Lock Manufacturers VS. Locksmith/Lockpickers --(a thought)

[yono]

Lock makers and locksmith/lockpickers--Its like a Tom and Jerry cartoon. The other improve the product, The other try to defeat it. However, this kind of compitition is Healthy, with the benefit to the end user. Lapses however occur when it is shown worldwide (irregardless of individual intentions) that you can defeat such locks Tag as "HIGH SECURITY LOCKS". And may I ask,Did he gain something Good? I will say YES, for himself. and YES, insecurity to others. If he is lockpicker only, he lost nothing. If he is a Locksmith, He is klling his business. Who in *ell would a customer thought of buying a lock, when it cannot protect his/her properties? Anyone who intend to buy a lock will think a lot of times, what kind of mechanical keylock is Unpickable, Unbumpkable? As we saw in YOU TUBE, almost all sort of brands and types of residential and commercial locks, are succeptible to these methods. Maybe in the end, a lockshop owner or a locksmith, If he is lucky enough, will end up selling to a customer a Robust Roman type barrel bolt. if he still have those.(just a thought.) Yono2009

[femurat]

A few months ago somebody stole my bike. I bought a new one and immediately I went to a locksmith shop to ask a suggestion for a secure lock. He told me I hadn't to worry about it: if somebody want to steal my bike has just to cut the shackle or the chain. The locksmith also told me not to waste money on a big, safe, anti-cut lock because there are cutters (battery powered) which can cut steel in seconds. At the beginning I wanted to invest a lot of money on the lock. I followed his suggestion and I spent a few money for the "right" lock.
I'm happy he gave me a good suggestion. In the future when I'll need a professional I definitely call him. You see how strange "business" is?

Cheers

[Squelchtone]

A few months ago somebody stole my bike. I bought a new one and immediately I went to a locksmith shop to ask a suggestion for a secure lock. He told me I hadn't to worry about it: if somebody want to steal my bike has just to cut the shackle or the chain. The locksmith also told me not to waste money on a big, safe, anti-cut lock because there are cutters (battery powered) which can cut steel in seconds. At the beginning I wanted to invest a lot of money on the lock. I followed his suggestion and I spent a few money for the "right" lock.
I'm happy he gave me a good suggestion. In the future when I'll need a professional I definitely call him. You see how strange "business" is?

Cheers

I hear this line of thinking from many friends and customers who I recommend higher security locks to. "Why bother getting good (expensive) deadbolts and padlocks? If the thief wants to rob my house, business, or shed, they'll kick the door down or break a window, or cut a chain" Well.. with that line of thinking we all might as well leave all of our doors and windows unlocked.

I think the point of getting more security and better quality (more expensive) security is to slow down an attack, by making the attacker work harder. If that means a new door frame, high security locks instead of cheap stamped metal Kwikset or Schlage Grade 2 hardware, or an abloy padlock instead of a Master lock No.3, maybe some lights, and an alarm, then all those things are a smart idea, and I would never consider them a waste of money. If your house is just a little harder to get in than the others in the neighborhood, the thieves will move along to the easier targets. And if they do get past your layers of security and manage to waste time and get frustrated while stealing your things, then at least you know you put up a good fight.

What does everyone else think about the typical thinking that better locks aren't worth it, the bad guys are gonna break in anyways?

Squelchtone

[femurat]

Hi squelchtone,
I think I have to explain better what I meant: I agree with you about making harder to steal my properties, but I don't want to be fanatic about that.

When I went to the shop I wanted to buy a lock with 6 or 7 pins. Security pins. A huge hardened shackle. Reinforced body. Then I would need a big chain...
The locksmith asked me the price of the bike, because the lock and chain I was asking him could cost me about 100 euro.
My bike was a very cheap mountain bike I payed less than 150 euro. So he told me there was no proportion between the lock and the bike prices. That's why he wouldn't suggest me to buy such a secure lock for THAT bike.
He was very professional and offered me a good lock for 30 euro and a chain for 20 instead of asking me 100 euro for a lock much more secure than the one right for my needs.
Now I secure the front wheel to the bike frame with an old and small chain, and the rear wheel and the frame to a streetlamp with my new lock and chain.

Better locks always worth it!
Cheers

[amaze1]

I know how bike thieves work, Ive known a couple and if you really want to deter them just get more than one lock. Get at least 2 U locks that are retaining disk locks for each wheel and then get a thick cable that you can run through the whole bike. your bike would be safe.

[Engineer]

What Squelchtone says, happens so often. People say if they are determined enough, crooks will still break in. That is true, but I like to tell them the story about the two campers who see themselves being circled by a hungry lion.

One of them starts putting his training shoes on, so his buddy turns to him and says that is pointless, as they will still not be able to outrun the lion.

"I don't have to outrun the lion, only you...".

The point being that you don't have to be as secure as a bank vault, just more secure than your neighbours'.

That leads to two psychologies in defense. A well-known brand of lock that is respected, but possibly a known weakness that you may fret over someone exploiting, or a really-big, heavy, industial-looking lock that might not be well-known, but just looks like it is big trouble to get past (we know them as "f--- off locks"). In reality they may be quite easy to pick, but if they look "rock hard", what thief is even going to waste time trying them, when there are easier pickings next door?

If pushed, I'd go for two locks, one a big, bad-looking one and one that actually is a pig to pick, but with a bike, a thief would probably go for the bike they really wanted. That means for me, I would still go for just one and the best quality lock and chain I could afford (or could find). For all the reasons Squelchtone said, even if they can get past it, it is going to take longer and attract more attention to get past a really good one. Certainly a battery-powered angle grinder will still cut it, but it takes time, makes lots of noise and makes people curious.

Incidentally, I often see bikes with a chain through the wheel. A simple pair of wire cutters to cut a spoke or two and they are free to steal. Even putting the chain around a wheel rim is not better as they just release the two wheel nuts and leave the cheap wheel behind, but still steal your expensive bike and one wheel. The safest way to chain the bike up is through the frame itself and one wheel rim.

[Raymond]

If a lock picking car thief saw two identical cars sitting next to each other, one with an expensive steering wheel lock and the other with nothing, do you think he would steal the car with no steering wheel lock?

No, he would probably steal the steering wheel lock and leave both cars.

[mh]

No, he would probably steal the steering wheel lock and leave both cars.

simliar question: would you protect your wooden garden shed with an Abloy 362?
- better not, someone might steal that lock...

[femurat]

Thanks for all the priceless suggestions... and morals!
My favorite is the lion story (no offense for the others, You've knocked my socks off with the car thief and the abloy 362 ).

Cheers