The Most Difficult Lock to Pick, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the lock you think is the most difficult!
Updated on May 6, 2024 06:24
Lock picking is an art and science that speaks volumes about the security features of locks. For professionals in security and amateur enthusiasts alike, understanding which locks provide the toughest challenge can be quite beneficial. This not only assists in making well-informed security decisions but also enhances the knowledge base of lock-picking techniques.
Here on this site, users can engage by voting for locks they find notably difficult or intrigue their interest due to complex mechanisms. This collective input helps in generating a dynamic ranking that reflects current opinions and trends in lock security. The broader our user participation, the more accurate and helpful the rankings will be.
What Is the Most Difficult Lock to Pick?
-
147votes
Medeco High Security Lock
Medeco Security LocksThis lock uses a unique keyway design, rotating pins, and hardened steel inserts to resist picking, drilling, and bumping.The Medeco High Security Lock is a highly advanced and difficult to pick lock designed with enhanced security features. It provides strong resistance against various lock picking techniques, making it one of the toughest locks to bypass.- Key Control: Utilizes a patented key control system that prevents unauthorized duplication of keys.
- Keyway Design: Incorporates a unique and complex keyway design that makes it challenging to manipulate using standard lock picking tools.
- Lock Cylinder: Constructed with hardened steel pins, sidebar, and drill-resistant components, ensuring superior resistance to physical attacks.
- Master Key System: Capable of creating highly secure master key systems, providing controlled access to different levels within an organization.
- Bump Key Resistance: Designed to resist bump key attacks, a common method used by intruders to compromise standard pin tumbler locks.
-
229votesThis lock uses a rotating disk mechanism with over 2 billion possible key combinations. It is resistant to picking, bumping, and drilling.The Abloy Protec2 is a high-security mechanical locking system designed to provide increased resistance against picking, manipulation, and unauthorized key duplication.
- Keyway type: Disc-detainer
- Key shape: Unique rotating element shape
- Key material: Hardened steel or nickel silver
- Lock body material: Hardened steel or brass
- Key combinations: Over 2 billion possible combinations
-
321votes
Mul-T-Lock MT5+
Mul-T-LockThis lock uses a telescopic pin mechanism, mushroom pins, and interactive elements to resist picking and bumping.The Mul-T-Lock MT5+ is a high-security lock known for its resistance to picking and tampering. It utilizes advanced technology and features to provide enhanced security.- Key Control: Offers strict control over key duplication, ensuring only authorized individuals can duplicate keys.
- Mul-T-Lock Platforms: Includes patented pin tumbler mechanism and telescopic pins for added security.
- Interactive element: Incorporates an interactive element inside the keyway to provide added pick resistance.
- Magnetic components: Utilizes magnetic components for enhanced security measures.
- Drill Resistance: Designed to resist drilling attempts through the implementation of hardened steel components.
-
47votes
Assa Abloy Twin Combi
Assa AbloyThis lock combines both mechanical and electronic components to create a highly secure locking system. It is resistant to picking, bumping, and drilling.The Assa Abloy Twin Combi is a highly secure lock specifically designed to provide exceptional resistance against unauthorized access. It incorporates advanced technology and multiple security features to deter even the most skilled lock pickers.- Keyway: Unique, patented 12-pin tumbler mechanism
- Pinning System: Combination of conventional and sidebar pins
- Key Control: Strict key control policies, patented key duplication
- Drill Resistance: Hardened steel components and anti-drill plates
- Pick Resistance: Anti-pick pins and security drivers
-
513votes
EVVA MCS
EVVAThis lock uses a magnetic slider mechanism and a patented keyway design to resist picking and bumping.The EVVA MCS (Master Keying System) is a highly secure and advanced lock system designed for maximum protection against unauthorized access. It is known for its exceptional level of key control and resistance to picking or manipulation.- Key Control: Provides superior key control with strict key distribution and registration processes.
- Master Key System: Features a hierarchical master key system for convenient access control and flexibility.
- Patented Key Profile: Utilizes a unique patent-protected key profile that enhances key security and makes replication difficult.
- Anti-Picking Mechanisms: Incorporates advanced anti-picking pins, sliders, and other mechanisms to resist picking and manipulation attempts.
- Drill Resistance: Offers excellent resistance against drilling attacks with hardened steel components and reinforced core construction.
