MartinHewitt wrote:The safe key lock competition is IMHO probably mostly a competition of tools. Of the 7 locks I would get with a Hobbs' hook open: 2 much faster than 30 minutes, 3 perhaps slightly faster than 30 minutes and 2 most probably not within 30 minutes. When I use the probably most used commercially available decoder for the last 2 locks then they would be open in under 30 minutes. The handling of the decoder could be improved for quicker openings and a complete own decoder design could be built. Of course training is also important.
I wonder what "Contestants may compete individually or in pairs." means.
For the keyed safes competition, 2 people can compete as one team. It is up to them how they do it. One may be opening some locks, the other one the rest. Or perhaps one of them can be opening everything and the other person can be just assisting, building the key or whatever based on tools used.
There are a couple of reasons for this:
This way, more people can compete, we have limited capacity for this competition.
Here in the Czech Republic is quite common that 2 safe technicians work together on a safe. I am expecting there will be two such Czech teams there.
Not everyone has tools for every lock.
This is somewhat unique and experimental competition format but we believe it could be very interesting. Next year the safecracking event will be separate from the lockpicking championship so that there is more time for manipulation. This year, the manipulation is just one 60 minute round, first to open wins. For keyed locks, we have at least 5 hours so there will be many 30 rounds.
AL usher69 wrote:It would of been great if it was here in the US. Not that I would enter but watching that kind of competition would be excellent. Go get them guys
Watching is not an option, unfortunately, for the safe locks. People are protective about their tools and methods. You could watch the lockpicking competitions, though it is much better experience to participate in the competition. All skill levels (beginners up to some of the best in the world) are going to compete.
A few years back, shortly after I had bought my first set of picks and opened some practice locks I went to see this championship. The organizers were nice and recommended me to try it so I participated in the competition. I opened my first real locks there and had a great time. The system is such that even if you do not advance to the finals, you have a chance to try to open a lot of lock. I highly recommend this event.
I really hope some people from the US can make it this year. The flights are not that expensive anymore and it is a great opportunity for visiting Europe.