Have you read our opinions and compare the prices, but still don’t know how to choose a good lock? Don’t panic! In this section of our guide, you will find different information on the different types, so you can buy the one that best suits your door or gate. The prices of the models can vary according to their materials, but in general, they are quite low, so you should not spend too much and make a good investment anyway.
Some locks are very easy to assemble, while others may require professional help. In the package of all the locks sold online, you will find the necessary to perform the installation together with a set of keys.
Here we had selected the best models of key locks for you that are present below.
What to Look for Before Buying Key Locks?
Locks for Armored Doors
Armored doors are certainly the safest for apartments or offices located in apartment buildings or on the ground floor. The locks for this type must be equally safe and have at least several pistons to ensure the best closing of the door.
As far as the materials are concerned, we advise you to focus on models in aluminum and zamak (a zinc alloy), particularly resistant to burglary attempts. Remember, however, that not all thieves are unwary, in fact, the most experienced use the so-called Bulgarian pick.
Most manufacturers of locks for armored doors provide their products with a particular system that prevents attempts to tamper with this particular tool. We, therefore, advise you to check for this protection in the product specifications before purchasing it.
European Locks
You cannot think of being able to mount a lock for the armored door on a normal wooden door, for this you need to find a compact model with the appropriate sizes. You can either opt for a classic double-door lock or for a European one.
The latter type is probably the most practical one as it proves extremely easy to assemble and above all measures a few centimeters. The advantage of European locks also lies in the fact that they can mount several and use the same key to open them all.
The downside is that there are really many ways to tamper with them, so they are unsuitable for apartments or offices. However, if you have a holiday home where you don’t keep anything of value or want to lock the internal doors, then this could be a very practical and economic solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Easy to Break a Lock?
It depends a lot on the type of lock, but in general modern ones require the use of different tools such as picks, lubricants, and rakes. With a little practice, everyone can manage to open a lock without using the keys, in fact, there are no burglary-proof models on the market.
Obviously the more complex the lock will be, the more difficult it will be to open, which can discourage thieves from attempting the feat. Door locks are the most complex, while padlocks and cylinder locks can be opened more easily.
Is It Illegal To Have a Lock Pick Kit?
No, at least not in Italy. If you are stopped by the police for a check, immediately specify that you have a kit of picks with you that you use for a lawful job or simply for the hobby.
You will need to demonstrate that you are not going to use it for wrongdoing, otherwise, you may arouse suspicion and be held back. Keep in mind that in some countries the transport of picks and other tools is illegal, so for safety, leave your expensive tool kit at home when you go on a trip.
Is It Difficult to Mount a Lock?
Although the locks are sold with all the components necessary for assembly and the relative instructions, installation remains a fairly complex process, but not impossible.
If you have no experience with DIY, you can still be able to mount simple locks such as cylinder locks, while for armored or electric ones a little more experience is required. In this case, you should call a specialist technician, although you must take into account the costs of the service.
Can You Kick a Door In?
You have probably seen it done in a lot of Hollywood films, but the reality is very different. Unless the door and lock are old and rotten, a nice kick on the door will only cause you so much physical pain.
If you are locked out of the house, do not try, because you will risk injuring yourself, especially if the door is very thick and the lock resistant. The best solution is to call a hardware store or firefighters who will break through the door or force the lock using the right tools.
How to Open a Lock?
Knowing how to break a lock can be quite useful, especially when you forget the keys in the house or to open locked drawers or lockers. Now you may be wondering: is it legal to bring a kit to break locks? Of course, you can have it with you, but in the case of control by the police, you will be forced to demonstrate that you do not want to commit illegal actions.
On the other hand, there are many fans of padlocks and locks who love to study its mechanisms, so you shouldn’t have any problems. There are different methods depending on the type of lock, but here we will illustrate the main ones to be able to open a simple lock.
To force a lock, sometimes a simple hairpin or a paperclip is enough, obviously the more complex the mechanism, the more you will need the ‘tools of the trade’. In a good professional kit, you will find everything you need such as tensioners, picks, and raking tools.
The ‘rake’ is a particular pick with crests on the tip which, if rubbed against the pistons of the lock, unlock it. Also, get a lubricant to make it flow more effectively. It is absolutely not easy to know how to open a locked lock because of course, you will not be able to see the mechanism inside, so you will have to have a clear mental image of the position of the pistons.
