North Carolina Locksmith Practice Exam

The throat cut on a key is specifically designed to bypass a ward in a lock. Wards are obstructions within the lock that prevent unauthorized or incorrect keys from entering fully, thus enhancing security. The throat cut is made in a particular shape to ensure that the key can navigate around these obstructions, allowing the key to work smoothly in the lock when the correct alignment is achieved.

In contrast, other cuts, such as the bitting cut, create a series of grooves or notches that correspond to the driver pins inside the lock, allowing for the key to engage with them effectively. The notch cut serves a different purpose, as it is often used for additional alignment or as a design feature. The shoulder cut is generally used to limit the depth of insertion of the key into the lock and does not address ward bypassing. Thus, the throat cut is the essential cut for this specific function, highlighting its importance in key design and lock function.