Hardened steel Steel that is case hardened to protect against hacksaw attack but which retains a malleable core to avoid brittle fracture through hammer type attack. Steel shackles are often chrome plated to give a level of corrosion protection

Stainless steel Used for complete corrosion protection, however, stainless steel can not be heat treated as successfully as steel, therefore the shackle is more susceptible to cutting attack.

Brass Due to their anti-spark properties padlocks with brass shackles are often specified for hazardous environments where flammable substances are present. Brass exhibits a relatively low level of protection against cutting attack but has a high level of resistance to corrosion.

Standard shackle This is the normal sized shackle fitted to standard padlocks.

Long Shackle An extended shackle designed to offer greater shackle clearance, often used to lock gates, etc.

Closed shackle Where the body of the padlock is extended to cover the shackle offering greater protection from shackle attack.

Keyed to differ This is where a different key is needed to open each lock.

Keyed alike This is where two or more locks operate with the same key. This is a practical solution where multiple padlocks are in use thereby eliminating the need to carry more than one key.

Master Keyed A lock capable of being operated also by a master key as well as its own servant key. This allows organising master keyed padlocks along departmental or other functional lines to allow supervisory or emergency access. For example, padlocks could be used to secure portacabins on a building site, each site worker may have a key giving access to the appropriate cabins. The site Manager may hold a master key allowing access to all portacabins.

Paracentric A paracentric key is designed to fit a paracentric keyway. It is distinguishable by the heavily contoured shape of its blade, which protrudes past the center vertical line of the keyway in the cylinder. Padlocks with paracentric keyways offer a higher level of protection against picking since they prevent direct access to the pins with traditional picking tools. Many padlocks within the Kasp® range feature paracentric keyways.

Single locking (Single Bolted) A feature of lower security padlocks - this is where the locking bar only engages on one side of the shackle, leaving the padlock more vulnerable to hammer, pulling and twisting attack. A single locking padlock is easily identified as it will have only one notch cut into the open end of the shackle.

Double locking (Double Bolted) Higher security padlocks use a locking bar that engages with both sides of the shackle, this gives a higher level of protection from hammer, pulling and twisting attack. A double locking padlock will have a notch cut on both sides of the shackle.

Ball locking A ball locking mechanism is amongst the most secure locking mechanisms available. High security padlocks typically utilise this locking mechanism, where hardened steel ball bearings are pushed outwards to engage with round indents on the shackle. This type of mechanism offers extreme resistance to torsion and pull attack.

Hasp The hasp is the hinged piece that folds over the staple.

Staple The staple is the piece that the padlock is secured to and is usually manufactured from hardened steel to deter cutting attack. To avoid compromising overall security, it is essential that the security rating of the hasp and staple should be similar to that of the padlock.

Drill resistant A common form of attack is to drill down the centre of the keyway of a padlock, thus destroying the pins and allowing the cylinder to be turned. Drill resistant padlocks feature a free rotating, hardened steel disc that protects the cylinder and prevents drill attack.

Cylinder The cylinder is the cylindrical shaped object into which the key is inserted.