-
613votes
Kaba Mas X-09
Kaba MasThis lock uses an electronic keypad and multiple layers of encryption to create a highly secure locking system.The Kaba Mas X-09 is an advanced electronic combination lock used in high-security applications. It offers unparalleled security and durability, making it one of the most difficult locks to bypass or manipulate.- Lock Type: Electronic combination lock
- Security Level: High-security
- Manipulation Resistance: Extremely resistant
- Durability: Highly durable
- Key Type: No physical key
-
78votes
Sargent and Greenleaf 2740B
Sargent and GreenleafThis lock uses a combination dial and multiple relocking devices to resist drilling and manipulation.The Sargent and Greenleaf 2740B is a high-security combination lock known for its exceptional resistance to picking and manipulation techniques. It is designed to protect safes, vaults, and other secure storage containers.- Lock Type: Combination lock
- Security Level: High-security
- Picking Resistance: Exceptional
- Manipulation Resistance: Exceptional
- Safe Compatibility: Suitable for safes, vaults, and secure storage containers
-
812votes
Yale Superior
YaleThis lock uses a side pin design and anti-pick pins to resist picking and bumping.The Yale Superior is a high-security lock designed to provide exceptional resistance against picking and other forms of tampering.- Keyway: Cylinder
- Cylinder Type: Pin tumbler
- Key Pins: 6
- Driver Pins: 6
- Security Pins: Yes
-
913votes
BiLock Exclusive
BiLockThis lock uses a dual sidebar mechanism and a patented keyway design to resist picking and bumping.The BiLock Exclusive is considered one of the most difficult locks to pick. It incorporates advanced security features to provide maximum protection against unauthorized access.- Keying System: Unique 12-pin tumbler system
- Key Control: Protected design to prevent unauthorized duplication
- Lock Body: High-strength steel construction with hardened inserts
- Key Material: Nickel silver for durability and resistance to wear
- Key Design: Dual-opposing sidebar system
-
109votes
Chubb Detector Lock
Jeremiah ChubbThis lock uses a combination of levers and a detection system to resist picking and drilling. If the lock is tampered with, a mechanism inside the lock will trigger an alarm.The Chubb Detector Lock is a high-security lock known for its exceptional difficulty to pick or manipulate. It was created by Jeremiah Chubb, an English locksmith, in the early 19th century. The lock gained fame for its ingenious design and ability to detect unauthorized attempts to open it. It remains highly regarded in the security industry to this day.- Complexity: The lock contains a unique arrangement of levers and tumblers, adding complexity that makes it extremely challenging to pick or manipulate.
- Anti-Picking Features: The lock incorporates anti-picking mechanisms such as false gates, trap levers, and false slots, making it highly resistant to picking attempts.
- Keyway Design: The lock features a patented keyway design that further enhances its security by preventing easy duplication of keys.
- Anti-Bypass Mechanisms: Special measures are in place to prevent bypass techniques such as impressioning or key manipulation.
- Strong Construction: The lock is constructed with durable materials, making it resistant to physical attacks.
Missing your favorite lock?
Graphs
Discussion
Ranking factors for difficult lock
-
Complexity of the lock mechanismThe more complex the lock mechanism, the harder it would be to pick. Locks with multiple pin configurations, sidebars, and additional security features increase difficulty.
-
Number of pins/tumblersLocks with more pins and tumblers make it more difficult for a lock picker to manipulate the internal components successfully.
-
Pin variety and arrangementLocks that contain a variety of pin types, such as security pins (spool, serrated, mushroom), as well as varying lengths of pins in random arrangements, will increase the difficulty in picking the lock.
-
Tolerance levelLocks with tighter manufacturing tolerances make it harder for a lock picker to manipulate the pins, as it requires more precision and sensitivity.
-
Keyway designA restricted or paracentric keyway can make it more challenging for a lock picker to maneuver their tools within the lock, making it more difficult to manipulate the pins.
-
Additional security featuresAnti-drilling, anti-bumping, anti-snap, and magnetic components can add an extra layer of security, making the lock more challenging to pick.
-
Lock typeDifferent types of locks (such as disc detainer, lever, pin tumbler, or electronic) require different methods and skill sets to pick, adding to the level of difficulty.
-
Skill and experience of the lock pickerWhile not a direct factor related to the lock itself, the difficulty in picking a lock is partly determined by the skill and experience of the person attempting to pick it. A more skilled and experienced lock picker may find it easier to pick a lock that others may consider difficult.
-
Quality of lock picking toolsHigh-quality and specialized tools could make it easier to pick a lock, while poor quality tools could make it more challenging.
-
Time and patienceSome locks may take an extended amount of time and patience to pick, which can be considered a factor in the lock's difficulty. Based on the level of perseverance the lock picker brings to the task, this factor could be subjective.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult lock to pick. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or lock is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 4380 views
- 160 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each lock once every 24 hours. The rank of each lock is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
Trendings topics
Don't miss out on the currently trending topics of StrawPoll Rankings!
More information on most difficult lock to pick
Lock picking has been a fascinating subject for centuries. From the humble padlock to the most intricate security systems, there is always a challenge in trying to unlock them without the key. However, some locks are more difficult to pick than others, and the reasons for this vary widely. Factors such as the number of pins, the quality of the lock, and the complexity of the locking mechanism all play a role in determining the difficulty of a lock to pick. In this article, we'll explore some of the most difficult locks to pick, and what makes them so challenging for even the most skilled lock pickers.
Explore other rankings
Check out some of the other recommended rankings on StrawPoll and make your voice heard.
