Hey all,
I’m shopping for door knobs online, and the price differences is amazing. I’m familiar with Kwikset and Schlage brands, but not with Weiser. Weiser seems to be less expensive, but I’m wondering about quality. Do any of you have an opinion on the quality of Weiser door knobs?
Thanks,
Legwork
The Big Beautiful Bill could do away with much of the Inflation Reduction Act, including the 25C, 25D and 45L tax credits.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
Weiser rings a bell....but I can't think of the last time I saw them.
Kwikset is bargain brand hardware....I believe Schlage was originally Kwiksets "better line".....not sure if thats still true.
If Weiser is cheaper than both, I'd stay away.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Don't know anything about Weiser. Kwikset is for inexpensive houses. Schlage is, to me, good standard quality. Then there is the better stuff. If you must "go on the cheap", if you can find something that matches up pretty well, go with schlage for the exteriors and something else for the interiors. I think it's pretty much - you get what you pay for.
Search Better Home Products. We have used their locksets on several custom homes with good success.
They have many lines and styles, We have bought lever type locksets for our homes at $16.00 - $18.00 each. Levers are typically more expensive.
I had two locksmiths examine the locksets and they found them to be of good quality, and fit for custom homes.
as far as quality goes if your looking at a 50.00 kwikset and a 70.00 schalge your getting the same quality lock. kwikset does make a low dollar type knob,they run about 12.00. i use them on my rentals and to tell you the truth i have to do a "forceable entry " once in awhile.they probably do as well as any when i put a 18" pipe wrench on them.
i use all kwikset on my rentals,decided to go schalge on my own house.so i spent about 65.00 for each knob.i hated them! with the door locked you can open from inside without unlocking,shut the door to go get the paper and there you stand locked out.wife,teenager and i did this countless times. finally got so fed up i took them off and put kwikset on.never again for schalge.did i mention i hate schalge.....
anyway if your looking for locks check this guy out on ebay. seller id is " thelocksetdiscounters" here is a ebay item # you can just type in and then hit his stores 28008104225 just to give you a idea this is for 6 ultramax deadbolts 6 pin tumblers for 50.00 . 8.50 each! great people to do bussiness with i buy all my locksets and faucets from them. larry
hand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.
IMO, Schlage is the best of those three.
"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd."
~ Voltaire
I was looking for my opinion, wondering wheere I'd left it. You got it! Give it back to me so I can tell'm same thing.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Schlage here.
Who by the way has several grades of locks, and $ to be paid for them . Used to use the commercial series all the time in homes.
Wieser years ago, but the ones I saw were very cheaply made. Kwikset has several lines as well.
Doggonit. I guess we'll have to share.
"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd."
~ Voltaire
"IMO, Schlage is the best of those three."
And IMO, Schlage A is the real deal. But I'll have to admit, the Emtek stuff is almost as good as the Schage A line.
We switched to Emtek years ago and are not looking back, Check out their Durango leverset in Oil rubbed bronze for under $60 bucks. we use their patio sets on the exterior doors with matching deadbolts over them and have had nothing but rave reviews. Definately one thing worth ordering through the internet.
http://doorhardwareetc.com/catalog/emtek_sandcast_bronze_durango_leverset_2746439.htm
When I first read about "door knobs," I thought this was about stuff from a renovators suppliers, but it's actualy about entrance door locks, isn't it? Having seen the on-line shows on door bump keys, I don't have a druther in that area, since they're all equally vulnerable. I've contacted a local locksmith about how to combat the bump key, since we do long vacations away from home. It's not cheap, but they can rekey any lock to prevent to prevent bump keying.
what's a bump key or bump keying?
YouTube - Lock Bumping and Bump Keys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr23tpWX8lM&eurLook at the similar videos to the right as well.TFB (Bill)
Great! Now any crack head with $10 in various blank keys and a $2 metal file can break into my house.
Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax si marmota monax materiam possit materiari?
<<<Great! Now any crack head with $10 in various blank keys and a $2 metal file can break into my house.>>>Yeah, pretty much. But any crack head that wanted in your house would probably get in there anyway and destroy a window or door frame in the process. Don't get me wrong, I'm not defending lock bumping. TFB (Bill)
I understand. By someone using a key, and if they bump the lock quickly.... it looks like they "belong there".
Busting in a door or window makes noise. Maybe attracks attention.
Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax si marmota monax materiam possit materiari?
