Basics Plus Basics Plus
212-510-8320

Key Cutting NYC

Key Cutting in NYC, Cut and Tested While You Wait

Need a key cut in New York, NY? Basics Plus cuts standard house keys, high-security keys, and custom-cut specialty keys on the spot, at the counter, at three real Manhattan storefronts. No mail-in, no waiting for a van to show up — walk in with your key, and walk out with copies that have already been tested in the lock.

Basics Plus has been cutting keys in Manhattan since 1988. Come to any of our three shops — Union Square, the Upper West Side, or Midtown East — or call and we'll tell you exactly what to bring.

Call (347) 549-9077 — Mon to Sat 8:00am to 7:00pm, emergency lockouts 24/7.

What Kinds of Keys We Cut

Locks are all we do here, and that shows in the range of blanks we stock behind the counter:

Every key is cut on calibrated machines and checked in a matching cylinder before you leave. That step matters most on high-security keyways, where a key that's "close" is a key that jams.

Why a Hardware Store or Kiosk Turned You Away

If you've been told a kiosk or hardware store can't cut your key, it's usually one of these:

  1. They can't buy the blank. Patented keyways like Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, and Abloy are distributed under control — a hardware store rack only carries open blanks.
  2. The machine isn't built for it. High-security keys often need angled cuts or side milling that a standard duplicator can't reach.
  3. There's no authorization on file. Restricted systems are tracked, and someone has to be on the authorization list or hold the key control card.
  4. Nobody tests the result. We check every high-security key in a matching cylinder at the counter before you walk out.

Basics Plus is an independent locksmith shop. We service and cut keys for these keyways, but we are not an authorized dealer or agent for any of the brands named above.

Three Manhattan Shops, Walk-In or by Phone

Key cutting in NYC means finding a shop that's actually open and actually stocked. Basics Plus keeps three storefronts across Manhattan:

Main shop: 91 3rd Avenue, New York, NY 10003. Hours are Mon to Sat 8:00am to 7:00pm, with emergency lockouts covered 24/7.

We serve customers across New York, NY, including Greenwich Village, the Upper West Side, and Midtown Manhattan — walk into whichever shop is closest, or call and we'll tell you which location to head to.

How It Works

  1. Bring your key, or your key control card if it's a restricted system. We'll tell you on the phone what a specific keyway requires.
  2. We cut it on calibrated machines at the counter. You watch it happen — no back room, no mail-out.
  3. We test it in a matching cylinder before you leave. A key that looks right and a key that actually turns are two different things, especially on high-security cylinders.
  4. You pay a fair, quoted price with no hidden charges added at the door.

A Real Shop, Since 1988

Basics Plus has served Manhattan from storefront locations for more than 35 years. You walk in, you talk to the person who cuts your key, and you leave with work that fits your door. Our staff is trained, licensed, and part of the neighborhood — fast, friendly, face to face, not a dispatcher with a rotating list of subcontractors.

Key Cutting NYC: Frequently Asked Questions

Do you cut high-security and restricted keys? Yes. We cut standard house keys, high-security keys, and custom specialty blanks on the spot, including restricted systems such as Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, and Abloy. Restricted keys are protected by the manufacturer, so bring your key card or written authorization from the building and we handle the rest.

Where can I get a key cut in NYC without an appointment? Walk into any of our three storefronts — Union Square, Upper West Side, or Midtown East — with your key in hand. We cut most keys on the spot while you wait.

Why won't a hardware store kiosk cut my key? If your key is a patented keyway like Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, or Abloy, the blank isn't sold to hardware stores or vending kiosks, and the duplicating machine likely isn't set up to reach the milled surfaces. We stock the blanks and the right machines at all three shops.

Do I need to bring anything special for a high-security key? Some restricted systems require a key control card or written authorization from your building. Call (347) 549-9077 before you come in and we'll tell you exactly what's needed for your keyway.

Can you cut a key from scratch if I don't have the original? For high-security systems, we can often cut by code or by decoding your existing cylinder. Call the shop and describe the lock or key stamp, and we'll tell you what's possible.

What are your hours for key cutting? Our shops are open Mon to Sat, 8:00am to 7:00pm. For emergency lockouts, we answer the phone 24/7 at (347) 549-9077.