[662] Destructive Testing of the Viro “Blocca Catena” Bike Lock

[@nmccw3245]

Impressive design. Not many survive the trip to the garage.

[@Stigstigster]

There's nothing wrong with that statement at all and it's also true but out of context that would sound pretty bad. Imagine just overhearing that somewhere!

[@FungusMossGnosis]

"And for that reason, I'll let this one go." - David, Toy-Box Killer.

[@leof8887]

Dude! Spoilers!

[@dakotathacker3821]

@@leof8887 In terms of avoiding spoilers, people should know not to begin reading through the comment section before finishing a video considering they are generally commenting on... said video. Lol However, I must say.. I am of the opinion that his comment /could/ be /just/ vague enough to warrant it spoiler-free🤷‍♂️

[@switchstatement568]

Italian designs don't disappoint

[@Justin_80]

I'd be less work to get a job and buy a bike than brute force this lock.

[@JasonBaldwin301]

or to pick it

[@zac8766]

the secret ingredient is crime

[@Artyomthewalrus]

It'd be less work to steal a battery powered angle grinder from walmart, and cut through the chain

[@MrFreeGman]

@@Artyomthewalrus It's surprisingly difficult (and dangerous) to angle grind a loose chain while it's hanging freely, not to mention all the attention it would bring.

[@mercoid]

@@MrFreeGman ....very true. Like it’s not conspicuous enough having an angle grinder, you’d also need Vice-Grips to secure the targeted link. Too much equipment, too awkward..., not worth it.

[@RPRosen-ki2fk]

Nice to finally see a lock come out on the ... winning side!

[@recklessroges]

Then you might not want to click the link in the description, (video [659] where LPL picks it in under 30 seconds.)

[@John_Ridley]

@@recklessroges However, bike thieves who can pick locks are probably almost non-existent.

[@MarioLuigi13579]

pickers cant be choosers

[@Artyomthewalrus]

@ZaC kWinz Yep, it's a highly specialized skill. Most locks can be easily bypassed by the brute force method thus rendering lockpicking nearly useless in most circumstances that damaging it doesn't matter.

[@BICIeCOMPUTERconGabriele]

On the field: always lock your bike high enough to prevent the lock from being put on the ground, to significantly reduce the possibility of brute force attacks!

[@u.v.s.5583]

Imagine all those experts standing around your bicycle discussing how to do it, and LPL in the center of them leading the discussion.

[@Known_as_The_Ghost]

*picks it within a minute*

[@sulfitedragon]

Neighbor hearing loud metal banging noises: there goes that dang ol lawyer picking his locks again

[@EXTREME-DIARRHEA-BLASTING]

HAHAHA

[@sunnysonne2957]

No, imagine hearing this om the street as a neighbor. Then the guys goes home in the middle of his break in to fix the punch, and he comes back!!

[@mhplayer]

I will now proceed to pick the lock *gets out a 2m long sledghammer*

[@Drakenborn]

"What's that dude doing out by the bike rack with two giant pry bars?" "OH! That's just Jimmy Two-Irons. We don't pay him much mind."

[@FaisalM91]

"Let me get these in the best possible position, and start spreading." - LockPickingLawyer 2018

[@proximTeaMine]

Best comment 😁

[@HumanityAsCode]

That's good material for the next April fool's episode

[@_Piers_]

This is easy, you just need a Dremel, about 100extra batteries and about 3.6million of those little brown cutting disks :D

[@mysock351C]

Small acetylene torch will go through the shackle in about a minute or two. Dremel with fiber reinforced abrasive disks will go through the chain in a few minutes with a few disks. But yeah, those stupid little brown disks...

[@kennethjallington]

Battery powered bandsaw :D.

[@crazyhobo5263]

Battery powered bandsaw... XD that made my day thanks!

[@horvathbenedek3596]

Or a tiny dremel mounted diamond cutting disk. I cut through heat treated toolsteel with a single one of them.

[@mandc20022]

I'm willing to bet lpl has an Excell spreadsheet with each lock for each video detailing how fast he picked and what bypasses work and whether it was destructive or not

[@cyrilio]

At over 1500 locks picked or op Ned destructively I’m very sure of this. He’s a very meticulous man.

