits.

• A spare for a partner, roommate, adult child, or house sitter
• A backup key for yourself, kept somewhere other than your pocket
• Extra keys for a dog walker or cleaner, so you aren't handing over your only one
• Replacing a worn key that has started to stick in the lock
• Duplicate deadbolt keys, so both locks on a door are covered

How do we copy a key, step by step?

Our process is not complicated, but each step exists because skipping it causes problems later. Here's how a typical copy goes, whether at our Westwood storefront or from a van.

1. We look at the original key. We check the blank type, the brand stamped on the bow, and the wear on the cuts. A badly worn key is flagged before we cut anything from it.
2. We match it to the correct blank. Keyways vary, and a blank that looks right but is slightly off will bind in the lock. We match the profile, not just the general shape.
3. We cut the copy on the right machine for that key. Standard keys, dimple keys, and high security keys do not all use the same equipment.
4. We deburr and clean the cut. Leftover metal burrs make a key feel rough and can shed shavings into the lock.
5. We test the copy in the lock if it's with us, or we advise you to test it right away. A key that looks perfect on the bench can still need a touch-up.
6. If the copy doesn't turn smoothly, we adjust it or recut it. A rough copy is not something we hand over and hope for the best.

Which keys copy easily, and which need extra care?

Not every key is a walk-in, walk-out copy. Knowing which category yours falls into saves you a wasted trip.

Standard house, apartment, and padlock keys are the easy end. Most are cut from common blanks and can be copied without special paperwork. Mailbox keys are usually simple as well, though the blanks are small and not all are alike.

Then there are keys that are deliberately harder to copy. Restricted keyways are controlled by the manufacturer, and a copy may require authorization from whoever holds the key records, such as a building owner or property manager. Some high security keys use unusual cuts or sidewinder-style patterns that need specific equipment. We can look at what you have and tell you honestly whether we can cut it, whether it needs to go through the manufacturer's channel, or whether the lock should be changed instead.

If a key says "Do Not Duplicate" on it, that stamp is a request, not a technical lock. But it often means the system behind it is controlled, so ask us before assuming either way. Our page on high security locks explains how patented and restricted systems work and why they keep copies tightly controlled.

• Standard house, deadbolt, and padlock keys: usually straightforward
• Mailbox keys: usually straightforward once we identify the blank
• Restricted or patent-protected keys: may need authorization before we can cut
• High security keys: possible in many cases, but we confirm the key type first
• Car keys with electronic components: different from a plain cut, and we confirm by VIN or in person before saying what's possible

What affects the cost of key duplication?

We don't quote numbers on a web page, because the honest answer depends on the key in your hand. Here is what moves the cost up or down.

The key type is the biggest factor. A common brass house key uses a common blank and a quick cut. A restricted or high security key uses a specialty blank, more careful machining, and sometimes authorization steps, so it costs more.

Quantity matters too. Cutting several copies of the same key in one visit is more efficient than coming back repeatedly. If you're equipping a household or a small office, tell us how many you need up front.

Where the work happens also plays a part. Bringing a key to our storefront is the simplest arrangement. Having a technician come to you adds the cost of mobile service, which is worth it when you can't leave a property, when it's late at night, or when the work involves several doors.

Condition of the original is the last factor. A worn key may not copy well, and in that case we may recommend cutting by code, replacing the cylinder, or rekeying rather than copying a poor original. We'll tell you before spending your money on a copy that won't work.

The simplest way to get a firm figure is to call (213) 577-1366, describe the key and the lock, and we'll tell you what we need to see.

Office, commercial, and mailbox key duplication

Businesses have different problems from homeowners. The question is rarely just "can you copy this?" It's "who is allowed to hold a copy, and how do we keep track?"

For office key duplication and commercial key duplication, we ask who is authorized to request the copies. A property manager or owner usually holds that authority, and for restricted systems it may be required. If your doors are part of a hierarchy, with individual keys, floor keys, and a master, copying one by guesswork can create a security problem. Our master key system work is built to handle that structure properly. For broader needs, including hardware and door service, see our commercial locksmith page.

