I thought I'd upload a picture of my Doctor Who Tardis Keys I collected over the years. Many of these, the majority are fan made replicas and therefore unofficial keys. Only three of these are actually licensed replicas, however that doesn't stop them from being awesome!
So from left to right, top row:
A nickle plated Tardis key, a little undersized but very neat, they just started creeping up on eBay recently. Next is a piece I did using a six pin Yale key for a 1st Doctor Key. Next is a solid brass custom I did for my all brass sonics. I blanked one side and roughed the whole thing up with a wire wheel and that loop is actually soldered closed. In the middle and the biggest key is a hand sculpted and pewter cast piece by Mooncrest Models of the 7th Doctor's Tardis key. Then we have a 3rd Doctors Yale key I had made by making screen captures from the Spearhead From Space serial which was Jon Pertwee's first appearance as the Doctor. Next is the infamous ERA key that was shown screwed inside the 10th Doctors Tardis. Hard to find these and this one was also custom cut. Last is a BBC licensed piece that was "limited to 3,000" after which the mold was "destroyed" which is crap as the piece on the bottom row third from the right is the exact same mold also claiming the same XD Only REAL difference is that this one has sanded patterns on the front to make them look worn and this was done by the manufacturer.
Bottom Row also from left to right: The first key is a 3rd Doctors styled key I bought on eBay. Originally Mooncrest Models purchased and sold these until they realized they were a bit inaccurate and sculpted up a fresh casting. I modded it a little with some sandpaper and then scoured it for a dull look and put it on a new chain. Those pop up on eBay every once in awhile and it's not a bad key if not a little soft in the material but it needed some work. Next is another Mooncrest Models piece of the 3rd Doctors key as seen in his last series as the Doctor. It was made using a LOT of reference material to say the least. When I got it I redecorated it a little darkening it around the patterns more using some chemicals then polished it out a bit and put it on a new steel loop and chain. Next is a cheap-o piece based off the BBC licensed Spirit of Light key from the 90's I believe. It's dull and gray and kinda ugly XD I bought it because it was another key XD Next there are two keys, the brass one without the chain is a key from my fathers old job as a carpenter for a bank when they were doing work there. I found it on his old key chain and it''s not modded at all. It just looks great next to the darker colored brass sonics I own XD Below it is a 7th Doctor key from Utopia Base and is one of the better cheap pieces available out there and is actually very accurately colored. Now we have the OTHER "limited to 3,000" pieces that was licensed. Apparently if you just change the final piece enough you can get away with putting that on your certificate of authenticity XD Next is another more readily available 4th Doctor style key also licensed by the BBC...only I filed the copyright off so it looks more like a prop rather than a product. XD Last is...MY Tardis key. It was bought in a rough state off eBay but was apparently made YEARS ago in the early 80's when Davison was still the Doctor. (at least that's what the guy that sold me these says) and was sold at a convention in the mid west of the USA. (again...) and he bought the remaining stock to sell in his store. He found a bunch later and put them up on eBay and I bought the last three. I then cleaned it and modded it to look more refined and strung it on a silver snake chain.
No I didn't make most of these. I've been collecting every relatively easy to get example of Tardis keys I could get. I made a few of them in this picture though. I've made more since then like a Perception Filter key with electronics on it and Rose's key and chain. I plan on making a sort of resource guide for online to show people so if they decide to buy or key or if they already have one and wanna know about and who made it they can look at the pictures and know if it's a licensed key or a fan made key or a knockoff. To get these eBay is your best bet, as well as Etsy. That's where I get all the special keys like the 3rd, 4th and 7th Doctor's keys. I also use eBay to get raw blank keys for the correct styles and brands of modern series keys as well as chains and cords to use. The RPF is also another place to look as people post and sell stuff there that helps. I have a long running key research thread there researching all the standard tumbler lock keys used since 1963 to now. That helps a lot though it's tough because the further back in the shows history you go, the harder it is to get a clear look at the keys the actors are using.
BTW, it wasn't supposed to hurt you. I'm just obsessive. If anything, it should illustrate how much so I am, lol
Thanks! I didn't make all these keys though. Mainly the standard Yale type keys. The special styled keys are all bought from various sources and sellers on the interwebs. I really should update this picture sometime. I have MANY more keys now. I also want toarrange them based on progression of certain keys styles.
Lol, you think this is bad, you should see how many I own NOW.
BTW, it wasn't supposed to hurt you. I'm just obsessive. If anything, it should illustrate how much so I am, lol
I really love 7 & 8's Seal of Rassilon key; it's such a great idea -- including the 'pushing the Yale lock to the side to see the real lock'.