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Skip the Picks; Expert Uses Hammer To Open a Master Lock (csoonline.com)

Posted by Soulskill on from the if-all-you-have-is-a-hammer,-everything-looks-like-a-master-lock dept.

itwbennett writes: Buyer beware. If it's security you're looking for, the #3 Master Lock might not be for you. In a video, locksport enthusiast Bosnian Bill demonstrates how to open a new #3 Master Lock using a small brass hammer — in under 90 seconds. This video is just one of several videos he's produced focusing on defeating the security of Master Locks, and, according to Bosnian Bill, has earned him several lawsuit threats from the company.

3 of 222 comments (clear)

  1. Re:I'd be more worried about bump-key or bolt-cutt by paulej72 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    But I could probably do the hammer thing with a rock I pick up near the location I want to enter, rather than carry a pair of bolt cutters with me.

  2. Designed to be difficult to pick by ebonum · · Score: 3, Interesting

    This a new lock:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

    It's on kickstarter now:
    https://www.kickstarter.com/pr...

    You'd think Master Lock with all their cash would come up with clever ideas like this lock's mechanism.

  3. Re: heh by corychristison · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I used to apprentice for a local locksmith company.

    The Masterlock #-series locks are sheer pin locks. That is, in order to set the pins, you literally insert the key you want it keyed to, and sheer the pins off to the lengths that match the cuts in the key. This makes them really easy to pick already, I've gotten into one with a small paperclip, so I wouldn't even recommend them for minor things like keeping the kids out of your wifes box of dildos. They can be convenient only in a situation where you need lots of them fast (I had it down to ~20 seconds per lock).

    As mentioned in the article, American Padlock (owned by MasterLock), Abus (I really like these personally), or even Guard brand padlocks are a safer bet.

    The American and Abus padlocks can have the cylinder removed and recoded easily (as long as you have a key), saving you from buying a whole new lock if you simply want to keep one keyholder out for whatever reason.