Looks like a cool place. Wanted to let yall know know there is a minimum of $10 charge on a card. I just needed a key made so had to walk out since I didn't have cash on me. read more

Came in with several issues related to residential locks. Very helpful with good prices.

Great, helpful staff here and the prices are affordable! I'm glad I stopped by this place, despite slightly inconvenient business hours (they open only M-F and from like 8-5, so it's hard to stop by if you have regular day jobs to go to elsewhere). I stopped by this place to get extra sets of my keys copied, and they were able to get me extra sets within just 10-15 mins. I got 6 extra keys (2 each for the 3 different keys) for just around $12. Super affordable and reasonable prices, especially given the speedy service, too. I had also stopped by to get a new door knobs/locks for a few of the rooms at my place and the staff was super helpful in helping me figure out what types of things I should consider, what'd work best for my situation and what styles/price point I needed. They were really genuine and tried to help me get what I actually wanted (and not just simply push for the most expensive products they had available..which I super appreciated!). One time I stopped by to ask some questions the day after I bought something from them (because, silly me, I couldn't figure out how to properly install the products i bought from them), the female staff really took the time to listen and help teach/figure out what I might have to look for/do to get things to work (this place doesn't offer in home service, so...most of the work will need to be done DIY or by the locksmiths that you hire). I'm definitely not handy at all...so I really appreciated the lady taking the time to help me figure out what I might be missing/needed to do to install my products (even though she knew I wasn't going to buy anything extra from her anymore!) Super great customer service and I will sure be a customer of this place for as long as I can! read more

I highly recommend using Commonwealth Lock. I urgently needed a door key that had snapped in half and they were able to duplicate it so it worked perfectly. They also copied two other keys for me while the broken one was being replicated. They were lifesavers. Shout out to Chris. I forget the name of the other man who helped me, but he was also nice. I really appreciate their knowledge and skill. read more

I rarely write reviews, but my five star experience at Commonwealth Lock has led me here. I had the unique problem of trying to make two antique cabinet knobs function as a pair of door knobs, and the pre-fab door knob spindles thta I found elsewhere didn't have threaded holes in the right places. After calling a few local locksmiths, I was directed to Commonwealth Lock in Cambridge, which apparently is the supplier of choice for many locksmiths in the area. Chris at Commonwealth Lock drilled the threaded holes into my spindle, and charged a reasonable price. I also had a lock re-keyed there, and it was ready in minutes and also reasonably priced. It's refreshing to find a business that's family-run, has such a deep well of knowledge, and puts consumer first. I'll be directing all my friends here. A+++++++ read more

I had 3 sets of keys made two weeks ago. The man at the counter was annoyed I that I was inconveniencing him by him having to do his job. I had two different keys and asked for 3 copies of each. He gave me back 3 copies of each key on a small key ring. He did not ask if I wanted 3 sets. He was further annoyed when I asked for 3 keyrings so I could make 3 sets. The loud soap opera on the tv probably does not do much for anyone's mental health. The keys fit badly and take a lot of jiggling for the door to eventually open. We will see if Tags does a better job. read more

Despite it's modest exterior with the tainted windows that make the place look like it's possibly closed, I took a leap of faith and tried to go there to get a key replicated. I had previously attempted that feat at the nearby Tags Hardware but the people there suck and the copies didn't work at all. Here I knew that things would be different when I saw the staff measure the key multiple times using various tools before punching out the duplicate from a blank. It was rather interesting to watch and the entire process was rather quick and painless. And best of all affordable. The duplicates work perfectly and I left a very happy customer. The guy was friendly and they also sell all kinds of other key-related items and other gizmos. A great store. read more

Commonwealth Lock Company - Keys & Locksmiths Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

These guys are super. I brought in a lock from house built in 1931. They fixed it while I waited . Ten bucks. read more

Never seen a full wall of just keys...Was amazed. Friendly staff, quick duplicates. Will defiantly be back. read more

Why does it feel like I am entering a land of magic when I walk into this shop where the men smell like tobacco and there are keys (keys to everything!) lining the walls... True, it may take 10 minutes for the old man there to copy your keys, but watching him work makes me smile. And did I mention they copy anything?!?! The tiny key to my mailbox? The lock box at work? The crazy long key to the odd lock in my apartment? Car keys...? Yup. This is the place. It sort of makes me feel like I've got one foot in a fantasy novel and another in 1940. I am almost considering making extra copies of keys just to go back! read more

