The "Recommend me a lock" thread

[jago25_98]

I feel this should be an FAQ as I've seen it asked a few times, looking for various purpose locks. Better to have it in one thread.

I'll start. The lock I'm looking for is:
- basic, non spring loaded luggage lock sized lock
These are usually quite small anyway, small enough to force and sometimes used in poor conditions but better to have a better one than other people if you can.
- doesn't need to be TSA compatible (groan) - using in hostels only (I only zip tie my luggage for flights)

Any recommendations? I'm finding it difficult in searching

[Squelchtone]

Hi,

So you're not really a hobby picker looking for a lock to pick, you're a member of the public looking for a lock recommendation because the people here work with locks, is this a correct statement?

I am hoping to have an area/sub forum for questions from the public, but the reason you did not find such a thread or area is because we honestly aren't Yahoo! Answers, and the main purpose of the forum is not to recommend locks to travelers or instructions to those who have a broken lock and do not want to pay a locksmith. We do help in these matters occasionally and do not mind helping, but it is not the primary focus of the site.

We really cannot recommend anything better than what the other guys have when it comes to luggage padlocks because the luggage and back pack manufacturers make so many different zipper hole sizes and as you are probably already aware, only really cheap easy to break padlocks with small thin shackles will fit on luggage or back packs.

If your concern is putting a lock on a locker at a hostel for instance, then there are suddenly more options because of the bigger shackle size, and then you have choices, either key lock or combination lock.

If your need is non spring loaded, then you will unfortunately eliminate 99% of the locks out there. I can tell you 2 brands and models that will work for you, as there really aren't that many. You can buy an Abloy PL321 padlock, or an ABUS 55/50 which has a spring loaded shackle. The Abloy cannot be picked but can be cut easily, the ABUS is difficult but not impossible to pick, but has a thicker shackle, which can still be cut, but may take more effort than the Abloy PL321.

The ABUS is around $10 US, the Abloy is around $35, either lock I would recommend you spray paint flat black, so it does not look nice or shiny. The Abloy is chrome and may attract unwanted attention.

Other models that may fit hostel lockers are the American Lock 5200, or the ABUS Discus 24/70

Here are a few more threads about this:
http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=49042&start=15

http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=55418&start=15

Another reason we do not have a thread/area like this is because of members like the one in the last link, who no matter what we recommend are never happy and always have some excuse not to use what we suggest, or have crazy rules of what the padlock can have or cannot have (keys, combination, shackle size, color, shape, weight, etc)

It seems people just cannot make up their mind and think there is some perfect lock out there, and if they ask here, we will tell them of this secret magical lock that will solve all their problems at once, but that lock unfortunately does not exist, and every situation and solution is different for each person.

I hope you find my answer helpful and did not find it too blunt or honest,

Squelchtone

[Bob Jim Bob]

I found your answer helpful and polite. Considering the amount of times you have to say "we don't really do that here", you deal with it very well.