Master Lock 3EURD Laminated Padlock with Key, Grey, 5,9 x 4 x 2,1 cm, Mulit-Color

(For the record, don't use this lock to protect anything. I'm pretty sure only lockpicking enthusiasts buy these, but I'll add this disclaimer just in case.) I'd recommend this lock to people in one or more of the following groups: a) You're new to lockpicking and want something easy to start with b) You've tried lockpicking in the past but can't manage to open the locks you've tried c) You've opened cheap see-through locks but can't make the jump to regular ones. I was in group c when I got the lock and was completely surprised by my ability to open it in less then 30 minutes. That's the main advantage of the Master 3: It's easy to pick but still functions as a regular lock. It features four standard pins, a fairly wide keyway and a cylinder a bit when first applying tension, which can be useful to gauge how much tension is needed to apply pressure to the pins. Feedback is very noticeable, which, combined with the lack of safety pins, makes it very easy to set individual pins. If you've opened locks before, though, this one is unlikely to pose any challenge.

You may be thinking why have I given this 3 stars if it was perfect, that is because if you are looking for a lock to secure something, then hopefully I will get your attention and tell you to look elsewhere. These locks are known as the beginner locksport/lockpicking training lock. In those regards it fills its boots well. I would rather buy another one of these than the transparent training locks that are available. However, being only 4 (standard) pins you soon learn what order they set in and then it gets a bit boring. This gives you more response than the transparent locks though, so would definitely recommend them to beginners. These locks are too big and clunky to be taking to the gym with you, but aren't secure enough to protect anything valuable you own. So not really sure what other use they have aside from training for locksport. If you are seriously thinking about buying this for security reasons, then please do a bit of visual research on youtube. You will be surprised just what can open these locks (spoons, jewellery hammers, cable ties etc...)

I bought this because I am learning to pick locks (which I suspect is why anyone buys them), having successfully picked the standard acrylic "trainer wheels" lock but then been stumped by a couple of random padlocks I had lying around. Within about five minutes I could rake it open reliably with my super-cheapo Bogota rake, and after about another ten I got it open for the first time using single-pin picking with a standard hook. Great confidence booster for a beginner! The feedback is quite clunky and high friction (you can feel some grinding going on when pins are binding), and the cylinder does not move around much under tension. It's easy to get a tension bar into the bottom of the keyway. I think there is plenty more to learn from this lock, even though it's been fairly easy to open. Highly recommended!

I'm a beginner lock sport wannabe and bought this lock because I had read that it is a common gateway from transparent training locks to "real locks". It took me all of 2 seconds to open it with a rake and another 5 to single-pin pick it. Absolutely dreadful. I can't even recommend this as a training lock, it's so simple. Any number of cheap padlocks are better for either training or their actual intended use as a security device. Steer clear of this.

I love that every single review talks about how easy it is to pick rather than its utility as an actual locking mechanism. Well, I can confirm what everyone else is saying. Within 30 minutes of receiving this padlock, and having never picked a lock before in my life, I was able to single pin pick this open. I think it might have taken longer to open the packaging than to open the lock. Raking it open is even faster. I'm only giving it four stars though, because it's impossible to disassemble non-destructively. You'd need to chisel the rivets off the lock to be able to examine the core. Terrible padlock, good as baby's first lock picking trainer.

Why five stars if I am disappointed? Because after a week of daily efforts I am unable to open this lock, like apparently every lock picking apprentice (like me) VERY easily does! After opening the classic transparent padlock, then the same covered, a few cheap chinese, then an allegedly hard-to-pick Abus, I ordered this one feeling confident that I could pick it quickly. The lock feels good quality, there's a lot of feedback, I can feel the pins, the keyway is large etc. and yet I failed with every pick I have. I will keep trying of course but certainly the lock deserves 5 stars for being secure (at least from noobs!).

Ok, so let's start with why I brought it - knowing it was th laughing stock (masterlock in general it seems) of the lockpicking sport....I'm learning to pick and it's frequently touted as the go to lock for beginners (or so I thought). Do not buy this for anything other than the lightest security, and even then there are cheaper better alternatives. For picking, I would recommend you do a little digging first - while I've heard this lock be recommended multiple times, the bitting on the one I got was actually pretty extreme on pin 1 (pin 1 only needed the lightest knock to set it). Also, the lock is extremely poorly manufactured which makes feedback harder to understand. If you take a look at the likes of Reddit you'll find numerous people saying the same. Personally, I actually started on a kasp 12040 - feedback crisp, bitting easy, 4 pins and no security pins. Much nicer feedback and better for a beginner. If you do think about buying this lock for security though just be aware - I've heard it said that if lock picking lawyer sneezes, all masterlock 3s globally just....unlock.

Does make me laugh that most reviews for this lock are based on it's ability to be picked open relatively easily not for the lock itself. Yes, I bought the lock for that very same reason. Perhaps Masterlock should think about changing this into an actual Practice lock sometime in the future. It's a good lock to practice on for beginners like me - I'll also admit that I didn't find it as easy as some people claim it to be, I've other locks that are easier to get open than this one. That said, it doesn't pose much of a challenge and I'd opened it within 10 minutes on my first go at single pin picking. It doesn't stand up to a rake pick very well either but that's not really why I get these things. I would not like to secure anything of any real value with this lock (though as we're taking about lock picking here this could be said for most pad locks) - It's true that the majority of people don't go round picking locks in the real world with any criminal intent but knowing just how easy these things are to get into is a real eye opener. So - Review is - Good lock pick practice lock. Don't secure anything worth more than the lock with it.