Locksmithing and Security

Back in the 1800s the slanging matches between the various lock manufacturers were pretty vitriolic affairs. One of the great stirrers of his day was a certain Alfred Hobbs. I’ll tell that story another day. (I’ve said that before I think; must get around to it. Wikipedia’s entry doesn’t look correct!)

Anyway, locksmithing is once again having a vitriolic spat. A new lock came on the market a little while ago; from Cisa, a well-respected lock and security company. I think their stuff is very good. Their electric release locks, for example, seem to go on forever. I’ve been wanting one for an experiment for years now, and every one I see on a problematic customer’s door is working fine and I can’t have it; the problem is always something else.

Another lock manufacturer, whose name isn’t far off the savoury pear whose name begins “Avoc…”, decided to rubbish this new cylinder as part of the marketing of their own new cylinder.

This undignified and unethical scheme has backfired on the unsavoury lock manufacturer in a rather spectacular way however. A couple of irked hobbyists have shown how two of the principal, purported selling points of the unsavoury manufacturer’s lock are miles off working satisfactorily.

If you’re thinking of putting an electric release on your own front door, think about its strength. If you’re thinking of putting an electric release on a communal front door, think about its reliability.

The electrics can either be in the lock or they can be in the keep. It’s a tiny bit more expensive to have the lock version — for example the wire has to be of the right kind and protected in the right way as it will be constantly moving as the door is opened and closed. But the extra expense of an electric release lock is well worth it. It might be 50% more expensive, but it will be at least 300% better.

Electric release keeps tend to be weak and trouble-prone. If the electrics are done correctly, however, an electric release lock — like a Cisa — will go on for decades.