[@GiampaoloMiraglia]

I have one of this on my motorbike here in italy, happy to see he was pretty solid

[@andrewshackleford832]

Where in Italy? I want to pick it!!

[@BICIeCOMPUTERconGabriele]

@@andrewshackleford832 Viro is an Italian brand.

[@pointer2null]

Two non lock picking tips: 1 - eye protection; any of those hardened bits could shatter/splinter (You may goggles have but we can't see) and 2 - hold the chisel with a pair of pliers cause if the lock/chisel gives why catastrophically and you end up whacking the side of your hand with a 3lb lump hammer it hurts - from personal experience it continues to hurt for an astonishing time afterwards.

[@paulvanderlinden581]

I really like your analytical way of looking. It's indeed a bit of a shame they didn't put a more pick resistant core in it. Thank you for the great video and all the other videos!

[@jrchicago9216]

I am a security consultant , over three decades locksmith, electronic Security and expert witness based in Chicago. First, LPL, great job - quite impressive overall. Lacking a Standard to compare to or meet, the expression that may apply here to this lock is “secure to a brute force attack to all but the most determined”.

[@methanbreather]

this video reminded me of my dentist appointment on tuesday.

[@andrewshackleford832]

I love going to the dentist! Pain before. Little discomfort in the chair. Now no pain at all!

[@4philipp]

Your dentist uses steel bars and a hammer?

[@CrazySpidey-lj1yd]

@@4philipp I don't know why, but I found this reply absolutely hilarious!

[@coreystokes8835]

From a tension wrench and pick tool, to a punch and hammer. Never a dull moment.

[@MacquarieRidge]

Ideas for a destructive attack? Acetylene torch!

[@JamesPhillipsOfficial]

Its too cumbersome, you need to roll up with your cannisters on a sack truck, once the chain is off you cant ride the bike and wheel your gas can away at the same time. That only works if you have your van nearby

[@AndyHoward]

That's what I was thinking: Blow Torch

[@TaHame1]

I thought a ceramic shell with thermite and some double sided tape to stick it to the top if the lock may work nicely. The right ceramic blend may survive the thermite, and the tape would only need to hold it up long enough to get going before the reaction bites into the lock. An exotic thermite could feasibly melt through the locks main body very quickly, or even just a few links if you can get them separate. Creative delivery is all you need for the thermite approach I feel

[@tylerblubaugh5549]

@@JamesPhillipsOfficial you know they make torch sets that would fit in a backpack right?

[@JamesPhillipsOfficial]

@@tylerblubaugh5549 yes, but does it last long enough to get through hardened steel on both sides, probably not.. I like my stuff to be portable but there are drawbacks, less powererd performance or a more expensive shortened duration of big power are typical choices.

[@dielaughing73]

For everyone suggesting he put steel rods in the hollow of the shackles: the hollow ends right below the weakest point, so there is nothing to be gained from reinforcing that short section. There is no way to create continuity between the top of the shackle and the strong, solid section below. The shackle would still shear at the interface.

[@AlbertLebel]

What a tough lock. Always a pleasure to watch you LPL. Have a good evening.

[@LT1FirebirdSLP]

I love how the subtitle says (Music) when he is slamming the lock with the hammer and punch.

[@acklan3]

Two things. 1) If you were going to attempt to drill the pins simply using a set of ViseGrip pliers to stop rotation would more than likely be effective. 2) If you wanted to use the Ramset, placing a 19 mm bolt over the pin before attempting to use the Ramset on the hardened side would allow you clearance, in the event you were successful. Just my 2¢ Great video.

[@brianhignett8954]

Hi Harry, One tough little lock, I guess Viro have learnt over the years what works and what doesn't, especially helping to protect those millions of scooters in Italy. Regards, Brian.

[@danielroglich3309]

Definitely a well executed design on this lock. Great review brother. Thanks for sharing it with us!

[@bobbycratchet3958]

This is why chain placement is important when securing your bike or other method of transport. Let them use the sidewalk as a leverage point and they can defeat some locks much quicker.

[@fabiopunk1661]

Viro is made in Italy, the company is 80 year old. I have a later lock like this (so hopefully with a harder to pick mechanism) which I use with a heavier chain on my Moto Guzzi. When I bought it, I was told the only way to open it was to use explosive. I feel better after seeing this video. As someone said, not many locks survive a trip to the LPL garage....

