Well, I dont know about "worst" to buy, just some are more "budget" oriented than others. I once did most of a new housing addition to remove all houses from the contractors master key. It was amazing to see a bunch of 150 - 200 thousand dollars houses that use 10 dollars locks.
There is a saying "Locks are there to keep honest people honest". Certainly the better quality locks when combined with strong frames and doors will help, but if somebody wants in and has the time to work at it, they will get in.
You are correct, schlage does have fairly tight tolerances and take more experience to pick quickly. Sergant and Corbin also make very nice locks...and they will cost you. Each of those companies also has high security locks...such as locks that have pins on either side and the keys have holes (divots) in the side of them....I never really messed with them, so I dont know exactly how they work. You can also get security side-bar locks from companies such as ASSA. Many high security locks have restricted keyways, that means that certain ones will be restricted to certain lock shops. They maybe the only one that has the permission to use that key in a multi-state area. This is great because of somebody sneaks your key away with the intention of having a dupilicate made, they must go to that specific shop. The shop will only (if they are following procedure) duplicate the key with proper photo ID and signature matching. They are also nearly impossible to pick, and are extremely resistent to drilling or other attempts at forced entry.
Other good standard locks to buy are some of the imports (mainly from Taiwan)...these are avaliable at lockshops under the brabd name of "USCAN". They are 'quality' and 'price' wise somewhere between kwikset and schlage. Nothing much wrong with kwikset or the knock-offs you get at walmart on sale for 10 bucks or less. Understand that they generally wont last as long, and are easy to get around, but they are better than nothing at all.
There are also Unican locks. You know the big bulky ones with 5 buttons and a knob. You enter the code (many are just mechanical, no batteries or other power required) and it opens.
http://www.kaba-ilco.com/ilcoimages/access_controls/pushbutton_locks_1000_8100.gif
That is like what im talking about. They are kind of expensive, but folks do occasionally put them on houses. They are pretty solid and a pain for a theif to get around. Although there are ways
They are easy for the owner to change the code often.
Most locks you find on houses and businesses are decent protection from your average theif. A locksmith who has worked on alot of them can tell you that with experience most are also easy to overcome just because we know how they work....like anyhting else, you do it long enough and you learn the tricks of the trade.
Cars:
As for a wedge and a coat hanger...sometimes that will work in a pinch, but one must be very careful. Even tearing the rubber seals can cost more than a locksmith....many around here will unlock ya for 20 or 30 dollars. Also, cars are made better these days and many will be tight enough that you can actually permanently warp the door by wedging it out. Television also gives people false ideas. I just love to see when some TV car theif walks up to any new car, stuffs a slim-jim down it and opens it in 4 seconds....what a load of crap. Slim jims do work on some cars, but not most. I will open a car far faster the proper way than anybody will with a coat hanger. Its like we are fond of saying about our knives..."right tool for the job". So, before you offer to open some ladies 50,000 dollars mercedes with a coat hanger and a wedge, you better be prepared to pay for any damage done. Tell her to call a locksmith and pay the 30 bucks, no damage, and everybody is happy.
Hope that gives some more info.
