Championship disciplines under the microscope: Safecracking

The term safecracking means nondestructive opening of safes and safe locks and usually involves either keyed locks or mechanical combination lock. Safecracking requires specialized tools such as safe lock decoders and “Hobbs’ hooks” (in English, these are usually known as 2-in-1 picks, as they function as both picks and tension tools). Such tools are specifically designed for each type of safe lock. Some tools are used to pick the lock, some to decode the lock which is followed by building the key separately and some tools let you decode the lock and build the keys at the same time.

FIRST CZECH SAFECRACKING CHALLENGE

Safecracking appeared for the first time at the 6th lockpickers championship in 2015 at ranch Vránov. The company Locksmith CZ organized a free-to-enter competition under the name “Safecracker 2015 – Open & Win 500 €”. There were two teams and several individuals that tried to open the locks. The competitors had a limit of 60 minutes to open the safe. The locks were La Gard 3330 mechanical combination lock and Mauer 71111 President keyed lock. At that time, no one was able to open the locks within the time limit, so the price money remained unclaimed.

SAFECRACKING IN THE CZECH LOCKPICKING CHAMPIONSHIP 2019

This year, there will be two separate safecracking disciplines, namely the opening of mechanical safe locks for teams of 2 and opening of a mechanical combination lock for individuals.

On Friday, September 13, 2019, in the morning, we will start with the main competition discipline of opening keyed safe locks. Keyed safe locks are by far more common in the Czech Republic and neighboring countries, which is why opening of these locks is the main discipline. The maximum number of contestants is 28, meaning up to 14 teams of 2 can compete. If the capacity is not filled, individuals can also compete on their own. It is relatively common in the Czech Republic that two vault specialists open safes together, also, not everyone needs to have tools to open each lock. How the contestants cooperate in the team is completely up to them. They can alternate in opening the locks, or one person can be opening and the other can be assisting him/her by building the keys and preparing the tools. For evaluation purposes, each team is considered as one competitor. These Class A locks will be opened in this discipline: The MAUER 73042, MAUER 71071, MAUER 71111, STUV 4.19.92, CAWI OPTIMA 2648, CAWI 2618 and SECU S 1000; the time limit will be 30 minutes for each.

In the second safecracking discipline, mechanical combination locks will be opened. This contest will take place on Saturday in the evening. The contestants will have 60 minutes to manipulate open a Group 2 lock, which will be either by Sargent and Greenleaf or LaGard. Fastest opening time wins the contest.

Note: Safecracking competitions are not open to the public, access is granted only to contestants and referees. More detailed competition rules are written below.

COMPETITION RULES – SAFECRACKING

1) COMPETITION RULES – SAFECRACKING (KEYED LOCKS)

Allowed tools

• Nondestructive picking and/or decoding tools
• Pen and paper

Requirements

• Arrive early (at least 15 minutes before the start of the competition)
• Every contestant needs to have his/her own equipment!

Rules

• Class A safe locks will be provided by the organizers (MAUER 73042, MAUER 71071, MAUER 71111, STUV 4.19.92, CAWI OPTIMA 2648, CAWI 2618, SECU S 1000).
• Contestants may compete individually or in pairs. Locks and seating positions are assigned randomly.
• Locks will be installed on a frame simulating a safe door.
• In each round, the contestants have 30 minutes to open their lock.
• For each lock opened, the contestants gain one point. The opening times will are added together.
• The results are based on the number of points obtained. In case of a tie, the total opening time is considered.
• For each unopened lock, 30 minutes are added to the total of opening times.

Additional info

• Maximum number of participants are 28 competitors (in the order of signing in).
• The competition will not be available to spectators. The contestants can open the locks in private.
• Insertion of any manipulation tools inside the lock is before the start is prohibited. Contestants that do not obey this rule may lose a point.
• The lock is considered opened when bolt is completely retracted.
• When the contestants open the lock, they indicate this to the referee by saying “Open!” out loud and raising their hand. The referee then informs the contestants about their opening time and the contestants writes down the time into the provided sheet.
• If a tool gets stuck in the lock or if the lock is damaged, the contestant will be disqualified.
• If the lock is faulty, it will be withdrawn from the competition by the referee.
• After opening the lock, the contestant should remain silent and must not disturb other contestants.

2) COMPETITION RULES – SAFECRACKING (MECHANICAL COMBINATION LOCKS)

Allowed tools

• Magnifying glass, removable tag with scale, mechanical arm to aid determining dial position.
• Pen and paper
• Electronic devices and other devices that automate dial movement or measurements of the dial position are prohibited.

Requirements

• Arrive early (at least 15 minutes before the start of the competition)

Rules

• Group 2 combination locks will be provided by the organizers
• The locks will be installed on stands simulating safe doors
• The seats will be assigned randomly
• Opening time limit is 60 minutes
• The competition will only have one round, with all locks set to the same combination set by an independent referee
• The rules for this competition may still change depending on available time

Additional info

• Maximum number of participants are 28 competitors (in the order of signing in).
• The lock is considered open when the locking bolt is retracted
• When the contestants open the lock, they indicate this to the referee by saying “Open!” out loud and raising their hand. The referee then informs the contestants about their opening time and the contestants writes down the time into the provided sheet.