[@Eddavids2]

That 3lb hammer would not feel good on your knuckles glad you didn't miss

[@wtfiswiththosehandles]

Whoa, be careful. Nearly hit me in the forehead with this hammer @ 9:07

[@joolo5890]

i was thinking similar. that or his camera was about to cop a hammering.

[@jonsnow3053]

What about filling in the drilled out recess with a hardened steel rod and push them outward

[@9Gravity3]

Happy to ear someone saying "Blocca Catena" right ❤

[@HAGmbHkeG]

one thing that immediately came to my mind was that you could fill up the drilled out portions of the shackle with some HSS drill rod or something similar so the shackle wouldn't shear off when trying the first levering attack you tried

[@johnenright9859]

Impressed: would it be possible to insert two pieces of round stock into the holes in the shackle and then use some external force? It would strengthen the shackle, maybe enough to get the steel and brass to break. If you wanted to drill the shackles, a pair of vice grips and a plumbing torch would go a long way (first annealing the steel with the torch) then keeping it from spinning with the vise grips, but I do agree at that point you might as well cut it.

[@bruceli9094]

Cost of Viro bike lock just skyrocketed. Thanks LPL!

[@Viigan]

What if you reinforced the shackles (to prevent them from breaking at the drilled-out weak points) by inserting small steel rods into each of them before using the angle iron pry bars?

[@jpdemer5]

The shackles will still break off, as the second one did in this test.

[@Viigan]

Maybe, but not necessarily. By then the housing had been deformed by the repeated blows, and that may have been a contributing factor to the second shackle breaking. If the rods fit snugly enough and were inserted from the start, they might transfer the force to the other side of the shackle, essentially making it act like it was a solid piece of metal again. Just a theory, though - which I would have liked to see tested. :)

[@WJS774]

@@Viigan It's still going to break where the ball bearing sits though.

[@marcocasadiocosta1280]

I bought one type 1 cm chain when I was 15 years old (now I'm 51) after my 50cc moto was catch, I paid it a lot but then I did have no more problems, it is really heavy, now I know that by diamond disk or other system it can be easy open but it was really effective in my life.

[@somedaysoon3564]

I hack sawed the core out of a BEST brand padlock. Mini hack sawed actually. I sawed a complete radius line all around the lock, and used a hammer and chisel to separate the core from the rest of the body, once the cut was made. I hack sawed a little into the core, i went too far, but the core was complete and still in tact once it was isolated. It did take quite some time and was reasonably loud. Using a hacksaw n hammer. But i learned a lot and advanced my lockpicking skills. I had never heard about a 7 pin lock before, let alone see the inside of it and see how it worx.

[@NUMMEHARBEN]

As a locksmith I both and dislike that this very informative video is available on KZbin

[@xaiano794]

Nice to see a lock that gets the lpl seal of approval

[@blargcoster]

What if you put a hardened steel pin or dowel inside the two holes so you reinforce the "weakened" shackles and then use that lever press you mentioned in the beginning on the shackles?

[@insomnimatics]

blargcoster I was about to suggest the same thing and checked to see if anyone else did. Two steel pins would be easily accessable and transported. The shackle wells don't seem to be deep enough, though. I think the shackle would still crack and break off. The best chance with the pins, in my opinion, would be perfectly molded pins with no room in between.

[@Frank-Thoresen]

It will not work. The pin handles are hollowed and then the pin itself is weakened to break off under applied side pressure. It is shown in the video.

[@MonsterPumpkin]

@@Frank-Thoresen I dont think you understood what he is saying

[@hypernovie]

and why was the chain off limits? that is the only chain that works on that lock the two ends being the hasp.

[@albr4]

@@hypernovie he knows the chain can be cut through very easily and quickly with an angle grinder

[@Tera_Hai]

I kept thinking he was going to hit the camera on the back swing.

[@Welter87]

In Italy not getting things stolen has always been a problem... I'm happy to see at least the countermeasures are up for the challenge...

[@jamesg1367]

Thumbs up to Viro and to LPL.

[@mariusschmitt5855]

A lock resisting LPL thats majesty-insulting. I am shocked. :-)

[@ericlondono4251]

Thanks for the awesome video. I like these longer style videos.

