Hidden mechanisms and trick padlocks
A focused reference collection of mechanical locks designed to be solved rather than simply unlocked. Crafty Puzzles uses original text and illustrations and links to source sites for product details or solutions.
Most modern puzzle locks are intended to open through observation and mechanism discovery. Follow the maker’s safety guidance and avoid striking, drilling or damaging the lock.
Puzzlocks · Beginner
A beginner-friendly brass trick lock based on Dan Feldman’s classic TRIP idea. It looks like a conventional padlock, but the opening method relies on discovering the hidden trick rather than normal key use.
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Puzzlocks · Beginner
A sequel to the original B-Lock with a different internal mechanism and different solving logic, designed as an accessible first puzzle lock.
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Puzzlocks · Beginner
A brass trick lock whose solution depends on observing the lock differently rather than forcing the shackle or using the key in the obvious way.
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Puzzlocks · Beginner to intermediate
A solid-brass trick lock designed to resemble an ordinary padlock while concealing a non-standard opening mechanism.
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Puzzlocks · Beginner to intermediate
An award-recognised brass puzzle lock whose internal mechanism is deliberately unlike a normal padlock and rewards careful tactile observation.
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Puzzlocks · Intermediate
A multi-stage trick lock in which components discovered during the solve become part of the next stage, making it closer to sequential discovery than a single-step padlock trick.
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Dan Feldman / Puzzlocks · Advanced
A classic puzzle lock supplied with two unusual keys, including a broken key, and requiring several discoveries before the lock can be opened and reset.
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Puzzle Master · Level 6 – Tricky
A decorative metal puzzle lock supplied with two identical keys. The objective is simply to open it, but the lock does not operate like a conventional padlock.
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Puzzle Master · Level 7 – Challenging
The seventh lock in Puzzle Master’s trick-lock line, a compact cast-metal lock with a decorative keyhole area and a concealed opening method.
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Puzzle Master · Level 5 – Easy
A decorative metal trick lock in Puzzle Master’s lock collection. The challenge is to discover the concealed opening method rather than operate it as a standard lock.
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Project Genius · 4/5
A Roman-inspired metal puzzle based on early latch-lifting security devices. The goal is to open the shackle by understanding how the supplied key interacts with the latch.
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Project Genius · 3/5
A Greek-themed trick lock inspired by early warded-lock ideas. The challenge is to use the supplied tool while recognising that the apparent key-and-lock relationship is deceptive.
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Project Genius · 3/5
A puzzle interpretation of the ancient Egyptian pin-lock principle, where pins must be aligned so the locking bolt can move.
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