Danlock The Trick Lock – Part II

I usually don’t post follow-ups to ongoing discussions, but this one really took my attention. Having fun solving that lock, from the post below (Lock and Key puzzle)? I didn’t have any, but found out it is originally called Danlock, and was designed by Israeli craftsman, Dan Feldman. Also, I have more pictures and info, I didn’t provide last time. Apparently Danlock comes only with two keys – one attached to the shackle, and the other is broken (no trick there). I also found out, that it’s rather more difficult to get the lock back to the same state as it is delivered to you. It involves the solving of at least 3 quite distinct puzzles.

I searched the whole web to find the solution, and couldn’t find one. Maybe it’s better like this, since it’s much more fun. I believe it would be much easier if I actually had this item in my hands. For now, my best guess is that the lock is infact tricky, and that it can be opened with left part of the broken key itself, then maybe with other part (keyhole not as deep as the broken part), or maybe without key. Cool game! Does that little ring attached to broken key has any role in this? Are the numbers on the key some kind of combination? I emailed Dan Fieldman (the creator), and hopefully he will participate in our discussion. Also, solutions like: “Use the chainsaw“, “Photoshopped” etc… are invaluable.



215 Replies to “Danlock The Trick Lock – Part II”

  1. As a former locksmith, I can tell you this, the broken key does not match the key on the shackle. As to which key unlocks the lock is anyone’s guess.

  2. As 3 said, the broken part doesn’t match the key on the shackle, so – it’s possible that the broken part of the original key is in the lock and all you need is the top of the broken key to open the lock.

  3. This is a puzzle, so cutting the key or buying a new padlock would be like not doing a jigsaw puzzle but simply showing off the box art.

    Thats not the point of it.

    As the third poster noted, the long part of the broken key does not match the whole key, so you do have to ask, “Is there another piece already in the lock”?

    On a side note, I have seen a padlock with it’s own (only) key locked on it in this manner.

  4. the way it looks, the broken key looks like it is not even cut out for any kind of lock. It is not the same key from looking at the pic of it. I would have to be able to have it in front of me to tell more about it. Thats all i got for ya..

  5. Thinking out of the box, what if the lock was not
    not locked. Nearly every picure of the lock covers your ability to see that one tiny detail. It is quite
    possible that the key is readily available by just turning the loop and removing it. I don’t believe that any thing was ever said if the lock was locked.

  6. We may think of making a duplicate to the key attached to the lock, then open the lock with the duplicate.

  7. How about this….
    break or cut the key as close as possible to the shackle. then use it to unlock the lock.

    Or is breaking it against the rules?

  8. We are looking at opposite sides of the keys; try putting the broken tip of the key into the keyhole; if it does not go, perhaps the broken tip is there – then put the handle in to turn it & unlock the lock; if it does go, then use the handle part after putting it in, and open the lock. If the lock opens, remove the intact key, then relock the lock – and see if you can remove all the broken key, then use the intact key. If it works, get some new keys made.

  9. Its a puzzle. Stop thinking of it like a lock. Didn;t you ever have one of those puzzles where you had to get the ring off of the chain that was connected to two horseshoes or something like that. This ois the same kind of puzzle. It just looks like a lock. Search google for “puzzle locks” and you will find all sorts of these. This one, however, is by far the most inventive and difficult I have ever had the pleasure of handling.

  10. I am a locksmith and i don’t get why this is an illusion. it seems like more of a puzzle i guess. Yes the keys don’t match, but the section from the stop leading to the first pin is the same. the best guess is that the rest of the key is in the lock. but how is this fun or solvable in just a picture? this is what i see at work.

  11. First off, you can always just go out and buy a new lock :P

    But obviously, the broken key is a decoy. You can try it, by sliding the broke piece with the teeth in, and using the big end to turn it. However, if it is in fact a dead key, you can either get a mold of the one attached to the lock an try it, or saw the end off the attached key, and do the same as with the broken key.

    I worked in a Canadian Tire, and I know how to cut keys, and it can done fairly easily, with a key attached to a lock.

    I also doubt that the lock is open.

    Lastly, you could also just use a solution that goes into the key whole, and fills up all open areas in the lock mechanism, attached with a handle, and let the solution harden to the form of a key.

  12. I believe that you should view this puzzle with a lateral slant. Eg, maybe find someone else who has purchased the Danlock and then unlock each other’s? A bit like those chinese finger torture devices – a puzzle with a moral.

  13. Its pretty easy, assuming the broken key is the lock’s key;

    1) you push the broken ‘tongue’ part inside. It would probably go deep and leave room, maybe couple of mm for the key handle to slightly get inside too.
    2) Push the key handle slightly in.
    3) open the lock.

    The only problem would be to take out the broken tongue later on, as this trick becomes disposable.

  14. Its pretty easy, assuming the broken key is the lock’s key;

    1) you push the broken ‘tongue’ part inside. It would probably go deep and leave room, maybe couple of mm for the key head to slightly get inside too.
    2) Push the key head slightly in.
    3) Turn and open the lock.

    The only problem would be to take out the broken tongue later on, as this trick becomes disposable.

  15. So far the pictures show the key might be in some fixed position, but it is not: see another picture.

    (by the way: the Captcha word verification picture does not show in Firefox on Mac OS X)

  16. One way could be to make a duplicate of the key attached to the shackle, and open it whit this one…;-)…too simple?

    (sorry if my english isn’t perfect i’m italian ;-))

  17. There is no point of having two pictures above. It is obvious both are photoshoped using the same three elements (lock, key head & broken part of key). See the shadows etc.

