Disc locks have a closed shackle, whereas padlocks have an open shackle. And only a small part of the shackle is exposed. The shackle on disc locks is rounded, making it difficult to cut with a pair of bolt cutters. Disc locks are also known as closed-shackle locks because the shackle is closed and partially concealed.ĭisc locks are arguably more secure than padlocks. The shackle is essentially part of the body. They are also known as open-shackle locks because the shackle is open and exposed.ĭisc locks feature a more modern design consisting of a disc with a built-in shackle. Padlocks feature a traditional design consisting of a pad and shackle. Padlocks and disc locks can both protect your property from theft, but they aren’t the same. Differences Between Padlocks and Disc Locks Inserting a key inside of the body and turning it will open the disc lock’s shackle. And like padlocks, most of them contain pin tumblers. Nonetheless, they’ve become a popular alternative to padlocks.ĭisc locks feature a keyed body as well. It features a shorter, rounded shackle at the top that’s integrated into its circular body. What Is a Disc Lock?Ī disc lock is a type of lock that’s shaped like a circular disc. You can then turn the key to open the shackle.

Inserting a key into the pad will align it with the pin tumblers. Within the pad is typically a set of pin tumblers. Some of the earliest known padlocks, in fact, date back to the Roman Era.Īll padlocks have a pad and a shackle. They’ve been around for thousands of years. What Is a Padlock?Ī padlock is a type of lock with a U-shaped shackle at the top and a pad at the bottom. While padlocks and disc locks both have a shackle, though, they are two different types of locks. Unlocking a lock will open the shackle, whereas locking it will close the shackle. The shackle is a removable part of a lock. Most shackle-style locks are classified as either a padlock or disc lock.

Padlock lock