A heavy-duty, hardened steel chain with hexagonal links thwarts nearly every thief with a bolt cutter. Hexagonal links (or square or trapezoidal) make it impossible for bolt cutters to get a grip.
Yes, bolt cutters are an effective tool you can use to cut off a lock. Choose a pair of long-handled bolt cutters and place the shackle between the blades. Squeeze the grips of the bolt cutters together until they cut through the shackle. Then, simply remove the lock.
This Stanley padlock is of security grade 4. Its body which is laminated hardened steel protects it against physical attacks. Since the shackle is also made up of hardened steel, the latter will resist other kinds of attacks such as cutting and sawing.
Try bolt cutters.
This will not work on most master locks, as they are made of case hardened steel.
Master combination locks have a hardened steel shackle that cannot be cut with a standard hacksaw blade. The shackle is hardened steel to deter thieves from breaking it. However, occasionally you might misplace the key for one of these locks or forget the combination, preventing access to your belongings.
The hard metal shackles on Brink's padlocks take great force to cut, and they often break apart violently when they give way.
What size of bolt cutters should you use to cut a padlock? A set of 24-inch bolt cutters can cut metal up to 7/16-inch in diameter, which will cut the bolts on most standard padlocks. For higher-quality padlocks that use a harder metal, use a 36-inch bolt cutter.
Bolt Cutters
The person who is handcuffed cannot use this tool on themselves, but the bolt cutter can safely be used to remove the wrist cuffs.
Bolt cutters' blades are flat. These are made to cut through heavy metal, like locks, cables and heavy wiring. Plus, they can also be used for cutting wood, like branches or dowels. Bolt cutters have handles up to 4 feet in length, and generally, the longer the handle, the more force that can be applied.
Bolt cutters will easily cut through cable locks, but it's worth using a cable extension to deter chancers! So if you want your bike lock to put up a fight against bolt cutters, get one made with hardened steel, and get the thickest possible option.
A reciprocating saw has a tough blade a bit like a jigsaw, and can be used to cut through the bolts on a lock. Using this type of saw generates a lot of heat, so always be sure to wear safety goggles before you attempt to cut the lock. This will prevent dust from the metal getting into your eyes.
If you misplace your key or forget the combination to a lock, you may need to cut through the lock to get it back. Most steel locks can be opened by either using bolt cutters, an angle grinder, or a hacksaw.
Most bolt cutters have hardened steel adjustable jaws. Originally a bolt cropper was used to cut bolt seals from shipping containers at the delivery point. Having short blades and long handles with compound hinges allows maximum leverage and cutting force.
In real life, handcuffs are (unsurprisingly) designed to be difficult to remove without the key, so it is entirely plausible that a dull hacksaw would be unable to cut off a pair of police cuffs.
Large bolt cutters that measure 30 to 42-inches are perfect for cutting through medium-hard metal materials like thick steel chains, copper cable, steel rods, and large bolts and padlocks.