North Carolina Locksmith Practice Exam

What is the configuration referred to as when viewed from the bow toward the tip of a key blade?

1. Multiplex Key Blank

2. Key Section

3. Key Way

4. Neck of Key

The correct answer is: Key Section

The configuration referred to when viewed from the bow toward the tip of a key blade is known as the key section. This term describes the actual shape and cut patterns of the key as it appears when looking directly down the blade from the bow, which is the part of the key where one typically holds it. The key section is critical for understanding how the key interacts with the lock's pins and mechanisms, as it directly influences how the key engages with these components to either unlock or lock the mechanism. In contrast to other terms presented, "multiplex key blank" refers to specific types of key blanks that are designed for use with multiplex systems, not the configuration viewed from the bow. "Key way" pertains to the slot in which a key is inserted into a lock and describes the internal shape that guides the key in the correct orientation, rather than the key's blade configuration itself. The "neck of key" is a part of the key that connects the key blade to the bow; however, it does not describe the entire view of the blade configuration from the specified perspective. Therefore, identifying the key section as the configuration from the bow to the tip captures the essence of how the key is designed to function within a lock.