Best Secure-but-Simple Euro Lock

[LocksportSouth]

Mul-T-Lock MT5
~ Tricky but not impossible to find
+ Highly secure
~ High, but not unreasonable price (about twice the Avocet, and half to 1/3 the Protec2)
+ Comes in Euro and Oval
- Doesn't seem to have sacrificial front piece for snap resistance
- No BS rating AFAIK
+ Should be as easy to use as any dimple lock

I guess it may be different accross the pond, but some locksmith shops near me carry Mul t lock as their high security line, making them pretty easy to get.

The main site I've found is called lockcentre dot com. The only downsides are that A) they have a separate lock listing for EVERY cylinder size which is a bit unwieldy, and B) I've not used the site before and its design is a bit unprofessional which always concerns me when giving out my credit card online. That said, I've pasted their postcode into Google maps > street view and found their shop, so they're at least a legit company. Dunno how easy it would be to contact them and explain my requirements (Euro and Oval cylinders all keyed alike with X number of keys total, also want to get the bows stamped with a number if possible) but hopefully it will go ok.

They're the only big reputable company for MT5 cylinders that I've come across (can't find MT5+ at all, sadly) - I think Mul-T-Lock are an American company (or, at least, not British) so they don't have the same presence over here. If you say "Yale" to anyone on the street, they'll know that name. "Mul-t-lock" - not a chance. I assume that's why they're not BS rated. However there's an "XP" version that's BS 3 star rated - don't know many details about this one yet or how it differs from the MT5

[kwoswalt99-]

Funny, if you say the name Yale over here, I'm sure hardly anyone would associate it with locks. The only lock related words a lot of people know are "lock, padlock, and combination lock".

[LocksportSouth]

I've been thinking / researching this some more...

The EVVA 3KS seems like a great choice as it's a very hard to pick keyway and has an option for an anti-snap system (via their SYMO modular design thingy.

Only problem is, I can't find many suppliers of the EVVA 3KS in the UK, and those that exist don't mention the anti-snap modular add-on. I assume if they do not mention it, it is not available from them. The anti-snap add on is important as without it the cylinder is not protected from snapping (I believe one of the most common forms of B&E in the UK), and will also allow the cylinder to be BS 3 star rated (TS007)

Does anybody know where I might find these EVVA 3KS cylinders in double Euro format (I'll need to get an over one, too) with the anti-snap add on?

Also does anyone know what the difference is between the EVVA 3KS and the 3KS Plus?
Is there an easy way to tell visually if one of these cylinders has the anti-snap feature?
Does anyone know if the cylinder can have both the anti-snap modular add on and the KZS drilling/pulling protection, or are they mutually exclusive?
Will making any of these modifications affect the size and usability of the cylinder?

Sites I've found so far include Saunderson Security which don't have any options (and are also a bit of a prices-too-low-to-be-believed site), and Evva3ks dot co dot uk, an offshoot of Master Lock & Safe (who also do mini sites for EVVA MCS and others). They DO offer options, such as the KZS anti-drill and a BSZ key override option, but nothing for anti-snap. LocksOnline also offer them with no options.

I thought about SecuritySnobs, going across the pond but they only offer the MCS system which is a significant jump in price. You can't buy the 3KS from the official site, and a site they mention, Aldridge, supply only to trade anyway.

I'm still considering the Mul-T-Lock Garrison Break Secure XP, the Kaba pExtra Guard and the Protec2 (kinda - I've been researching and they don't actually seem to be anti-snap, or at least they don't have a sacrificial front section).
Supposedly the EVVA EPS is a viable option too with anti-snap but I've not been able to find an anti-snap version for sale, same as the 3KS.

I'm going off the Cisa Astral S (seems to be fairly easy to pick plus not especially snap secure), the Mul-T-Lock MT5 (can't get hold of MT5+ and also neither of them are snap secure) and the Avocet ABS (usability issues related to leaving the key in the door or thumbturn complexity, plus I've seen other sites/forums mentioning that these are actually not that hard to break into, and then there's the reliability - apparently people are getting stuff stuck to the magnet on the key and jamming up the lock).

