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This is a Squire CP60 padlock and on the face of it is just a fairly standard open shackle padlock. However, there is a feature within this lock which makes it significantly better. This goes for all padlock that use double ball bearing locking. Padlocks shackles (U bar) are usually secured into the body 1 of three ways:

  1. single bolted
  2. double bolted
  3. double ball bearing

Single locking is usually found on cheap locks. Double is found on decent locks and double ball bearing on really good locks and all high security locks of any reasonable standard.

 

Why is double ball bearing that much better?

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Shackle showing he grooves for the bearings to engage. [Click to enlarge]

Most padlocks will open if you cut the shackle. However, if it is double locked then even if you cut it, then both sides of the shackle remain in place. On top of that, if it is locked down using a ball bearing, it means that even if cut, the shackle can’t rotate (See image on the right). The bottom line is that you cut it once and it still remains locked and in place. You need to then cut it again to make a big enough gap to get it off the gate, chain or hasp it is attached to. This makes it twice as difficult to get into and often a criminal might give up after one cut.

If you’re looking for a high security padlock then make sure it is double ball bearing locking!