When I reported about the Keybrid keyring key blank back in July of 2009, I knew instantly that I wanted one. It’s good thing I’m a patient person because it took over a year before they finally became available. Scott Amron recently sent me a sample to test and now I can tell you all about it.
The Keybrid is available in a Kwikset or Schlage style key blank, which should fit 95% of locks in the US. If/when you order a Keybrid blank, make sure you order the right style for your lock.
This is a real working key blank, like the ones you can buy at Lowes, Walmart and other stores that offer key grinding stations. The only difference is that the Keybrid has a split keyring where you would normally find the top of the key.
I took my sample blank to Walmart and asked them to make a copy of one of my keys. At first the sales guy said he couldn’t do it, but then I told him it was a standard key blank and he said ok. It was a simple operation that took less than 60 seconds and didn’t cost me a dime since they charge for the blanks, not the grinding. Of course, if you would buy a dozen Keybrids and ask a store to grind them all into keys for you all at one time, they might not be so agreeable.
Here we see the finished key, which works perfectly in the lock it was made for. The keyring works as expected as well. The Keybrid site mentions that you can clip this key to your belt loop and even use it as a money clip. I guess you could do those things, but this is a stiff keyring. It requires some effort to pry the rings apart to insert a key, let alone slide it on your belt loop or use to hold cash. Not to be a stick in the mud, but in my opinion, it’s best when used just as a keychain.
The only negative aspect I can find with the Keybrid is that if you carry your keys in your pocket, they won’t lie as flat as they would with a regular keyring. Since I throw mine in a gear bag, I don’t really notice.
Right now, Keybrid key blanks are currently only available in Silver. But they will soon be offered, in Black, Gold and other colors. They get two thumbs up from me.
Product Information
| Price: | $8.99 |
| Manufacturer: | Keybrid |
| Pros: |
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The idea is interesting, but what problem does it solve again? A normal blank is like $2 and the ring is usually free.
@Rainydayinterns it combines two things into one. 🙂
Yeah…I get the combining part 🙂
However, as it only replaces the top part of ONE key with a ring…the savings seems, well, negligible.
The resulting “bunch” actually makes things a little bit harder to carry, hang, etc…as the Keybrid will not lay flat with the other keys.
The one “difference” is the Keybrid will hang flat on a fat peg where a normal key with a ring will not…we’ll leave the listing of why that is an “advantage” as an exercise for other commenters 🙂
I agree with @RainyDayInterns. Besides, I don’t think the keybrid can lock/unlock as easily as a regular key: It is hard to get a good leverage while holding this key.
@Hai I have no problems using it like a normal key.
@Julie may be you still have not seen good old rusty locks =)
I have been using the product & it works great. Leaving the house early in the dark, I can immediately find my key on a cold morning. The same holds true when coming home after a long day w/ my hands full. It even allows you to identify the two keys on each side off the blade (i.e. the 1 on the cut side & the 1 on the smooth side) with your eyes closed. Two thumbs up as well!! Don’t knock it until you try it. I am an official keybrid “lifer”
I’ve often thought that dedicated tools are superior to combination tools. Now combinations tools have advantages. They take up less space, they are convenient and often quite cool. I love my SwissTool multitool. But it isn’t as good as the dedicated tools it replaces. I can just carry the SwissTool far more easily. This item seems to be a solution looking for a problem. Regular keys and a standard split ring (often free) have met my key and key carrying needs for over 30 years. And they didn’t cost me $9 a throw.
Tetsubo, the Keybrid has changed life. It makes my life easier on a daily basis. I can find my front door key blindfolded. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. Keybrid lovers unite!!!
@ John Utley:
Are the key and the ring all made from one piece of metal? Or is the key part welded to the ring somehow (in which case I’d be concerned about opening a lock one too many times and having the key break)? Your website doesn’t say.
@ChrisC It’s all one piece as far as I can tell.
They keybrid is made of 2 metals. I have been using one for over a year w/o any problems. Join the team!
FYI, the enthusiastic user above named John Utley appears to be the Executive Director of Keybrid, Inc. I don’t have a problem with a company man selling his product or answering questions in the comments section. But failing to disclose his affiliation and trying to sound like a happy customer is shady.
I truly apologize, John, I should have disclosed my affiliation, but it is kinda obvious from the Keybrid website. I kept it close to the chest so as not to bias people’s opinion of my comments. Please understand that I am kinda new at this. I have been using the Keybrid since I initially prototyped it (i.e. years). I mean & stand behind every word I say. Regardless, it should have gone like the Remmington shaver ad: “Upon prototyping the Keybrid, I liked it so much, I bough half the idea.” Feel free to email me directly: Jo**@Ke*****.com. Please don’t think me shady.