Here is an example of a warded padlock that also has a barrel type key. Made a key for it (modified a 'furniture' key, rather than making a key from scratch) this morning for a friend. It is my friend's lock, not mine.
Not doing a write-up on this lock, just adding pictures to the above lock write-up to clarify the lock types.
If you look inside the keyway with a light, you can see a plate that has the wards on it. Unfortunately, the camera can not get close enough to see as much as your eye can see.
Here is the finished key. It can be hard to tell of the lock is warded or lever by the key, either.
If you are impressioning a key, when you turn the blank, it is easy to tell whether it is lever or warded.
A warded lock will stop the blank instantly when the wards are hit by the blank. There is no give at all.
A lever lock will have a slightly 'springy' feel when it stops the key. (Excuse the technical terminology).
Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