OK, so the guy who helped me is old enough to be John McCain's dad and he moved at the speed that you'd expect from someone of Methuselah's age (slooooow), but he was awesome and delivered exactly what I needed: two duplicate keys for a bicycle lock that uses an obscure, tiny key (one that my local hardware store was unable to duplicate). Total cost for two keys? $3.15 (Cheap!) And the duplicate works even better than the original. Hell's yeah. The only drawback is that it doesn't have the greatest hours if you don't live nearby (open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., weekdays only). But it's conveniently located close to the Porter Square T stop, so a quick pre- or post-work trip is usually doable. read more

I panicked when my only key for my old, old car torqued in the lock. There it was, twisted in two different directions. And I needed it for ignition. The guy at the gas station hammered it out enough so I could rattle home, but I needed another copy, fast. Since I didn't want to trust this job to the dudes at Tags, I went to Commonwealth Lock Company. I can't believe it. The key they made is somehow better than the original. It glides in and glides out. The warp of the original key is gone, as is the tear from the twisting. I'm impressed. For this $2.50 job I can use my car until it dies. Thank you, Commonwealth Lock Company! Thank you! read more

I agree with O.M. I come here repeatedly for key duplicates and the service is expedient and friendly. I think that the 1 star review should be ignored- in terms of the services they offer. It's not really relevant ( I mean- who's to say that they weren't up to no good- I'm glad they were tight lipped in that situation.) The keys are accurate duplicates and the prices are right- especially when I put them on the company tab! read more

The staff here are really rude. I went in with my friend Mike, who is an amateur locksmith (certified). Mike had some questions about various supplies, and the guy he asked was completely disdainful and intentionally unhelpful. After that, we went over to the other counter to buy some key blanks (the main reason we were there). At the second counter, the staff refused to sell blanks to us because we couldn't prove to them that one of us was a locksmith. I have no idea what they thought we were going to do with them, other than, you know... make keys... but they seemed to think this was a major ethical issue, and they were aggressively rude about it. So we went to Tags Hardware a few steps away, where the staff were friendly and helpful. I know which store we'll be returning to for future business. read more

This place is awesome. I came in ten minutes before closing to make two copies of a key. Took him roughly thirty seconds and I didn't even have to take it off my key ring (I always break a nail...). And it was $3.19. Cheap! He even knew my property owner just by looking at my key. (Which I take to mean that he's the guy you go to.) By the looks of the place, they could copy anything. Too bad it's just locksmithing; I could appreciate this kind of service more often. read more

Yes. Yes, I am. I am reviewing a locksmith/key place. After spending a little while in there today, it was a pretty cool place - they have such a unique marketplace - locks and keys. Just a unique place to spend anytime in (at least to me). So I had to go by there today to get a mailbox key copied. We had tried getting this key copied an other places and others didn't have the right master (or whatever you call it). This place has a crazy number of keys and machines. So those are huge positives especially if you have a unique key to get copied. They also have an assortment of locks and even sell push-button lock boxes (for realtors). The clerk behind the key-cutting counter was something out of a storybook - Sig Olsen, I believe is his name. He's an older gentlemen and takes his time cutting the keys. But he's a real nice guy. So if you have keys to get copied, I suggest you drop them off with Sig (prounced Seeg, hopefully) and then come back. There was a line when I got there and he was a bit backed up, even when I came back, it took a little while. However, if you just need to get a lock, then you should be okay in terms of being in-and-out. read more

Definitely the go-to place for keys - in fact, for all things key and lock related. The older gentleman behind the key counter is an absolute prince. The younger guy - definitely not - and the other reviews about rude behavior, etc are well deserved. I sometimes wonder if he's the owner's son or what since it's incomprehensible that they'd put up with his attitude otherwise. But they make great keys so I keep going back. You can pick up just about anything that has to do with keys, locks, security etc here - there are lockboxes, gizmos to lock your windows, padlocks, safes - you name it. It seems to be the place where locksmiths go and in fact the store caters to them sometimes at the expense of other customers - you'll have to wait a bit longer at the counter to pay. All in all if you need new keys this is the place I'd come to first. read more