Excellent point.I have some friend that where cleaned out several years ago. Box truck backed up to the garage in a new neighborhood. I mean CLEANED THEM OUT. Even took her wedding dress. It was a rear entry garage with an alley so it was little out of view but other neighbors didn't take exception to it as it looked like it belonged. Thieves $uck. Home, Truck, Job Site, they all $uck.
TFB (Bill)
Thanks for the info - that's scary!
Not only are Weisers crap, they are an extreme PITA to install.Schlage A series are very good if they've got your style.I've also had good luck with these guys for interior stuff:http://www.gainsboroughhardware.com.au/Baldwin service is amazing, and their hardware has a great feel...and I've seen it priced pretty reasonably at the big boxes. "But to be honest some folks here have been pushing the envelope quite a bit with their unnecessary use if swear words. They just put a character in to replace a letter. But everyone knows what they're saying." Sancho
Thanks for your reply and straight forward information. And thanks for the link... I'll check it out.
lockbumping9.wmv
Click here for access to the Woodshed Tavern
Click here to visit the beginning of Breaktime
Schlage is usually the best. However Weiser makes some great commercial locksets. A lot of them are used in universities, etc.
You can buy Weiser locks that use the same key cutting system as Schlage.
Weiser seems to be an economy version of Kwickset..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Whatever happened to Baldwin?
Baldwin isn't a word I would use in the same sentence with "economical" - lol
Is that Baldwin as in Brinks/ Baldwin? ;-)
I think Schlage is an excellent value. It's what I have on my house. However, I've recently installed Baldwins and Emtec and think they may be a cut above Schlage. I've never been impressed with Kwickset, at least the cheap ones you find at the big box stores. Anybody tried a brand called Pegasus? I found them at a Home Depot in Canada but I haven't seen them in the States. They seemed real solid, much like a Baldwin, but a fair amount cheaper.
Chip Tam
He mentioned Kwikset, Schlage and Weiser.
We'll talk Baldwin when quality becomes an issue.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
A few years Weiser closed down their factory in Huntington Beach Cal.
They moved it to China. They built crap before and I don`t think anything has changer, (all plastic guts). All the folks above had some great choices, stay away from weiser MHO
Bubba
the big boxes have it and it's on clearence at HD...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I was suprised when I read your posting im from atlantic canada and up here when we go to the hardware store the schlage brand is cheaper than the weiser when comparing similiar knobs. Most reputable contractors in our area recommend using the weiser over the schlage because their easier to install and have an excellent lifetime warrantie on their finish.
I bought egg-shaped satin nickel knobs from an eBay seller, they were about $14 each, much better than the $40+ Schlage wants for the same style. I think they're great, easy to install. For the price I bought a couple extras for parts, just in case - my kids are hard on doors and knobs.
For my entry set I went with Baldwin - the money I saved on the interior sets let me spend a bit more on the entry set.
My two cents, don't even consider Kwikset or Schlage. I installed both about, 12 years ago, in both entry and garage and I'm not happy with either. Both began to stick when attempting to open within the first year of operation. Both use a lot of stamped metal internal parts and tend to wear quickly and with slop in the mechanism.
I don't have recommendation outside one brand that is very good and lasts a good long time, that would be BALDWIN locks! The only problem is they're very expensive but, if they ever fail, Baldwin replaces the parts free of charge and all you will ever pay is service charge. Their prices are outrageous in my opinion but they are fantastic lock sets.
See the following http://www.clementhardware.com/
or go to their homepage and see what they offer.
Their prices are outrageous...
You gits what you pays for. (In this case)
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Weiser has been around on the west coast for years. It has always been a competitor of Kwik Set. The hardware industry has consolidated quite a bit over the last 10-15 years. Kwik Set and Weiser are both owned by Black and Decker, which also owns Baldwin, all acquired in 2003.
Schlage has been a part of Ingersoll-Rand for a number of years now.
All of these companies manufacture in Mexico. Even the heavy duty Schalge D and L series I use at the hospital I work at are made there.
All of these companies make locks in ANSI grades 1-3, with 1 being the highest rating and 3 being pretty much junk in my opinion.
Baldwin tubular, Schlage A series, Weiser Welcome Home and Collections, and Kwik Set Maximum Security and Ultra Max Security are all residential ANSI grade 2 locks.
You have to select from the most expensive Kwik set and Weiser lines to get a ANSI grade 1 dead bolt. Anything less than a grade 1 deadbolt in my opinion is for cosmetic purposes only.
My preferences are: Schlage A series or Emtek....toss up, depends on what style I'm looking for.
Baldwin....nice locks, if you can afford them.
Weiser/Kwikset....not if I'm doing the choosing.