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(405) Choosing a High Security Lock

Bill Johnson · 1.8M views · 2013-10-17 · 14:39

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Overview

Lock-picking YouTuber Bill Johnson (BosnianBill) explains how to choose a high-security lock and why, showing examples and comparing designs. It covers what makes some padlocks more pick-resistant than others.

On Hacker News

HN users recommend it as an amusing, practical overview of padlocks from cheap to high security.

Recommended by 3 HN people across 3 months · HN mentions 2016–2017

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What people said

javajosh · 2017-09 · Recommendation

Some locks with open designs are difficult, or impossible to pick. In this amusing video this guy goes over details of different locks, and explains why they are not all created equal. [VIDEO]

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Animats · 2017-03 · Recommendation

The top of the line in padlocks is the Sargent & Greenleaf 951 padlock, which is about $1300.[1] DoD uses these on weapons storage. Resists grinders, saws, liquid nitrogen, etc. Here's an amusing overview of available padlocks, starting with crap Master Locks and moving upward.[1] The ones that are hard to force or cut have large-diameter shackles, which probably won't fit a gym locker. [1] [VIDEO]

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Zancarius · 2016-08 · Recommendation

Spend some time on bosnianbill's Youtube channel and you'll definitely get some tips. In particular, I'd recommend these videos: Buying Security: [LINK] Choosing a high Security Lock: [VIDEO] (Be ware of about 2 minutes 30 seconds of sarcasm in the last one!) Otherwise, browse through the rest of his videos, skipping the challenge locks unless it's something that fascinates you: [LINK] Essentially, cheap locks can be bypassed very easily (almost anything by Masterlock). More expensive locks ($60+) will have more pins, making them harder to pick, and often have replaceable cores. Of course, security isn't just about the lock, which is addressed in the first video. Hope this gives you a starting point!

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Sources

Video by Bill Johnson, played through YouTube.

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