Dimple

Dimple

A dimple lock is a pin-tumbler-based lock design that uses flat side of the key blade as a bitting area. Cuts on the bitting area resemble dimples, hence the name. This contrasts traditional pin-tumblers that use the edge of the blade as the primary bitting area. Most dimple locks orient the keyway of the lock perpendicular to the pin stacks and allow the key to be inserted in any orientation.

Dimple locks are used in a wide variety of applications, and may vary from low to high security. A dimple lock is not more secure when compared to traditional pin tumbler locks, but the untraditional nature of the key makes many dimple locks appear sophisticated. Some of the most notable dimple lock manufacturers are KABA, Mul-T-Lock, DOM, LIPS, and KESO.

History

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Principles of operation

See Pin-tumbler (Principles of Operation)

Vulnerabilities

Dimple locks are vulnerable to all of the same attacks as traditional pin-tumbler locks:

• Lockpicking
• Pick Guns*
• Key bumping
• Tryout Keys
• Comb Picks
• Impressioning
• Decoding
• Bypass

Note

• Pick guns have limited effectiveness against dimple locks because of the poor range of motion allowed in the dimple keyway.

See also

• Pin-tumbler
• Lock
• Key

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