My name is Chris, I have been into locks since early childhood, no logical reason, just an irresistable attraction and an obsession.  What really motivated me to write this blog was recent changes in manufacturing. To sell products I really believe in has become more of a challenge, I hand-pick from various manufacturers. I'll say anything and feel no loyalty to any manufacturer, except Abloy. I would like to offer the Abloy product line, but I can't right now. Otherwise, all other manufacturers in the American market have let me down in some way or other.

 Specifically,  Arrow Lock, who has been spending a ton of money on promotions. Too bad quality has taken a downturn. I have lost confidence in their product and advertising will not restore that. ASSA has also let me down with their weak deadbolt and can't-do attitude. Also, I bumped one open in two smacks! The burglars broke the deadbolt with minimum force, stole some potentially dangerous things  that shouldn't be stolen and left me looking completely stupid for recommending and selling an ASSA deadbolt at a top-notch price. I tried really hard at first despite quality problems,  I don't sell them anymore and ASSA couldn't care less. Arrow either, who is in bed with Medeco somehow.

I'm dealing Medeco again but the carded keys are a pain in the ASS! I should be able to cut Medeco keys on my ITL machine, but the tempermental old computer doesn't like them. I hope to get an Abloy machine some day. Until then, I don't think Medeco's are as easy to bump open as Marc Tobias at security.org makes it sound. He is right, however,  when he says most of the locks out there are junk.

Schlage has come out with a good deadbolt in the $65 to $85 range which I am stocking now and getting rid of the Arrow's in stock. This is the only Schlage product I like right now. The other deadbolt is too expesnive and the new 'ND' lever is junk-in-a-box. Of course, I'm not too fond of the collapsible cylinder, the F-series and the B100 to B300 deadbolts.

For entry locks, I use off-brand imported levers and knobs that have features I like and don't cost more than the deadbolts. I don't use these myself and only lock the deadbolt with the key because I'm prone to lock myself out of these self-locking entry locks.

Anyway, back to manufacturing. I still have a lot of respect for American padlocks, they are still the best general purpose padlocks under $50. I can pick them open, but not easily, quickly, or always. I'd say a low 20% compared to 80% of Master Locks and higher for really cheap locks. An innovative company called Pacific Lock, which has similar locks to American, has very bad cylinders, they pick like butter and I didn't even bother with bumping. They also crack easily with a screwdriver attack. Without a cylinder make-over, they will never be a contender for American. It's so bad, I refuse to sell padlocks with them, I use a cylinder from Master Lock. I like the fact that the owner frequently answers the phone and they have some new and innovative products. I'm wondering how other locksmiths feel about these  cylinders, I have no respect for them, otherwise, the padlocks are ok.

Many of the changes are due to corporate acquisition, buy the competition. One corporation I've been watching is Comp-X, they own most of the cam lock companies including Chicago Lock which has the ACE-II product line, which is great for mid-range security. The corporation is acting like a corporation should and I bought some shares as a short term trade.

I would like to know what others think and feel about these and any other locks and lock-related issues, thanks!   Chris G.

P.S. If you are the youngster who bumps open Medeco's  and makes it look easy, I'd sure like to know how you do it!