All tools in this category are precision instruments capable of picking and decoding locks with spool pins as well as standard pins. This is a meaningful advantage over traditional picks on higher-security cylinders that rely on spool or serrated pins to resist picking.
Kwikset Locks
Kwikset is the most widely installed residential lock brand in North America. Their KW1 keyway appears on the vast majority of Kwikset deadbolts and knob locks.KW1 — Kwikset 5-Pin
Picks and decodes any 5-pin Kwikset lock using the KW1 keyway, even with spool pins installed. The KW1 is one of the highest-volume residential tools and is recommended as a first residential purchase for technicians new to the Lishi residential line.
KW5 — Kwikset Variant
The KW5 covers Kwikset locks using the KW5 keyway profile, which differs from the KW1. Confirm the keyway on the cylinder before ordering — both keyways appear in the Kwikset product line.
Schlage Locks
Schlage is the other dominant residential and light-commercial lock brand in North America. Their cylinders are generally considered more security-conscious than stock Kwikset, and many Schlage locks ship with spool pins from the factory. Lishi tools in this category are confirmed to work on spool-pin Schlage cylinders.- 5-Pin Schlage (SC1 Keyway)
- 6-Pin Schlage (SC4 Keyway)
- Schlage L Keyway (SC20)
SC1 — 5-Pin Schlage (Standard)
Picks and decodes any Schlage 5-pin lock on the SC1 keyway, including spool-pin variants. Features anti-glare, premium-grade construction.Regular price: 70.00)
SC1-L — 5-Pin Schlage (Left-Hand / Reverse)
The SC1-L is identical in function to the SC1 but designed for left-hand door installations. Use this variant when the door swings to the right (i.e., hinges on the right when viewed from outside) and the lock cylinder faces the opposite direction from a standard right-hand door.Price: $70.00
BEST SFIC Cylinders
Small Format Interchangeable Core (SFIC) cylinders are used in high-security commercial, institutional, and government facilities. The BEST “A” series is one of the most commonly encountered SFIC platforms. These tools are part of the second series of residential and commercial Lishi tools released by Mr. Li.BE2-6 — BEST SFIC 6-Pin ('A' Blank)
Picks and decodes any 6-pin SFIC cylinder using a BEST “A” blank, even with spool pins. Cross references: A1114A, BES1, BES-1D, A114A, 1A1A1-NS. Tool spaces: positions 1–6.Price: $70.00
BE2-7 — BEST SFIC 7-Pin ('A' Blank)
The 7-pin variant for BEST “A” blank SFIC cylinders. Used in higher-security configurations of the same platform.Price: $70.00
BEST SFIC cylinders are common in universities, hospitals, and government buildings. These tools are listed as available to licensed locksmiths. Ensure you have verified your credentials and have written authorization from the facility manager before servicing SFIC systems.
Sargent Locks
SAR21R — Sargent 'LA' Keyway (Single Lifter, 6 Cuts, 10 Depths)
The SAR21R picks and decodes Sargent brand locks on the LA keyway. Sargent is a well-established commercial lock manufacturer whose hardware appears in office buildings, hotels, and institutional facilities. Profile: single lifter, 6 cuts, 10 possible depths.Price: $50.00
Mailbox and CompX Locks
National CompX mailbox locks are found in apartment buildings, postal facilities, and multi-tenant commercial properties. There are two keyway variants that require separate tools.1646 — CompX C9200 / C8700 / 1646 / 1069L
Designed for National CompX mailbox locks in the standard orientation. Covers lock series C9200, C8700, 1646, and 1069L.Price: $70.00
1646R — CompX C9100 / C8700 / 1646R
The reverse-orientation variant for CompX series C9100, C8700, and 1646R.Price: $70.00
American Lock Padlocks
AM5 — American Lock PTKB1 & PTKB2 Keyway (5 or 6 Pin)
Picks and decodes any 5-pin or 6-pin American Lock padlock using the PTKB1 or PTKB2 keyway, including cylinders with spool pins. Also compatible with AM3 and AM7 cylinders that share the keyway profile. American Lock padlocks are frequently used on storage units, gates, job sites, and outdoor enclosures.Price: 70.00) — only available to licensed locksmiths
Other Residential Keyways
TE2 — Gainsborough / TESA Locks (5 Pin) — $50.00
TE2 — Gainsborough / TESA Locks (5 Pin) — $50.00
The TE2 picks and decodes Gainsborough and TESA brand locks using the TE2 5-pin keyway. Gainsborough is a widely distributed lock brand in Australia and New Zealand; TESA is a Spanish manufacturer common in European residential and commercial markets.Price: $50.00
YA4/Y11 — Cabinet, Drawers, Utilities, Canopy — $31.99
YA4/Y11 — Cabinet, Drawers, Utilities, Canopy — $31.99
The YA4/Y11 is designed for small format locks used on filing cabinets, desk drawers, utility panels, and canopies. These locks are typically found in office environments and light commercial settings.Price: $31.99
YA4R/Y13 — Cabinet, Drawers, Utilities, Canopy (Reverse) — $31.99
YA4R/Y13 — Cabinet, Drawers, Utilities, Canopy (Reverse) — $31.99
The YA4R/Y13 is the reverse-orientation variant of the YA4/Y11 for the same category of cabinet and drawer locks.Price: $31.99
Use Cases
Tenant lockouts
Tenant lockouts
When a tenant is locked out late at night, the alternative to a Lishi tool is destructive entry — drilling the cylinder — which results in a costly replacement for the landlord. With the appropriate Lishi tool (KW1 for Kwikset, SC1 or SC4 for Schlage), you can open the lock in seconds and, if needed, decode it to cut a replacement key for the landlord without removing the cylinder from the door.
Residential service calls
Residential service calls
Lishi tools allow you to diagnose whether a sticky or intermittent lock problem is caused by a worn key or a failing cylinder. Insert the tool and observe the wafers: if the tool reads cleanly but the customer’s key does not match those readings, the key is the problem. If the lifter cannot move specific wafers, the cylinder needs replacement.
Commercial master key systems
Commercial master key systems
The SC20, SC20-L, BE2-6, BE2-7, and SAR21R tools are suited for technicians managing large commercial buildings where rekeying or emergency access to a specific cylinder is needed without disrupting the rest of the master system.
Multi-tenant mailbox service
Multi-tenant mailbox service
The 1646 and 1646R cover the CompX platform used in most apartment building mailbox arrays. A single tool handles the entire row once you confirm the keyway variant.
Residential Tool Pricing Summary
| Price | Tools |
|---|---|
| $31.99 | YA4/Y11, YA4R/Y13 |
| $45.00 | SC1, SC4 (sale from $70.00) |
| $50.00 | SC20, SC20-L, SAR21R, TE2 |
| $55.00 | AM5 (sale from $70.00) |
| $70.00 | SC1-L, SC4-L, BE2-6, BE2-7, 1646, 1646R |