    I think the only point is to stare at the made in israel thing ;)

  18. Looks quite interesting… and even more challenging than the previous “lock puzzle”.
    The paramount principle is to avoid deception and find the solution where it is least expected. I think that the broken key is used here to lure us away.
    Also, the locked key is on identical position with the previous puzzle. Coincidence?

    The small broken part of the second key looks a bit awkward… could be a mini-saw? ;)

    My solution: the principle used to attach the small ring to the broken key is what unlocks the locked key
    …just twist it and it will come off. May this also explains why the locked key stands so unnaturally.

  19. Well, the key attached to the lock isn’t really attached at all. The key doesn’t have a hole in it, it is more like a hook, and it is simply resting on the the lock like a coat hanger rests on a rod. So since the key is not really attached to the lock you can just “take it off it’s hanger, and open the lock.

    That’s what it looks like to me.

  20. Umm if you look very closely I think the key attached to the lock is not complete the bottom part looks cut off and its just laying on the lock. It looks like that in both pics, unless its just the light

  21. This is, of course, not a standard lock. So anything –or any combination, in a specific order– from simply inserting and turning the broken key up to shaking it in some specific direction, could open or take apart the lock. In fact, it could also have been shaped to not look like a lock at all…?

    If true, then we won’t be able to figger it out without actually holding one.

    Large photo here.

    [In an earlier comment I stated that the Word Verification Captcha was not showing in Firefox on Apple OS X, but, it is right now]

  22. How are you sure it’s a puzzle that’s meant to be solved and not an art piece? Whoever made it could just have drilled a hole in the key, unlocked the lock, slid the key onto the bar, and locked it. They then bought another key and broke it. There ya go, art.

  23. Perhaps you could break off a piece of the shackled key, using the already broken piece as a gauge for the proper length, then insert the newly broken key piece into the lock. Then using the big piece of the old broken key, insert it into the lock as well (it should go in about an 1/8″ or so… any small amount would work) and turn the lock open from there.

  24. Based on what we have on the picture, there is only one way for the lock to open.

    1. the real broken piece of the key is inside the cylinder. (The broken piece on the side is a fake.)
    2. the remaining piece with the ring, has a small section, about 1/8″ left that will fit into the cylinder, thus allowing you to turn the cylinder and open the lock.
    3. the key that’s attached to the lock is there just the broken piece, to thow you off.

  25. If you look closely at the keyway (the zig-zag opening that the key must go into), the key locked on the shackle will not go in the lock, whereas the broken key appears that it will go in. I think you should just insert the broken piece of key into the lock and use the rest of the broken key to turn the lock open.

  26. Three step solution:

    1. Slide the key out of the open lock (because it is open…)

    2. insert the key into the keyhole

    3. Turn the key! ..

    oh wait it’s already open anyways.

  27. i don’t understand this. someone explain it to me please! its kind of dumb if you don,t understand it

    someone explain

  28. Every possible option has been said, but, what about sawing the arc, and leaving space enough to place it into the sawed space? I mean, if you take right now the lock with your hand, the key will simply fall on the table, and you will see a sawed, broken section where the key was.
    Why not an illusion for moillusions?

  29. 1) take lock with key to locksmith
    2) have locksmith make a copy of the key on the shackle
    3) insert new key and turn

  30. I notice that like the previous puzzle the lock and key are made by Nabob of Israel.
    Firstly this is not a very good advert for Nabob do they always supply their padlocks like this?
    Also the keys seem to be unusually thin – no wonder they keep breaking.
    And how come the broken key is on a little ring. The hole in the the broken is no where near big enough to fit over the shackle.
    If you look on both pictures you can see that there are less lines between the holes in the key on the lock and the top of the key compared to the loose keys. The holes have clearly been enlarged to fit over the shackle. Now, why ?

  31. I’ve seen something similar to this in a science museum and I think that the broken key is in fact a magnet, and both halves of the broken key must be placed in certain positions on (not in) the lock itself in order for it to work. The other two puzzles would be figuring out where exactly to put them in order to make it work. Or it could be the other way round, the magnets being inside the lock and the keys made of a magnetic material. And incase anyone was wondering, the museum I mentioned was Techniquest in Cardiff, where they have a treasure chest that works on a similar principal.

  32. I installed this Google plugin about 2 weeks ago and I´ve seen only two optical illusions. Now therés a puzzle, las week there was a Jim Davis’ Cartoon (Garfield on a fence).
    I wonder if the responsible of this blog does quite understands what a Optical Illusion is, or if the title of the blog should change…

  33. Simple

    Assuming: any apparent problem with the key is the artist inperfection not a part of the puzzle.
    Both keys do unlock this lock, the lock is locked, and you may not use anything outside the picture.

    Calling the broken off bit with the keyring in it the “loop end” and the end with the majority of level pushing key-type bits the “key end”.

    Then: Take the key end of the broken key and push it into the lock, then push it the rest of the way with the loop end. A lock is always a perfect fit for a key, the lock would hold the two parts together. The turning part of the keyaction is all in the loop end, the rest follows round. The two broken parts being held together by the lock would act as one complete key and the lock would open.

    Geting the key end back out…. that’s a whole other debate!

