Can a Locksmith Cut a Barrel Key? Everything You Need to Know

• DATE: 28 07 25
• BY: Neel Patel

Barrel keys, sometimes called tubular keys, might look almost futuristic or straight off a spy movie prop table. Their round, pipe-like design and flat-faced cuts are not something you see every day. If you hold one up next to a classic house key, the difference is obvious. Tubular keys are found in vending machines, bikes, lockers, and sometimes even in older elevators, bringing up instant questions when you lose or break one. Can you actually get this thing replaced by just walking into your corner locksmith shop, or is it game over? Missing this kind of rare key feels a bit like misplacing the remote to your life, so no wonder people want quick answers and real solutions.

What Are Barrel Keys and Why Are They Special?

The design of a barrel key isn’t about looking cool—it’s all function. Unlike standard flat keys, barrel keys are round and almost hollow, with slots cut along their lengths. Their matching locks, called tubular locks, use pins arranged in a perfect circle. The key presses these pins to just the right height at the same time so the lock can turn. Vending machines, high-security bike locks, some washing machines in laundromats, and even older alarm boxes rely on this design. Why? It’s a lot harder to pick or shim a tubular lock than it is to defeat a standard pin lock, at least if you don’t have a specialty tool. That’s a big reason why many businesses and bike owners trust them.

If you're thinking about these as “fancy” keys, you’re not alone. Most people in Toronto and elsewhere have never needed a barrel key duplicated—until they suddenly do. When that moment comes, you quickly discover that barrel keys are not your typical hardware-store affair. They might also be called ‘round keys’ or ‘tubular keys,’ words often used in technical circles or trade shops. So, if you hear any of those, know they all mean the same thing. They’re also not totally uncommon: according to a 2023 industry survey, about 9% of vending machines in North America use tubular locks. Locksmith shops that handle commercial contracts almost always have the right machines and blanks to duplicate them.

People often notice something else: not all barrel keys are created equal. The number of cuts, or the length and diameter of the barrel, can differ depending on the lock's security requirement. Some use seven pins, others eight or even more. The more pins, the tougher the lock. If you find your key, really check the end—some modern ones even have off-center cuts or unique ridges designed as added theft deterrents. Losing one can feel like a disaster—and you might feel lost standing in front of the key cutting section of your local hardware giant, staring at racks full of classic keys with zero help for the “weird round ones.”

Can a Locksmith Cut a Barrel Key? How Does It Work?

This question comes up all the time: Are locksmiths up to the job, or is a barrel key simply too specialized? The quick answer is yes—they absolutely can. But there’s a twist: not every locksmith is equipped, and not every key can be quickly or easily duplicated. Here's what separates the pros from the amateurs.

Barrel key duplication isn’t as simple as copying a flat key by tracing its “teeth.” Specialized machines are needed, and not every shop keeps one. A tubular key duplicator uses a circular clamp that holds the key and key blank perfectly in place while a special cutting tool matches each cut. Most Toronto locksmiths who do commercial work on vending machines and safes, or who’ve taken advanced trade courses, keep at least one such machine. The tell? Look for a sturdy, somewhat old-school device on their workbench—sometimes called a ‘tubular duplicator’—with round jaws and a lever or dial to guide the bit. Less experienced locksmiths might send you to a trade-only supplier or tell you to call a specialist.

Here's a step-by-step outline of what happens if you walk in with a barrel key:

• You bring the original key (or part of it) and the lock, if possible.
• The locksmith examines the key for wear or damage—if the cuts are worn, they may need to work from the lock itself.
• They select a proper blank that matches the diameter and pin-count of your lock. Blanks are not universal—you need the same length and pin hole layout.
• The original key is clamped into one side of the machine; the blank goes in the other side.
• The duplicator uses a guide and a cutter—one traces the original, while the cutter carves matching slots into the blank.
• In some cases, the lock cylinder will need to be 'decoded' with a special tool that measures the depths of each pin in the lock. This happens if the original key is lost or damaged.
• The new key is cleaned up, checked for rough edges, and tested directly in your lock.

Price-wise, barrel key duplication is a notch above simple key cutting. As of 2025 in most bigger Canadian cities, you're likely to pay between $20 and $60 for a straightforward copy, depending on the key’s make and how specialized it is. If you’ve lost the only working key, decoding the lock or making a key from scratch might cost $60 to $120. Unique or custom locks with “high-security” barrels can push prices higher—sometimes up to $200 if the lock needs to be re-keyed entirely.