[DangerDane]

Can you get the Ruko locks over there?. I have a set of Ruko DP+ keys and locks and they seem pretty safe and secure for me since the blanks aren't freely available and you need a code and signature to present to a dealer to get keys. And they are not overly pricy.

[LocksportSouth]

Sadly Rukos are like gold dust here. I did manage to find a source in Denmark that would sell me the padlocks - they may have cylinders too, but considering they haven't even shipped my locks yet after nearly a month I wouldn't really want to rely on them nor trust them with my money yet, sadly.

[ARF-GEF]

You can get the CISA/ Abus EC 750 has a version with a hard metal bridge in the middle. Not sure of the type, they are named differently here.

Kesos can have a maximal of 3 different versions, depending on which metal it's made of. Sidra on both sides, (their kind of steel, this is the basic version, sidra on on side and Cr-Ni Steel on the other, Cr-NI Steel on both sides. The Cr-Ni steel is incredibly resistant, but of course more expensive. The locks are good even with the Sidra alloy bodies. They have HRC60 drill protection bits in them.
Despite having no break off part, their hard metal bridge makes them incredibly resilient. If you install it properly it will serve you well. If you don't instally it properly chances are thug may notice eventually, and try to break it, and even if it's a break-off version you will have to change the lock. If it's a hard metal bridge, for example a keso, it will be very hard to break.
So the message is: have the surface of the lock flush with the surface around it so it can't be grabbed.

At kaba Pextra you write.
- Pin tumbler rather than dimple
Why is that a minus? I often meet people who think dimple is more secure than pin tumbler. That is not the case. They are different, but one is not more secure than the other. There are high security pin tumbler and high security dimples, just as there is low security from either. Manufacturers see that people associate dimple with high security and pin tumblers with low securty and that's how they price them.
The only difference is that dimples can be inserted either way around, but honesty, you need to look at the lock anyway to put the key in and so it isn't really a useful feature.


Any lock manufacturer mentioned, (apart from Avocet, which is not really sold outside the UK AFAIK) will have oval version of their locks. Whether the local branch can/is willing to order them, depends on the shop.
You can just send an email directly to Kaba/Keso/assa ablyo or whatever brand you choose directly and ask about the oval cylinder.
If you can't find a close by lockie selling them, look around online, or again, ask the central office in UK.


My vote is on Kaba Pextra guard, good lock, good security, excellent value, great for most needs of normal people/business.
MCS/Diamant-> if you are running a military installations i would use Diamant as locks directly accessible from non-secure areas, and MCS where physical attacks are less likely (inside doors, drawers etc). Just to get things into a bit of perspective
Plus the titles is "secure-but-simple", that means you are not looking for sth very fancy top of the range lock, but a good, dependable, secure one for normal circumastances: That is exactly the Kaba Pextra in my head.

Protec 2 is not soo difficult to use. I could get my grandma to use it without any issue. True, you have to explain it to people, show it to them and stand next to them so they can try it, but after a few days of usage it became totally automatic.


At least that is my opinion

[LocksportSouth]

Thanks for the additional info . Regarding the Keso, I did notice the Sidra vs their other versions but these are tricky to get hold of. I *can* order them in from.. Germany I think? But they cost as much as a Protec, each, and will be harder to order, take longer and may end up having issues with the specifics (keyed alike etc) so I can't see the point in going down that route since at that price range I can get a Protec, which also have that solid bridge in the middle. They *are* nice locks though and I'd love to get one one day for my collection .

That's a very good point about the Kaba pExtra tbh - I have seen picking videos such as This one and This one where they are picked in short order, but I guess that's true of basically anything other than a Protec or equivalents. These ones do have all the basic requirements - BS 3 star, anti snap, etc and are pretty cheap to boot so it's definitely a viable option.

Also yeah, that's correct - it needs to be secure (for a high value area / higher than usual burglary risk) but simple (easy for people who don't care about locks to use), reliable and dependable. And not -too- expensive .

Thank you . All opinions and input welcome!

[DangerDane]

Sadly Rukos are like gold dust here. I did manage to find a source in Denmark that would sell me the padlocks - they may have cylinders too, but considering they haven't even shipped my locks yet after nearly a month I wouldn't really want to rely on them nor trust them with my money yet, sadly.