  34. I am agreeing with two of the theories that I already thought possible. One is the magnet theory sent in by Phantom, and Hanan’s idea was the best, that the top half of the key’s already in the lock, so you only need half the key. Maybe there is no top half. Maybe the lock is only as small as the top half of the key!!!!!!

  35. It’s like what #30 said… its like a coat hanger…we just don’t see the open part of the key (it’s blocked by the lock)

    Everything else is a distraction

  36. There is two sides to this…

    First in both pictures they show an angle of the locked key that has a little indent (thinner part of the key) were maybe it can be sawed (as comment 9 said the other key looks more like a saw blade)

    Second, could it be maybe a intellectual puzzle? the lock shows the word “NABOB” which is a derived title from the word “NAWAB” which means: “was originally the subedar (provincial governor) or viceroy of a subah (province) or region of the Mughal empire, but became a high title for Muslim nobles.” (wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nabob)
    The creator is from Israel. Refer to the wikipedia article, it has some very interesting facts and information about it that I cannot even start to say.

  37. I have the solution!!!

    A stick of dynamite! Like my granpappy always said; ain’t nothin’ ya cain’t fix with a stick o’ dynamite. just ask my granny, if you c’n find her.

  38. I dont think the key is attached to the lock, the back part of the key is shadowed so you cant see it clearly. So if the key isnt attached to the lock you could just open the lock with it……problem solved

    philip

  39. I think you guys are getting close. Whoever said it was a puzzle, not an optical illusion is pretty close, I think.

    The picture is there to show it’s not obvious and to buy this thing – and as with all puzzles (and some optical illusions) there is a bit of playing against your assumptions.

    One assumption is that it is a normal lock – But what if the inside isn’t? What if you don’t need to activate a pin tumbler, you just need to turn it with the broken top ofthe key?

    What if there is another way to open the lock (Phantom’s magnetic idea is good – one wouldn’t normally think to check if the key is really brass-coated magnetic material). But what if it’s opened by pressure on the lock arm, or if it turns, but only if hte key top is in it, or….

    I think we’d have to have it in our hands to actually figure it out.

  40. Thanks for the higher quality pic, Arjan. After studying it, I noticed two things. First the “broken” key has actually been carefully cut in half, which allows the two pieces to fit together in the lock. Usually, when you break a key, the edges are bent so you can’t do that easily.
    Second, the “broken” key doesn’t look like it would go to any lock. It looks like a bump key to me.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bump_key)
    If it is, then that may be the first part of the puzzle. How you would get the key fragment back out is another question.

  41. i have 2 theories:

    the shoulders of both keys are the same and to open it you have to cut the bit of the key that is attached and use the shoulder of the broken key to do the method of putting the broken back together in the lock

    the second is that broken key is a bump key (if you dont know what this is reserch it they are really cool) and you have to bump the lock open with broken key

  42. I think that this is just a set … because if it snapped while trying to open … wouldnt it be twisted?

  43. I have a theory that has not been mentioned. I stared at this for a long time and kept in mind optical illusion. Of course you could saw the lock and things like that but……to me it appears the second key that is attached to the lock could also in fact be broken at the base. The grooved part of the key you insert in the lock is seperated from the round base part of the key that is attached to the lock. The grooved part is laying down flat. If you insert the grooved part of the key into lock it looks long enough. I have two guesses to turn the key. If it is long enough you could use tweezers or maybe you could use the base to the other broken key as leverage (not the base attached to the lock) to turn it.

  44. assuming the key locked on the lock is the one that opens it, break that end of the key off and used the top part of the other broken key to open the lock?

  45. Looking at the key “attached” to the lock, it seems like instead of the lock part actually going through a hole in the key, the key is actually wedged between the two parts.

    What I’m trying to say is that the lock is actually cut, with the key inserted between the two ends.

    If the broken key and the attached key are supposed to be similar, you can see that on the broken key, the hole at the top is much to small for it to fit on the lock.

    HOPE THIS HELPS =D

  46. I have a theory no one else has mentioned. I stared at this but I noticed what I am about to say standing away from the computer and walking up to it from a distance. You could saw the lock and things like that but……. I tried to kept in mind OPTICAL ILLUSION. I believe the key that is supposed to be attached to the lock is also in fact broken. If you look it appears the jagged part of the key is seperated from the round base that is attached to the lock. The jagged part is laying down flat. I have two therioes on opening the lock. Since The jagged part of key appears to be seperated at the base it could be long enoungh to open. You could use tweezers or you could use the base to the other broken key (not the one attached to lock) as leverage.
    THREE FACTORS ARE:
    1. The key attached to lock is also broken.
    2. The jagged part of key is lying flat.
    3. The round part of key attached to lock standing upright.

  47. First of all everyone this is a physical puzzle, not an illusion. What you see is exactly the puzzle, nothing is hidden in the photograph.

    The solution is probably comparing the key on the shackle with the two broken halves. The broken part is clearly not identical to the real key. The broken key is saw shaped. I don’t think you use it as a saw as a self destructing puzzle isn’t much of a puzzle.

    My guess is that you insert the broken part in the lock backwards or forwards little by little until the tumblers align and use the back end to both push in the broken part and to turn the tumbler.

    The puzzle is difficult to reset because you need to remove the broken key afterwards.

  48. The second broken key with the ring attached( not the one that looks like the saw)looks like it has the exact same shape as the lock, so put in the end and just twist it!

  49. I THINK I GOT IT! wut if both keys don’t unlock the lock, but if a combination of 2 would… put the first half of the broken key in and break off the otherhalf of the key locked onto the lock. put it in and, there u go. lock, unlocked.

