(022) Warded padlocks and how to pick them

[@PeregrineBF]

Warded locks are great for security! You can get one very cheaply, put it in a sock, and hit burglars with it. Security! ;)

[@LockNoob]

Well, that’s one way, lol :-)

[@washingtonstatepicker3460]

Lol!

[@marksuhre9494]

I actually like the warded locks for a reason. Most people are trained in pin tumbler, bumping and such. A lot of people aren't even familiar with warded locks. My son put my Christmas present in a tool box with a chains around it. It had five locks on it. I got through the first four locks in about 2 minutes (master lock and a couple of others but all pin tumblers). The last lock was the smallest and cheapest lock. I could not pick it to save my life - no pins, weird keyway - I just did not have a clue how to attack it because I never even knew what a warded lock was (I am a father of three who only does this for fun and not a trained professional). That damn cheap warded lock made me say uncle. So, even though they are incredibly easy to pick, if you don't know about them, they do present a very unique challenge. I was utterly amazed that a $3 dollar no name lock completed stopped me when I zipped through 4 other pin tumbler locks with relative ease. Granted, they were mostly Master locks or similar sometimes it takes a bit to get through them (for me) especially if they have radical bitting. I would use them as a lock for cheaper items because I just don't think people realize they are out there (I didn't at the time). Not knowing anything about warded locks (or anything about how they worked or skeleton keys) back then, it confused the heck out of me how to defeat it. The cheapest lock was the once I couldnt pick. BTW, I wasn't allowed to use Google to figure out what type of lock it was or how to defeat it. And my son just picked out random different locks without even knowing it was a warded lock. The cheapest lock with a spinning keyway brought me to a grinding halt. Obviously, I know better now, but I might throw one in with a combination of other locks just to throw someone off or slow them down. I think they still have there place. 99% of the people don't have a clue about them. Might not slow them down with a set of bolt cutters, if they are only used to picking pin tumbler locks without much knowledge of these, I might make a difference.

[@LockNoob]

That’s a great comment, thanks for sharing :-)

[@TC-th1ey]

Working in the countryside I use warded locks on five bar wooden gates. Someone could easily jump over the gate so won't bother with the lock and the lock is unlikely to be damaged being out in the elements for years.

[@oldgranite6467]

I've been messing around a bit with picking for a couple months, and I've started just chucking in a random cheap lock with amazon orders to build up my skillset. "Interesting looking key," I thought about a Master Lock I had delivered today. I was so confused that the keyway just spun and poking around with a pick didn't do anything, and here I am on KZbin trying to figure out how it works and now I have to buy a some warded key picks to be able to open the thing without a key! So easy to bypass, but essentially highly pick resistant to people unfamiliar with this ancient, low security tech :)

[@owojohnson1115]

How'd it go? ​@@vmr6771

[@gprider1525]

Just bought by accident so will have a bit of fun before trying the specific picks/keys, cheers 🍻

[@KermodeBear]

Decided to try this hobby; bought a set of Sparrows picks, went to the store today and bought a few much-maligned Masterlocks. We all need to start somewhere, I thought I'd start on the lowest run of the Lock Ladder. I saw the 22D and bought it (along with 3 others) for practice. The three others opened with a sneeze, but I wasn't sure what to do with this one. Now I know - very informative, thank you!

[@LockNoob]

Thanks 🙏

[@NoctisMotus]

Bought my warded picks out of curiosity as well, and learned very quickly that my bike lock was crap. :) Nice video.

[@LockNoob]

Thanks! Yeah, if nothing else, this hobby has made me reassess my own home security...

[@Louie9000]

I wouldn't worry if someone is going to try to rob you I dought they'll be picking the lock... they'll most likely use brute force.

[@hp5469]

I had 4 of these locking up my work trailer doors. The thieves cut the locks with bolt cutters. Thieves don't pick locks.

[@LockNoob]

Agree completely :-)

[@51-FS]

Some of us do...

[@niklanganis]

@@51-FS ok

[@francoisbelangerboisclair]

They are still common today for gates in rural area in Canada because they don't freeze and work after years of being outside. You see them where the value to protect is 0. But need a deterrent effect.

[@LockNoob]

François Bélanger Boisclair yeah, I can see that as a viable application, thing is that I know one shop local to me in my city that use one for their security shutters... I might have to tell them one day that this isn't quite as secure as they think...

[@francoisbelangerboisclair]

The big advantage of them is simple: they work in any condition and are easy to bypass. We tend to want hyper secure padlock. It's usually the right idea. But you may prefer a low security padlock that won't jam and it easy to open. Think adult games... It can be lot nicer if you don't need a angler grinder because you lose the key.

