1. Mortise locks are assembled from many curiously odd-shaped, mechanical parts and enclosed inside a heavy-gauge steel case, punctured with circular and square holes that appear to represent a secret code.

1. Mortise lock ‘bodies’ are mysteriously hidden inside a pocket, cut into the edge of the door. BTW, installation of mortise locks is usually NOT a DIY project. Anderson Lock installation techs use a mortising jig to make precise cutting of the pocket a simple operation. Still, the subsequent installation of the external trim can be baffling if the installer is inexperienced.

1. Mortise locks can function in multiple, enigmatic ways. Entrance, classroom, classroom security, office, passage, and storeroom functions are most common for schools and hospitals, however, there are myriad other operations available for locking and unlocking doors. Although the configuration of the latches and the bolt (if there is one), give some clues, you can’t usually determine, just by looking at the mortise lock trim, how the mortise lock functions.

1. Mortise lock cutouts may weaken the structure of the door– yet mortise locks are mysteriously stronger than bored cylindrical locks! They give more leverage and last longer than cylindrical locks, and their versatility allows more architectural conformity to existing security hardware.

1. Mortise locks found on older buildings are typically operated with a skeleton key. What’s more mysterious than a hidden lock opened by a skeleton key?

The reasons why people buy mortise locks aren’t mysterious at all! They select them because:

1. Mortise locks provide dependable security.
2. Mortise locks already exist in their building.
3. Mortise locks are specified by their architects.
4. Mortise locks stand up to constant use and abuse.
5. Mortise locks are manufactured by the finest commercial lock manufacturers, including:
   Schlage, CorbinRusswin, Sargent and Yale.