[@scottjohnson7774]

A cold chisel would be a better choice they are usually harder than a punch as they are designed to cut bolts. Hard against hard is a wild guess which will win

[@jjssousa81]

Scott Johnson definitely. Got to hit that thing like a savage too.

[@TheCalgarydoug]

You mean hit it like you'd hit your mother in law.

[@SuperAWaC]

that punch also wasn't very hard

[@WoodworkerDon]

Appeared to be a "nailset" not an actual "punch".

[@philj745]

Very nicely thought out bike lock, well done. Too bad the core wasn't much of a challenge as it was picked in 30 seconds by the one and only LPL. This lock body with a better core would be really a decent product from what I can see.

[@simonangrignon-guindon3926]

A bit late to the party since this was posted 5 years ago but anyway, regarding the grinder attack plan, they can make the chain as large as they want, anybody with a good set of acetylene torches can get through even a 1 foot thick chain link, really love your videos tho and i'm considering buying a set of lockpick just so i can learn a new skill 🥰

[@glenjamindle]

Can you do one of those keypad locks that realtors use on houses they're selling? I always thought those were interesting.

[@svinnthefallen1486]

He has

[@kulderij]

I have this lock, its a secondary lock (the primary lock is a frame lock through the rear wheel, this one is required by my insurance). The Viro lock I use to lock my bike to any object on the street, the lock is then never on the ground, making a brute force attack even more difficult. Although I was surprised how quick you could pick it...

[@harrickvharrick3957]

LPL always talks about (how makers should be) 'putting a more pick resistant core in there' but at the same time he always shows us that such a thing does not actually exist!

[@s0nnyburnett]

I think the Ramset would work better than you'd think. The impulse from it is so high that the inertia from the lock would hold it in place long enough to deliver a powerful blow. Even if it took a few tries it'd be faster and probably quieter than anything tried here.

[@seanbax2622]

Looks like a good motorbike look. thefts will just cut the chain with a battery grinder.

[@Abcwhatever]

Wish I could have been here to make a suggestion. Mine would have been to insert a solid metal rod through the link closest to the lock body and hammer down on that. Second would be to hammer the link into the body itself

[@littlesandra87]

After the shackles are broken off, can't you use the Ramset on the brass side, and get all the guts out that way?

[@gungadinn]

The only reason that the second retainer pin broke down at the ball bearing retention radius is because you previously broke the other pin. Somehow if this bike lock were in place, the chain/lock wouldn't have been close enough to the ground for you to be pounding on.

[@bird718]

i also think it's unrealistic to attack the bike like in such a manner in real world situations

[@Fantaman900]

well there is no room for around the frame so my chain goes through the wheel and around some solid object. it's on the ground. oh and a disc lock on the other wheel. some would say that is overkill but the whole point is making it difficult to steal. i don't want somebody to take my beautiful bike

[@gungadinn]

Fantaman900 I place a cable lock around the head tube and through the front wheel and around a light pole or telephone pole. I'm usually no more than a couple hundred feet away from my bike. If you wish to steal, proceed at your own risk. ☠

[@Meekerextreme]

I agree, if the person locked up their item correctly then the lock wouldn't face out or be placed in a way you could beat on it. At a certain point (depending on neighborhood) just easier to angle grinder the chain off and be out of there in a minute...long before a cop is going to show up...most bystanders might take a picture but they won't intervene. Might not even call the cops, they don't want to get involved. and if a person does say "hey what you doing"? You could just be friendly back and say "fucking lock got stuck and I'm cutting it off my bike". My response to that if a bystander, okay cool later man. I don't have time to deal with someone that should have insurance and just parking it out in the open.

[@NeenJaxd]

tbh part where you were trying to open lock looked like a classic example of big boy with big toys c:

[@thegee-tahguy4877]

A lock worthy of a "Part 2".

[@FiveRustyNails]

Puts me in mind of my Squire SS50C-not that hard to pick but incredibly tough against brute force attack. Given that bike thieves are unlikely to invest much time in learning to pick a lock I'd say you were pretty safe with this lock. But they should still have brought the stainless steel out past the brass body by 1/4" or so.

[@jeffwalker7185]

I think you need a stunt double when attacking the locks with a hammer - imagine if you hit your hands ? Don't want to damage those lock picking hands.

