I'm off to Denmark today and shall be there for a few days. I'm expecting some seriously strict lock designs. Will ensure I keep all you lock spotters updated.
Monday, 15 August 2011
Sunday, 14 August 2011
Twatter
Hey, I'm now on Twitter. I still need to retro post my earlier findings but all future posts will be available for you and your friends to enjoy. Follow ToiletLockFan at http://twitter.com/ToiletLockFan
More importantly I now have an email address where you can send your finds. Just mail toiletlockfanatic@gmail.com. Hey, you may even get featured on this here blog. Wow! I may also send out some t-shirts for the best finds. Exciting!
Anyway, enough of this social media bollox. Let's get back to the good stuff.
I found this at the Princes Club where you can go wakeboarding. You'll probably notice it's from a portaloo, yup you got it. It's pretty standard for these type of loos. Only last weekend I was at a campsite and noticed the very same lock mechanism on a slightly different design portaloo. Does this mean we are closer to the one solution to the one problem? (see first ever post) Probably not.
I must admit, the locking mechanism is pretty special. Plastic on plastic provides the smoothest of locking action, something you just don't get with metal. And it's chunky so you initially feel secure. However, for some reason I never feel secure in these things. Maybe cos it's not that private and you know you've always got someone else outside waiting impatiently. Or maybe because I saw some punks tipping a load over when I was at Reading Festival '99. Not pretty.
Lockability 5/5
Securibility 2/5
Lookability 4/5
More importantly I now have an email address where you can send your finds. Just mail toiletlockfanatic@gmail.com. Hey, you may even get featured on this here blog. Wow! I may also send out some t-shirts for the best finds. Exciting!
Anyway, enough of this social media bollox. Let's get back to the good stuff.
I found this at the Princes Club where you can go wakeboarding. You'll probably notice it's from a portaloo, yup you got it. It's pretty standard for these type of loos. Only last weekend I was at a campsite and noticed the very same lock mechanism on a slightly different design portaloo. Does this mean we are closer to the one solution to the one problem? (see first ever post) Probably not.
I must admit, the locking mechanism is pretty special. Plastic on plastic provides the smoothest of locking action, something you just don't get with metal. And it's chunky so you initially feel secure. However, for some reason I never feel secure in these things. Maybe cos it's not that private and you know you've always got someone else outside waiting impatiently. Or maybe because I saw some punks tipping a load over when I was at Reading Festival '99. Not pretty.
Lockability 5/5
Securibility 2/5
Lookability 4/5
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Verrouillage régulier
Jon, our European correspondent, has sent through an absolute magnifique toilet lock. Here's what he had to say:
"On a recent stay in a delightful pension in France I was fortunate enough to be at the mercy of this little fella.
Immediately I was taken by the satisfaction of turning that rotary knob anti-clockwise to fully witness the locking mechanism take effect. The knob was like something you'd find on the heating control of a 1987 Mercedes E class; it felt like it would last a lifetime!
While this lock was truly functional, it was petite (yes,that's french) and I'm not convinced it could stand up to a stampede of French buffalo (who I might add are notoriously dangerous in this region).
And for the looks; well too many support screws (6 in total) and with that fake gold appearance it was like something you would find in the jewellery section of the Argos catalogue.
But, all in all, a solid performer! Well done France!"
Well, that says it all really.
Lockability 5/5
Securibilty 2/5
Lookability 3/5 ( I actually think it looks awesome)
"On a recent stay in a delightful pension in France I was fortunate enough to be at the mercy of this little fella.
Immediately I was taken by the satisfaction of turning that rotary knob anti-clockwise to fully witness the locking mechanism take effect. The knob was like something you'd find on the heating control of a 1987 Mercedes E class; it felt like it would last a lifetime!
While this lock was truly functional, it was petite (yes,that's french) and I'm not convinced it could stand up to a stampede of French buffalo (who I might add are notoriously dangerous in this region).