  50. Put key in.. turn key… open lock..hehe… i love keys!!!!!!!!!…Hehe… averyone eat pizza in america!!!!

  51. if we assume the broken key opens the lock, then the other key must open something else, so simple pick up the lock and put the key into whatever its supposed to open.

  52. Does anyone actually read the top part? It tells you this is a PUZZLE. If you go to the site where it is sold, it explains that there are at least 3 steps you need to solve to open the lock, get the key off, and put it back in its original state.

    It is meant to be solved physically with creative thinking. Cutting the key off to open the lock is cheating. Get it straight.

  53. Who’s to say that the padlock IS a padlock? It looks, to me, like the box part of the lock is in fact, completely detached from the hook part of the lock and is simply lying on top of it. I would suggest that the three steps are as follows

    1. pick up the box part of the lock

    2. take the key off the hook

    3. put them down

  54. i think i GOT IT!!!!!!!
    maybe the key to this all is that the locked key is connected to the lower shakle and that inside there is a little mecanism, so if you turn the locked key (rotating on the (fake) hole) you might unlock the lower part with the key still attached to that, and than you can use that to unlock the whole thing!!!!!!!

  55. The part of the intact key that is hidden from view by the shackle is not intact. There is a piece missing and the key slips off. That’s my best guess.

  56. The solution is really simple. You are all over thinking it. Just buy two of the locks and use one attached to the lock to unlock the other lock and there you go, two unlocked locks and two keys.

  57. I don’t know the answer, but I have a couple of comments
    Firstly, the homepage of the puzzle http://www.geocities.com/danpuzzles/danlock/ clearly says you have to restore it to its original state, which means cutting it is out, and also all the people who say push the broken bit in with the other broken bit – that may actually work, but it’s only half the puzzle.

    Also, I’ve been in Israel and Nabob is the standard padlock company, I’ve used Nabob padlocks myself, so in response to Anonymous I doubt there’s anything in the name, it’s probably a real but adapted Nabob padlock.

  58. We have the puzzle in front of us (you can have more detailed pics if you wish). It’s bloody hard! There seems to be a ball bearing or floating pin inside one of the pin chambers. It is correct that the key on the shackle and the key on the key ring are different, but the middle pin of the key matches. Help!!! :)

  59. ok, I think that maybe it’s like a box within a box. Maybe the outer shell is a decoy, and the real keyhole is INSIDE the lock!

  60. I think the lock is broken and the key is in in the cutted lock, cose the lock can’t pass into the lock the hole of the key is smaller than the lock.

  61. The puzzle is supposed to be returned to its original state and you can only use the stuff that’s pictured, so you can’t cut anything or go make a copy of the key.

    The “broken” key is able to be picked up and moved, so it is not in a fixed position. There are only two keys and one of them is indeed broken.

    The caption of the image that Poster #24 linked to says that returning the lock to its original position was much more difficult than unlocking it, so the trapped key can’t have an incomplete ring, because then you could just slip it back on the lock.

    The fact that the second key is broken is evidently meant to distract you. The teeth of the broken key definitely don’t match the teeth of the trapped one. It would totally make sense if they matched, because then you could shove the broken tip of the key into the lock and then turn it with the broken handle, which really would make it harder to put back in its original position, but that’s not the case.

    And there can’t already be anything inside the lock…

    I’m stumped.

  62. Hey guys – why not contact Dan and buy the lock. I have, and it is fabulous. I ahve not solved it yet as I have only just received it. Quit the guessing and give it a go. Support Dan so that he is motivated to continue making more great puzzles like this one.

  63. I’m not sure what it is, but I did see a trick much like it once. It was a small treasure chest, and the key was on a chain, about an inch too short to reach the lock. I worked it out pretty soon but my friends were stumped, tugging and pulling on the chain. The secret was to simply push the lock inwards and the chest popped open.

  64. To the poster who said there couldn’t be anything on the lock…au contraire
    On one of the sites linked on this page, one testimonial praises the ‘amount of things you managed to fit into the lock’ or something similar. So I’m thinking that you have to get an outer shell off of the lock, and then their is another mechanical puzzle inside to solve.

    How to get the cover off, to me…it seems like the magnet idea someone posted could possibly be the first solution.

  65. The broken key has a hole in the top end of both pieces. Before inserting the botom piece into the lock, thread a piece of floss through the hole. Proceed to use the top part of the key to insert the bottom part the rest of the way as well as turning the cilinder. Once the complete key is released from the clasp, lock the lock and turn the cilinder to origional position and use the floss to draw out the broken piece, and voila! Start to finish, a good method I propose. -SJ

  66. This puzzle is getting to me and also have not been able to find the solution online. I suspect that every part is essential to this puzzle, including the curled wire of the broken key. Perhaps there is a way to unravel that in a way it fits in the lock with both the broken peices (look for a tiny gap that a wire could fit in alongside the key). This way the broken peices fit in to release the lock and possibly explain why it says getting the puzzle back to its original condition is the most difficult part. The wire may be essential in pulling the broken part out of the lock.

  67. I have the solution! That is providing the broken key is what actually unlocks the lock.

    View the picture at: http://www.grand-illusions.com/acatalog/info_109.html

    Note that the broken part has a hole near the broken end in the top grooved part of the key. If the kit comes with the coiled wire someone linked in the first 20 or so responses that wire can be used to pull the broken part right back out after inserting the handle to turn the lock open.

