Every December, Locksmith Ledger presents our Best of lists for the current year, showcasing new products and technologies. Our 2021 coverage includes four sections:
- Best Electronic Access Control
- Best Mechanical Locking Solutions
- Best Keys, Tools and Equipment
- Top New Products
Best Electronic Access Control: Products and technologies include Alarm Lock’s AirAccess cellular-based EAC system, the Best Switch Kit wireless smart-cylinder technology, CyberLock’s second-generation cylinder, the easy-to-install Ditec HA7 low-energy door operator from Entrematic, the HES ES100 wireless electric strike, LCN’s modular 6400 COMPACT low-energy door operator, the Paxton10 platform that combines EAC and video surveillance and the SALTO Neoxx electronic padlock.
Best Mechanical Locking Solutions: Corbin Russwin and SARGENT introduced a premium bored cylindrical lock, known as the CLX3300 for Corbin Russwin and the 10X for SARGENT. The new Kwikset Schlage C (SC1) keyway features Kwikset’s SmartKey technology. Medeco’s M4 high-security key system provides patent protection through 2040, while the MTL800 high security keyway from Mul-T-Lock is built on the well-known MT5+ platform and is patent-protected through 2039. TownSteel’s m-Genius mechanical interconnected lock is expected to receive the industry’s only ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 designation.
Best Keys, Tools and Equipment: Products in this category run the gamut from stretchy key tags to high-tech key machines to tools that make pinning and capping fast and easy. On the key-machine front, American Key Supply unveiled its Black Widow, a full-featured key-cutting machine that can cut commercial, residential and automotive keys by code. Ilco released the Flash Mobile for on-the-go locksmiths. For key codes, Framon has released version 21 of its Genericode software. KSP’s capping press simplifies IC pinning, and new tools from LAB include a six- or seven-pin decapping tool and followers. Lucky Line introduced colorful key bands that shrink when exposed to heat and form-fit over key heads.
Top New Products: Based on Google Analytics and page views, Locksmith Ledger announces our 20 top products for the year 2021. Only products published after Aug. 1, 2020, were considered. We present the list in alphabetical order.
- ABLOY USA Critical Infrastructure Key-In-Knob Cylinder
- Adams Rite Pullman Rim Exit Device
- American Security BF Security Series
- BEST ADA Rim Cylinder Thumbturn
- Codelocks Gate Lock Kits
- Framon Genericode Version 21
- HES ES100 Electric Strike
- Ilco Flash Mobile
- Keyline K and L Clamp Kits
- KSP Capping Press
- Kwikset SC1 Keyway
- LA GARD (dormakaba) 700 Series
- LOCINOX FortiMa Gate Latch
- LockeyUSA SUMO GL2LINX Chain Link Adapter
- Lockmasters Little Black Box AMSEC Update
- Lucky Line Key Bands
- Medeco 4
- SECO-LARM Bluetooth Keypad/Reader
- STRATTEC Remote Keyless Entry Fobs
- WedgeCo Broken Key Extractor Kit