femurat wrote:On a side note, I think that these pins should make the lock extremely easy to pick! I've never played with it so I could be wrong, but a tapered keypin should push the top pin past the shearline and fall down straight away, without the risk of getting caught by the plug hole border. And the bevel of the top pins should help to create a HUGE shearline: from the top of the top pin bevel to the bottom of the bottom pin taper.
Thank you femurat. And your assumptions are more or less correct.
The only thing that you didn't take into account is that WB's are fuckin' freaks! lol
In fact, the use of beveled and/or rounded pins are usually geared more towards functionality rather than security. They help the lock operate more smoothly and reduce the amount of wear. For example, the bitting on a key may wear down over time and will not lift the pins quite as high as it use to. But the key will still operate the lock properly since these types of pins create for a much more forgiving shearline... just like you mentioned.
On the other hand, manufacturers will sometimes use these pins with security in mind. But when that's the intension, they're normally coupled with flared chambers on the plug and/or housing. Yet, these locks have no flared chambers... so again, just freaks! lol
Also, this is the most extreme beveling I've seen. Usually, they're not nearly this drastic.
Hopefully someone will jump in & explain this a bit better... but here's my experience with these; When you set a pin, it's quite apt to be overset (
a small portion of the keypins' beveled tip sets just above the shearline and jams there). But you'll experience a slight amount of give in the plug, giving you the impression that the pin has been properly set. And the fact that another pin is now binding only helps reinforce this thought.
So it seems there are two ways in which you can attack these locks. One, using light-med. tension, along with delicate precision with the pick, being cautious not to overlift anything. Or, (
as I've come to do) a staight up, full hard-on attack... lol.. more of a 'rough & tumble' kind of style. Hard tension, hard pickin'. I'm bound to overset pins in this manner, so I frequently ease off tension in order to drop overset keypins. There's also the possibility of a driver making its' way back into the plug. For this, a gentle nudging kind of lift.... or a light 'brush over/raking' from back to front will help work them back up out of the plug.
One things for sure... however you decide to tackle these, they're fun picks! I've a couple that seem to pick like nothing more than a laminated master. While others really give me a good run for my money.
darkhorse wrote:excellent post oldfast...I might be lucky enough to get one of these shortly and was wondering how the plug comes out...i'e' is there a screw under the shackle?
Thanks. These locks are self-contained and are not designed to be disassembled. All the pinstacks (
as well as the retaining pin) are dropped into their chambers, capped, and sealed within the body. You're only options involve grinding or drilling. But look on the bright side friend... I just slaughtered two of mine, so you don't have to kill yours! lol
xeo wrote:oh my god. what did you do to that beautiful wilson bohannon! i love these locks.
"Some must die.... so that others may live"
whizdumb81 wrote:Dare I say that you and your posts are the single greatest addition to Keypicking since the chat board.. You have greatly enhanced the content and information that this site has to offer and on that note I want to personally thank you for the time and effort you have put into your posts and the information you provide us all with. You are most welcome here and I for one hope to see more of your stunning photography and information posted as you too explore the world of locks.
THANK YOU,
Whizdumb
Holy shit Whiz... what an awesome compliment! Your kind words are deeply felt and very appreciated. I love this hobby, this forum, and everyone on it. I get immense enjoyment from it all, and it certainly keeps me busy. And for someone like me, with my past.... busy is ALWAYS a good thing! lol