Is it a danish company by chance?. Because like I said before, I would only be happy to help with things from this end

[kwoswalt99-]

Is it a danish company by chance?

Yes.

Hey Locksportsouth, have you looked into the UK distributor?

United Kingdom
ASSA ABLOY Door Solutions
School Street
Willenhall
West Midlands
WV13 3PW
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0) 845 070 6713
Fax: +44 (0) 845 070 6717
E-mail: sales@assa.co.uk

[LocksportSouth]

Thanks, DangerDane. Much appreciated

kwoswalt99 - I've seen it around but I assumed that a large company like Assa wouldn't speak to the general public, much less allow a small order for home users. That said sending an email is free .

I've recently contacted a couple of companies who sell the Brisant Ultion, the spiritual successor and technical evolution of the Avocet ABS sold here in the UK and designed by the same guy. Problem is, it's a lock sold only to locksmiths for direct fitting and not resale, for some reason. Lovely cylinder but no-one will reply or sell me one .

That said, I've recently bought a Kaba pExtra Guard to test out and it seems pretty good from most angles, so I may just go with this one. Seems better than even the Ultion in some respects (although I've not been able to inspect it personally, of course) so it might not be worth the extra aggro trying to hunt one down (or being forced to pay to have one installed).

[LocksportSouth]

After a lot of deliberation, number crunching and a spreadsheet comparing all the pros and cons - price, ease of use, easy of access to locks, anti-snap, BS rating, key control and etc - I think I've come up with the final two contenders.

First off, the ones that didn't make the cut:

* Abloy Protec2 - Much as I love this lock, £160+ per cylinder is just not a justifiable expense for a home. That, and it's not the most intuitive lock to use.
* Avocet ABS - Nothing wrong with the lock per se, and I do have one in use on a property, but I'm a little concerned about the issues with the dimples/magnet attracting debris which might get jammed in the lock. This was a definite contender though, and one of the final options is the successor to this lock.
* Cisa Astral S - Way too easy to pick, and minimal snap protection. Nuff said.
* Mul-T-Lock Break Secure XP - Not especially easy to get, but also have seen these picked -fast-, otherwise nothing against these and they were in the running until the final stage. Nice locks.
* Anything I can't find easily in the UK, or is priced equal or higher than the Protec2 - this includes the Dom Diamant, Keso, Mul-T-Lock MT5, Zeiss Ikon, Cisa RS3, Bi-Lock and EVVA (MCS or 3KS, take your pick).

This leaves us with.... *drumroll*



Option Number One - Kaba pExtra Guard
Pros/Cons:
+ Restricted key
+ Snap-resistant sacrificial front piece (I believe cam locking also, similar to the Avocet)
+ Tough keyway to get picks into
+ Tough to pick (security pins etc)
+ BS 3-star rated
+ Easy to use for people used to "normal" pin tumbler locks
+ Easy to get hold of
+ Good price
+ Can be keyed alike
+ Metal Cam
- May not be available in Oval (haven't checked with supplier yet) (Just checked official site, regular Kaba pExtra lists Oval along with a lot of other profiles but the PDF for the pExtra Guard states only "Available as a euro profile, double cylinder and with a thumbturn" - So I'm guessing "No")

Aaaaand....



Option Number Two - Brisant Ultion
Pros/Cons:
- Not a restricted keyway
+ Snap resistant sacrificial front pieces (two) with locking cam
+ BS 3 star AND Diamond sold secure rated
+ BOTH sides are up to the same security standard, so it can be installed either way and both sides are protected.
+ Anti-picking security pins
+ Tight keyway that is heavily warded for a dimple and is "self-cleaning"
+ Locks "For locksmiths" so even without having a restricted keyway, should be hard for people to get blanks to make bump keys
+ I have a supplier (although these -are- hard to get hold of without a locksmith installing them for you!)
+ Designed by the same guy as the Avocet ABS - it's an advanced step forward from that lock, which was already secure
+ Can be keyed alike
+ Anti drill pins
- NOT available in Oval (the company confirmed this for me)
~ Somewhat tough to get key into keyway and feels "clicky" to actuate. Related to "self cleaning" function / security pins respectively, I think
+ Good price (roughly similar to the Kaba)