Different brands also matter. Common household locks rarely use tubular keys, but brands like Ace (in vending), Kryptonite (for bike locks), and Compx or Fort (for commercial uses) do. Some keys have manufacturer codes that let locksmiths cut a new key from the code alone—though this is rarely possible without proof of ownership and the right credentials. If your key has a serial number, jot it down or snap a photo; some Toronto locksmiths can use that to make a copy if you lose the original.

Interesting fact: in a survey by the Canadian Locksmiths Association in 2024, only about 40% of small-town shops offered barrel key services, while 85% of major city locksmiths did. Always call ahead and ask; if a shop can't do it, they may point you to a neighbouring business who can. DIY duplication? Not really a thing. There are online “universal” barrel key kits, but if you want proper security—or your landlord or business requires a legitimate duplicate—go with a certified locksmith who’s both insured and bonded.

Tips, Facts, and Troubleshooting for Barrel Key Duplication

Getting a barrel key duplicated isn’t the same as grabbing a new front door key. The more you know about your key, the easier the job for you and the locksmith. Losing your only barrel key can turn a routine errand into a complicated day. Here’s how to improve your odds and maybe save some cash and stress along the way.

• Keep at least one backup copy: Most vending companies and commercial businesses insist on two keys for every lock, kept in separate locations. Do the same.
• Record your key’s code: If your barrel key has a stamped code (“K1234” or something similar), write it down or take a clear photo. This can make duplication much simpler and sometimes cheaper.
• Don’t try to file your own key: Unlike simple house keys, tubular keys have subtle depth changes and round cuts. Filing or grinding might wreck the blank—and if a key gets stuck in the lock, you’re looking at a costly extraction.
• Bring the lock, if possible: If your key is too worn, locksmiths can often “read” the lock itself using depth tools, similar to locksmithing a car key from the ignition.
• Ask about blanks: Rare tubular locks need specific blanks that may need to be specially ordered, especially for older vending machines. Some Toronto locksmiths keep 7-pin and 8-pin blanks around, but rare ones can take time to source.
• Wear matters: If your key is worn down, the new copy may work poorly. Ask the locksmith to copy from the lock or use a fresher spare, if possible.
• Watch out for 'security restricted' keys: Some barrel keys are marked 'Do Not Duplicate' or require emergency breakdown code. In those cases, the locksmith may need written permission or proof of ownership. It’s a safety thing, not a hassle—and keeps your stuff secure.
• DIY isn’t always the answer: Some online guides show how to use tubular lockpicks or 3D-printed blanks, but you risk damaging your lock or breaking the internal pins. Professionals use purpose-built machines for a reason.

One Toronto bike courier, Josh S., learned the hard way—he tried to force a stuck tubular key and snapped it off in his lock on College Street. It took a locksmith with specialty tools over an hour to remove the broken piece without destroying the bike lock or the frame itself. If your key is sticking or feels weak, consider getting a duplicate before it snaps in half when you least expect it.

Eco tip: Old or broken barrel keys (made of brass or steel) can be recycled with scrap metal. Don’t chuck them—most city eco-depots or recycling companies take them for free.

To stay one step ahead, map out locksmiths in your neighbourhood that advertise tubular key cutting. As vending, electric scooter, and secure parcel delivery boxes keep popping up in Canadian cities, demand for barrel keys won’t disappear. Technology changes, but tubular locks are far from obsolete—they’re still considered a solid balance between convenience, durability, and cost compared to more high-tech solutions (like digital locks) that can fail during a power outage or Toronto's infamous winter freeze.

If you’re running a business, consider an annual audit of your key inventory and review which locks use tubular keys. Mark each backup and keep an up-to-date record in both digital and hard copy. It’s not glamorous work, but next time a staff member loses a vending key at Yonge and Dundas, you’ll thank yourself.

Barrel or tubular keys look futuristic, but the real magic is behind the scenes—an experienced locksmith with the right tools. Find the right pro, and you’ll have your duplicate in hand before you know it, saving you time and headaches, whether you’re opening a vending route, a new tech startup, or just getting your old bike back on the road.