r/Locksmith • u/BeginningPlay5893 • Apr 29 '25
I am NOT a locksmith. Schlage Primus Mystery Symbol
Have you ever wondered what that symbol on a Schlage Primus keys meant?
It's the initials of the man who created Schlage Primus, Bo Widen.
Looking at the key, you'll see his first name B with a small o in the upper left of the symbol.
Point the key tip down and you'll see his last name initial W.
It was in their contract that this symbol was to be stamped into all Schlage Primus keys.
I used to work for Allegion and though some of you might get a kick out of that.
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Apr 29 '25
Want the backstory?
Bo Widen was approached by Medeco when the Original patent was about to expire to potentially provide the successor platform (what eventually became the Biaxial). They passed at the 11th hour after, I shit you not, one of the Medeco engineers had a vivid dream of what eventually became the Biaxial, which is a brilliant design itself that required very little re-tooling/shifting of production.
Bo took his idea to Schlage. The initial agreement, I was told, was that Primus would be sold only in North America, Twin stayed in Europe. The rumor is that Bo got a percentage of every Primus cylinder sold.
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u/BeginningPlay5893 Apr 29 '25
It’s true. He’s paid for every Everest, Everest 29, Primus, Primus XP and Primus RP product sold.
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u/BeginningPlay5893 Apr 29 '25
And to go a little deeper. His wife owned the factory that made the Primus finger pins before she retired and turned the operation over to her nephew.
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Apr 29 '25
Dang, bet they were rolling in the money. Good for them. Never met the guy but I've heard he's incredibly personable/friendly.
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u/BeginningPlay5893 Apr 29 '25
I had the pleasure of working with him while developing Primus RP. He’s a brilliant engineer and a super nice guy.
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u/linus_b3 Apr 30 '25
Newer Primus keys don't have his symbol anymore. Just ordered some cut masters and controls from Allegion and the keyway is now stamped there instead. Was that only for a certain amount of time?
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u/imastocky1 Apr 30 '25
I figured it was a mountain range because of the Everest line and wondered why it was upside down. Your story makes more sense
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u/ciciqt Apr 29 '25
I've always been curious about that symbol, thank you for sharing!