House Key Ankle Holster?

[LEDAdd1ct]

I am not sure if such a thing exists, but I am certain something exists which will function in the way I desire. It is simply a matter of finding it!

Frequently, I go for walks at night, and carrying a ring of keys is not ideal. I am looking to make a copy of my house key, and carry it in a velcro holster around my ankle. Ideally, the holster pouch would be just large enough to accomodate one house key, to cut down on weight and bulk. It would affix around an ankle using velcro straps. The pouch would have to have some sort of padding/reinforcement so the key edges do not cut through it.

Does anyone know of something like this?

[Igor Porto]

If you're gonna carry just one key, why don't you hang it around your neck in a chain?

[abvidledUK]

Do your jeans not have a small key pocket, most of mine have.

Sounds like a quick sewing job for the wifey, elastic and velcro, small pouch.

Or even just tuck it into your sock(s)

[LEDAdd1ct]

If you're gonna carry just one key, why don't you hang it around your neck in a chain?

I would like something that won't jingle/jump all about. Something fastened securely to my ankle will put it out of the way. Sometimes I go on hikes at night (with a Q3 5A, of course!), and I would rather have something that is not loose.

Do your jeans not have a small key pocket, most of mine have.

Sounds like a quick sewing job for the wifey, elastic and velcro, small pouch.

Or even just tuck it into your sock(s)

I would like something that does not require pockets. Sometimes my shorts/pants have none. If I cannot find something commerically available for not too much money, then you are right, homebrew may be the way to go...

[TumbleWeed]

Google "shoe wallet" and see if one of those would work for you.

[LEDAdd1ct]

Okay, cool; thank you. There are some definite possibilities there. However, what I had in mind was something much smaller than those "shoe-type wallets," something large enough to carry just one key. If I can't find something that small, homebrew may be better. This is definitely the right track, though.

[greenLED]

Amphipod ZiPod series.

...or they have other useful pouches.

[BSBG]

http://www.roadid.com/common/id.aspx

I use their shoe pouch when running sometimes. You could probably put it on an ankle strap.

[Sub_Umbra]

I've never used an ankle wallet but I wore leg wallets made of spandex for many years. They are secure, comfortable and handy just above the calf.

I'd still wear one but I live in the subtropics and rarely wear long pants anymore...

[gswitter]

I just thread the key onto my shoe lace.

[Dances with Flashlight]

I just thread the key onto my shoe lace.

+1 Been doing this for years... never really found anything better. However, there are those days when you just don't feel like bending down to untie a shoe just to get the *!#% key. The older I get the more I like neck carry since the alternative sometimes involves screaming at the wife to open the door.

[NosHusky]

Make one of these big enough for your ankle and get a pouch big enough for the key with a belt loop and you are all set.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Para...elease-buckle/

You can loop the key around one of the loops and easily remove it to open the door lock.

[LEDAdd1ct]

There are a ton of great suggestions here. I am leaning toward the minimalist and the cheap. Threading the key onto the shoe lace is free and easy, but I'd rather not have to untie to get at it. The ZiPod looks really cool, but appears larger than I would like, and the price is kind of a turn-off. The paracord+buckle looks really cool!

[Benson]

I'm thinking DX sku.627 would be a good start -- I've used it as an armband and two of them as a headband before, and they're as comfortable as such things get.

You could use just the band itself, sticking the key inside the loop where the strap attaches to the buckle, although that leaves the head of the key sticking up -- easy to grab, but also easy to lose. It seems secure enough, but I wouldn't trust it.

I think I'd either add a string as backup and try it for a while (to make sure the key doesn't fall out walking), or combine this with abvidled's idea -- make an overlap, stitch it down, and sew one side of that loop on a taper so that the keyhead fits mostly down in, but can't go through....

[LEDAdd1ct]

Okay, last night was not fun, and truth be told, entirely my fault. Frequently, I mull over things a long time before purchasing, and I paid for my hesitation last night. Instead of purchasing one of the suggested items in this thread, when I go out and don't take the car (which is my preference), I have been going key-less.

I was at a friend's house, and rode home on my bike. I will embarass myself by mentioning that I was not using my Lockblocks last night, which was/is a whole other issue (and the main reason I am hunting for a PLI MC-E!). I *did* have a rear blinky so cars could see me from behind. When I arrived home, I looked around to see if there were any lights on in the garage. No go; it was black as pitch. I checked by the deck, brand new with stairs, and peeked in the deck door. Dark there as well. I rang the doorbell twice, and no one came. Now, here I am, at my own house, and locked out because of my own stupidity and lack of planning.

I went to the shed and unlocked it, looking for the spare key. Unfortunately, someone else must have used it and not returned it, because the keys on the ring did not fit! Then, realizing that the opener in the car might open the garage, I went around to one of the cars. I did not know the combination for the keypad, but knowing most people make easy passwords, I tried one that I thought might work, and it did on the first try. I pulled out the opener, sure I would be in bed any minute. Fingers curled around the rectangular box, I squeezed the button, and-

Nothing. Someone had turned off the power to the garage door. Now, picture being outside your house with no way in. It is a very, very frustrating feeling!