Incredibly helpful and patient with me. I'm not a locksmith but they were able to decipher my description of what I wanted and supplied me with exactly the product I needed. They were fast and reasonably priced. Never again will I but licks from the big box stores. read more

This place has been around *forever* - in fact, my mom (who lived in Porter Square 30 years ago) recommended it to me when I first moved here. See, when I moved into my apartment a year ago, we were given keys to the front door only. But we have a back door - two of them in fact. What's the point of having a back door if you can't actually use it? So I finally took the locks off and brought the cylinders over to Commonwealth Lock Co. to get some keys made. Twenty minutes later, I had keys keyed to work in both locks, all for under $10. Seriously, it can't get any better than that. read more

Very cheap fast key duplication. I've been coming here for a few years without any problems.

I had an antique lock cylinder from the 1920s that needed to be re-keyed - I could find no place North of Boston that could even consider trying to do this. I found Commonwealth Lock after a google search. I had no key and there was something in the key-way. Commonwealth Lock took it apart - found toothpick pieces in the lock, missing springs and missing pins - obviously someone previously took it apart. But most of all... Commonwealth Lock fixed it ! The key-way cylinder action is so smooth - the lock probably operates better than it did in the 1920s. Commonwealth Lock is the type of business that you need to go to and support.... the 'big box stores' can not provide the services like places like Commonwealth. read more

I can't believe that I've been going to the Healthworks across the street for 20 years and have been a landlord for the past 10 years who regularly gets keys duplicated and that I only just now found out about this place (I come from the other side of Mass. Ave, so just never venture to this block). They had the crazy porch key that my tenant lost that no one else had the blank for. They had the blank for the miniature mailbox key (I have the original, which must be at least 50 years old). The gentleman making the tiny key took out a sharpening tool and smoothed the edges. All the regular keys were cut very quickly. Great prices, terrific service. I was looking for a specific type of key chain (that I could label), and they had all kinds to pick from. I am getting my keys cut here from now on. read more

Went in to get some help with my medeco key, waited around 10 minutes for help, while the person at front was having a personal conversation with someone, i asked the lady on the other side, can i have some help? All she said was, he'll be right with you. Imediatelly walked out. Come on people be serious with your busines. read more

There has to be a better place to have Medeco keys made. I've been in a few times and the men who work here are always rude, and abusive to the elderly man who works there. The young men are not knowledgable and the only intelligent person is a woman named Cathy who sits at a desk and manages this troop of fools. Thank goodness she swooped in and helped me, and listened to my take on what happened. She said she'll make sure the nimrod doesn't abuse the elder gentleman. read more

My car mechanic recommended these guys. I had a broken and mangled VW car key, my only key with no duplicate. Thought I was totally screwed. The keycutter, Tom (I think that was his name), commented that it was really mangled but he'd try and straighten it out and cut a new one, but no promises. Came back 30 minutes later (regular keys are cut while you wait) and he had a replacement key for less than $3.00. Crossed my fingers, ended up working perfectly. I tried an Ace Hardware years ago and they couldn't properly duplicate a VW key. TOTALLY recommend these guys. Excellent customer service and setting of customer expectations. Also one block from Porter Square/Red Line which helps alot. read more

Speedy and friendly. He helped me put a cap on my key and then put my key on the key ring for me. 3 key copies. In and out in 5 minutes.

Called and took Medeco keys to copy after they said they had the right blanks and equipment to do so. Inquired as to whether the keys would work and was told, laughing, "we're not a neighborhood hardware store. They will work, absolutely." Serial numbers furnished. Keys didn't work at all. Called and was told to bring the keys back (nearly an hour each way) and when I asked what could be done, was told "I don't know. We'll look at it. Must be something wrong with your cylinders" They won't come to house, don't offer on-site service. Prior keys and cylinders worked fine. They dismissed this, and when I asked again,told to "bring all the cylinders along." Sure. Called a certified Medeco locksmith who came to the house, examined the copied keys and said that there had been too much material removed from the cuts in the blanks, showed me how he could tell (I'm obviously not a locksmith). Said he had heard the same before, and in fact just looking at the Yelp reviews, that is correct. I would never use them again. If you live around the corner and have simple locks, and plenty of patience, and your time is of almost no value, do as you choose. Otherwise, find a real locksmith with a proper attitude, training, and courtesy. Strongly DO NOT RECOMMEND. Cost: $94 plus 3 1/2 hours. Value: 0 to negative read more

