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Noticed recently that even Cheap Chinese bicycle locks are now "dimple" locks. People do understand now that these "american"-style pin locks are quite useless,

Noticed recently that even Cheap Chinese bicycle locks are now "dimple" locks. People do understand now that these "american"-style pin locks are quite useless, as opening them is everyman's sport. In dimple lock the key goes in sideways, and if the keyway is tight enuff, you cannot make a rake to fit in. Also you can design the keyway so that you cannot flip them dimples from side channel with a "flag" pick.

DigiDigiorno 6y ago
There are rakes and picks for dimple locks. (And I don't think any dimple lock has won the tolerance game on keyways for mass produced locks) Dimple locks are just less common. The more common they become and more common you'll see the rakes and picks made for them. Despite the flags being very easy to make yourself, they're uncommon enough that if you buy them from a pick store you pay a niche premium. I will say a product is more likely to be secure if the manufacturer is intentionally choosing a rarer style simply because they are taking security into account
- timonoko 6y ago
  I found a bicycle dimple lock last week on the street. I find it impossible to pick open. The dimple row is so tight that you can fit only straight blade in, raking is impossible. I have been making flags, but it seems to be impossible to find right curved shape so that the pin is fully movable. Also I have made a narrow blade for my Lock Pick Gun, but all in vain. Soon I have to send this bloody lock to Lock Picking Lawyer, situation is so desperate.
e12e 6y ago
I had to look up an example: https://youtu.be/DcZVxP6lTrE https://youtu.be/DcZVxP6lTrE I guess I can see how they might be made to tighter tolerances and tighter keyways.
- timonoko 6y ago
  Yes. This is the wide-mouth dimple lock where you can use flag and rake. Those see-through training locks you can get from Alibaba are also of that type. You can even use regular rakes on those by rotating them slightly.
  - e12e 6y ago
    Do you have example of a key and keyway that are "extra slim"? I can't quite imagine that it's not possible to adapt some kind of pick - after all the key has to fit, and has to slide int the lock, "pushing" pins out of the way? I can certainly see how such locks might be more difficult to pick, though.
    - timonoko 6y ago
      I have this bicycle lock I recently found. There no room on left side of the pins, meaning the dimples are almost at the edge of the key. And on the right side there is a wall blocking half of the key way. Flag should be really curved to reach over that wall. https://photos.app.goo.gl/PjTEiqy3vRCULy366 https://photos.app.goo.gl/PjTEiqy3vRCULy366

DigiDigiorno 6y ago

There are rakes and picks for dimple locks. (And I don't think any dimple lock has won the tolerance game on keyways for mass produced locks) Dimple locks are just less common. The more common they become and more common you'll see the rakes and picks made for them. Despite the flags being very easy to make yourself, they're uncommon enough that if you buy them from a pick store you pay a niche premium. I will say a product is more likely to be secure if the manufacturer is intentionally choosing a rarer style simply because they are taking security into account

timonoko 6y ago
I found a bicycle dimple lock last week on the street. I find it impossible to pick open. The dimple row is so tight that you can fit only straight blade in, raking is impossible. I have been making flags, but it seems to be impossible to find right curved shape so that the pin is fully movable. Also I have made a narrow blade for my Lock Pick Gun, but all in vain. Soon I have to send this bloody lock to Lock Picking Lawyer, situation is so desperate.

e12e 6y ago

I had to look up an example: https://youtu.be/DcZVxP6lTrE https://youtu.be/DcZVxP6lTrE I guess I can see how they might be made to tighter tolerances and tighter keyways.

timonoko 6y ago
Yes. This is the wide-mouth dimple lock where you can use flag and rake. Those see-through training locks you can get from Alibaba are also of that type. You can even use regular rakes on those by rotating them slightly.
- e12e 6y ago
  Do you have example of a key and keyway that are "extra slim"? I can't quite imagine that it's not possible to adapt some kind of pick - after all the key has to fit, and has to slide int the lock, "pushing" pins out of the way? I can certainly see how such locks might be more difficult to pick, though.
  - timonoko 6y ago
    I have this bicycle lock I recently found. There no room on left side of the pins, meaning the dimples are almost at the edge of the key. And on the right side there is a wall blocking half of the key way. Flag should be really curved to reach over that wall. https://photos.app.goo.gl/PjTEiqy3vRCULy366 https://photos.app.goo.gl/PjTEiqy3vRCULy366