Mailbox key duplication is its own small category. Mailbox lock keys are tiny, and the blanks differ between lock makers. Bring the original, and if it's a shared cluster box owned by the building or the postal service, expect that the owner may control replacement. If the lock itself is damaged, a copy won't fix it, and the mailbox lock replacement service is the right route.

We also don't claim we can bypass the rules of a controlled system. If a copy needs approval from the key holder of record, we'll say so plainly.

Key duplication in Sherman Oaks: what the neighborhood tells us

Sherman Oaks covers a wide mix of properties, and the key copying needs shift with the housing. The flats north of Ventura Boulevard carry 1930s-50s ranch and traditional homes, and those typically have a front door deadbolt, a knob lock, and a back or side door, often each on a different key. A single spare that opens only the front door doesn't help much when someone arrives through the side. We usually suggest copying every key in the set at once, so no one is carrying half a solution.

The hillsides south of Ventura, including the Mulholland corridor, are different. Hillside properties frequently have gates, side-yard doors, and multiple entry points, which means a key ring with more keys than one would expect. In areas like Longridge Estates and Royal Woods, we often see homeowners who want duplicates of the gate key and the side door key in addition to the house key. If a gate latch is worn or sticking, copying the key won't solve the underlying problem, and gate lock repair is the better fit.

Along Ventura, Sepulveda, and Riverside, much of the condo and apartment stock consists of HOA-managed buildings from the 1960s-80s. Here, key duplication often hinges on who controls the keys. Some building keys are restricted, and the HOA or management office may need to approve a copy. If you live in ZIP 91403 or 91423 and your building has a controlled system, check with management before bringing the key to us. Having the authorization in hand makes the visit simple.

Commercial keys matter here as well. Businesses around the Galleria and the Fashion Square area, in ZIPs like 91423 and 91411, commonly need extra keys for staff, cleaners, and suppliers. Because the Ventura Boulevard corridor has a high density of small offices and shops, we're used to explaining to owners how to keep track of who holds a key.

Climate plays a small part. Valley summers are hot, and hillside homes see more wind and sun exposure, which wears exterior door finishes faster. Keys used daily on weathered hardware wear faster too, so if your key is starting to stick, a fresh copy from the original is a good idea before the lock is damaged.

Why call Wilshire Lock & Key for duplicate keys?

Wilshire Lock & Key has been in business since 1987. That is a long time to see every kind of key arrive on a counter, including worn ones, odd ones, and keys cut wrong somewhere else. We have a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood, plus mobile service vans, so you can bring a key to us or ask us to come to you.

We're one company. When you call (213) 577-1366, there's no dispatcher passing your job to a stranger. The phone is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work, and he expects keys to turn smoothly, not just look right.

California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license, and you should ask any locksmith you hire for it. That's a fair question for us, too. It protects you.

We also tell you when a copy is the wrong answer. If the lock is worn out, the key is too worn to copy accurately, or the keys have been floating around for years, we'll say so. In those cases, rekeying is often a better answer than adding yet another key to the pile.

Can we come to you for mobile key duplication?

Often, yes. Our mobile locksmith service lets us take the work to your door in Sherman Oaks. This is useful for apartment key copy needs when you can't get away, for offices that can't close, for properties where several doors need keys cut, or for late-night situations when the storefront isn't convenient.

Not every key can be cut in a van. Some specialty or restricted keys need equipment or authorization that isn't portable. When you call, tell us what the key looks like, any brand name stamped on it, and what kind of lock it fits. A photo can help. We'll tell you whether we can handle it on site or whether you're better off coming to the shop.

Car keys with electronic components are a separate matter. We don't assume a plain cut is enough. Whether a vehicle key can be copied or programmed depends on the vehicle, and we confirm by VIN or in person before promising anything. In some cases, a dealer is the only option, and we'll tell you honestly if yours is one of them. For vehicle keys, start with our transponder key programming page.

More locksmith help in Sherman Oaks

• Change Locks in Sherman Oaks
• Deadbolt Installation in Sherman Oaks
• Gate Lock Repair in Sherman Oaks
• High Security Locks in Sherman Oaks
• Lock Installation in Sherman Oaks
• Lock Rekey in Sherman Oaks
• All services in Sherman Oaks

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