Firstly, I feel sure you'll enjoy them as much as I do, and secondly in the hope you'll share any experience you have picking them or observations, explanations and tips. I've put some words of description with many of them, so from that point of view, it's possible they could help others out as reference. But saying that, it's all an incomplete work in progress, and I welcome any comments or corrections.
There's a high number of European locks in there, as well as some not-seen-so-much French locks.
The collection is not all of my locks, but just the stuff I think nice to share. There is stuff for trade in there, but there's also my Keepers. PM me if you find locks that float your boat. I only add locks to my collection that have keys, but I'm also open to trading a lock for tool(s).
Please, please feel free to post any tips, knowledge or your own experience picking any of these locks. I'd really appreciate that. If I haven't already picked a lock in my collection, then it will definitely get to the top of the list at some point. You can use the 2 digit prefix number on the title of each pic for reference.
All locks and photos are my own. Here are the links:
And I really wanna thank the guys here on the forum that have helped me get this far with the collection I have. It's a real pleasure to trade and buy from you, and I very much look forward to more. I feel really fortunate to hang out with you guys. Thank you.
DISCLAIMER: Reader may posit an understanding of what was written, while this may not coincide with the intended meaning of what is read. Use of brain is required. One size fits all, and may contain traces of gibberish
Wow, what a collection! Great pictures as well. I have about three of the same locks in my collection ! Very impressive, thank you for sharing with us. "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors lock collection...much."
Here's two locks I've seriously wanted in my hands for sooooo long now. Finally, they've arrived. Now I've just gotta find a pick strong enough for these beautiful little puppies ...... well, perhaps "little" is not the right word in this case.
And there's something else I'm just as excited about now having in my hands, even though it's a TOTAL finger print magnet. Can't wait to start work on picking this: Trioving 5653 padlock with a Trioving SEC cylinder. Here's the keyway
DISCLAIMER: Reader may posit an understanding of what was written, while this may not coincide with the intended meaning of what is read. Use of brain is required. One size fits all, and may contain traces of gibberish
Got distracted and forgot to share some of the additions to my lock collection. Some of these I've had around for a few weeks, and I've only now got a camera out to take some pics.
Medeco Classic LFIC This one seems to be a lock that doesn't come up often judging by some of the reactions I got from a couple of American pickers when I snagged it. Love those keys. Control key on the left and Op key on the right.
Vachette AXI Home and another of the key Another piece of French uniqueness, with it's gorgeous three-dimensional key. I don't know of any other cylinders that opt for this type of design. 15 possible pins on 3 axis. Vachette is the market leader in France, and the AXI Home is aimed at high-end residential doors. Certified as A2P 1-star. Really gotta find a way of tensioning this monkey without obscuring the keyway. If you can bare the cheesy smiling kids and perfect family video, here Vachette's promo-bla Vachette serrure axi'home (nice graphics, but don't say I didn't warn you )
Medeco Military KiK Made to be fitted in the Sargent and Greenleaf 833 and 951 padlocks, which are presently issued to the US Army etc to secure munitions. These padlocks are a whole subject on themselves (variants, government only issued restrictive keyways etc, etc) and unfortunately I don't have one.
Fontaine Push Lock This is the second one in my collection, but with 4 pins rather than 7. It's working on the same principles as a tubular, but made to withstand a lot more punishment. Another unique French lock that can still be found in use. Here's another of the key.
Please, please feel free to post any tips, knowledge or your own experience picking any of these locks. I'd really appreciate that. If I haven't already picked a lock in my collection, then it will definitely get to the top of the list at some point. You can use the 2 digit prefix number on the title of each pic for reference.
Enjoy, enjoy ..... Link to the whole collection is here
And I really wanna thank the guys here on the forum that have helped me get this far with the collection I have. It's a real pleasure to trade and buy from you, and I very much look forward to more. I feel really fortunate to hang out with you guys. Thank you.
DISCLAIMER: Reader may posit an understanding of what was written, while this may not coincide with the intended meaning of what is read. Use of brain is required. One size fits all, and may contain traces of gibberish
Your collection is absolutelly amazing! Tell me, on the Medeco LFIC are the angles on the cuts the same for all the pins? Just the depths that change? I believe it would be so, as I don't know about "angled masterkeying" but it's worth to ask
Many thanks for sharing!
Go ahead, keep plugging away, picking on me! You will end up on bypass or with rigor mortise. - GWiens2001
Your collection is absolutelly amazing! Tell me, on the Medeco LFIC are the angles on the cuts the same for all the pins? Just the depths that change? I believe it would be so, as I don't know about "angled masterkeying" but it's worth to ask
Many thanks for sharing!
Angles are different and can be in any combination. Masterkeying is like any other lock. The bottom pins are angled and rotate but the master pins and drivers are straight pins. The side bar is operated by the rotation of the bottom pins not the length of the pins, the shearline is operated by the length of the bottom in combination with any master pins. So the MK and change key will have the same angle in the same position and the master pin will make both operate.
cledry wrote:Angles are different and can be in any combination. Masterkeying is like any other lock.
I was struggling trying to understand what you meant with this, then I read my question again. I didn't mean the angles being the same on all the pins in the lock. I asked if from one key to another, the angles would be the same.
cledry wrote:So the MK and change key will have the same angle in the same position and the master pin will make both operate.
Aaaaand... You answered my question!
Thanks!
Go ahead, keep plugging away, picking on me! You will end up on bypass or with rigor mortise. - GWiens2001
How to tension the AXI. Use music wire to make one of these:
Then a standard hook or a reach tool will fit inside the center. Use the apex of the triangle opposite the row of pins for leverage.
You will be moving around from side to side a bit to find the binding pins. Also finally made a 'flat rake' out of a bobby pin, and that worked a bit better than a hook.
Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
I had a very cool padlock with a surprise arrived in the mail today. If anyone can give me any date, history or any details on this, that would be a real bonus.
Enjoy, enjoy
DISCLAIMER: Reader may posit an understanding of what was written, while this may not coincide with the intended meaning of what is read. Use of brain is required. One size fits all, and may contain traces of gibberish
Oh my, oh my Love it! And a lever mechanism too! Now that is interesting. I'd now think it was a common design if more than one manufacturer was using it. Not patented, I guess.
Also even more curious. Need, NEED to find out more. I've just had a search about and found your earlier post on that one. Very nice.
Huge thanks for sharing that, Gordon
DISCLAIMER: Reader may posit an understanding of what was written, while this may not coincide with the intended meaning of what is read. Use of brain is required. One size fits all, and may contain traces of gibberish
! Very impressive, thank you for sharing with us. "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors lock collection...much." 
)
Love it! And a lever mechanism too! Now that is interesting. I'd now think it was a common design if more than one manufacturer was using it. Not patented, I guess.