I'm lucky enough to have both of these in front of me (along with the Abloy Protec2, Cisa Astral S and Avocet ABS which I ordered quite some time ago). It's hard to make a distinction just from looking at and feeling the cylinders but little irritations and pros&cons do creep up now and then. I have to be careful to balance all of the aspects carefully - price against security, ease of use against security, features against price, availability and ease of purchase etc. I think these two are good options and whilst there are plenty of other great choices out there (the Avocet ABS and Mul-T-lock Break Secure XP would also be suited to this purpose), I think these are the best two from the list for this specific purpose .

[LocksportSouth]

And a thanks to the (available) contestants, in what miiiight be 50% interesting lock research and 50% lock porn

Left to Right: Brisant Ultion, Kaba (GeGe) pExtra Guard, Avocet ABS, Abloy Protec2, Cisa Astral S:


Same order, from the side:


Same order again, now with keys:


Boxed up:


Some observations I've had, laying these all out side by side (and to prevent this turning into a pure lock post):

* Odd how the Avocet ABS is the only one with a wide open keyway. Not sure why they went that route, but it did three things: A) make the key extremely resilient to damage, B) Make inserting the key a doddle, and C) give mountains of room for picks...

* The Ultion is NOT BS marked, but has 3 stars and the diamond sold secure. I *THINK* that Sold secure is at least equivalent of the British Standards ratings, but I know that the cylinder isn't BS rated if it doesn't have the kitemark, although I don't know if the diamond standard mark supersedes the kitemark or is simply a different thing. Will have to research this more.

* Interesting the different anti-snap measures the different manufacturers all take. The Brisant and Kaba go down the "lots of break off points" route, and I know at least the Brisant and the Avocet have locking cams (cannot be actuated by a screwdriver even if the cylinder snaps off all the way to the cam. The Abloy of course going down the anti-snap route (with a hardened bar) rather than the snap-secure route - not sure how the Abloy fairs against snapping though and I'm not crazy enough to test mine . The Cisa.... Eh, they tried .

* The Avocet key kinda reminds me of a Mul-T-Lock, with it's pin-in-pin dimple but few actual pins if you count the individual stacks. The Ultion has a kinda disappointing looking standard dimple design tbh but it does looks more secure than the Cisa overall.

* The Brisant is the only one to extend their anti-snap protection, and thus full BS (or Diamond) rating to both sides. I wonder if this will catch on?

Wish I had a Mul-t-lock to compare with these now .

[femurat]

Actually the cisa has some anti snap bars and a break off point too. Seems useless to me that you put it side by side with a lock that costs 5 times more and say "Eh, they tried". They did a very good job for the price imho.

Anyway, to securely install an euro profile cylinder, you need to protect it with an anti snap and anti drill escutcheon, in italian its called "defender". Be sure to get that also, no matter what lock you choose.

Cheers

[LocksportSouth]

That's a fair enough statement - I know it has those two black snap resistant bars, and as you say it does come with the single sacrificial break too. I didn't mean to imply it's a bad lock - as you say, not fair to compare it to the Abloy (although I -will- compare it to the Ultion, Avocet ABS and Kaba, which all cost around the same price - £30 to £45, roughly).

It's certainly a great lock and I'd recommend it to anyone needing an upgrade from the standard Yale fare that we have here. I do love Cisa as a brand (their shutter locks are one of the reasons that I got into locks in the first place, and I own a few of their padlocks now) so don't mean to diss them - just that in comparison to its peers here, the security of the Ultion and Kaba are, to me, higher. Relatively speaking. Again, -all- of these are good locks and a good upgrade for 99% of homes.

Again, no offence intended .

I'm hoping to get high security handles to go with these, probably the Hoppe Tokyo PAS-24, but it may not be viable to change the handles - depends what the home owner wants. We'll see! If nothing else, at least the cylinders will be upgraded.

[femurat]

I'm not offended. Don't worry. Yes I was talking about the abloy.
Cheers