    I’d actually have to have this lock in front of me to test this, but is the most logical thing I could come up with looking at pictures.

    If I am wrong, there is definitely something with that hole to consider.

    Many in the few responses I have read keep treating this as not a puzzle suggesting replicating the key. This is a puzzle. Every part is to be used in the puzzle for some purpose and only those parts. It is up to us to figure out how they work together.

  68. ALERT ALERT ALERT! YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE, LADIES AND GENTS!

    I got this off the website that sells these things- maybe it’ll help.

    “Most padlocks, once opened, are easy to close: not so the DanLock. In fact it is rather more difficult to get the lock back to the same state as it is delivered to you. Altogether it involves the solving of at least three quite distinct puzzles, which will keep even the ardent enthusiast occupied for some time. Well it kept me occupied . . . DanLock is the creation of Dan Feldman and is not to be confused with three other puzzle padlocks that he produced a year or so ago… Up to now the solution he sends out with the puzzle is incomplete, which has led to unnecessary correspondence, complaints, etc. However, Dan tells me that he is revising the solution, so this won?t happen again. It raises the question as to whether solutions should accompany puzzles or not. My own preference, as stated many times before, is that they should not, but that they should be available on request. I know it involves the manufacturer in more work, but nothing can be perfect.”

  69. the side of the key on the shackle is in shadow,but even then you should be able to see part of the side in the dark.you can’t.it could be pictured so it seems that it is shrouded in darkness,but really is cut.the same thing is apparant in the previous lock/key puzzle.you might be able to just slip it off.

  70. DanLock is a normal lock reform. It is can buy at Iserel call “NABOB” lock.
    The keyhole is more deep. If you want return the broken key. How did you think in your life? You need notice any information about the lock apart. Little ring is not use for this game. It just protect for lose a little parts.

  71. ok, I’ve thought more about it. Use the tab on top of the broken key to unscrew the lock cylinder. Once the lock cylinder is free from the lock body, it can then be inserted onto the shakled key and opened. I suspect that part of the puzzel is hidding in the lock cylinder. That would cover two of the three parts of the puzzel, without acutualy having the puzzel in my hand, the rest is just speculation. Feedback?

  72. I’m a locksmith & each key has it’s own set of cuts. The broken one is the key that fits the lock. You insert the broken end into the lock, then insert the head of the key into the lock & turn to open. The key on the shackle is a key that won’t open the lock & is there to confuse you.

  73. hint: if they used the unbroken key to lock it then how did they get the unbroken key on it anyways?

    plus the end part of the key that’s broken doesn’t match up with the other part or the key hole.

  74. I would put the broken botom in the lock, then twist it with the top, it might be a problem to get the broken piece out but you’ll manage to open the lock

  75. A drop of super-glue on the broken key. Insert the key and open the padlock. Then, take out the key from the padlock. Last, break the key to restore the earlier state. Simple! :-)

  76. i know 2 possible ways. either glue the pieces or use clay to make a new handle and use it. sorry if someone already said and hope this helps.

  77. This is a fantastic puzzle. I actually ordered one several months ago and solved it. I will not give away the solution, but I will tell you this. It is more like three puzzles in one, and you need no extra tools besides what is given (even the small metal ring attached to the broken piece is not needed). If you enjoy puzzles I strongly suggest you contact Dan Feldman and give this one a go.

  78. I’ve read about this before. The lock isn’t as simple as it seems (even if it seems difficult).
    It comes with the key around the loop, like in the pictures. You must solve three different puzzles with the lock before you can open it. Then, once you open it, they say its even more difficult to put the key back where it was when you originally got the lock.
    scarey…

  79. one of the best puzzles ever!
    it took me plenty of time and effort, each phase of the puzzle is more difficult and enjoyable.
    I saw it on eBay for a decent price.

    think outside the box

  80. Ive just had my puzzle lock delivered today and it is amazing, no idea what to do but the lock and component parts are extremely well made and weighty! Great piece of puzzle kit!, Have given the solution to my girlfriend to keep under lock and key..no pun intended. This puzzle will take pride and place in my collection.

  81. the broken part of the key has a hole in it. thread some cotton through and then put it in the lock. the key can easily be removed then and you can use the second key next time.

  82. The Mystery lock can be opened as follows. The small part of the broken key is long enough to insert and open the lock. The tumblers inside the lock do not run the full length of a key. Now, how hard was that??

  83. ok the key not on the lock looks like a bump key and with one of those if u put it in most of the way and hit it with a hamer while putting some pressure on it to turn it the pins in side the lock may aligne and you will be able to turn the key. a person broke in to my house using this method

  84. It’s very interesting, how some guys are trying to solve a puzzel: “saw it”, “take dynamite”, “just take this or that part and turn the lock, that’s all”, “it’s sooo easy” and so on …

    Hey – it’s a puzzle – and you should use your brain and hands to solve it !

    1.) The solution won’t be sooo easy, otherwise, it would be a waste of money – and it’s obvious NOT a waste of money.

    2.) It’s sold for about 60 bucks, so it’s probably NOT complete out of this world (means: an alien type of work), but an altered regular lock – otherwise, it should asnd will go for more.

