Lever locks - links to more information?

[Josh K]

Is there any standard links or primers to picking / installing / using lever locks? I see names like Chubb and ERA tossed around but over here no one would think about having one of those "old fashioned whatwhosit's" secure the front door.

Links to good picks / locks to start with and general information would be greatly appreciated.

[Rickthepick]

Id consider these to be far superior to what i see from the US

These use proper sturdy bolts and are built very well.

Fitted in the correct frame would be very hard to open by force

BS walsall, union strongbolt, new era fortress (with laminated bolt), chubbs using the detainer lever pack.

All very good locks

lots of great non BS locks too:

blue securefast, York and the yales with the H levers.

[Josh K]

Rick, I wasn't saying they weren't supiorior, as I do think they are. Just no one carries them or has any information regarding them.

[Rickthepick]

pm me what you want to know i could write a book i reckon. sorry i get carried away typing

[Schuyler]

pm me what you want to know i could write a book i reckon. sorry i get carried away typing

If you can condense it, feel free to write some tutorials, too. We could always use more Euro-centric info

[globallockytoo]

Rick, I wasn't saying they weren't supiorior, as I do think they are. Just no one carries them or has any information regarding them.

The primary reason, is due to cost comparrison. It is far cheaper to produce a (sh**ty) pin tumbler product than the better quality and bump proof/pick resistant lever type (bit key) locks.

Legge is a relatively good brand that is found outside Europe/UK.

Also, worth considering is, generally, bit type keys are significantly larger/longer than pin tumbler keys and some people still think that bit type keys are not as secure as modern pin tumbler systems (tradey's know the truth - but educating John Q public and convincing them otherwise is difficult).

Also, Yale (I believe) still make some bit key type products - you could look down that road.

[Rickthepick]

pm me what you want to know i could write a book i reckon. sorry i get carried away typing

If you can condense it, feel free to write some tutorials, too. We could always use more Euro-centric info

Theres various strategies and techniques that are lock dependant... different wire shapes work better with certain locks too. Im not sharing this info here though sorry

[Schuyler]

Theres various strategies and techniques that are lock dependant... different wire shapes work better with certain locks too. Im not sharing this info here though sorry

Just out of curiosity - are your concerns about posting the info about the potentially advanced nature of the material/need to maintain security or because you feel you have a proprietary relationship with the information and don't want that diluted?

[Rickthepick]

no im just not sharing any more interesting info on this site since il never be granted access to view anyone elses info.

Nothing personal I just think its fairer that way, iv already posted plenty of useful info and that never helped

[Schuyler]

fair enough. I appreciate your forthrightness.

[huxleypig]

Regarding the shape of pick wires - It's really not rocket science to open up a lock that you're having difficulty with and modifying/making a new wire to suit is it? Or am I missing the point? Are some people really that lazy when it comes to experimenting?

I know I've made my own curtain lever picks and all my wires are hand made, some to suit different locks.