[@DonzLockz]

The song by Gloria Gayor is playing in my head now... "I Will Survive".

[@nicotricking8922]

Douchebag😕

[@dannymccune1888]

Instead of a punch, I think a cross cut chisel would take it apart fairly easily. 4mm is about as narrow as I've seen, but you can grind one to suit. Cost about $15-30.

[@billyfaffler]

Great attack video. But I think you forgot to try inserting steal pins or bolts inside the shackles to reinforce them. They didn’t seal off the top to prevent this, which is what they should have done.

[@Junior-rw3jm]

Same design with 10mm hardened steel chains and shackles and that pick Resistant Core sounds great! Hope they update the design

[@Psianth]

Ah the Blocca, Blocca Catena A Viro lock you've never seen-a

[@MorellioBenoir]

What a beast of a lock!

[@metocvideo]

Vero just got the best possible promotion - for free!

[@Zodliness]

Because of their manufactured weakened points, the bolts might sheer easily from the middle, by applying outward opposing force, from each of the links attached to the shackle bolts.... If the lock body was slightly longer, it would allow for much deeper shoulders on the outermost side of the shackle pins, then a breakaway section wouldn't be needed. You could also spring load the bolts to popup upon unlocking, thus allowing the bolt tops to sit flush into the casing when locked.

[@DudeVon]

Take a bottle jack and secure one side of the chain to the base then secure the other side of the chain to the top of the ram and start "quietly" jacking up the ram and yank those sneaky shackles outta their home. If you can get one, it'd probably be even easier with one of those small hydraulic cylinders with a small hand pump that kinda looks like a grease gun, but I'm sure the bottle jack is more readily available to theives.

[@AkiSan0]

a bold cutter does the job faster and quieter. esp. if you get one equally the size of your jack.

[@RuneInternational]

thought we would see the PoP in use today. Oh well, at least I found out what those 2 little metal parts were

[@johnbeauvais3159]

Skookum as frig!!!!!

[@233kosta]

Let down by a core that's pish easy to pick :/

[@billmyke746]

John Beauvais Le treat especial!

[@sirdamedol2566]

I could brake this lock one handed in the dark alone with some wiener schleiden.

[@dant65]

Had to engage my safety squints on every backswing of that hammer.

[@stevejames5031]

Had to look SKOOKUM up.SJ London England.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

a physics lesson, showing how a lock might actually survive a brutal attack, and seeing you get your aggression out all in one video! a shame that the lock core was picked, you showed why a lock is only as strong as its weakest link!

[@dahveed284]

The problem I have with this attack method is it relies on the ground as an anvil. Most bike locks are suspended in the air when in use, making a striking attack like this so much more difficult and less effective. I suspect most bike thieves would attack the chain as the weak point with an battery powered angle grinder or even bolt cutters. But as you proved earlier, the core is an easy pick. However, I'm not sure how many bike thieves are picking locks open.

[@cyrilio]

I actually have this lock. Was wondering g about it’s pick resistance and now I know.

[@bretmohler9719]

at first i was going to say to put a hardened bolt down the hollow shackles to support the thin walls they made.. but then when the 2nd one broke at the thin area for the ball bearing.. that idea flew out the window.

[@seattlefiorelli]

Ramset suggest @ chain entry port on area to damage bearing contact. Assuming chain entry provides sufficient space.

[@PatrickPierceBateman]

You should have tried hammering out the shackle by hitting the exposed top of it after you weakened the sides of the lock with the punch. The top of the shackle probably would have broken off, but it would have been fun to watch.

[@MojoTheKillerMonkey]

You could put steel inserts into the holes in the shackles, so you wouldn’t break them when you try the lever. That is assuming the hole goes down into the lock

[@stuna101a]

Simple. Put a piece of steel down each shackle hole then use a spreader. The drilled out shackles will now be reinforced and it will work as if the shackles were not hollow.

