Posted by Klaus on July 02, 2001 at 15:21:54:
In Reply to: Re: security question for magically inclined posted by Ian McColl on July 02, 2001 at 10:19:13:
Hello Ian,
> Hello Klaus,you seem to be asking for the big secrets
> of the trade both locksmithing and escape artists.
Explicitly I did *not* ask how to pick a lock.
> [...] Most can do many things and few can nearly do them all.
Which leaves me wonder if there is an ultimate device not yet conquered.
For sure knowing of such would be a pretty good show spoiler for the magicians.
> Due to the security nature of the trade of locksmiths I won't go into detail but I have seen tools
> which open locks that the average locksmith will never encounter and would not even know of.
Very correct. I once came across WWW pages or lock picking amateurs
and the explanations and instructions I found there left me quite
uneasy about the usual tumbler/cylinder lock encountered in everydays
life. And improvements some manufacturers claim 'mushroom shaped pins'
I remember were judged as slight complications only.
They also explained some tools. I wondered what Yale locks are still good for after that.
> Also I personally know some escape artists that have never failed to open handcuffs.
> Obviously there are cuffs and cylinders which one would prefer not to have to work on
> but with time, all things are possible.
These less than preferred cylinders, if available with a cuff, that is what I would like
to know. I have to admit that sometimes I really do not trust claims from manufacturers'
side as they really can be quite at variance to my (theoretical) knowlegde about locks.
And when you say with sufficient time all is possible
then the gifted magician still can pull off a successful escape.
> Not a real answer but an explanation.
Knowing a few things about magic tricks I very much understand the secrecy ethos about
keeping the secrets to oneself or only divulge them among fellow magicians at most.
And I understand that tools in the locksmith trade may be regulated.
But from computer security it is well known that 'security by obscurity'
does not work at all there.
And now imagine me entering the shop of a reputable locksmith and asking
for a secure lock (well a good cuff in this case). Since the discovery of
X-rays there is no real point in keeping the lock mechanism secret to the
buyer, as I have to assume that a bad guy will have had a piercing look at
it. I have to assume that bad guy has also trained himself on such locks.
I could go into the nearest supermarket and have the salespersons there
recommend me a lock. Chances are they would sell me the most shiny one :-((
But this reputable locksmith should be able to point me to the item
in store which keeps (well educated and trained) bad guy busy
for the longest time possible.
Regards
Klaus