Counterfeit "KEY" PWP pins - Dale Key example
Hi folks,
I know there are lots of great pins and great pin traders. I also know there are people who don't know how to tell a fake pin from an elephant... :lol:
I have been trying to get the PWP Key pins from 2012 to go with my set of PWP Lock pins from 2013. The very first key I acquired was the counterfeit Dale key in these pictures. I suspected it was a bad pin, but I didn't have anything to use as a comparison. Then I was able to trade with a wonderful DPF member, and received the real Dale key in these pictures.
Once you put the two side-by-side, the differences are really obvious!!
Here we go! The pin on the left is the first one I got. Notice at the very top of the pin, the authentic key has a loop, like you would thread the key onto a string with... Also, see how the real key has a much richer color in the brown and red areas. The real pin is also much smoother and shinier than the fake. Also, the real key metal borders between each color are very even, and wider than the borders in the fake pin.
Looking at the backs of the two pins, you can again see how much cleaner the real pin looks. You can also see how the "mickey waffle" pattern on the fake pin does not extend all the way to the edges of the pin. Pay special attention to the round point at the bottom of the keys. Notice how the waffle pattern doesn't even exist on the fake key (left)!
Now that I know what to look for, I can tell what's up by looking at the letter on the stem of the key. Take a look at the "D"... Also kind of obvious in real life, but not so easy to see in these pictures, the fake key is narrower on the top side than the bottom, so the edges slope, rather than being squared off like on the real key.
I hope this post helps others recognize fakes, and avoid getting that "I've been cheated" feeling!!
Nick
I know there are lots of great pins and great pin traders. I also know there are people who don't know how to tell a fake pin from an elephant... :lol:
I have been trying to get the PWP Key pins from 2012 to go with my set of PWP Lock pins from 2013. The very first key I acquired was the counterfeit Dale key in these pictures. I suspected it was a bad pin, but I didn't have anything to use as a comparison. Then I was able to trade with a wonderful DPF member, and received the real Dale key in these pictures.
Once you put the two side-by-side, the differences are really obvious!!
Here we go! The pin on the left is the first one I got. Notice at the very top of the pin, the authentic key has a loop, like you would thread the key onto a string with... Also, see how the real key has a much richer color in the brown and red areas. The real pin is also much smoother and shinier than the fake. Also, the real key metal borders between each color are very even, and wider than the borders in the fake pin.
Looking at the backs of the two pins, you can again see how much cleaner the real pin looks. You can also see how the "mickey waffle" pattern on the fake pin does not extend all the way to the edges of the pin. Pay special attention to the round point at the bottom of the keys. Notice how the waffle pattern doesn't even exist on the fake key (left)!
Now that I know what to look for, I can tell what's up by looking at the letter on the stem of the key. Take a look at the "D"... Also kind of obvious in real life, but not so easy to see in these pictures, the fake key is narrower on the top side than the bottom, so the edges slope, rather than being squared off like on the real key.
I hope this post helps others recognize fakes, and avoid getting that "I've been cheated" feeling!!
Nick