    3.) There are easy/cheap ways to alter a lock to get a trick lock: f.e. add a gravity locking mechanism or a magnetic type of additional locking or just use only some (the first two ?) locking pins – so no need to push in the key all the way. But there are more possibilities …

    Conclusion:
    You can not solve this by just viewing it. You have to take it in your hand, turn it to that side, try to push it here or there, take the broken part or the other part an try to push in or twist the keyhole – and so on. So only “Try and Error” and some thinking will lead to the solution. And therefore, it’s pretty useless to get the answer here, as it makes no sense. All you will get is the loss of the chance to solve it by yourselve.

    Just my two cents

    Jogi, Germany

  85. After reading some of the comments, and taking a second look at the 2 pictures it popped in my head.
    There is a shadow covering part of the key that is in the lock… the same part in both pictures.
    Could it be so easy as the key isnt really “locked” in at all?
    this is suppose to be an illusion after all. And the brain loves to “fill in the blanks” when faced whith an unknown.

  86. I have the DanLock, and highly recommend it.

    To dispell some of the theories above:
    – This is not an illusion, it is a puzzle. It is a semi-difficult puzzle (around 4 or 5 out of 6, to use the Hanayama scale). The goal is to take it completely apart, and then put it back into the same state – two separate puzzles.
    – The puzzle is a modified lock – it’s not just a puzzle that looks like a lock.
    – The lock is not open initially.
    – The broken key is used as part of the puzzle. Everything you see in the photo is used in the puzzle, except for the ring, which is simply there as a convenient way to keep all the bits of the puzzle together.
    – You don’t need anything else to solve this puzzle (e.g. hacksaws, lockpicks, etc.). Sure, you could used them, but that’s like using a texta to solve the Rubik’s Cube.
    – The intact key is really trapped on the lock. You will have to unlock the lock before you have access to the key.
    – The broken key will fit in the lock. But will that help you?
    – Lateral thinking is needed to solve this puzzle.

  87. Since I know Dan, and i have had the honer of working with him, and have opened the lock by myself (Dan brought it to work) I can tell you that the lock is real and working. So stop the speculations, IT IS REAL!!! you can also write dan himself, he doesn’t bite :-)

  88. i think the solution is : you take the ring of the broken key, make it straight, and try to pick the lock with it. (i dont know if this has already been suggested and i am sorry if it has so)

  89. Well I e-mailed Mr.Feldman, because now I want to buy one, and he said that it comes with a printed solution… so when I buy it I’ll share it with you guys lol

  90. 1. The broken key is NABOB, while the locked one is not…
    2. The Locked One has a bigger ring hole…

    so both keys are not identical… so u can use the broken key back up.

  91. Easy, just take it to a lock-smith, and he can cut a copy of the non broken key. or, put the broken key tinto some soap, to make a template, and create a mold from that, on which to base the new key design on.

  92. It’s a brilliant puzzle!!

    It has an unpredictable elegant solution. Actually it contains 3 challenges in it.

    You really need to think “out of the box” in order to solve it.

  93. I don’t know why no-one has suggested it. The answer to this is the same as the answer to many of the world’s problems – throw money at it.

    All you need to do is to buy two of them. Each will unlock and lock the other.

  94. The above picture as it is stated is an illusion. An illusion is something which looks real but is not.
    The curved locking bar is not in the locked psition. take any padlock and lock it and you will find that only the smallest amount possible is left, pretty much where the bar goes from the straight to the curve ie the curve prevents it from going any further they are designed like this to make the locked padlock stronger.
    the broken key is a red hearing.

  95. If you can’t see, there’s a hole in the teethed part of the broken key so thread it into the ring so it wont get lost then use the teethed end and unlock the lock and when your done put the ring in the lock bar thingee and now both keys are locked up so unthread the teeth end of the key and open the lock.
    WOW. talk about run-on sentences.

  96. the way to do this is to take the RING of the HEAD part of the key and put it in the little hole on the TEETH part of the key and put the TEETH part in the lock get the HEAD part of the key and put it in the key hole (it wont fit} just push hard on it and twist tadaa!!! it opens now pull the ring walaa!! and out comes the TEETH part of the key

  97. my solution right away was make a copy of the key but you could also just tie a string or somethign to the hole and pull out the teeth later…

  98. Well, I think you are not using lateral thinking… It’s soooo simple: just buy two puzzles and open one with the key from the other.

  99. The key is really locked in the lock. Both keys fit the lock. The other key really is broken. It’s CHEATING to buy 2, take it to a locksmith, blow it up, cut another key.
    There is a really easy solution to the puzzle and some-one has already given it.
    Take a look at http://www.grand-illusions.com/acatalog/Puzzle_Lock.html and although it doesn’t tell or show you the solution after seeing the larger picture you can easily tell how to do the puzzle. I’m suprised that those who have actually bought the puzzle have not discovered the soulution as easily.

  100. Just put a piece of string into the whole of the Broken part of the key before you insert it. then insert the back part and twist, it will open…then pull the string back and get the broken piece out…

  101. The broken key is working just as it was NOT broken:
    put in the small part, push it completely in with the large part, and turn….

  102. as a Locksmith, i extract broken keys from padlocks all the time.

    The key is broken between the shoulder and the first cut.
    Insert broken piece, push the remaining head of the key into the keyway, turn.

    To get it out, simply hold the padlock upright and slam it onto a piece of wood, until the inertia forces the broken piece to come back out.

  103. The two pictures are the same picture. Turn the top picture 90 degrees and you got the EXACT same picture. Look at the layout of the parts, the layout of the keys, the shadows, everything. All that is different between the two pictures is the background is changed out.