[@Eric4bz]

Either my warded master lock has a key where they carefully measured after common warded picks so that mine don't line up, or I'm doing something wrong. But, you've given me hope, and I'll keep trying until I get it. Edit: almost as soon as I comment this I figure it out lol. My problem was trying to push the picks all the way to the back - the actuator(s) is/are somewhere in the middle.

[@LockNoob]

Glad you solved it!

[@Louie9000]

When I saw the blue lock I thought "I swear that looks the exact same as the lock my mum got from the pound shop" *about 1 minute later* Lock noob: "this is from the pound shop"

[@LockNoob]

Lol :-)

[@blazinred13]

Thank you! I had a bike cable with the master lock on it that I lost the key to. Fashioned a ward pick from a paperclip based on your tool! Apparently master lock thinks if y'all drive on the left, you must turn your keys anti-clockwise too because mine was 'murican clockwise.

[@canadafree2087]

Still made 7 years later. I found one recently and it gave me 30 seconds of enjoyment but then after opening them 10 times in those 30 seconds it felt like I was just using the key.

[@theteenageengineer]

The new 22s are a little harder to get into, the standard warded picks will not work, but if you take any master lock warded key and file off everything except the tip then leave a space and leave a small bit then you will have a master key that will open all of them.

[@DP-hy4vh]

A better pick for a warded lock is an iron nail that's flattened on the head end with the flattened head serving as a "T" to pick the lock. After flattening the nail with a hammer so it's narrow enough to enter the keyway, use a tabletop wheel grinder to grind some of the top part of the "T" to flatten it and then the sides of the "T" so it's narrow enough to fit into the keyway. After doing that, be sure to put a bend on the pointy end of the nail so you have a handle to turn the pick. The nail pick usually works on most of the old warded Master Locks, although some have two parts that have to be rotated instead of one. Simply try to rotate the part closest to the keyhole and then the part closest to the top of the lock. This usually gets it open.

[@Johnyrocket70]

I have some vintage warded locks that use the second lever the end is a decoy. some of my first videos a reese is one of them.

[@LockNoob]

Sounds interesting, I'll check out your vids! I find warded padlocks hard to come by at the best of times.

[@coruscaregames]

Ah! That's it! That's how you prevent a bear from opening a trashcan lid!

[@Mutisi0n]

Till the bear sticks a claw in the keyway and turns

[@nottjohn9418]

Aren't these the type of locks that used to be on nearly everybody's back door in the UK? I remember there only being about five keys that would operate every lock you came across. Even before lock-picking I had to wonder if they were really that bad and it appears they were.

[@zefftrus9825]

Can you do a video on that kit you showed in this video

[@bird718]

my warded padlocks came in today and i had no idea how to pick em. just watched this vid and now i have to order picks.... what a bummer

[@LockNoob]

You can use a deep hook If you are really careful not to snap it in the lock :-)

[@bird718]

@@LockNoob this is alien tech, i will put the keys on my list for whenever i do my next order

[@sirjohnfoolstaff3920]

I have the pound shop lock and picked today with a pound shop hair grip. I bypassed it in seconds. My first pick. Surely bypss is the easiest solution for this warded lock?

[@bird718]

@@sirjohnfoolstaff3920 i tried hairpains, they dont work on my warded locks. i'm gonna make a shank this week, i will also try to make a key for warded locks, i'm gonna still order a set of keys because its important to have. one day during the zombie apocalypse your going to be in a jam because you can't open a warded lock where the chainsaw and other power tools are.

[@sirjohnfoolstaff3920]

@@bird718 I guess so, the skeleton keys set is rather cool.

[@johngoodman4829]

Americans: Dollar store British: 𝓟𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭 𝓼𝓱𝓸𝓹𝓹𝓮

[@LockNoob]

Yup

[@zacharylagler242]

They are used in northern Canada still, as they hold up well in the Cold...

[@LockNoob]

Yeah, I suppose that is a good use if low security:-)

[@JoeDurobot]

Pretty inreresting. That's pretty much 19th century technology, right? Maybe used before that too. If I understand it correctly you could buy that Master lock model, turn the key into a skeleton key by filling all but the last groves, and that way open all similar models?

[@LockNoob]

Yes, absolutely :-) people used to do this all the time to avoid having to carry multiple keys

[@christianfritz6333]

Craziest thing, I've had the hardest time finding these "keys" for a reasonable price.

[@SorobanWorld]

UPDATE Sep 28th, 2024: The masterlock picture is a 22. The 22D now requires the "more secure" activation in two places. Also, the double cross pick that I'm using does not seem to work with this lock. Use the wide "T" to pick the last place. The shackle will pop slightly outwards (visually noticeable). Pick the second to last place, and it will pop open.

