What is a good brand front door lock with "lever" handles?

[Doofy]

House in Northern Va. temperate climate. I'd been buying Schlage and Baldwin. The "brass" tends to get pitted over the years and the locks fail after a while.
The present "problem" (10 yr or older Baldwin lock) is I can't wiggle the key out of the lock.
So until replaced I'll rely on the deadbolt.
Looking at Lowes prices are around $400+ for replacing it with something of the same make and probably lifespan.
Critical features
NO ELECTRONICS - No "smart lock" etc.
Highly rated lock
Lever action, inside and out
Good finish that won't start pitting after

"Dynasty" from Amazon.
You can get these in differing qualities. Mine have been working well in our inhospitable climate. After the install...I got to worrying about the bears just walking in to the house. At least they have to work a little bit with a standard round knob!

 

[ponytug]

"Dynasty" from Amazon.
You can get these in differing qualities. Mine have been working well in our inhospitable climate. After the install...I got to worrying about the bears just walking in to the house. At least they have to work a little bit with a standard round knob!

Or maybe not...

I am sure that there is a back story, but I don't know it.

All the best,

Peter

 

[oosik]

I have a standard stainless steel Schlage door knob type. It's lasted 40 years. BUT - probably don't get the use yours does.

 

[s219]

Emtek makes some of the best lock sets out there, but you’ll pay for it.

 

[Fienbbe]

I had similar questions a while back and found some solid advice by chatting with the folks at locksmithforlondon.co.uk. They were super helpful and explained what to look for in lever handle locks. I wanted something secure but also easy for older family members to use, and they walked me through a few good options without trying to upsell me on stuff I didn’t need.

 

[Torvy]

We put in Schlage with knobs. We've had them and Kwikset over the years in various houses. Schlage is much better quality, IMO.

Have also dealt with pets and handles. I'll stick with knows until or unless one of us gets so crippled up we can't use a knob.

 

[bigtiller]

This is the one I paid a locksmith to replace the one on my Morton building. It is a commercial grade 2 lever-set.
It is only 2.5 years old and looks like new.
It shows no discoloring or wear & tear.
I lock/unlock the door everyday.

PLS L253FW-26D-2-3/4 Grade 2 Entry/Office Lever Lock With Clutch Feature Satin Chrome

Buy PLS L253FW-26D-2-3/4 Grade 2 Entry/Office Lever Lock With Clutch Feature Satin Chrome online at DKHardware.com. Our Windows and Door Hardware category offers a great selection of Mechanical Locksets products at the best price!

www.dkhardware.com

 

[ultrarunner]

Put a tiny bit of graphite powder on the key then slip in in the lock and and work the key in and out a few times , it will be slick as butter,

Or pick up a small can of Lockease graphite spray.

 

[ning]

I love lever handles; our front door has a nice looking old-style loop below with a small lever above that you're supposed to use your thumb on, but I use whatever's in my arms like a box if a thumb isn't handy - or a knee or foot (somewhat more difficult as there's a step up to the door). Someday I'll replace the inner handle with a lever of some sort.

The inside door to our attached garage came with a lever on the house side and a (locking) round handle on the garage side, but we never lock it and I found that since we have a big pantry in the garage it was much more convenient to have the lever on the garage side so I flipped them for the same reason - look ma no hands.

 

[Popgadget]

Schlage and Baldwin make several tiers of hardware. The upper tiers are much better than the home center and builder grade stuff.