Stopped at Old Portland vintage hardware, left with four new antique locks! 😍
From top to bottom:
- warded or lever lock (not sure which yet)
- lever lock (needs TLC to unstick shackle)
- 3-digit combo lock (with indirect mechanism)
- disc-tumbler lock (likely 4-5 discs)
@dave yes, in fact, many are inoperable, some are operable—but barely, and some are in remarkable shape.
I often work oil through them to make them work better. Sometimes use degreaser, an ultrasonic cleaner, WD-40, wire brushes, etc.
@alice @dave Being honest now (I realise you take immense pride in your locksport!), have you ever encountered a padlock that completely defeated you? If so, which brand was it? I mean, as an expert in lockpicking, what would you confidently recommend to a friend?
Also, what would you recommend to secure a bicycle? I've been told by a police officer that nearly everything can be brute forced with industrial bolt croppers - indeed, thieves prefer this method to tinkering with fiddly mechanisms.
@ApostateEnglishman @alice @dave
locks and chains are for slowing a thief down not preventing theft. making your bike as annoying/worthless to steal, as possible, is the goal. removing the front wheel and chaining the rest will do more to prevent theft than anything else
@coolcalmcollected @ApostateEnglishman @alice @dave Also locks help make it more visible when someone is fiddling with something they don’t own. Bolt cutters are blindingly obvious. Picking is less so, but it still doesn’t look anything like the proper key being used.
Vanishingly few locks can stand up to more than a minute of attack from a determined thief, but that’s a minute during which they stand out badly.
🅰🅻🅸🅲🅴 (🌈🦄)
Dave Alvarado
The Sleight Doctor 🃏🍉
Anarchist Trans Ace Pirate
Zimmie