And for the looks; well too many support screws (6 in total) and with that fake gold appearance it was like something you would find in the jewellery section of the Argos catalogue.
But, all in all, a solid performer! Well done France!"
Well, that says it all really.
Lockability 5/5
Securibilty 2/5
Lookability 3/5 ( I actually think it looks awesome)
Monday, 1 August 2011
Hooked on you
This is one of those where I'm sure there once stood a fine example of a toilet lock. Ripped off selfishly there remains six empty screw holes slowly corroding like spider eyes eagerly waiting for the next person to take a picture of what has replaced its previous glory. Just look at what the management have replaced it with, one of those hook type things which barely holds it together. I mean, the last time I saw this kind of set-up was rusting away on the side of my folks beach-hut which kind of gave them a false sense of security what with the massive chain and deadlock that really did the securing at the front.
Let's be honest here, it's not really a toilet lock but a temporary solution I'm sure the management put it in place with the intention of replacing it with the real deal. I wish I'd spoken to the management and asked them what they were thinking. I also wish I could remember where I took this picture so you could go there too and feel as great as I did when I discovered it. To be honest, I'm glad they didn't replace it.
Lockability 2/5
Securibility 1/5
Lookability 2/5
Let's be honest here, it's not really a toilet lock but a temporary solution I'm sure the management put it in place with the intention of replacing it with the real deal. I wish I'd spoken to the management and asked them what they were thinking. I also wish I could remember where I took this picture so you could go there too and feel as great as I did when I discovered it. To be honest, I'm glad they didn't replace it.
Lockability 2/5
Securibility 1/5
Lookability 2/5
Friday, 29 July 2011
Silverstone VIP
My good friend Chris knows that I'm into a bit of the F1 so I was delighted when a text popped up on my phone with the words 'Silverstone VIP toilet'. So here's what our (new) Sports correspondent had to say -
"Silverstone VIP toilet. The damn lever ain't level. I'm a vip goddamit. I demand level levers. Security 10/10 due to security staff outside. Looks, like button on the final stretch, beautiful.".
I'd have to agree with him about the level lever but this toilet lock definitely deserves the podium.
Lockabilty 4/5
Securibility 5/5
Lookability 4/5
"Silverstone VIP toilet. The damn lever ain't level. I'm a vip goddamit. I demand level levers. Security 10/10 due to security staff outside. Looks, like button on the final stretch, beautiful.".
I'd have to agree with him about the level lever but this toilet lock definitely deserves the podium.
Lockabilty 4/5
Securibility 5/5
Lookability 4/5
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
NASA
Check out this cool customer. Can't remember where I took it but it's got a nice and safe attitude. Which reminds me of that silly clothing line all the cool rave kids used to wear when I was about 12 years old. NASA! Not to be confused with the space people.
Lockability 4/5
Securibilty 4/5
Lookabilty 4/5
Lockability 4/5
Securibilty 4/5
Lookabilty 4/5
Monday, 25 July 2011
Stateside security
My friend over at http://rockieburgerrun.blogspot.com/ is currently touring the Rockies in search of burgers. I'm pleased to say that he's found himself getting into the toilet lock phenomenon. Or should I say restroom, bathroom, conveniences yadayada - take your (lock) pick.
I'm honoured to have received these pictures from Rocky Burger Run and am excited that we now have an American correspondent. I guess it's only a matter of time before this phenomenon goes truly global.
As the title of his email stated, these can be filed in the 'is it or isn't it' category. These are some fine examples of American locksmithism, it's just a shame they haven't answered that all important question - is this lock actually locked?
I'm honoured to have received these pictures from Rocky Burger Run and am excited that we now have an American correspondent. I guess it's only a matter of time before this phenomenon goes truly global.
As the title of his email stated, these can be filed in the 'is it or isn't it' category. These are some fine examples of American locksmithism, it's just a shame they haven't answered that all important question - is this lock actually locked?
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