Hardened steel is also used in many locks and can make the lock more resistant to bolt cutters. Boron alloy is one example of a material that's difficult to cut through. Steel alloys tend to give the strongest protection against bolt cutters. The material is another factor in how easy it is to cut the lock with bolt cutters. If you're looking for a padlock, choose one with a short or shrouded shackle. This isn't as easy to find on bike locks since you need a long U shape to fit around the bike and the item to which you're securing it. The thief can't get the blades of the bolt cutter to the shackle quickly and easily, so he might move on. Many bolt-cutter-resistant locks have a less exposed shackle to make this more difficult. Less Exposed ShackleĬutting through the shackle to remove the lock requires an exposed shackle for the bolt cutters to reach. Thickness isn't the only factor, but it helps to make the cut harder to do with bolt cutters.
Compare the thickness of the shackle, which is the U-shaped loop of metal on the lock, to find one that's thick and sturdy. Thick Lock ShackleĪ thick lock takes more work to cut through than a thin one. Your goal when choosing a lock is to make it unappealing to potential thieves so they move on to an easier target.
Almost any lock can eventually be cut or broken, but most thieves don't have that kind of time or want to draw that type of attention.
