Locksport contest help

[1more]

Since the question doesn't necessarily have to do with a specific locksport location/chapter I thought I might get the most help here.

So here goes...

I'm helping to organize a contest for our lock picking group in Chicago, I'm sure some are familiar with this contest. Our plan is to have 20 designated locks that we'll bring to each meeting and then have a time sheet to record each members fastest time per lock. After a year's time we'll have a look, add up points, and divvy out fabulous prizes. We don't have a ton of experienced members so we're trying to keep the locks in a mid-level to lower tier with a couple harder ones thrown in for the challenge. We're announcing the contest on 8/1 and we only have 16 locks. Could some people recommend a few more locks that I could pick up tomorrow or Wednesday morning? We have some good hardware stores so acquiring a lot of locks isn't a problem but I was also wondering if any members had experience with this kind of contest and if they had any suggestions as to what worked and what didn't. Thanks in advance for the help. Here's the list of locks we currently have.


abus 72/40
defiant
dc
trioving
masterlock m5
AAA cruciform
masterlock #3
yale super y222
master proseries 6842
abus c83e
Best "L" keyway
Schlage "E" keyway
Schlage "C" keyway
Kwikset "KW1"
Segal "SE1"
CES European Profile with Schlage "C" keyway



also with suggestions, I don't have a ton of money and most of this stuff has been donated/found/picked up on the cheap, as most of the costs come out of pocket. To give you an idea I'm trying to keep the cost of 4 new locks down to less than $100. Once again thank you for any help!!!

[clearmoon247]

Personally, i would recommend american padlocks, which are quite fun and a heck of a challenge. Also, ace padlocks normally have spool pins as well. If you can get your hands on them, having a medeco or two on hand for an expert level challege just to set the bar. Biaxial locks are fairly cheap, as they have been out since the 80's and are still quite a tough pick. Additionally, a schlage everest is always something fun to have around.

[Squelchtone]

You need a Medeco 5 pin mortise cylinder to liven things up. Not an M3, just a Biaxial or Original. The Abus 72/40 is ok, but the Abus 85/50 in Y1 keyway with long shackle is really nice.. very good feel to the plug and the shackle pops open with good solid feel.

[1more]

Those are some good suggestions! I some how completely over looked the medecos, and a couple padlocks would make for a nice addition. I love the click and pop a padlock makes when you open them, very satisfying. Now I hope the hardware store doesn't charge me an arm and a leg for a couple medeco locks, seems like depending on where you go the mark up can be a little silly. Thanks clearmoon and squelchtone! If you're ever in Chicago on a first wednesday come on out and throw your hat in the ring.

[Squelchtone]

Those are some good suggestions! I some how completely over looked the medecos, and a couple padlocks would make for a nice addition. I love the click and pop a padlock makes when you open them, very satisfying. Now I hope the hardware store doesn't charge me an arm and a leg for a couple medeco locks, seems like depending on where you go the mark up can be a little silly. Thanks clearmoon and squelchtone! If you're ever in Chicago on a first wednesday come on out and throw your hat in the ring.

get your Medeco cylinders one bay, forget spending $90 at the locksmith. unless you walk in and ask for a 5 pin mortise 1 inch cylinder and hope they have used one they can give you with no keys or maybe Air keyway with 1 key.

good luck!
Squelchtone

[1more]

Yeah it's gonna have to be ebay, they wanted $85 for their cheapest medeco and $50 for the everest cylinder. Padlock prices weren't so bad, tomorrow morning I'll pick up an american and another abus or ace which should hold us over until the champion locks come in.

[clearmoon247]

exactly, i have found a number of really good, cheap locks on the ebay. I have gotten several medeco cylinders, ranging from kik, to cam, to mortise, all for under $20 each. If you really want to throw a monkey wrench into the challenges, the cam locks are both cheap and quite difficult to pick. It may not be in by this months challenge but should be ready for the next one. I can assure you that if im in chicago, i will hit you up, would love to take on your challenges ^_^

[mh]

I'm sure it will be a lot of fun for your members.

One thing you might want to consider is to have an experienced picker try them all first, and maybe later again if one doesn't get opened for some time anymore, because challenge locks could also break or wear down a bit...

Cheers
mh

[1more]

Today's the big unveiling so thanks everyone for your kind suggestions and if anyone has anything else to include please feel free to do so as we'll probably add a couple more locks next month


Funny you should mention that mh because I was going through all of the locks this morning before work trying to pick any I have recently acquired. The ones in my possession are mostly standard 5 pins so they were pretty easy but the other gentleman helping with this project has a couple he hasn't opened yet, so we'll take a look before the meeting tonight. I appreciate the suggestion of occasionally checking the locks for broken springs or jams, as that's something I probably would have overlooked.


Thanks again everyone you've all been a big help!!!