Brinks 4 pin padlock - tough bitting?

[HerrMannelig]

So i found a gold Brinks padlock in the locked position and just because i was bored i thought id try and see if i could pic it .. i honestly dont see what the big deal is with these ? I got it open in probably less than 3 minutes with 2 paperclips ! Maybe ill purchase a tool kit and start a new hobby lol .
It was too easy , after i opened it i closed it and did it again right away to make sure it wasnt an accident that it opened . I hope thos nice tool kits are not exspensive since i used a simple paper clip .

Improvised lock picks do not last long usually.

The person is usually far more important than the tools.

However, for better locks, choosing the right tools can make a big difference, as well as choosing the right method.

Individual locks vary. The more wear they have, individual manufacturing differences, the key bitting, etc are all factors in how easily a lock is picked.

Lock picks vary in quality and price as well. I prefer buying picks individually rather than sets. The ones I use generally cost $2-5 each. Tension tools usually cost $1-5, the ones I use most often cost $2.

[HerrMannelig]

Sorry for the double post, but I should also note that this lock is an example of why top of keyway tension is better -- often times I'd find my tension tools getting caught in the bottom of the warding, effectively giving the lock no tension. I need to fashion some top of keyway tools soon, as picking this lock was even more challenging than it had to be simply because tensioning the bottom of the keyway was very difficult.

It isn't necessarily "better". It is different. You'll find your bottom of the keyway tools getting caught, and you'll find your top of the keyway tools popping out.

Having a wide variety of tension tools is usually better than having a variety of picks.

[Murderbydeath]

Sorry for the double post, but I should also note that this lock is an example of why top of keyway tension is better -- often times I'd find my tension tools getting caught in the bottom of the warding, effectively giving the lock no tension. I need to fashion some top of keyway tools soon, as picking this lock was even more challenging than it had to be simply because tensioning the bottom of the keyway was very difficult.

It isn't necessarily "better". It is different. You'll find your bottom of the keyway tools getting caught, and you'll find your top of the keyway tools popping out.

Having a wide variety of tension tools is usually better than having a variety of picks.

Well said, and being that I've gotten far more experienced since these posts, I completely agree. One medium hook (generally a thin one) is usually enough for any lock, but you're going to want a variety of tension tools for different keyways.

[KPick]

So i found a gold Brinks padlock in the locked position and just because i was bored i thought id try and see if i could pic it .. i honestly dont see what the big deal is with these ? I got it open in probably less than 3 minutes with 2 paperclips ! Maybe ill purchase a tool kit and start a new hobby lol .
It was too easy , after i opened it i closed it and did it again right away to make sure it wasnt an accident that it opened . I hope thos nice tool kits are not exspensive since i used a simple paper clip .

Theyre not very expensive. A small set should only set you back about 20-30 dollars in US currency.

@muderbydeath congratulations. you got the brinks open!

[Mansoarusrex]

This was a great post for me, thanks. I have just started picking a couple weeks ago. I start out with the half diamond pick but I read about using the hooks to start so I switched. I have just been doing the Kwikset locks right now but I wanted to get some different ones. I think i may go out and get some padlocks after reading this. The Binding order was nice to hear. I kept reading about finding the binding pin but I had not actually realized what it was used for. I am definitely a n00b. Thanks for sharing the experience, helped teach me something.

[Murderbydeath]

This was a great post for me, thanks. I have just started picking a couple weeks ago. I start out with the half diamond pick but I read about using the hooks to start so I switched. I have just been doing the Kwikset locks right now but I wanted to get some different ones. I think i may go out and get some padlocks after reading this. The Binding order was nice to hear. I kept reading about finding the binding pin but I had not actually realized what it was used for. I am definitely a n00b. Thanks for sharing the experience, helped teach me something.

Glad I could be of service! I was pretty new when I authored those posts myself.

Another funny thing I later realized about these locks is that the 4 pin lock (the one with the tough bitting and lower "security rating" than the 5 pinner) is that it has a lip so that you can't attack it via shimming the shear line, but the 5 pin "more secure" lock doesn't, making it vulnerable to one of the easiest attacks to execute. I guess the cheaper companies like Brinks and Master really DON'T know what makes a lock secure, haha.

[KPick]

They know what a higher security lock is Murder By Death. You will realize this as you move onto higher security locks which are offered by both master, and brinks. It's just that the big boys save money on manufacturing cost with lower security locks so they generally offer those as "high security" solutions.

Master Lock Pro Series
Master Lock 911
Brinks 50mm Padlock

etc.