Locks in China

[Journ-O-LST-3]

Heya, I've been gone and quiet for a while but now I'm here in China looking at new keys.

So my question is what are these? I haven't figured it out yet. They are wierd but neat. So what are they?

Here are pictures and they're pretty bad but the best I could get:
http://s258.photobucket.com/albums/hh27 ... d%20locks/

The first one is long and narrow with the pokey bits on both thin sides. It has seven pins if my count is right.

The second one is shapped like a philips head screwdriver with each of the four sides having the same pin pattern.

I don't have my kit with me (that being a crime here) but I do plan to buy soem locks and look more carefully when I have time.

[paulvalente]

Hi Journo,

What you've got there is a dimple lock which appears to be similar to the Mul-T-Lock classic, do a search for that on google and you'll be inundated with all the information you could ever want on the lock itself i'm sure.

The other cross shaped key is (I believe) just called a cross lock (not sure on manufacturer.

There are specific tools available to work on both I think but I should imagine that one (Mul-T-Lock) or maybe both are considered advanced topics on this forum so although you can get answers on what they are I doubt you'll get picking tips.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Paul

[bumber]

Just wondering, but do the locks in China say 'Made in USA' on them?

[dougfarre]

Not sure about the dimples, but the cross key is for a cruciform lock.

[WOT]

Just wondering, but do the locks in China say 'Made in USA' on them?

Doubt it, but it probably contains as much lead as they want to put in it. Ilco got sued by Commifornia for having a few percent in blanks...

[Journ-O-LST-3]

Thanks for the answers. I don't think I'll be trying any of them out though, my kit is mostly back in the U.S. and I think it's one of the "bad" things to be found with here.

Also, most locks don't have made in stamps on them, but likely do have lead or asbestos or whatever on them. So far in China one thing I've learned is that all warning signs mustt be obeyed, that's because I've only seen one. It was in a mountain park where they have 10,000 steps and each was covered with ice. near broke my neck. Unless it's an immediate and unavoidable danger, most people just don't think about it.

[raimundo]

there are several interesting picks for those locks, you will find them listed on sites such as szhuang.com or apollo locksmiths of hongkong. I actually have some of the picks, but not the locks

anyway, the picks are sold in china. by mail. over the internet. unless the chinese sites we see here are behind the great firewall of china.

[cool-arrow]

Just wondering, but do the locks in China say 'Made in USA' on them?

Almost everything is outsourced now. Few things are actually made in the USA but are sometimes assembled. Made in the USA doesnt really mean anything nowadays. I went to a conference where it was about investors that support USA made products and the free pens and key chain lights they passed out said made in China, consider the Irony in that. "Commifornia"? Is that some reference to the Amero transition?

[eurolock fan]

I know this is off topic but Wilson Bohannan locks are made in the USA.

[cool-arrow]

I know this is off topic but Wilson Bohannan locks are made in the USA.

You know what else is interesting while on the topic. American Lock padlocks are not made in the USA. I suppose it is just a matter of time before a company outsources to increase profits.

[eurolock fan]

I know this is off topic but Wilson Bohannan locks are made in the USA.

You know what else is interesting while on the topic. American Lock padlocks are not made in the USA. I suppose it is just a matter of time before a company outsources to increase profits.

American Lock should change their name to Mexican Lock.

[raimundo]

I saw an american lock in a photo linked to this site somewhere, and it clearly had made in china stamped into it. I was a bit surprised, they used to be made somewhere in illionis.

[Journ-O-LST-3]

I know this is old but I just moved around in Chengdu and my new lock is even crazier. I'll post pics soon, it's a three pronged one but the pins are odd looking.

[Squelchtone]

I think it's one of the "bad" things to be found with here.

Don't get caught with Civil Liberties in your pocket.

Squelchtone

[raimundo]

To find things made in america you have to go to that part of town called americatown, you'll recognize all the fast food places. thats where the gringos live.