why are they still making lever locks?

[WhiteHat]

I was at the hardware store yesterday and went to the section containing lockwood (normaly high quality) locks, and found this:

http://www.lockweb.com.au/products/product.asp?id=145&categoryID=0&tabName=features

it said on the side of the packet "2 levers" ! this is a lever lock with 2 levers! what on earth! why are people still selling these?

[mcm757207]

People still sell a bunch of crap (like warded locks or master #3s), and it's just to make easy money. Another reason might be because not many people know how to pick lever locks.

[marso]

I was about to ask if whitehat can pick a lever lock. 2 levers or not it still keeps the lay person out. Also you might find this is used for an internal door or gate or something.

[Darek84CJ]

Some people like the cool look of that old fashion key it uses

[toomush2drink]

Its ideal for internal doors where high security isnt required as marso has said. I fit these for older people who dont want to pay the earth but want a lock fitted inside the house.

[xlr8ed1]

you dont pick these locks you use try out keys
this lock is one of about 12 keys has an E stamped on one side and a number the other
if you are handy with a file you can make a "skeleton" key
i.e. only about two or three diff key due to the fact you have filed the ward away.

30mm backset is for a french door (narrow style)

[WhiteHat]

if you are handy with a file you can make a "skeleton" key
i.e. only about two or three diff key due to the fact you have filed the ward away.

erm.. I always thought that skeleton keys were for warded locks - the above lock is a lever lock. and no marso, I can't pick a two lever lock , the springs make my southords bend too much and I don't have any proper lever picks nor the motivation to go and make/buy any.

also, the lockwood site says that it's suitable for outside door applications.

I dunno, I guess you're right, as long as it keeps the thief from trying that method of opening first, then the lock has done it's job...

[marso]

But yeh, external use does not always mean a front door. Can mean a gate, a door to a padio before the front door. Also the front door may have a deadbolt so this is just added protection.

Also I was in no way having a go at you because you can't pick lever locks. I was just point out that someone who is as switched on as yourself still can not bypass this lock with the knowledge you currently possess, so a petty theif probably could not either. Having said that I hope I never find this as the primary lock on a external door.

[toomush2drink]

erm.. I always thought that skeleton keys were for warded locks - the above lock is a lever lock. and no marso, I can't pick a two lever lock , the springs make my southords bend too much and I don't have any proper lever picks nor the motivation to go and make/buy any.

Well check this thread and give it a go and add another skill to your expanding collection
http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=2846
Yes you can make skeleton keys for these locks but you are correct they are mainly for the warded ones.
Im not sure i would want one these on any outside door though.

[PickPick]

what on earth! why are people still selling these?

Maybe cause they're rugged as hell. Sometimes I see some on flea markets that were probably taken away from some old barn or something, completely covered in rust and dirt and whatnot but they still work.

[mightymouse]

I second pickpick on that. Lever locks are extremely durable and last a very long time. If you go to an antique shop you'll find several hundred year old bits of furniture that still have working lever locks on them. Being outside is no problem; until a recent changeover I had some lever locks on my garden shed which had been there probably thirty+ years. Getting rusty and dirty doesn't necessarily mean they're finished. I'd rather have a lever lock protecting my garden shed etc than a padlock any day of the week.

[WhiteHat]

Also I was in no way having a go at you because you can't pick lever locks.

never thought you were - I hate this not being able to express tone of voice in text. what I said was more a "*resigned sigh* yes, you're right, I can't pick leaver locks atm I get your point"

re: tomush: I never actually read that thread before because I'd never come accross a lever lock.. thanks.

[MarvinLH]

Why don't you use lever locks in the US?

In the UK the lever mortice lock seems to be the standard type of lock. To get insurance you seem to need an approved 5 lever mortice lock on all external doors. Internal doors typically seem to have 3 lever locks.

Front doors here normally have 2 locks, a lever mortice lock and a "Yale" type (cylinder and pin) latch.

The "Yale" latch is not relied on as they can be opened from the inside via a letter box or smashed window. (not recomended as you end up finding glass for weeks). The MIT guide also seems to cater exclusively to this type.

If the 5/7 lever "Chub" mortice locks are not (fairly) secure then why do we still use them here? (and why is there such a heated topic on the euro forum about not publishing information on them?) If it is secure then why are they not used in the US?

Just curious as to why we seem to have such differences in locks used on either side of the Atlantic.

[mcm757207]

Probobly because lever locks were invented in Europe and cylinder locks were invented here.

[WhiteHat]

Probobly because lever locks were invented in Europe and cylinder locks were invented here.

erm.... I thought pin tumblers were invented in ancient egypt and then revamped by and english dude, then revamped again by yale:

http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bllock.htm