Master Lock is one of the leading padlock brands, and this model is one of your best options for an all-purpose combination lock. It has a 2-inch-wide lock body and a 1-inch hardened steel shackle that resists cutting for added security.
Most Master Locks are very easy to pick and are considered one of the easiest beginner locks when practicing lock picking. They have 4 standard pins and a wide-open keyway that can be quickly bypassed in many ways including picking them with improvised tools such as paperclips, bobby pins, or even a chicken bone.
ABUS Granit™: one of the world's most secure padlocks with a tensile resistance of over six tonnes. Granit locks have a tensile resistance of over six tonnes, making it almost impossible for attackers to release the shackle from the lock body by force.
Try bolt cutters.
This will not work on most master locks, as they are made of case hardened steel.
ABUS Granit™ padlocks meet highest security standards and are considered to be among the most secure padlocks in the world. Their tensile resistance is over 6 tons. High-quality materials and careful finishing are the basis for the quality of these padlocks that are made in Germany.
Padlock Systems
Master Lock provides and will maintain Key Record-keeping for padlock Master Key Systems. A Master Key System Record is a listing of all the assigned key cuts to a padlock system.
American Lock was acquired by Fortune Brands and merged with Master Lock in 2003.
Master Lock has manufacturing facilities in China, Mexico and the USA… “All of the internal parts for our locks are made in Milwaukee WI USA, then assembled in Nogales, Mexico. Locks that are imported are made in mostly in China with some door hardware being made in the Philippines.”
Before co-founding the company in 1921, Harry Soref had been a traveling locksmith in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, had invented a lock for protecting military equipment, and had founded the "Master Key" company for making master skeleton keys.
GRADE 5 – Extra High Security. GRADE 4 – High Security. GRADE 3 – Medium / High Security. GRADE 2 – Standard Security.
THE CEN grade of a padlock stands for Central European Norm – it is a testing standard for padlocks. This is not simply a rating individual manufacturers given their own padlocks it is an independent testing body. In order for the padlock to achieve a certain CEN grade it must pass through a number of intensive tests.
Turns out, any Master Lock can easily be broken into with just a small hammer. As this video illustrates, all you need to do is tap the side of a Master Lock with a hammer to get it to open, no key, no combination required.
A Resistant, Bolt Cutter Proof Chain
By being the toughest chain, we mean the Pewag chain is the hardest chain to cut with bolt cutters. The biggest reason is the hardened steel chain is squared, so it will not allow bolt cutters to cut through it.
unless you find a chain that was used on a battleship anchor, that cable is gonna be the way to go. We use a relatively thin gauge and it takes much more time to cut it than it does to cut a chain. It frays really bad - so at least the potential thief might be detured knowing that cutting the cable will take some time.
Works perfectly, really good, secure-feeling lock. Just make sure you put it on front-facing b/c the backside can be cut easier. That being said, the latch is so think that you probably would have to go at it for awhile to even get into it.
Disc padlock offers the best security as it has a shielded shackle that prevents bolt cutter attacks. Other features like anti-pick, anti-rust, and hardened shackle and lock's body make the disc padlock stand out. It's by far the best option for those that want to prevent bolt cutters attacks and lock picking.
Since they don't contain dials, keyed locks offer a superior level of security when compared to combination locks. Unless a thief has the key, he or she won't be able to open it. Furthermore, keyed locks are better protected against shimming than combination locks.
Key Replacements
Take your existing key and lock to a hardware store (Ace, True Value, Do it Best, etc.), locksmith or other outlet that sells Master Lock products. Ask them to order the product with the same key number that is on your key. Please call ahead, as not every retailer will provide this service.