Then, I realized there was a phone (a work phone, but a working phone no less) inside the vehicle I had previously unlocked. I unlocked the car, grabbed the phone, powered it up, called my house, woke up one of the occupants, and simultaneously entered the house while exiting one of the most embarrassing situations I've ever thrust myself into.

Lesson learned: tomorrow, I will cycle to town and take care of two things:

1) Pay my credit card bill.
2) Make two copies of my house key.

a) the first will get permanently attached to a necklace which holds my quick-release key and bike lock key.
b) the second will get attached to one of the straps/contraptions in this thread.

I feel like such an idiot.

[StuToffee]

How about cutting/grinding a spare key down to the bare minimum, put a small split ring on it with a lobster-type clip & then fasten it to your shoelace or a belt loop. ONE key wont "jangle" around noticeably.

[LEDAdd1ct]

That's an awesome idea. Which part do you cut/grind off?

[Illum]

That's an awesome idea. Which part do you cut/grind off?

any part that does not require a full insertion into the fob...

[Benson]

That's an awesome idea. Which part do you cut/grind off?

[LEDAdd1ct]

A picture is worth a thousand words! Thank you, Benson.

[Illum]

I wouldn't grind it that far down...some keys do snap. There is a reason why some keys have bigger heads than others.

Trying to retrieve a key snapped in the fob can prove to be more difficult than kicking in a door that's designed to open out...especially if you happen to be locked out in the rain

[LEDAdd1ct]

I cycled into town today and had some copies made. It's funny, but my house key looks identical to the graphic Benson posted. When I got home, I put the key in a vise, taking care not to crush it. Then, I used a hacksaw to carefully cut off the head of the key, and some sandpaper to remove the sharp edges. I'll post some pictures of the before and after in a bit.

I went to my front door and tried it, and it works! The only downside is that without as much metal to grab onto, it is a bit harder to turn the key in the lock. But in all honesty, the reassurance of being able to get in, the DIY factor/the fun involved, and the cost ($1.71 for the copy) more than make up for that. A small hole at the top will allow me to attach a little split ring.

Now, I just need some sort of band, durable elastic/latex to slip the key around my ankle when walking/hiking/being outside of the house without my bike/car. When I was in camp, we had these little elastic bands to identify what grade of swimmer we were. They were thin, did not pinch, and were pretty tough. I am not sure where to find something comparable. I would rather have a stretchy band than something else because they are:

1) cheap
2) form-fitting

[Monocrom]

Good to see that you found a solution to your problem.

[RyanA]

I know there is often a pocket on surf leashes for a key (It's better than burying the car key in the sand. There's usually one hidden inside most wetsuits as well) Although the part of the leash that wraps around the ankle is usually somewhat bulky. It might be a good start though.

[Illum]

The only downside is that without as much metal to grab onto, it is a bit harder to turn the key in the lock.

Drill a hole towards the end of the handle and put a split ring on it. that will give it more surface area to grab onto plus more leverage to turn

[LEDAdd1ct]

I'll be getting one of these in short order:

http://keyesdavis.thomasnet.com/item...020?&forward=1

Slim, small, form-fitting; should work great on the ankle!

Illum, that's exactly what I am going to do and for the same exact reasons you state! If I used 20 pound test fishing line, it would be lighter, but with a small split ring, as you say, I would gain more leverage in turning the key. Truth be told, it is the lock's fault, as it does not always turn left or right without a fair bit of force. The lock has always been like that, the problem is just exacerbated by my "new" key with less metal. Once the drilling/attaching of the split ring is finished, I'll post pics.

Is there any simple solution to a lock that does not turn properly, aside from replacing the lock?

[chmsam]

Is there any simple solution to a lock that does not turn properly, aside from replacing the lock?

Go to a local hardware store (where there are people who know about hardware and locks, unlike most "home centers") and tell them about your lock problem and your shortened key. They'll give you ideas about lubricating the lock and/or a little lockset maintenance. Walk in with a few doughnuts and you'll have friends for life.

[Illum]

Truth be told, it is the lock's fault, as it does not always turn left or right without a fair bit of force.

something tells me someone stuck a generic key into your lock then proceeded to tap it with a hammer...someone tapped my master lock open like that before. Its called lock bumping and I dunno of any way to repair a lock

[LEDAdd1ct]

Here are some pictures of the finished product! Click on each thumbnail for a larger view; click again for a massive closeup.




Pros:

-cheap
-relatively compact
-very light
-will never get locked out (as long as I don't forget it)
-split ring provides perfect leverage for turning key in lock

Cons:

-may sway a bit when walking/hiking
-possibility of snags
-not flush with the ankle

Overall Verdict?

It works great, it was cheap, and you can barely feel the weight. You cannot see it with pants, and if I am out and about without my car (house key on that ring) or without my bike (house key clipped to underside of seat) wearing shorts, odds are I do not really care how I appear.

[StuToffee]

Ive not been around much lately, so Im just catching up on some old posts.
Great job on your "sawn-off key", looks very compact & still easy-to-use.