Being a real estate agent, keys are the bane of my existence. Most hardware stores I go to copy a key right about 90% of the time. The other 10% of the time my life sucks and I end up looking unprofessional because the keys don't work. This place is THE place to copy keys in Cambridge/Somerville. I always see someone I know from the 'biz when I go here because they know what's up, and Comm Lock is what's up. They're closed on Sundays and have shorter hours than a hardware store, like let's say Tags right down the street, so just make sure to plan ahead. read more

I came here to get some keys copied one morning. I also had the elderly gentlemen, who was a DELIGHT. He made all the keys for me (I think I had 6 or 7) in about 15-20 minutes... which wasn't the most speedy, but each one has worked really well, I haven't had any issues. They are better than the originals! True, their hours are not ideal if you work 9-5, but the old-fashioned hardware store feeling and the fabulous key man was worth the trip. read more

It took me four trips there to get a proper duplicate key for my car. The first time they copied the original one, it did not go into the keyhole. After second visit I could open the door with the duplicate key but could not ignite the car. On a third visit it got better but the car would or would not start depending on how I turn the key. After more than an hour and a half at the store and lots of frustration, I finally got a duplicate key that works alright. I paid 70 dollars, not sure whether the service was worth it. read more

Been to this place several times. Always easy & their prices are competitive. Great job CoLoCo!

went to many places close to me house.the little hardware stores could not make this key. so i went to home depot they could not make the key. googled places and commonwealth came up not far from my doctors appointment that day so i went .the guy looked at the key said he could do it.took him a bit to find the blank. the blank is 3 1/2in long the key only 1 1/2 long. its for a old yale lock .well they fixed me right up. went to 4 places and they the only one that had the old stock to make it.going back when i need anything like this again. thanks so much for great service.. read more

Went here to replace a REALLY old mortise lock that no one else around could help us with. Instead of replacing the lock (which they told us would have cost several hundred dollars), Chris took our lock, cleaned and rehabilitated it into working order to save us some bucks! Not only did he fix the lock, he also got us every part we needed to get our door working again and took the time to walk us through the installation step-by-step. Overall, couldn't have been a better experience. They really know their stuff and are extremely helpful. If they can't fix it, no one can. read more

No question that Commonwealth is the best lock-&-key company in Cambridge. I speak with 40+ years direct experience. Be aware that they do not do house visits! If you need work done by a locksmith, you'll have to look elsewhere. read more

I went to TAG Hardware the other day to get copies of an apartment key made, and they told me they didn't have that type of key but that Commonwealth should, no problem. I went here and waited at the counter, only to receive grumbling service and the guy to tell me after a second's glance at the key that they couldn't make a copy. When I asked for more help, seeing as how they specialize in locks/keys... only... he simply said to contact the building's management. Ohhh - I hadn't thought of that! I was courteous, with cash in hand, but they seemed so unwilling to help and they were so tremendously unhelpful, that I left quickly. Other reviews said that they had wanted to support a small business but won't be returning. Unfortunately I'm in this same boat, and will be going to a competitor with at least slightly better customer service. read more

Update: my newest apartment they didn't have the key blank for, sadness. Still a solid 4 stars but maybe not the very best locksmith in the world. read more

I got my apt keys done here. Cheap and works flawlessly.

I have a 1950 file cabinet with an imbedded lock that accidentally got pushed in by my movers. I though I was really out of luck given how hold this thing was, but all I had to do was bring these guys the lock number and they created 2 guys that worked perfectly - it cost $5 in all... read more

I cannot say enough in praise of my experience here yesterday. I had cleverly reset the built-in the 3-digit combination lock on 2 of my suitcases and forgotten the codei. Great, fast, courteous service and very low cost. read more

I stopped in twice. Both times I was ignored as I stood at the counter. I really wanted to stay local, but it seemed as though the guy resented my business. This last time he just kept arranging things behind the counter, going to throw out the garbage, anything, it seemed, not to wait on me. I've come in for keys before, and an older guy has done the job nicely and without this peculiar "ignore the customer" attitude, which makes me feel like I did something offensive by stepping in the door. read more