Medium security padlocks

[Josh K]

Besides Master, what other reputable padlock manufacturers are there state side? I recently observed a friend shell out over $50 for a trio of Master locks. What can I offer in the same or slightly elevated price range that I can't rake open in under a minute?

I believe that the construction (solid body, hardened shackle, ball bearing to stop shims) is solid, but the cylinder is without a doubt incredibly low quality. I find it had to believe that the keys even work.

If this was a high security situation I could justify recommending a couple of Abloy locks, but it's not. It's medium security for a small business. What else is there?

[thelockpickkid]

Masterlock is getting so bad, they don't make a lock you can't get into. I would recommend an American that is shrouded or an Abus discuss over any Master. Just as long as you can't cut the shackle you offer quite a bit more security.

[loki-aka]

I just finished rekeying some Abus solid body locks, removable cyl.. They are good locks for the price.
The "pinning window" is a nice feature.

[globallockytoo]

Josh K,

Master Pro Series rekeyable's are very good quality, inexpensive and able to take Schlage, Medeco, Mul-t-lock, Bilock, Abloy etc cylinders. That makes them a sought after quality padlock. The Pro Series come in close shackle versions, shrouded etc. The shackles are either stainless steel or boron steel. They use ball bearings to lock the shackle (meaning they cant be shimmed).

And the padlock, shackle, less cylinder sell for less than $20.

It is hard to beat that price.

(when you consider that the HS cylinder will run you upwards of $100 - you are getting great security for a padlock)

[Josh K]

Looks like I'll have to find some American and ABUS locks.

Does ABUS only make the brass padlocks similar to the Master 140?

[datagram]

I would consider the Master lines all low security, with Abloy and Bilock being the only truly accessible "high security" padlocks in the US. Others have their share of problems or are quite hard to get keys made for. Bilock is really only in there because of many businesses (particularly most of Nevada's spam) using them in large installations. Some others that are medium security and probably good enough for 99% of applications are:

BEST SFIC
Medeco Biaxial
Schlage Primus
Mul-T-Lock (MT5+ available in the near future, though)
Corbin Emhart (a stronger but less accessible Medeco)

If you're luck you can find ASSA Twin locks, as well, with all models in the series being at minimum medium security.

dg

[lockinabox]

most of Nevada's spam using them in large installations.
dg

There are definitely a lot BiLocks in the Nevada spam industry. Whenever I go to a spam on vacation, I look at all the locks in every spam. Isn't Defcon at a spam in Vegas? God I love spams.

[Josh K]

most of Nevada's spam using them in large installations.
dg

There are definitely a lot BiLocks in the Nevada spam industry. Whenever I go to a spam on vacation, I look at all the locks in every spam. Isn't Defcon at a spam in Vegas? God I love spams.

Casino is a restricted word?

[Squelchtone]

most of Nevada's spam using them in large installations.
dg

There are definitely a lot BiLocks in the Nevada spam industry. Whenever I go to a spam on vacation, I look at all the locks in every spam. Isn't Defcon at a spam in Vegas? God I love spams.

I was at the Mohegan spam in CT and they used Medeco Duracam. =)

man, I'm getting hungry, I sure could go for a spam sandwich.

mmmm

Squelchtone

ps. very funny post lockinabox.

[globallockytoo]

The reason that most "spam" (spam's) use Bilock for their camlocks is because of the unbeatable value, the pick/bump proof quality and the ease of master keying. Combined with the incredible key head color changes, the product more than lives up to the security, ease of installation and protection from duplication, that many of the "other" brands claim to have.

Oh yeah, the $ for $ comparison is also a factor.

[Josh K]

The reason that most "spam" (spam's) use Bilock for their camlocks is because of the unbeatable value, the pick/bump proof quality and the ease of master keying. Combined with the incredible key head color changes, the product more than lives up to the security, ease of installation and protection from duplication, that many of the "other" brands claim to have.

