Whether you’re securing a garage, protecting a shed, or safeguarding your home’s valuables in the Seacoast or Southern NH area, the right padlock is essential. As a locksmith, I’ve seen how the wrong lock can leave your property vulnerable. Here’s a quick guide to padlocks to help you choose the perfect padlock for your needs.
Bypass Resistance: The Common Threats
While padlock picking is less common than portrayed in movies and TV, it’s still a risk. Yes, it can happen. Yes, it does happen. To thwart any simple attempts at picking, a 5 pin padlock or higher is a decent preventative measure. Spool (aka mushroom) or serrated pins add extra protection.
You may have seen Youtube videos on shimming a padlock, which is a bypass method where one uses a cut-up aluminum beverage can or manufactured padlock shims to slide down between the shackle and the locking bar (aka locking pawl, locking lever) to bypass and release the shackle. This happens in lower quality padlocks that use a spring loaded locking bar. Ball-bearing padlocks prevent shimming by using a non-spring-loaded locking mechanism.
The most common real-world defeat is simply cutting/sawing the shackle. This is why shackle material and diameter matter A LOT. Shackles are made in a variety of diameters and materials, from brass, to hardened steel, all the way up to boron alloy. Thicker, harder materials (e.g., boron alloy, stainless steel) simply require more force or take longer to cut. Shrouded (covered) shackles hide the shackle, making it harder to access with tools like bolt cutters. Imagine trying to cram a pair of bulky bolt cutters into an area that only has 1 inch of exposed shackle you can picture the utility of shrouded or completely hidden shackles.
Padlock Shapes: More than Just a Square
Padlocks come in various shapes, each suited to different uses. You are probably most familiar with the standard square body padlocks so commonly found online or in hardware stores. What you may not realize is that higher security padlocks exist in the shape of a disk (slightly exposed shackle), puck (completely hidden shackle, named because they resemble a hockey puck), or shapes meant for cargo/trailer security which are square/rectangular but do not have a common “U” shaped shackle.
Material Matters: Indoor vs. Outdoor Use?
Have you ever tried to open a rusted padlock? The environment determines your padlock’s lifespan and resistance to wear. If you plan to secure property outdoors (i.e. a shipping container, a storage unit, boat, a bicycle) it will last a lot longer if it is covered/shrouded, stainless steel, or brass/aluminum vs. plated steel. For marine environments like the NH Seacoast, brass is the gold standard. Solid brass padlocks resist rust and corrosion due to their non-ferrous properties. That makes these padlocks perfect for marine & corrosive environments and other areas with high moisture.
Which Padlock Should You Choose?
Well, it depends. On your threats, the value of what you’re trying to lock up, and your security budget among other things. If I had to recommend 4 different padlocks/manufacturers, based on overall quality and superior protection, LockWorks suggests the following:
1. Any model of Diskus padlock made by Abus
This is one of the best general-use padlocks available. The Abus Diskus padlock is perfect for almost any application because of its outstanding features. Its round body makes it hard to hold onto when cutting and difficult to break using a hammer. It has a good quality locking core, meaning that you need special tools and skills to pick this one open. While there are other cheaper locks out there, this one is sold at a reasonable price for the amount of security it provides.
2. MasterLock ProSeries Padlocks – Built for the Harshest Conditions
ProSeries padlocks typically feature laminated steel bodies, and hardened boron alloy shackles, provide superior protection against drilling, cutting, and other forms of physical attack, and are designed to handle extreme environments. With weather tough shackle seals and a durable laminated steel body, these padlocks offer excellent protection against rust and corrosion. They are perfect for outdoor use in any climate.
Notable Mentions
Worth mention, are Wilson Bohannan and Pacific Lock Company (PacLock). Both manufacture in the US and carry a dizzying array of padlock styles and options to meet your unique security needs.
Wilson Bohannan Lock Company
Wilson Bohannan started manufacturing padlocks in 1860 in Brooklyn, New York. The founder’s grandson moved the factory to Marion, Ohio in 1926 where it remains today. A true expression of American craftsmanship, the all brass WB weatherproof and rustproof padlocks thrive in multiple industries – construction, utilities, transportation, government, oil field, military, heavy industry and everywhere in between. Their extensive product line includes single-bolt, high-security double ball, door key compatible key-in-knob, interchangeable core and cylinder locks.
Pacific Lock Company (PacLock)
PacLock started in 1998 with the concept of manufacturing a less expensive alternative to the American Lock brand from Master Lock. In 2010 that focus changed as PACLOCK on-shored production and began manufacturing high quality U.S.-made products. Today, PACLOCK engineers, machines, assembles, and quality tests a majority of its product line at the company’s headquarters and manufacturing facility in Valencia, California, USA. PacLock is the only manufacturer in the world producing Buy American Act (BAA) compliant brass, hardened steel, and aluminum body padlocks. PacLock’s product line features a large assortment of traditional solid and laminated body padlocks; hidden shackle and hockey puck-style locks; transportation locks; government locks; hasps; and smart lock solutions.
Need Expert Help?
I hope you found this guide to padlocks helpful. If you still have questions, send me a message. As a mobile locksmith in Southern NH, I specialize in securing everything from homes to commercial properties. Don’t settle for “good enough.” Invest in a padlock that protects your space and saves you time. Contact LockWorks today to get a free consultation or learn more about high-security padlock solutions. Your safety starts with the right lock.