Squire High Security Padlocks, Accessories and Alternatives

This page provides details on the specific padlocks and U-locks available and the options that relate to them.

• Lock Size & Weight
• Closed Shackle or Open Shackle?
• Security Ratings/Approvals - CEN, Sold Secure
• Keyed Alike?
• Dimensions & Technical Information
• Using a D-Lock
• Number of Keys and Spare Key Blanks
• Door Security: Hasp & Staple and Pad Bars

Lock Size and Weight

The Squire Stronghold closed shackle locks are available in different sizes: the larger size (the 65mm SS65CS) is a much stronger lock with a higher security rating than the smaller 50mm SS50CS. The larger lock is also heavier (SS65CS weighs 1.0kg; SS50CS weighs 0.6kg).

Note: The SS50CS, ASWL2 and SHCB65 locks are too small to be used with the Protector 16mm and 19mm chains! Indeed, only the SS65CS is recommended for use with either of those ultimate security chains. The shackle opening on several of the smaller locks is not large enough to go around the links on 16mm or bigger chains.

However, the ASWL2 warehouse lock is able to accept two links of the Protector 13mm chain, indeed, we recommend that when the 13mm chain is locked with the ASWL2 lock, the shackle should be passed through both end links of the chain to give protection to the shackle.

The Untouchable locks are suitable for use with the Protector 16mm chains, only (note that the Untouchable lock is not suitable for use with anything smaller or anything larger than the 16mm chain!).

Lock dimensions and other technical details are listed below.

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Closed Shackle or Open Shackle?

A closed shackle padlock is the higher security option because the lock body partly surrounds the shackle (see the photo above), whereas an open shackle padlock has much more of the shackle exposed and thus vulnerable to attack. We do not supply open shackle padlocks.

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Security Ratings/Approvals - CEN, Sold Secure

CEN is the main European lock standardisation and approvals body. A higher CEN rating indicates a higher security lock: CEN 6 is the highest rating and CEN 1 is the lowest. Sold Secure is an independent British security testing and approvals organisation that awards Gold standard to the highest security products, with Silver and Bronze for lower grade products. Classe SRA and NF are both French security testing certifications (with NF the more stringent). Thatcham is another UK organisation that specialises more in certification of immobilisers, alarms and similar electronic products; we do not regard them as good as Sold Secure for testing physical security products.

The following table shows the ratings and approval information for various of our padlocks:

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Using a D-Lock

D-locks, otherwise known as U-locks, are useful compromises between security and weight for carrying. They are not recommended for high-value items such as motorbikes but are much better than nothing - and much better than virtually any type of cable lock - for portable security for bicycles.

However, it is important that they are used correctly.

D-locks are commonly attacked by thieves by twisting them. If you loop a D-lock through some railings and around the seat tube on a bike, for example, and if you leave a lot of spare room in the 'D', it is easy for a thief to insert a piece of timber, scaffold pole, or other strong lever through the 'D' and to apply a large twisting force to the lock. With enough space to use a big lever and with enough leverage applied, most locks will fail. It is therefore imperative that you don't purchase a lock that is too large (as that creates more space in the 'D') and it is crucial that you fill as much of the 'D' as possible. You can fill the space by looping the lock around the bicycle wheel as well as the seat tube, and by going through two or three railings rather than one, for example. Ideally, and especially if you have quick-release wheels, it is advisable to remove the front wheel and to lock it and the rear wheel and definitely the frame to an immovable object. The front wheel then helps to fill space inside the 'D' as well as being protected itself.

A D-lock can be used to lock a chain by simply looping links of the chain over the arm(s) of the 'D'. Note that a D-lock is invariably not as secure as a more compact and more protected lock, so you should be aware that relying on a D-lock for home security is not likely to be as good as using a good quality chain with a proper padlock. Of course, you do improve your security by using a chain and lock and a D-lock as well. We are able to supply the Squire Urban Paramount D-lock and the Squire SS50CS locks all keyed-alike, so you have the same key working all locks. A further SS50CS could be ideal on the shed door as well, again worked with the same key.

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Keyed Alike?

Multiple Stronghold padlocks (SS65CS/SS50CS) and Urban Paramount U-locks can all use the same key, even when mixing different sizes and types of lock. This makes life much easier if you are locking multiple things, such as two motorbikes or a bicycle and a shed - you could use a pair of SS65CS padlocks for highest security or one SS65CS for the bike and one SS50CS for the shed, or an Urban Paramount D-lock when you're out on your push-bike and a higher security Protector chain and SS50CS lock (and the D-lock) when you're back at home. All locks using the same key means you don't have to fumble for the right key and you don't have to carry multiple keys. There is a small extra cost to this option but it is only a small fraction of the cost of the locks. We generally keep a stock of various keyed alike sets and can also order locks to match a previously-purchased Stronghold lock or Urban Paramount D-lock. Special orders from Squire usually take about 2 weeks.

The Squire ASWL2 warehouse locks are also available keyed-alike, but note that they use a different type of key that cannot be used with the SS65CS/SS50CS/U-Paramount locks.

The Untouchable and M50D locks are unavailable keyed-alike.

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Dimensions & Technical Information

Details common to Squire SS65CS, SS50CS and Urban Paramount:
  Mechanism: 6 pin tumbler, 117,000 combinations
  Shackle: Hardened steel
  Shackle Material: Boron alloy steel

Details for the Squire ASWL2:
  Mechanism: 5 pin tumbler, 1,500 combinations
  Shackle: Hardened steel

Details for the Master Lock Excell M50D:
  Discus-style stainless steel body with anti-drill plate and covered keyway
  Shackle: Hardened boron carbide steel, octagonal section

Details for the Squire SHCB65:
  Mechanism: Recodable combination lock, 10,000 combinations
  Shackle: Hardened steel, rotating

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Number of Keys and Spare Key Blanks

Each of the Squire keyed padlocks is supplied with two keys; keyed alike sets have two keys for each lock in the set (e.g. a keyed alike set of two locks is supplied with a total of 4 keys).

Spare key blanks are available for all of the Squire locks if you want additional keys and your local key copying service or locksmith does not have the right blanks (beware that the latest Stronghold locks have a different key design to older models - the cylinders changed around 2006).

The Untouchable locks are each offered with 3 keys. Keyed-alike is not available for these.

The M50D lock has 4 keys, with keyed-alike not available.

We do not offer a key copying service.

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