Oh yeah, the $ for $ comparison is also a factor.

They are pick proof?

[lockinabox]

The reason that most "spam" (spam's) use Bilock for their camlocks is because of the unbeatable value, the pick/bump proof quality and the ease of master keying. Combined with the incredible key head color changes, the product more than lives up to the security, ease of installation and protection from duplication, that many of the "other" brands claim to have.

Oh yeah, the $ for $ comparison is also a factor.

They are pick proof?

Nope. Even though Bilocks are the worlds most awesome greatest locks...no...the greatest locks in the history of mankind, they have been picked repeatedly (Unlike Abloy Protec, Dom Diamant, Mul-T-Lock MT5+, Assa Desmo, Evva MCS, and more) .

Here are some examples: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bilock&aq=f

[Josh K]

The reason that most "spam" (spam's) use Bilock for their camlocks is because of the unbeatable value, the pick/bump proof quality and the ease of master keying. Combined with the incredible key head color changes, the product more than lives up to the security, ease of installation and protection from duplication, that many of the "other" brands claim to have.

Oh yeah, the $ for $ comparison is also a factor.

They are pick proof?

Nope. Even though Bilocks are the worlds most awesome greatest locks...no...the greatest locks in the history of mankind, they have been picked repeatedly (Unlike Abloy Protec, Dom Diamant, Mul-T-Lock MT5+, Assa Desmo, Evva MCS, and more) .

Here are some examples: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bilock&aq=f

Is the Desmo an upgraded version of the Twin?

[globallockytoo]

Much to lockinabox's desire to prove that Bilock's can be picked.....the truth behind most of those videos is that they are mostly the first generation (old - obsolete) product and the person picking them ususally has the key available to be able to see what depths they have to work with. Having the working key, helps to gain knowledge of the depths you are striving for.

No one has yet proven they can pick an abstract Bilock cylinder without the key present.

If you have the key, why would bother picking it?

You want to prove you can pick one? Pick one without a key present, then dismantle it on camera and maybe you've got something.

I challenge anyone and everyone to put up or shut up.

(I am even prepared to offer a bounty for a proven picked Bilock, without any knowledge of the keying or the key - how about $150?)

[datagram]

Much to lockinabox's desire to prove that Bilock's can be picked.....the truth behind most of those videos is that they are mostly the first generation (old - obsolete) product and the person picking them ususally has the key available to be able to see what depths they have to work with. Having the working key, helps to gain knowledge of the depths you are striving for.

No one has yet proven they can pick an abstract Bilock cylinder without the key present.

If you have the key, why would bother picking it?

You want to prove you can pick one? Pick one without a key present, then dismantle it on camera and maybe you've got something.

I challenge anyone and everyone to put up or shut up.

(I am even prepared to offer a bounty for a proven picked Bilock, without any knowledge of the keying or the key - how about $150?)

But this is the exact same argument given by locksmiths who thought (and still think) Medeco locks are the greatest thing ever. Just because one person, or even the whole of Lockpicking 101, can't pick the lock doesn't mean it is impossible. I don't believe any lock is unpickable, and I don't like the bump-proof argument because it has a relatively minor impact on security as a whole.

As respectfully as I can say it, your bias towards Bilock is pretty obvious. I agree that it is a great lock given the price, but what does it do that other locks haven't already done? Locks, mind you, which incorporate these same features and have been compromised. I don't think the Bilock is anything fantastic or special, just a good design that incorporates aspects of other well tested locks.

Take a step back and pretend that you had never seen the Bilock. What makes it so special? At heart, it is just another mechanical lock that can be opened give the requisite amount of tools, time, and skill.

Is the Desmo an upgraded version of the Twin?

It is a cam lock that has many features of the Twin series (pins and a sidebar), but is certainly not an upgrade. It's easier to think of it the Assa Twin version of the Medeco Duracam.

Also, what the hell with ca.sino

dg