Bramah locks

[Lukekjackson]

I’ve just become interested in bramah locks, and I have a couple of questions.

From what I’ve read you’re not likely to come up against this lock anywhere except London, but how often do you come up against them down that way?

Other than using the common spring instead of a spring, per “slider” what is it that makes this such a formidable lock, I understand how the lack of return pressure would make picking difficult but surley this can’t be that hard to overcome (I have a few ideas how to do this)

Is there a commercially available pick, I think I saw Pinky mention a £1500 decoder by SV at but couldn’t see it on their website

Does anyone have a scale drawing (probably not) or a couple of pictures showing the keyway with something for scale? (I’ve seen Matt Blaze’s write-up & photo’s but the first shot of the lock as a whole has no reference to scale)

Thanks

Luke

[Shrub]

John Falle has a restricted pick for them but its classed as advanced section material/disscussion.

In London there are full streets that have the locks fitted as they wouldnt get any insurance otherwise.

[raimundo]

Out here in the midwest, locksmiths replace locks then carry off the old lock as part of the service, thus haveing some recyclable brass to throw in the recycling barrel, I'm wondering if those london lockshops have piles of old bramah or whats that other brand, high security locks filling up the back room or basement.

[NKT]

Not at £100 per lock they don't!

For scale, draw a circle on the picture, at the outside diameter of the keyhole. That is 6mm across. It is tiny. That's a lot of why it is so hard!

[toomush2drink]

Well ive never seen streets full of them unlike banham which you do se a lot of. You get quite few bramah on shop doors as the narrow lock case makes them ideal. Im not sure they are bs rated so not normally a home choice but a lot more of a commercial application.Also the price puts people off im sure unless they know their stuff, the keys are also nice and easy to carry with no sharp edges.Had a good look at the bramhah stand at the mla show, its the width/depth of the bolts thats impressive, would take ages to saw through.They do a rim cylinder for the ingersoll sc71 lock case too.

[Lukekjackson]

Ah….. that is quite small isn’t it.

Doesn’t really leave a great deal of room to work with, and the ideas I mentioned earlier have just been blown out of the water.

I guess this is another one for the “I’ll have to buy one of those locks if I ever find a sack of money” list. I suppose the one advantage is my pick ideas won’t be proved to be a load of crap.

Cheers

[Rob Gray]

Well i have a few so if i get time i will post a couple of pics for you! and yes they do come in B/S and being as the stand from bramah at the MLA was great to just chat to the guys there just to pick their brains! go and see them next year. nice guys and what a lock! Yes they cost a bit but one of the best that money can buy!! ask mr pink.

[sidpick]

The bramah locks far surpassed the BS, but they did not have one.........Don't think they needed one, just say "I have bramah locks" and you should be fine...

Normally fitted to expensive jewlers cabinets and fitted to many shops, although, the unusual escutcheon is not a common site.

A decoder is used to find the gates and a tool set up after careful measurement to open the lock. What more can I say.....

Lovely lock.

Don't really like the thought of picking them though.


There also is a pick, much like a tubular lock pick that apparently opens these locks.... but not seen one open!