Chubb 4L67?

[MrB]

I just happened to notice this lock while browsing:

http://www.chubblocks.co.uk/4L67.html

It is a cylinder lock, but the key does not look like a regular pin tumbler key, nor does it look exactly like a wafer lock key. Can anyone tell me about the locking mechanism inside the cylinder? Is it maybe some kind of disc lock? Would it be a challenge to pick it?

[mbell]

Chubb AVA mechanism.

Take a look here: http://www.chez.com/montmartre/ava.html for a brief description (Looks like someone took it from LSS+???)

I gather they're quite a challenge to pick.

[Al]

It's an AVA cylinder with up to ten sliding discs. They have anti pick notching and are very fiddly to manipulate. The discs are not sprung so there's a tendency to drag the adjacent discs out of position every time you move one. These locks provide many challenges to your ingenuity and, with over a million differs, your patience. There is a small version used in padlocks and cam locks which would be cheaper and easier to practice on.

[MrB]

Thanks for the info chaps. The ava link, especially, is very illuminating.

[skold]

Very interesting, i want one...looks a good challenge i need a rest from abloy's

[oldlock]

I don't think they make the smaller padlock version anymore ? I could well be wrong though. I have one of the regular padlocks with the same cylinder. Never tired to pick it though - I may look when I have a spare month or two ..

Paul

[Al]

I thought they were still made in Finland even if no longer sold by Chubb. It was a h*ll of a mechanism for a small croppable padlock though.
Ever picked an AVA Paul?

[oldlock]

Never even tried to pick one, but the shackles are absolute sods to cut, I cut one with good bolt cutters once and it was really hard to do.

Paul