Q: Can you change the password, or is this hard coded into the box?

A: Passwords on Cryptex® Security Boxes (all lines except custom-made Da Vinci Line boxes) may be changed as often as one would like (without special tools or by peeling off labels). This makes it perfect for retail sale, gift giving, increased security, or reuse with unlimited games, puzzles, riddles, teamwork-building events or teaching aides.  It is particularly nice for sending gifts where you may not want the person to open the gift until you call and tell them the password (plus the box the gift comes in is a gift in itself!)

Q: Is it possible to buy the plans or blueprints for the Cryptex® Security Box?

A: Unfortunately the plans or blueprints for these boxes are not available to the general public.

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Q: Are the characters on the Code Rings painted on? What are the limitations on types of characters used?

A: The letters on the brass code rings are laser-engraved to provide a high resolution and high quality permanent black marking.  The rings 
are then top coated to prevent tarnishing of the brass. Standard Cryptex® Security Boxes boxes only have the option of the 26 letters of the English alphabet in a standard font. Additional font, language or symbol options will be available in the future. DaVinci and Nevins Line custom boxes can be upgraded to allow many font varieties, alphabets, and symbols.

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Q: What are the materials used in the Cryptex® Security Boxes?

A: All Cryptex® Security Boxes are made with the hand polished solid brass code rings, end caps, and security tubes. The major difference is the material used for the spacer rings: Due to the extreme fragility of real marble and to allow for the mechanically changeable code feature, I opted to use a highly durable polycarbonate ring with a marble photo laminate in standard Cryptex® Security Boxes. This gives the appearance of real marble, but is more durable material than natural stone.  It is also considerably less expensive than handcarved and polished stone.  ​The DaVinci and Nevins Line boxes use spacer rings made of real marble, granite, metal, or exotic woods.

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Q: What if I forget my password or change it to something random and can’t open the box?

A: Since the password is not hard coded into the standard and Nevins Line Cryptex® Security Boxes (as it is  with the DaVinci Line boxes), I have no way of knowing what your password is - only the person setting the code would have this information. Please be careful when changing your code since if you should forget it, you would need to go through the nearly 12 million possible combinations in order to find the correct password.  There is no “failsafe” or key that will allow you to open the box without the correct password. If by some chance you should forget your password or change it to something you do not remember, the only way to open the box is to cut it open, thus destroying at least part of the box.  I can do this for you and then replace the damaged rings, but there would be a cost associated with this. For standard Cryptex® Security Boxes, this might be around $50 to $75 plus shipping. Nevins Line boxes cost more to fix, particularly if the spacer rings used were rare and expensive. Please be careful not to forget the password you have set.

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Q: What is the “Added Security Feature” and is this available on the Cryptex® Security Boxes?

A: The “Added Security Feature” is something I developed to hinder any attempts to “pick the lock” by slowly turning the code rings and trying to “feel” where the lock tumblers should line up (much like how a safe cracker would crack a safe).  In essence what I do is create a number of “false codes” to each code ring which someone with a very light touch might think would be the correct letter. This results in a number of possible false combinations” which increase exponentially with the number of code rings on a given box.  For example, the number of false combinations a person trying to pick the lock on a five-code ring box would first have to find and then systematically check to see if it is correct would be equal to 7,775 on the DaVinci Line boxes and 32,767 on the standard and Nevins Line Cryptex® Security Boxes (due to the ability to incorporate more false codes on the code rings for the latter boxes). This feature is an option on the DaVinci Line, but comes standard on the other lines of boxes (although the boxes are so precision-tuned that it is next to impossible to feel these false codes anyway).