Do padlocks come rebadged either now or in the past?
For example, Master Lock padlocks with another company or store logo on the lock and packaging, but being the same Master Lock otherwise?
EDIT: This excludes made in China padlock companies which produce locks under a variety of names. This is more about properly formed brands of padlocks rebadging their locks.
In the past I've seen it among very cheap padlocks, absolutely identical models bearing different brand names. I've compared some side by side, and the striations I found on two locks looked like they were even stamped with the same dies. It looked like some generic company was cranking out inexpensive locks, and stamping whatever brand name on them that the client asked for.
Today with the ASSA/Abloy conglomerate owning a significant percentage of the lock companies in the world, there is also a lot of cross-licensing of patents among higher quality locks. A couple of examples are the Chubb m3 which is just a medeco m3, and Yale Keymark, which is rebranded medeco keymark.
I've seen the same thing with lockpicks. Some companies design and make their own tools, but other companies (even some well known names you might recognize) just buy generic picks from Southeast Asia and stamp or etch their name on the handles and heat emboss their name on the vinyl pick case.
MBI wrote:In the past I've seen it among very cheap padlocks, absolutely identical models bearing different brand names. I've compared some side by side, and the striations I found on two locks looked like they were even stamped with the same dies. It looked like some generic company was cranking out inexpensive locks, and stamping whatever brand name on them that the client asked for.
Thanks.
I found some interesting locks which are marked Popular Mechanics. There are several types of locks, and the packaging didn't look new. Since there were several sizes and two types of locks, I thought they looked like rebadged locks from a known lock manufacturer.
When I get them, I'll post more about them.
One of the varieties is small, suitable for my small padlock project, and the others would bought because there were more types of locks marked Popular Mechanics.
See a lot of Ace Hardware branded locks that look identical to the Master padlocks right next to them. Having disassembled some of their solid body locks, found the pins are those found they are the pins used in American padlocks. Of course, Master bought American.
Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
GWiens2001 wrote:See a lot of Ace Hardware branded locks that look identical to the Master padlocks right next to them. Having disassembled some of their solid body locks, found the pins are those found they are the pins used in American padlocks. Of course, Master bought American.
Gordon
I was going to mention the same thing! I also got an "Ace Hardware" lock that is exactly like what you are describing. The funny part is that I asked a friend who was going to the Philippines to pick me up a lock from the country and they brought that back… I was hoping for something a bit more exotic, but whatever
Upon further investigation, I found some other products in old packaging with Popular Mechanics branding (including a toilet valve). It all looks a little old. It will be interesting to see what can be learned from them. I'll post videos and pictures here on them when I get them.
+1 For MBI. I completely agree with what he says. I've seen many "Security" brand locks that look identical to "Master Locks" as well. I've also seen many cheap padlocks that are identical to each other. Lock pick tools likewise.
GWiens2001 wrote:I would be interested in what you learn from the toilet valve, too.
Gordon
I didn't buy that. I just noticed that there were many items branded for Popular Mechanics, and it is highly unlikely that they were directly involved in manufacturing.