[@moderatefkr6666]

Nice one LPL. But you naturally tempered your hammer blows to avoid the consequences of missing and hitting your hand. Hold the punch tightly locked in a pair of Mole vice grips, (the ones designed for round things). Hold it close to the sharp end for a lower centre of gravity. Them belt the fuck out of it. I've used this method for similar jobs and it works. I once designed a slide punch that consisted of a round hardened steel bar twice the diameter of the thing to be punched, with the end turned down to the correct diameter. I drilled a hole the larger diameter in a lump of 2" thick mild steel. The amount of force that could be applied was huge, and every blow was better directed and more efficient. But due to the stability of the whole setup, less force and fewer blows were actually necessary. Plus ALL the danger of injury was eliminated. The irony is, some bastard stole all my best engineering tools, including a large set of uniquely modified Swiss files I'd made! My favourite punches were all of brass aluminium or copper. All are great for shifting stuff without damaging it.

[@c.m.3661]

Weakest part is the brass so just attack it from the side. Drill, chisel or whatever. Do what you did but ignore the steel casing. You can do the bottom and the top. Breaking the shackle tops off might make it easier to move them out of the way after you remove the brass.

[@rcsendandblast1579]

I think that is a insane awesome Lock. Wow.

[@rem45acp]

What a great lock!

[@RubenKelevra]

What about some Thermite into those nice openings? :D

[@5prayerfaust]

What if you inserted two metal rods with the exact diameter of the drilled holes (to defeat the intentional weakening) and then used the levers?

[@Radovanslav]

I think it would break at the same point as the second lock thing (I forgot what that is in English, oof) @ 12:40

[@Meekerextreme]

However most thief's can not pick locks, and statistically theft occurs from opportunity. Plus if it's something you always park outside in the same spot then maybe mix it up with different locks and a few chains...however if I'm travelling across country with the motorcycle in the bed of the truck this setup looks fine, I'm just at a Hotel for a night and moving on early next morning (probably got in around midnight so only there for 5-6 hours. Of course best deterrent is the $0 deductible and accessory coverage...I'd actually make out and could use a new bike even if I am out say $2,000 I'm okay with that.

[@TaHame1]

My first thought on any of these brute force attack vids is creative use of thermite haha

[@insomnimatics]

I'm not sure how thick the shackle was on the inside of the lock but would it have been possible to use a hammer and chisel (or similar tools) through the holes on the sides, where the chain is inserted, to strike and possibly break them on the inside?

[@DeAtHKrUsHeR89]

You should team up with Demolition Ranch to try and open up some padlocks using bullets :D

[@yeright1977]

Went to push like and discovered I'd already pushed like. Probably when the tools came out.

[@chase9316]

If we're only speaking academically, I humbly suggest using a couple .308 black tip Lapua Magnum rounds on it... Should clear the problem right up.

[@glasslinger]

Also locked to a bike on a pole you couldn't get the hammer to do much.

[@pagedeveloper]

The problem with this attack, is that it is taking a very long time. The Ram Set, and punch the top of the pins so it drives them down into the lock.

[@semifavorableuncircle6952]

I would give that chain about 10-15sec with my not very new Bosch 18V angle grinder. More like 10sec with the newer brushless one. So yeah, "security level 15" means it takes 15sec to cut :)

[@billmyke746]

Brutality. Great lock.

[@potskie420]

I know this video is old but pro tip here. Always hold a punch with vice grips to prevent destroying your hand especially when it's a small punch vs big hammer situation.

[@logangraham2956]

the shackles spins and its retained which means there is something holding it in place. maybe if you spin the shackle fast enough and pull outwards it will friction melt itself off. assuming you don't stop before its off of course because then it'll weld itself in place and you'll never get it spinning again.

[@KKhhoorrnniittee]

Do you think a hardened steel ball retaining it won't spin?

[@Enroxxx]

When I was a kid, this was the most common bike lock in Italy.

[@Navy735]

What about drilling out the core? I didn’t see anything in the way of serious drill protection on the core.

[@harshnemesis]

The amount of noise that makes you might as well just use an angle grinder

[@noscopesallowed8128]

@@harshnemesis Well sure but hitting it with a hammer isn't much better. Thing is all of this is useless anyways. Just cut the chain and bypass it all.

[@MaryBruflat]

Specially designed punch. Lol. That's a nail sinker

[@rob2267]

I would try a proper center punch with some real meat on it, that nail set has a profile more in line with finish carpentry than bike theft

[@two_tier_gary_rumain]

I suspect that, with the shackle that snapped at the ball bearing point, you could have used the punch and hammer on the rest of it to work it out. Place the punch through the hole on the inside part of it so that the remaining shackle would be pushed out the other, open side.