The Bowley Lock Company Inc. was conceived in 2015 amidst a rising wave of home robberies due to lock tampering. This vulnerability in basic hardware store locks was a red flag to brothers Ryan and Tyler Bowley.
The brothers’ personal drive and backgrounds in machinery development and corporate insurance, respectively, fueled their quest for affordable high-security locks.
Disappointed by the exorbitant prices of available options, they innovated a shielded design that’s pick proof and bump proof.
This isn’t just another lock company; it’s a testament to tenacity and innovation, built on the premise that security should be accessible.
The Issue with Available Lock Options
While the market isn’t devoid of high-security locks, their complexities often derive from multi-faced key coding and intricate pin designs.
These features might deter quick tampering but can still be susceptible to lock bumping. The primary concern? Accessible pins via the keyhole, leaving even the most complicated designs vulnerable.
This compromise in safety, coupled with prices between $300 to $1000 per door, reveals a stark disparity between security and affordability.
The Bowley Difference
Simplistic in its genius, Bowley Locks sports pins shielded by a steel barrier, making direct access from the keyhole impossible.
Crafted with 17-4 PH stainless steel cylinders and keys, and high-grade brass internals, quality isn’t just a buzzword for the Bowleys—it’s a commitment.
The lock’s unpickable nature necessitates stringent key control measures. They’ve ensured that replacement keys are both accessible (through certified locksmiths across North America) and secure, requiring strict protocols for key duplication.
Production and Origin
The Bowley Lock Company embodies Canadian spirit, though it acknowledges the international origins of some components. Their transparency is commendable—many parts are sourced from countries like China, Taiwan, and the USA.
However, at its heart, this is a 100% Canadian venture, driven by Canadian innovation.
Company Policies
Bowley Lock Company’s policies reflect that it cares about its customers. Here a few prominent ones:
- Exchange: A defective lock within the first 30 days sees shipping costs borne by the company.
- Cancellation: Possible if initiated before the item dispatch.
- Warranties: The Bowley Lock Deadbolt comes with a 2-year limited warranty, while the Bowley Lock Padlock has a 3-month limited warranty.
Both reflect the company’s faith in their product, ensuring that users have ample recourse if issues arise.
- Delivery: Bowley locks are delivered by Canada Post, ensuring a swift and secure delivery process.
How Do Bowley Locks Work?
There are two major categories of locks that Bowley sells. These two are Bowley and Rotasera. Both are made by Bowley to prevent any break in and lock picking.
However, there are few differences in manufacturing and functionality. Let’s get an insight into both ahead:
The Bowley Lock
Picking Resistance: The Bowley Lock has a unique design that limits tool access to the pins. The structure requires multiple specialized tools to attempt picking.
While all locks may be vulnerable, the Bowley Lock poses an exceptional challenge, deterring potential criminals from attempting to pick it.
Bumping Resistance: Bumping a lock requires a specific upward motion, but the Bowley Lock’s pins move downward, making it highly resistant to bumping.
Some undisclosed technologies further secure the lock, but the result is surely a formidable barrier against unauthorized access.
Bowley Rotasera Lock
Functionality: The ROTASERA is a disk detainer lock that prevents direct access to the disks from the keyhole. To unlock, the key must be rotated and then pushed in, facilitating bi-directional operation.
This mechanism bears resemblance to the original Bowley pin tumbler system.
Picking Resistance: The Rotasera’s unique design complicates the picking process. Reaching the disks requires navigating a corner, which demands a different tooling approach.
The lock also introduces false gates, making it hard to distinguish between the actual unlocking gate and decoy gates. Any errors necessitate a full reset using a special idler feature, prolonging and complicating the picking process.
While it’s essential to remember that all locks may have vulnerabilities, the Rotasera’s intricate design offers a level of security that could deter any real-life picking attempts for the foreseeable future.
Bumping Resistance: As with most disk detainer locks, the Rotasera cannot be bumped, standing firm against such attempts.
Installation and Ease of Use
When it comes to setting up a Bowley Lock, customers might be curious about the installation process and the overall user experience. Here’s what one can expect:
Installation Process
If we talk about general Bowley Locks, the design, while innovative, is relatively straightforward to install for anyone familiar with installing traditional locks.
The Lock Rotasera locks by Bowley might be slightly more challenging to install. It can require certain door modifications making it more suited to adaptable or newly constructed doors.
Ease of Use
Once installed, the Bowley Locks function much like traditional locks but with the added benefit of increased security.
The unique pin movements (downward for the Bowley Lock) or the rotate-and-push mechanism for the Rotasera may take a bit of getting used to.
Still, these steps are intuitive and add minimal additional effort during daily use.
Popular Bowler Lock Models
Two of the best and most popular models of Bowley locks are mentioned below:
Padlock – ABUS 83WP/63
For those who are outdoors enthusiasts or require secure storage in harsh conditions, the ABUS 83WP/63 Padlock emerges as a shining option.
Its rugged construction and resistance to the weather make it an ideal companion for everything from securing sheds and outbuildings to safeguarding equipment in external storage units.
The 83WP/63 is my favorite Bowley Lock and I do recommend getting it, for outdoor uses and also to secure sheds and similarly designed storage units. You can click on the image above to get the best price on Amazon.
Deadbolt Bowley Lock Rotasera Grade 2 Double Deadbolt
In contrast to the Padlock, homeowners and businesses looking for a robust internal security solution may find their match in the Deadbolt Bowley Lock Rotasera Grade 2 Double Deadbolt.
This formidable lock, with its advanced protection features, provides a robust shield against break-ins, proving its worth in a wide range of residential and commercial settings.
However, this lock’s installation may require certain modifications making it more suitable for new constructions.
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