    Now, to solve this puzzle, the key that is on the lock is different than the two parts of the key that is laying on the table or whatever it is. Look at the grooves, the way the key is… Just look at them. There is no key that is made like the broken one. It would be too easy to duplicate.

    Now then, look at the “head” of the broken key. There is a part to the key still attached to it. It actually has an identifiable key part. Insert that into the key hole and I bet you it would work.

  104. 1. Go to the locksmith and get a new key made, using the one which is on the the lock

    2. The keys are not identical.
    the broken one is blank, so there has to be the other one.

    3. ask a guy who can lock picking to open it for you/ look on youtube “how to pick a lock”

  105. Use the wire on the broken key and bend to the required shape of the tumblers i.e. match to the broken key’s cut. use wire to open lock.

    viola!

  106. Well, I was able to feel that the key in the lock is just a random key as you can see the hole in both the keys differ in size.

  107. First, look at the two keys – the teeth look different on each to me. I don’t have a solution because I don’t have the lock, but it’s a start. My bet is that the broken key won’t open the lock.

  108. to all those who say get another key cut, buy two locks, superglue the broken key, use the keyring…etc etc etc – sorry, but what a bunch of retarded fuckwits! The instructions with the puzzle (which ARE mentioned elsewhere) state that NO EXTERNAL TOOLS TO BE USED IN THE SOLVING OF THIS PUZZLE. I’ve bought it and have solved it, and the solution remains sealed. I’m pleased that I’ve conquered this puzzle in about 2 weeks, on and off, so to nakalavooki all I say is stop talking out your arse and get back to your homework. And rick? if you try to bump it, you’ll need to file a suitable key down (TOOL) and use a screwdriver or hammer to tap it ( you TOOL)

  109. Still havn’t figured this puzzle out yet, there is no thread and the key ring can not be used. I’m sure you could just slam the lock on a piece of wood and remove the key with gravity and elbow grease but that seems to easy to be the solution. I obviously see the hole in the broken key so it’s intended to be used but I am not sure how yet. I won’t put the key in till I understand how to remove it.

  110. Are you joking, right?

    Pins part has a small hole. Tie a thin thread thru it. Put the pins in. Open the lock with the rest of the key. Extract the pin pulling the thread.

  111. Hi, insert the broken bit in, then the rest of the key should open the lock. When unlocked take the second key and cut it in the same place as the first one. Job done ;) you have a lock with two ”keys”.

  112. OK,

    Insert the broken bit of key and use the top bit of broken key to turn lock and open it.

    The shackle comes off completley and inside the shackle is a long pin, revealed by gripping the shackle and turning the bottom section in the oppoiste direction.

    Use the pin to push the broken bit of lock out.

    Insert the now released, full key, in to the lock, the wrong way round and turn to leave the lock open.

    Replace full key on shackle and shackle in to lock and use top part of broken key to relock.

    Also the lock has to be facing correct way for the lock to open

    C

  113. Well, i wish i had this puzzle. I know exactly how to do it though. It’s an easy concept that everyone is afraid to do. Stick the teeth into the lock, stick the base, or head, into the lock, and turn. The tricky part is to get the teeth out. Now here is where it gets interesting.

    Stick a piece of string or twine through the hole in the teeth end so you can pull it out that way you can do it all over again. I suggest you give it a try. I believe that it should work too.

  114. easy: go to shop, where they do key-copying, take the undamaged key (w/ the lock still on it) and make a function copy of it!!

  115. i don’t think that will work karek.ummmmmm,let me see here….hotglue?hmmmmmm…..you will probably have to use some sort of binding solution.

  116. I’m not sure, but that ring on the on the broken key might be strong enough to serve as a lockpick…

  117. You take the broken and of the key and put it in the keyhole. Then you push the head of the broken key into the hole, the lock itself will hold the key together when you push in. So just push and turn, it shouls open if all the pins are aligned right?

  118. I think the key is actually a two piece key and it is not a broken one, but detached one. The head push fits into the other part. Now simple, push fit the head and use.

  119. Assuming there’s nothing more to this than meets the eye and that you can only use what’s in that picture, put the broken half of the key in the hole, use the other half to twist the lock, and bang, it’s open. To get the broken half of the key out of the hole, use the key ring and try to hook it out.

  120. This is in fact a way to safe-guard the lock and key.
    For example, if you had given your key to a friend or ex-wife/husband, or the security office is too friendly and give out keys to people who claimed to know you, but you two broke up and now they became extremely annoying & is stalking you & intruding your home but you deemed it too expensive to change the lock.

    You can do this to ANY key, cut part of the front,(need to be clean cut) and place it into the lock. Please be sure that the head of the key still have enough length to be inserted into the key hole and can hold enough force so the you can turn the key.
    since the front part and the rear part are align(due to the clean cut), you can still use the key and as long as you don’t lose yours, no one will be able to use the same key on that lock, since a complete key will be blocked by the front bit of your key and there’s almost no easy way to find out the exact point of where you cut yours.

  121. The story on top that started this discusion, forgot to mention one thing, the instructions that acompanying the loch when orderd.
    The first short paragraph states the object of the puzzle, open the lock and bring the lock back in its original state, with the complete key on the shackle.
    The second paragraph states and I quote:
    Note that no external tools are allowed, just the lock and the two keys provided with it. Not even the small metal ring that holds the two broken parts of they, neither the bag that comes with DanLock.
    I found “A” solution in wich I used something ordinary to get the thing done, but by using that ordinary thing I changed it into a tool, and using a tool is not alowed, so I have to rethink the whole lot.
    But as a whise puzzle man one’s said: A puzzle is a puzzle until you know the solution.
    This puzzle is also a proof of moral strenght, it comes with the solution in a closed cover.

