What is the difference?

[kraftdinner12345]

what is the difference between uk locks japan locks american locks and what are canadain locks the same as USA locks?

[silent]

Japan/Euro locks are smaller keyholes than america locks. I would think Canada would be the same as the US, but I am possibly wrong.

[Varjeal]

There isn't a difference really. We generally use those designations to generalize the particular types of keyways and their orientation. Uk locks "tend" to have more restrictive keyways and "tend" to have their pins on the bottom of the lock which we in North America call "upside down". I've never heard the term "Japan locks".

North American locks "tend" to have less restrictive keyways and their pins are generally at the top of the lock. There are of course many exceptions in both cases.

[archiebald]

Is there any rime or reason to put the lock upside down so that crap gets into the pins and springs.?

[toomush2drink]

The only reason i can see for euro's being upside down is for the fact that they operate a basic lever lock above them. Sure you could put it up the other way but lever locks dont work as well this way and they themselves are subject to dirt etc falling in the levers. This means a jammed lever lock in this situation needs to be drilled to open it where as a cylinder can be opened or drilled in other ways.