Hardened Steel Padlocks will increase security over brass padlocks

When discussing the security of padlocks, two items should always be at the forefront: what material is the lock made of and what the key control level is.  Most of today’s high security padlocks are made out of solid steel.  This construction method starts with a solid block or rod of steel that is machined into the shape of a padlock.  Holes are then drilled for the lock cylinder and the shackle.

Hardened Security

Most manufacturers will put the body and shackle through a heating and cooling process that will increase the strength of the steel.  These manufacturers will advertise that their padlocks are constructed out of “Hardened Steel”.  The shackle will also be made out of hardened steel and will come in different lengths and diameters.

The above construction method provides a strong physical padlock body and shackle, but can you really call this a “High Security Padlock”?  Physically, yes, these are high security padlocks, but until you decide on the type of lock cylinder that will go into the lock, you can’t truly call them “High Security”.  The following determines the security level of a lock cylinder:

• Is there true key control?
• Is the lock/key code registered to you?
• Does the lock/key code ever repeat itself?
• How many people can order your keys?
• What material is the lock cylinder and key made of?

When you put together a solid steel padlock body and shackle with a high security lock cylinder it gives you a true “High Security Padlock” that will have both physical security and key control.

Hardened Solid Steel

Does this mean that all other solid steel padlocks that don’t have this type of lock cylinders are not secure, absolutely not?  They are very secure and most come with high quality lock cylinders: however, they lack key control.  So it comes down to the most important question, what are you protecting and what is the value?  There is a price to pay for solid steel high security padlocks; they will cost more money than those without key control.

You need to answer the question: is what you are trying to protect worth the additional cost?

Go to our padlock page for more information and to purchase.