  122. Couldn’t it be possible that the key isn’t broken its just a bottom of a broken key and the top half is the actual key?

    1. heres yur anwer
      take the broken key,superglue it back together then get a new on cut and hey presto! you can now get yur wife out of the garage!

  123. Ok this is my complete guess. you stick the broken part of the key in then use the head with the ring to turn the lock. then use the other key to puch the broken part through the lock and out the top.

  124. it never actually shows where the lock is completely closed. it could be touching or almost touching but not actually locked yet.

  125. its not possible to fit the key into the arms of the lock, i mean the hole is very narrow to fit into that.

  126. WTF man…The answer is, break the damn available key from the top in such a way that it can be inserted in the key hole, and open the lock

    1. because its a lock and looking at picture and not holding this in your hands trying to figure this out seems like a fools errand

  127. i think that the broken ‘business end’ of the key goes in BACKWARDS and then you put the other hand held end in normally and ‘HEY PRESTO’. just a guess though.

  128. (TO OPEN) …..You take the end piece of the broken key put it in the lock, then use the other half to insert behind the piece and turn. the lock will open.

    (TO LOCK)….. Remove the back half of the key. Hold the lock in your palm with the bar towards your palm, push in on the bar using your fingers and thumb on the locks body until the bar is in the locks hole, but not clicked. In one motion rap the bottom of the lock at an slight angle on a hard surface while locking the lock at the same time. This will allow the piece of key to to be released when the tumblers align upon locking the lock. Use your fingernail to pull the piece out.
    The whole key is never needed.

  129. You forgot that this is in section “optical illusions” :)

    As Somnath karmakar said – the hole of the key is not enough to fit the arms of the lock.
    In fact, the whole key is free, the arms is cutted and the key is “inserted” in the gap.
    What you see is just an illusion :)
    Happy New Year!

  130. Ive got the lock and heres how to do it.

    You put the 2 parts of the broken key in the lock like a normal key and turn the lock to open it then turn back and remove the top part of the broken key. The shackle comes completley out and conceals a long point you use puch the second part of broken key out.

    Thats only part 1. Theres more required.

  131. ok, so how to solve this, u get a piece of thread, theres a hole in the bottom part of the key, and you put it through, n then u use the bottom part to put inside and use the top to push and unlock, now as soon as u unlock it, u can pull it out the bottom part with a thread and bring top lockin part around and close it and its in the original condition

  132. This is simple. Look at the lock with key. The lock is cut where the key is held (the hole of key is bigger than the hole of half key. Just slip off the key and insert it into lock!!

  133. Who says the lock is actually locked? It dosen’t show the lock from the right angle to see if ti is locked ;P

  134. i believe that the key is double ended, there us the fake “broken” side in which you will try to use to open the lock. but if you look on the opposite end, there is a little edge sticking out about 1-2mm, i believe that is all that needs to be inserted into the lock to open it, anything more will activate the tumblers and prevent the key from turning

  135. Or, the lock might be not locked at all as we are not shown the front part of the lock.
    It might be optical illusion.

  136. 1. The 2 keys are cut differently, and one is broken, so the complete key will open the lock.
    2. The lock is not snapped shut because they only show the “other” side.

  137. This is one of my favorite puzzles.
    It’s actually not too hard to open. stuff the key shards in (I know you’ll be afraid you won’t be able to take the piece out but it is possible once the lock is opened) and turn it (kind of tricky but possible). The challenge then once it is open is returning it to the original state. I gave you the first part but try to figure out how to lock it again if when you used the good key, the key is off the hook when it is locked (the lock must be closed and needs a key to lock it). And if you lock it with the broken one, the pieces get stuck inside and only come out if its unlocked.

  138. Based on the links on the previous post (Lock and Key), I saw some illusions that I know the solution.

    The lock isn’t actually locked. It was taken at an angle where the lock appears to be locked.

    OMG! SLOW MINDS!

  139. Y not just buy another one and unlock the first one with the key thats lock to the second? :/ im just saying! xD

  140. It’s actually pretty simple.you can open the padlock with the broken key. you can just introduce the top part of the broken key into the padlock and then with the bottom part you can push in and twist. you can also lock the padlock back and leave the top part of the broken key inside and only use the bottom one to twist and open. the key locked into the padlock is just there to play a little with your brain and think that you could only open the padlock with the unbroken key.

  141. Use the wire that comes on the “head and shoulder of the key” to set the pins inside the lock and use the shoulder of the key to turn the cylinder.

  142. I actually have this puzzle. There is certainly some interesting discussion going on about this. I will say this, the two keys are different (despite the one being broken). Both keys are required to solve the puzzle. The key ring itself is not needed.

    Cheers!

  143. Stick the broken end into the lock. jam it the rest of the way in with the larger half. since the smaller half will be pushing up the necessary pins up inside the lock, and the second half will have a small part inside, you will be able to turn it and presto. Does that make sense or am i missing something?

  144. I broke a key off in a lock once it broke a little ways up from top and I left the other piece in the lock so i could insert it in the lock with the broken piece and get it to turn

  145. Anyone have one of these for sale? I contacted Dan but he doesn’t have any. I saw one recently at a friends house and loved it. Thanks everyone.

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