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Unlike all imported safes and many USA-made gun safes, Fort Knox gives some great options for their array of safes, including the choice between an internal hinge, an external hinge, and the specialized 2S Crane Hinge. These options give just one more option to allow these safes to be perfect for any home.
In this article, I’ll be going through all three different types of hinges, help you understand the upside and downside of each, and help you decide which is best for you and your home.
Why should you trust me? I have been working in the gun safe industry for years and have had plenty of conversations with manufacturers (including Fort Knox), owners of these safes, and plenty of my research. You can learn more about me here!
Table of Contents
1. Internal Hinge
The internal hinge is the standard option on every Fort Knox vault (unless you are looking at the Maverick series). The downside of many safes internal hinge style safes is that it is standard to leave a hole in the fire-board to allow for the hinge location.
However, this has ultimately been resolved on Fort Knox Safes’ specific design, so the fire rating is the same, whether it is an external or internal hinge. Internal hinges are great for people that do not need the door to extend further than 90 degrees, and they also highly benefit in giving a sleeker, more minimalistic styling to the safe.
Quick Note: I have a complete article dedicated to helping you understand the exact pros and cons, and the big picture ideas behind both the external and internal hinge (you can read that article here)
2. External Hinge
Many safes in the industry come standard with the external hinge; while it may not be standard on Fort Knox, it is an option that comes at no added cost if chosen.
The external hinge allows for a full 180-degree rotation from the body of the safe and gives a more industrial look. On the Fort Knox Maverick (On the list of best safes under $2000.00), the hinges come without the decorative hinge caps, although they can be added.
The hinge caps come standard with the external hinge upgrade on all the vaults (Defender series and above). One misunderstanding is that a door can be removed if the external hinges are cut off. This is incorrect, as the bolts connect the door to the safe, not the hinge.
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3. 2S Crane Hinge
The 2S Crane Hinge is my favorite hinge on any gun safe today. This is built off of an external hinge. However, a decorated plate extends from the external hinge mounted on the body to the center of the door.
This means you can pull the door away from the body of the safe rather than rotate it outwards. While it may seem like a gimmick, it also helps you access the hinge side of the safe’s interior.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Fort Knox offers three hinge options, with the 2S Crane Hinge setting them apart from the competition. If you are looking for a budget option, use the internal or external hinge instead, as they are a no-cost option.
