Most Common Locks

[Xel]

What are the most common locks that a person might run across? For example, what type of lock is most commonly put on doors? I've heard mention of kwickilock or something to that effect; I noticed that many people practice on this lock. Are padlocks also decent to use to learn/practice with?

Thanks ,
--Xel

[Bitter Man]

The most common type of lock (on virtually all doors in the US and most padlocks) is the pin-tumbler lock. The most common brands of this lock put on redidencies are Kwikset and Schlage. Higher security pin tumblers like American, Best, Sargent and Yale are also around but usually on offices and commercial buildings. Padlocks are decent to practice on, but put them in a vice or some other way of holding them still. You can pick them by holding them in your hands and applying tension with your finger, but it throws you off.

[Varjeal]

Here in Canada the most common types of locks are pin tumbler aswell. The three most common brands are Weiser, Schlage, and store-brand locks like Canadian Tire, Home Hardware, Peavey Mart, and Revy stores carry...I don't care to remember what they call their brands, they're all cheap junk.

Anyways, commercial hardware here goes across the entire spectrum from Weiser, Schlage, (cheap junk brands), Sargent, Yale, Corbin, and all the myriad varieties of restricted and high security hardware that's out there.

For beginners, in addition to what Bitter Man has suggested, it would be best to start with inexpensive and low-security padlocks like the ones you find at your local hardware store. Once you have built up your confidence with these you can progress to the more difficult stuff.

Keep us posted on your progress and don't hesitate to ask questions.

Hope that helps.

[Xel]

Thanks!

In the experience of those on this board, what are the different 'tiers' of locks; what would be considered the 'beginners' locks, the 'intermediate' locks, and the 'advanced' locks?

--Xel

[Varjeal]

Interesting question...If they can be described as "tiers" as far as difficulty, here they are in a simple form:

1. Beginner's locks would have up to 6 pins/wafers/wards and a paracentric keyway. (i.e. not tubular or complex keyways.)

2. Intermediate locks would include the regular formats of tubular locks, and locks that have mushroom/spool/serrated pins/drivers/wafers as well as locks that have more than 6 positions. (Note: I say this only because a majority of these types of locks generally require more confidence (not necessarily skill) to pick that is only achieved by experience).

3. Advanced locks would include high security locks, or restricted key locks that use unique features and/or materials (other than and/or including what is listed above such as sidebars, complex keyways, multiple sets of pins/wafers, etc) to prevent opening without the use of the proper key.

This is by no means the last word on the subject I'm sure, but just from thinking about this is how I personally would divide the categories.

Hope that helps....

[Xel]

Thanks again! Do you have any links to images of what a tubular lock is? I am very new to this, although I have downloaded and read the MIT Guide to Lockpicking.

Thanks

--Xel

[Varjeal]

Here's a link to what a tubular lock may look like outside of a machine and in your hands:


http://www.hoylindustries.com/tubular.htm

or here:

http://www.illinoislock.com/mech5.htm

or here:


http://iss4locks.com/camtub.htm

Hope this helps.

[Xel]

Ahh thanks.

[Darek84CJ]

Most of the looks I see are Schlage on private houses. I see alot of Medeco locks on commerical business.

[crazynllovewitu]

thanx for this

[ridinplugspinnaz]

thanx for this

Bumping a five-year-old thread... that has to be some kind of record.