Double Trowel Locks

[dcobalt]

Hello.
I am a big fan of locks and security devices in general from Argentina.

I want to ask you about this lock in particular -EXTREMELY common here as outer door locks-, called "Double Trowel" by Trabex, the main manufacturer here.


The fact is, I found NOTHING on Google about "trowel locks". It appears they do not even exist in your country, or any country other than Argentina for all I know. This is most curious for me, I would be grateful to anyone who can clarify.
You can find information on http://www.trabex.com/trabexing/ (English)

Thanks!

[digital_blue]

What exactly is "our country"?

db

[sivlogkart]

I could not find an exact match on that web site, but it is hard to search it. Can you upload a photo of the lock or key? As that would give us a glue.

KJ

[acl]

New one on me. Double bitted lever lock of some kind.Any chance of alook inside ?
Andy

[vector40]

What exactly is "our country"?

Argentina.

Agree with ACL, looks like some sort of double-bitted lever lock. Maybe four levers (on each side, so eight total).

[Minion]

Could it not also be a super cheap warded lock?

[Shrub]

A warded lock would have cuts on the side of the key not open ended ones,

Vec, the part in the middle looks like 2 cuts the same making it a 5 lever

[Shrub]

Saying that they are off set from each other there are 2 small wards on the hole but that it to make sure the key is inserted the right way, maybe you turn the key to unlock it and carry on turning to throw the bolt,

I guess he is from Argentina but he doesnt actually say that,

I am a big fan of locks and security devices in general from Argentina.

i guess you were both right, one for asking one for guessing

[pinky]

They look a little like the cisa double bitted lever locks, be nice to see inside to see if its built like a cisa or like a safe lock inside.

[vector40]

Good point on the cuts; I missed the spacing.

[pinky]

the spacing gives little away, as the bolt thrower needs to be at least 1 of those cuts.

[acl]

Vector, i cant quite tell from the pic but id tend to agree with Shrub ,it looks like a 4 or 5 lever,the steps on either side of the key working a single lever .The lever lies either side of the keyway.I have seen a few safe locks that have two different lever packs on either side but there doesnt seem to be enough room for a separate pack underneath or to the left or right.
Ive got a few example in the van ill drag them out tomorrow and get some snaps.
Andy

[Varjeal]

I see no reference on the site to "trowel locks" whatever that means. However, I bow to the expertise of the folks in the U.k. in that these do appear to be lever locks. From briefly browsing the site it appears they offer a range of 4-6 lever configuration in different functions from straight passage to basically a double throw deadbolt.

Very interesting specimens to say the least. I'd be very surprised if anyone but the Argentinians (sp?) had made pick tools for these specific locks.

[dcobalt]

Thanks all for answering.
Aye, it does work pretty much in the line of lever locks, except it has these strange plates (pallets/trowels, "paletas" in spanish), and must be turned twice to move the bolt. If the bolt's retracted, a single turn will retract the spring-loaded whaddyacallit (the thing you move with the handle from the relative "inside", remember they're outer doors). So, you've got no handle to turn on the outside.

The pallets themselves are pretty much spring-loaded, so the locking mechanism tends to self-destruct on your face if you're not particularly careful about opening them.

I'll try and post a pick of the inner mechanism tomorrow. If it turns out it's just a fancy version of a lever-lock I'll probably set it on fire. Did I mention it's hard as hell to drill them?

[Shrub]

I want one,