[126] Brisant Ultion first look - Do not buy. Part 1 of 2. 

Doesn't sound terrible, I suppose, but that all depends on the purported quality.

Yeah I think generally people who pick locks are hobbyists and not criminals who break into peoples houses.

Playing devils advocate here, but why would a locksmith be called to a break in via a picked lock. As far as the occupants and Police are concerned, they probably put it down to the door being left open, especially if the burglar rotates the barrel fully.

That's a very perceptive comment mate, and I agree entirely. O/T - do I know you under a different username from UKLS or elsewhere?

I heard that some locksmiths hate these as they get faulty on a regular basis from light use.

@@BD90.. I fitted 2 for a customer and both failed under light use after just over a year - Also the key because of the sharp end also cuts a hole in your pocket - Ultion refused to replace them under guarantee and I have never dealt with them since - I have fitted thousands of Euro cylinders and these were the biggest load of crap I have had the misfortune to come across - Dont buy them under any circumstances - I now carry one of the failed locks in my van and show any potential customers what a load of garbage they are !

@@BD90.. they normally fail when installed by lazy locksmiths It’s quite important to correct all mistakes with handle positioning. Any side tension or pressure damage these locks. Otherwise, when fitted properly they never fail. I fitted tons of these, failures close to zero

Hello Andy and thanks very much for the comment. I absolutely agree - this lock has great anti-drill and anti snap features, which are by far the most common routes of forced entry and why it got its 3 star rating. The worrying thing isn't that it's easy to pick - it's WHY this happened in the first place, which is what part 2 of the review is all about. If you have the time I'd love to have your feedback on this, most locksmiths want their name kept out of the comments so if you'd prefer to email me, the address is at the end of the video. Thanks again for your comment, I'm very grateful to guys in the industry for your time.

This guy is right 👆 Check this lock on lock picking lawyer it is a great lock

ABS barrel is quite good, it could still be picked though.

That's an excellent comment Nigel and deserves a thoughtful response. I find opening dimples equally easy (or difficult depending on how you look at it) in any orientation; the main issue for me is the direction of rotation. For me the most difficult situation is a padlock that can only be tensioned clockwise but, by virtue of spool pinning and keyway geometry is going to be massively easier to be picked anticlockwise. A lot of MTL Classic cored padlocks are like this and I do struggle with those. There's nothing special about the Ultion that would make it any harder picking it the other way up; the passive pins play no part in picking in any orientation which is easily demonstrated simply by removing the six standard pins and having a play. Now with that said, I entirely take your point that 99% of the time europrofile locks will be installed pins down. I learnt to pick American style with pins up and do find picking standard (ie non dimple) locks in the pins-down orientation damned difficult. That's a gap I need to fix and I will attend to that - thanks for taking me to task on this. Now trap pins. I agree, they're a two edged sword. I'd been told that the Ultion had them in the usual place, and - as you rightly point out - I'd been sorely misinformed and got egg on my face. It was only when I stripped the thing in the followup video that I discovered that they actually DO have trap pins but that those trap pins operate on the cam, not the core. I'm on record as saying that this is a very, very clever design; to me it makes far more sense to trap the cam than the core and - as you say - risk jamming the lock. This is one of the very many things I like about the Ultion. Again, I value your thoughts and am very grateful for the comment. Michael.

Michael Maynard No worries. I would say that the orientation does matter, because the driver pins are easily trapped up high, and the key pins can fall all the way down, making a huge shearline gap. This bypasses things like barrel shaped pins that would otherwise snag and work to frustrate picking. That the locks are easier to pick upside down proves this, in my opinion. It isn't just what you're used to, you're getting a gravity assist.

They are the worst euro cylinder I have ever fitted - fitted 2 for a customer and both failed just after 1 year and Ultion didnt want to know - Rough in action straight from the box and the chisel end cuts a hole in your pocket - I have fitted thousands of Euro Cylinders for customers without any problems over 30 years in business and get very few problems with them - These are pure crap you may as well throw your £30 out of the window than fit this crap !

I think locks are currently designed with secret weaknesses to allow locksmiths to open them easier.

Yeah I'd really like to know that as well. Stay tuned...