[@arizonacoinandbullioncolle3405]

would you do more dimple lock picking please. I hope one day to get a set of dimple lock picks to attempt to learn myself

[@LockNoob]

Arizona Outdoor Survival, I recently did some videos on how to pick dimple locks that seem well received. I agree that I should pick more of them though: I'll get onto it :-)

[@arizonacoinandbullioncolle3405]

Lock Noob thank you sir, I really learn alot from your, you're a awesome teacher.

[@LockNoob]

Thank you :-)

[@arizonacoinandbullioncolle3405]

You're welcome sir. Im a certified locksmith and I learn more from you than I ever did in my schooling.

[@v6cosworth167]

Great video, i need to invest those. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@LockNoob]

Thanks 🙏

[@KhaosWolf94]

You make the master lock 22 look so easy, got the same set of picks and I CAN NOT get this stupid thing open. Did exactly what you did. Dunno what I'm doing wrong.

[@edi9892]

The home I grew up in had such locks on internal doors, but the keys were not flat, thus your picks wouldn't get into the lock as they would require an S, or Z shape.

[@jonko1374]

where did you but that all those keys?

[@LockNoob]

Amazon I think :-)

[@branden525]

Well I'm apparently doing something wrong because I find "warded" locks harder to pick than the "standard" pin type. The warded type has so much slop inside, I can't tell we're anything is at! I wish folks that make these videos demonstrate the tactics, and not the ease...

[@LockNoob]

There are no tactics wit warded locks. You just need to push on the release latch. A set of $5 warded lock picks is all you need to open 80% of these locks. :-)

[@branden525]

@@LockNoob Baldilocks has a great video that shows the insides of warded locks & the mechanics of picking them. Now I understand how to use the $5 set of picks I've got.

[@popeye1313]

Where can I buy a shadow those warded pics

[@Thumper17]

Going to have to have a chat with my boss..

[@2967575]

From where can I get a case like that one u got there lock noob ?

[@LockNoob]

I think this had tweezers in it at some point. You could try an ear bud case or buying a small case from Sparrows Lock Picks :-)

[@DragonBuilds]

I use a warded lock to secure my electric scooter when it's charging in the garage. I guess it's OK for that.

[@LockNoob]

Maybe...If it’s already locked in a garage :-)

[@DragonBuilds]

@@LockNoob UPDATE: Warded locks can be picked easily but someone tried to steal my scooter. They didn't pick the lock. They just tried to cut it but failed.

[@graybryan9521]

What would you suggest, as to how to pick, a warded padlock when the standard 4 warded skeleton keys don't open it? I've found 2 padlocks where the standard keys don't work.

[@JuraIbis]

Why are these picks manufactured so weak? It's impossible to turn them without twisting them.

[@stephenvikla6926]

can they be picked without the skeleton keys? seem more secure than a pin lock someone could pick with a paper clip( most chinese or masterlocks) and how many people walk around with warded master keys?

[@LockNoob]

Anything that can reach the latch will pick them

[@SamBaconUK]

I have really cheap £1 lock that won’t open with warded lock pick set. Any thoughts?

[@LockNoob]

Is it a warded lock (silly question but I have to ask)?

[@SamBaconUK]

Lock Noob sure is 100% - thank you for the reply.

[@FerralVideo]

I have that exact MasterLock type 22... Looks like its only security value is just to look like a lock!

[@LockNoob]

Pretty much lol :-)

[@andytuesday500]

I use warded locks on valves. There actually break away locks The fire department needs to be able to break easy. I like only carrying one key now. 😁

[@nollaigmar350]

Look noob that that lock with the blue strap I just Stuart pick in it from the bottom wiggled it around and it opens everytime

[@LockNoob]

Yes, these warded locks are awful !

[@NE-locksmith]

Hi lock noob great video, what case is that you keep the pucks in?

[@LockNoob]

Just some old tweezers case :-)

[@jarret1969]

I have a 500D master lock and same keys can't get it to work any comments why

[@Fireman-cz5lf]

It’s old lock noob

[@LockNoob]

Don’t watch these old ones lol 😂

[@Fireman-cz5lf]

@@LockNoob but it’s fun lol

[@ftswarbill]

You should work for the NyQuil Corporation.

[@LockNoob]

Bill Randolph literally have no idea what you are on about, but since you have no reason to be horrible to another human being you have never met, I will assume this is a compliment and give it a ‘thumbs up’ and a ‘love’. Thank you and have a great 2018 :-)

[@ftswarbill]

Just saying drink a cup of coffee or snort a rail of bugger sugar before making a video. Be more up beat and sell sell sell.......

[@ftswarbill]

I just meant you are boring.

[@ftswarbill]

@Lauren Damaso Ruiz No videos because I stink on ice making them. Isn't it a good thing that I know I'm a bad video maker so I don't post awful content to waist peoples time? In other words please eat your own poop.