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How Do You Handle Your Keys?
arisvega writes "I lost my backpack some time ago, but was lucky enough to have left my laptop at home that night, and my cell and keys in my pocket. The inevitable habit-change that followed was to start strapping my keys on my pants, so at least I would still be able to get home (as long as I kept my pants on). But I realized I had a lot of keys: one for the outer door, two for the inner, three more for my girlfriend's place, one for the office, one for the postbox, one for my bicycle, the car, the motorbike and the roof. ... Plus, I keep a tiny Swiss Army knife on my keychain that I really wouldn't want to part with. Needless to say, this makes a jingly bunch that eats through my pocket. I ask you, Slashdot people, how do you carry/safeguard a hefty, pronouncedly jingly bunch of keys? What are the alternatives? Any suggestions on clothing or technology? Would having 'The One Key' make things better, or worse?"
move in with your girlfriend, that will save you 3 keys right there
And then carry around a crowbar, just like Gordon Freeman. It's the universal key!
All those keys can be replaced by a few lock picks or if you are lazy a small amount of bump keys will go far.
Everyone that disagrees with me is a paid shill
three more for my girlfriends place
Why must you turn the internet into a house of lies, Ralph?
My work here is dung.
Put your "disposable" keys like the key to your bike, mailbox, the roof, and your gf's place on one key ring and keep it in your backpack, while keeping just your "essential" keys like car and front door strapped to your pants.
why do you need 3 keys for your girlfriend's place? You have 3 girlfriends?
* The lock on the front door
* The lock on her bedroom door
* The lock on her chastity belt
I keep my keys in my front right pocket. They don't go anywhere else. They're always there unless they are in my hand and I'm unlocking something. If I do set them down, I usually notice that they are missing (and also am in the habit of patting myself down to make sure they are there before leaving the house etc). The same goes for my cell phone in my other front pocket and my wallet in my back pocket. that's where they go and I simply don't put them anywhere else except for unusual situations. That usually solves my losing things issue and when people ask me how many times I've lost my phone, I can say 0.
For too many keys, since I didn't want to change my system, I eventually had to split up my key rings. One for every day, always have keys. Another for the car. Another for my photostudio. Another one for work keys. The work keys go on my lanyard at work and the others I only pick up and put in my pocket when I actually use them. They actually do fit better on different key rings rather than all on one. Otherwise, they sit in the same coffee mug on my desk at home.
get a manpurse.
"National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
It seems to me that the *three* keys for your girlfriend's place are probably somewhat redundant
Yup, there's an alternative
Most badge readers aren't two-factor. They rely on something you have, and that's it. Some combine it with something you know (a keypad) and/or something you are (handprint), but in my experience, those are the exception.
You can never go home again... but I guess you can shop there.
I place a handkerchief in my pocket before I put my keys in, the handkerchief then protects the pocket from the sharp keys and pocket knife, and also provides padding that will at least muffle the noise of jingling keys in your pocket.
I'm posting this as I stare at all the different keys and key chain items I carry around. They include my own house keys (3), my neighbor's keys (2), car keys (3), car alarm fob (2), RSA SecurID token, trigger lock keys (4), ThinkPad dock key (1), padlock keys (2). These are only the primary keys as the backups are stored elsewhere. Add to this the optional items such as a couple Leatherman Squirt S4s and Micra, Gerber Clutch and Shortcut, keychain flashlights, and assorted carabiners and I can understand your plight. After losing a set of keys after the disengagable clip came apart somewhere along Ft. Lauderdale beach, I looked for alternatives.
First, separate all your keys based on need. I carry around my Leatherman Micra, main house key, ignition and car alarm fob on one ring. On your second ring, add the garage key, car trunk key, Shell Gas RFID fob. On the third ring, place your firearm trigger lock key, the docking station key, and padlock keys. On the fourth ring, place the remainder.
Next, acquire a locking carabiner. Don't opt for the spring loaded ones you get for $5 for a 6 pack at WalMart. You need climbing gear biners. These can be had from Altrec or Eddie Bauer or even Home Depot. Attach the primary key ring set to this carabiner.
You'll then need to purchase a pair of cargo pants, and -- this is important -- make sure that it has belt loops that can accomodate at least a 2" leather belt.
Purchase a durable and reinforced leather belt. Along with this, pick up a belt-attachable key minder. Black leather ones are cool, but nothing says rugged like camo. You can attach the second and third rings to this belt. It will also have plenty of room for your cell phone holster, your Leatherman Wave, binoculars, primary flashlight, and optionally a spool of 550 paracord.
Finally, you'll need to purchase a MOLLE vest. These can be had for $60 used at an army surplus store but new ones can run into the hundreds of dollars. An ALICE capable vest is an option, but I prefer the MOLLE attachments. With this vest you can add several key rings and similar attachment devices.
The fact that this story is not in idle, or the fact that it has so many "serious" replies?
Next up: An in-depth analysis of what brand of adhesive tape is best to mend your glasses.
How about a moderation of -1 pedantic.
In a more respectable time, men did more of a "Spectacles, Testicles, Wallet, and Watch." Now everyone I know does more like a One Handed Charleston, checking the pockets for wallet, keys, and cellphone.
You never expect irony, do you?
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Summer lasts only 4 hours a year....
