I have an old safe that I haven't opened in a while. When I did open it, some things were missing. How hard are safes to open without knowing the combination? I am trying to figure out who could've possibly opened it.
This is like saying "How fast is a car?" Some safes are very easy to open w/o the combo others are very difficult. With the tiny bit of information you gave it's impossible to say about yours.
It's an old Diebold. It stands about 5 feet tall with a Diebold Incorporated spy-proof dial. The dial itself is pretty easy to turn, but there are two spots where you definitely hear a click (maybe contact points) and you can also feel it get stiffer as it picks up each wheel.
I would look to someone having the combination, or you leaving the safe open or some other explanation for your missing things.
I Agree with Roger! Most diebold safes are not easy to open for the average joe. Must've left it open or didn't spin the dial enough and or someone has the combination. Roger Cann Locksmithing since 1986. LICENSED IN THE STATE OF NC
It may be possible to maipulate your lock but it is not going to be all that easy for someone not skilled in doing it. You (and anybody else with a safe) should be aware that with most mechanical combo locks if you leave the safe open with the combination lock in the unlocked position i.e. the combo dialed and not scrambled, it is very easy for someone to come along and quickly figure out the combo without taking the lock apart in any way, then come back and use it at a later time. More likely to be a problem in a business environment than a residential setting. If you must leave a safe open you should lock it open and scramble the combo then dial it again when it's time to close it. Even then the combo can usually be determined by taking the back cover off the lock.
My first thought was, do you have the combination written down somewhere?
who ya talking to ? consider using (quotes)
g'day
No, I've never written it down anywhere. I have a very good memory. Also, I am the only one who knows the combination, I've never told anyone. However, the safe sits in plain sight, only people having access would be people who come to my home.
I know I've never left it open or in the unlocked position. I open it rarely and when I do, I get what I need and close it. If a person were very intelligent, is it possible to do research on the internet and figure out how to manipulate it and get the combo? I do have someone possibly in mind.
Assuming your lock isn't manipulation resistant sure it's possible. They could also autodial it. They could X-ray it too if it doesn't use wheels resistant to radiological attack. None of these things is very likely unless you have something in there that's worth a lot and people know about it. Even then why not just burglarize your house when you aren't home and drill it open which would be a lot easier and well within the capability of anyone with the skills or equipment to do any of the above. If the person you suspect knows you well it is more likely you used a combo that they could guess, birthdate, whatever, didn't scramble the wheels after opening it or some other mundane thing.
Years ago at the library of Congress, I read a book called, "How to Open a Safe by Manipulation". Recently, while surfing the web, I found a pdf file with the same information. I posted the link below.
I have a correction. The book I read at the Library of Congress was called, "The Art of Manipulation" by Clyde Lenty and Bill Kenton. It was a pamphlet with 35 pages copyrighted in 1955.
Since the copyright ran out on "The Art of Manipulation", the book is being re-released as "The Art of Safe Manipulation". The copy is exactly the same as the first book. In the second paragraph they even use the original name. See link below.
Open Combination Locks Without Drilling, Burning, or Forcing! This is the real deal and not a watered down version. The Art of Manipulation was written for locksmiths and safe professionals in order to improve their technique and knowledge of opening and servicing safes. This manual will familiarize you with why manipulation is possible and how it is accomplished.
The Art of Manipulation illustrates the step-by-step procedures needed to manipulate lever type fence locks. Additionally, it explains the methods used in the rotary fence gear driven, rotary fence spring loaded, straight in tail piece, bottom drop, and off-set gear driven type locks.
Manipulation, also known as the "Hear, Feel, and See" method, was discovered and developed by a small group of safe experts. After much deliberation, two of these experts decided to pass on their information to other safe professionals and published this invaluable book.
Availability: Usually ships in 5-7 business days.
$212.00
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