Michael Maynard yours wasnt a one off 😕 As a window and door repairer (not locksmith), I am replacing old worn cylinders and liked the idea of lower stock holding required from the Ultion. However, after ordering one for a customer, I spotted your video so actually fitted one of my usual ones (Avocet Attack) and ordered a set of dimple picks. I receiced them this morning. Within 30 minutes, I'd had it open twice. Now its been opened from both ends of the lock, pins up and pins down, clockwise and counter. Certainly not as quick or smooth as yourself, but I thought you made it look far too easy by having the experience and feel, which obviously helps but isn't needed with this. As a customer and potential stock holder, I emailed them a couole of hours ago, mentioning your video and a pic of my lock opened and saying I won't be using them untill something has changed. Waiting for a reply from them.

Never did part 2 even 4 years down the line. Clearly gave up on that because not as easy as he claimed....

Excellent question. In many ways it's a very similar lock. I have both an Avocet ABS and ATK, and will review both in due course.

Plenty, that is hard to count them: vachette nt+, evca mcs, 3 or 4ks, cisa astral, rs3, ap3 or 4, kaba penta, dom diamant, keso 4000, ...hell even the yale platinum...cmon

Unfortunately the three star rating has nothing to do with pick resistance...it *is* a good indicator of the lock's ability to withstand physical attacks though which are by far more common than picking...so I wouldn't say you'd given people bad advice.

Physical attacks; the 3 star doesn't even consider picking. (Most ratings don't.)

It's very hard to go wrong with either an Assa Twin or Abloy Protec 2.

what about the SCHLOSSER TECHNIK or ERA FORTRESS 3 STAR EURO CYLINDERS???

Good question mate, the answer is no - right way up or upside down make no difference. I got a stack of questions about this so it's addressed in more detail in the second video.

Thanks for the reply, I didn't see a video with 2 of 2 in the title so that's why I missed it. I see you have replied to the same question in "2/2" so sorry for asking again. Interesting video

@@MichaelMaynard Not sure you are honest about the upside-down situation because for some reason all these lock pickers do it upside-down must be a reason for it or a massive unrealistic coincidence

@@Naughty_Squad Thanks for your comment...you might like to have a look at the second video where I address this exact issue. Also, I'd really encourage you to buy a set of picks and a few locks, and find out for yourself by experimentation. From a more rigorous academic point of view, even a basic grounding in physics will tell you that the force exerted by gravity on the pins is dwarfed by the force exerted by the springs. Orient it up, down, sideways, even put it in zero gravity, the lock just doesn't care. Best wishes, MHM.

@@MichaelMaynard Wow. What an eye opener. I fit doors with these and Avocet ABS cylinders. Which euro cylinders are best for security? And finally, where can a complete novice buy some picks and where can I learn how to pick these cylinders?

I wouldn't go that far. Some locksmiths and even engineers can pick locks quite comfortably and as you see this one is an easy one

Some.

Watch part two pal.

Agreed 1000%. It's a sales tool

That made me laugh. It's in the pipeline but is a MUCH more complex video than this one...

all good mate. just watching the m-lok vid have been considering one for a while

Thanks mate, I appreciate that comment. I posted the followup video this morning, I'd be interested to know what you think.

What would be a better option? avocet abs? thanks for any help

@@superdannyj Avocet 3 star are a great lock - Iv fitted dozens with no problems at all !

Au contraire Rik this is one of the most interesting locks I've come across in a LONG time and part two is going to be very interesting indeed. I'm in your debt over this one for sure.

Very hard to go wrong with either an Assa Twin, or Abloy Protec 2.

Funny how no answer to this question from the so called expert!

So?

Can't see a link on your page, get me on gorillapicking at gmail...

That may actually be the best compliment I've ever received. Thanks mate.

Look harder pal.

@@MichaelMaynard Or how about you name it PART 2, ok PAL

Absolutely true, and long may it stay that way. Thieves always take the path of least resistance, which for most thieves is violence. However, 1. If locks like this become commonplace, then the path of least resistance IS picking. and 2. Not all breakins are thieves...

Feel free to delete your comment once you've watched the second video