Laters Sol "Have you found the secrets of the universe? Asked Zebade "I'm sure I left them here somewhere"
I'd rather read about other people's processes than anything else. If you find key management as trite then perhaps you don't understand what being a nerd entails.
slashdot: where everyone yells sarcastic metaphors to themselves to understand the issue
I did. And then I read the body of the post. And then I wanted to know how many different locations he uses RFIDs to get into. So I posted a reply. Asking how many locations.
DRM: Terminator crops for your mind!
I do the same thing with my penis. You can never be too careful.
my blog
You have a point but I find an article like this to be more then reasonable to be called "news for nerds". Geeks have a nice mix of OCD and creativity that result in useful and interesting ideas on a topic like this. This same question asked in another community would result in useless uncreative comments that I expect to all be along the lines of questioning what the big problem is if you lose your keys sometimes and why do you need so many keys anyway.
Now that I think about it, a good idea may be to make a new section for 'life hacking' topics like this.
http://lifehacker.com/399031/diy-leatherman-key-mod
i bought a $5 multitool at the hardware store and removed the tools from it. get some copies of your keys made, cut them down to fit, and stick them in place of the tools. the multitool i bought holds eight keys, four in either handle. that just happens to be the number of keys i have too~
http://www.accountkiller.com/removal-requested
Motorbike key stays at home keeping the roof key company. Unless you use your bicycle every day, take that off too. Assuming you live in an apartment and the outer door is a communal one, keep that one and one of you inner door ones. Leave the other lock unlocked. Locks are for honest people anyways. Ditch either the girlfriend or her keys. They are weighing you down too much. Get her to buzz you in. Why carry they keys? With that you are down to 5 keys. Buy a $2 keyring (don't get any extra crap, just a ring) and ta-da key problem solved.
Tune in tomorrow to learn how to clean your room.
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I keep a large ring of keys for the house/truck/garage as well as a larger keyring for the shop, trailers, chains, and various pieces of power equipment.
The best way I have found to keep them all on hand is with a chain wallet. I use a good leather chain wallet, but replace the small stock chain with a 2 foot length of chain cut from the end of a large dog leash. The hook on the end is robust and large enough to accommodate several key rings.
The short chain length gives enough length to unlock doors without unhooking the keyring, and allows it all to be dropped in a front pants pocket to keep it low-key so as to avoid looking like some sort of trailer-trash skateboarder wannabe with 4 feet of chain hanging out of the pants.
It's been suggested that it's "less secure"
I am a locksmith, and I have one key that fits my house.... and my mother's house... and my brother's house... and my father's house... and two of my friends' houses. Security is simply a matter of key control. There seems to be a common delusion that having more locks is more secure. Really, if someone is going to break into your house, they're going to break in to your house. People who steal using keys are nearly always people who have been given the key by the occupant. Having a bunch of different keys won't solve that.
...and if you think you have a lot of keys to deal with, you should see what *I* have to deal with. I have them by the thousands, and it's a constant struggle to keep them organized.
For work I have my work key ring in the truck, and that gets me into the lock shop. For home all I have is a ring with my house key, my HID prox fob,and my truck key (which also fits my other car--- a benefit of being a locksmith).
If a job's not worth doing, it's not worth doing right.
I did. And then I read the body of the post. And then I wanted to know how many different locations he uses RFIDs to get into. So I posted a reply. Asking how many locations.
What happened then?
NB: The message above might reflect my opinion right now, but not necessarily tomorrow or next year.
The suspense is killing me!!!!
First I'm going to tell you all about my keys, then I'm going to criticize you. This makes me feel important.
I have my keys divided into two separate rings. The first ring has 1 house key and 3 car keys. The second ring has a redundant car key (for the car I drive primarily) and house key for convenience as well as 2 work keys, the key to my tool shed, 2 house keys which I can't identify, 1 mailbox key I forgot to return, and a key for a Kensington lock.
All said, that's 13 keys. I keep both rings in my pocket. It hasn't been a problem.
I recommend that you buy pants which are in your correct size. It seems obvious to me that having too many keys isn't the problem -- it's just that your pockets are too small.
If you can't afford larger pants, might I recommend losing some weight? Anyhow, the point is that your keys shouldn't be eating holes in your pockets unless you're doing something wrong. (Are you sleeping in your work pants or something?)
Given the problems you have with managing simple everyday objects, I'd also suggest moving in with your girlfriend. She'll easily be able to handle little life details like selecting appropriate clothing, keeping track of important things like keys, and will more than happily tell you when it's time to change your pants.
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Actually, we do have something similar in Japan. They are e-cash cards. Suica is one of the more popular ones since it lets you ride the trains without having to buy a ticket each time. You charge it up with cash and then you use it until the cash runs down on it. You can use it to buy almost anything your heart desires (inside a train station anyways) including drinks, food, smokes, condoms, newspapers, etc... I have also used it as a "key" for some of the pay lockers. You open the locker, stick your stuff inside, pay with your Suica card and the door is locked. The only way to unlock it is to swipe the same card you used to pay for it.
"Freedom in the USA is not the ability to do what you want. It is the ability to stop others from doing what THEY want"
..in this thread has mentioned the obvious. In most of the world (IE the 3rd world) everyone with stuff they really need to secure, hires a guard to watch it. So you never carry a single key, you just wave to the nice man with the gun, and walk on through, leaving your car or motorbike keys in the ignition for the valet to park. Seriously people, step up, if you want to ditch keys, spend some money amd hire yourself a bouncer, doorman, groundsman, valet, elevator guy, housekeeper, driver and bodyguard (to carry your phone).
Waiting for the other shoe to...