Lewis N. Clark TSA-Approved Triple Security Lockdown Lock With Two Steel Cables

This lock takes about 7 minutes of concerted effort with dedicated tools to break. How do I know? Because in the five times we used it, it reset its combination spontaneously three times. We had been using it to lock our two suitcases to the train, and it was a miracle the first and second times that we managed to discover the new combination before the train left the station for the next stop. The last time we had learned to lock the suitcases together and not to the train, so we were able to get them out of the train locked together. Then spent too much time trying to figure out the new combination. Then we spent 7 minutes breaking the cable with cable cutters, a file and scissors.It's a great idea, and we wished it worked. But it is really dangerous, especially when you have to move quickly and the darned thing has malfunctioned. First time -- maybe our fault. Second time -- probably not, but we'll be more careful. Third time -- we were foolish to try. There won't be a fourth.

This lock is supposed to be one that TSA can open. I checked in at the airport and am so glad I was at a small airport where the desk folks know me. TSA tried to search my bag but were unable to unlock the lock. The desk staff came and got me out of the security line and I was able to unlock it with the combination for them.I've had not problems with the lock resetting itself but I obviously can't trust it to place it on checked baggage so now I only use it on my camera backpack or other carry-on and I don't lock it until I'm through security.Very dissapointed. I've never had problems with any Lewis N. Clark items I've purchased.

I bought 2 of these before my trip to China. After the trip, I found one of them doesn't open with the combination I set anymore. Called the LC Industry and they are not (willing to) helpful at all. Now I am stuck with this un-usable lock. So, buy at your own risk.Updated: LC industry finally sent me a replacement. Anyway, similar thing happened to me again. But I knew what happened which was exactly like Cynde M described. It is very easy to reset the lock accidentally, I believe that is a design fault which could be avoid. Otherwise, the lock works as expected.

I have purchased three of these locks. For the most part, they have worked well and been trouble free. The only issues I have had has been with the idiots at TSA. They failed to replace one after inspecting my bag, so that one is just gone. On the second one, they managed to reset the combo when they resecured the bag. That took me quite a bit of time to figure out, basically starting at 000 and working my way towards 999. This last time, they relocked the bottom loop, but didn't secure it to the zipper tabs. This left a loop of cable dangling from the side of my bag, which inevitably caught on something and ripped one of the top compartment zipper tabs free. Of course, this also negated a large part of the security aspect of the lock as well. I think the design of the lock is pretty good, although the combo might be a little too easy to reset by accident. On the other hand, I don't think anyone will be able to design one that cant' be screwed up by the sutpidity of the TSA.

Yes, I once accidentally reset my combination by moving the cable that resets it. You must learn to be careful which cable end you move to open this lock. I have an interesting bit of shocking info to share with all you travelers. Did you know someone can easily enter your luggage with a simple sharp object like a pen? Try Googling "open luggage pen" and watch the Youtube video. Eyepopper, no? Now you'll be like me and never trust any zippered luggage again. But you can't just throw them away. Just buy this LC cable lock. Put the long loop around the top handle and use the smaller loop to lock the main and front pocket zipper handles. The principle is the luggage handler won't fool with your luggae when he sees this because he will be unable to close the zippers if he can't move the zipper handles. Of course, this can be defeated if this uneducated bum has a TSA key or is a TSA agent. Truth be told a determined thief can jump on, kick, and slash your bag open with a sword or saw if he thought there was something to be gained inside your bag. That's what happened to me in the Bangkok airposrt recently. My bag was broken into upon arrival AND at departure. Nothing was stolen the first time, but a police telescoping baton was pilfered on departure. I googled "Bangkok airport theft" and there is indeed a history of luggage thefts at the new Suwanabhumi Airport even though security promised improvements 3 years ago! So be forewarned. Even more info if you google "Bangkok scams", "Thailand scams", and "Stickman Bangkok". In the end, just leave your valuables and nicest clothes behind. Travel with things you can afford to lose, and I promise you you'll be glad you have lots of room for the wonderful things you can buy cheaply there. A tip. Try going to Home Depot and make some 4 foot long cables with loops at the ends. String them through all your sleeves, pants, underwear, sandals, and lock them together. Thieves will steal all or none of the clothes. Don't forget to add a few can half filled with old peanuts with a note F.U.N. Monkeys love nuts.Addenum: For those of you who experienced reset combinations and couldn't open your locks, you must be careful NOT to touch or move the RESET end of the cable after you open the lock. I learned this the hard way. I was in a hurry and must have inadvertantly reset it. Spent about 2 minutes of tachycardia before I luckily refound the wrong set of numbers. I am now taking THREE steps to insure it doesn't happen again. First, I painted yellow nail polish at two spot where I CAN move the cable ends. Do NOT move the RESET end. I think you can move the TSA end, but I will stay away from it. Second, I move only one number tumbler one or two numbers to left or right. For example, I will move the middle tumbler two numbers to the left and never touch the upper or lower ones. This way I can quickly open my lock even in the dark by feeling the middle tumbler and move it two numbers to the right. Hope this helps. Third, I always lock the lock when no using them between trips. When locked you cannot reset the combination. Beleive me, you forget details after a few months and mess up the combination.

I bought this lock to use with a ski duffel that has two zippers. When I got to the mountain, it would not open to the combination. At first I thought either I forgot the combination (unlikely) or the TSA had accidently reset it when inspecting (if that is possible). I had to break the lock with a wrench to open it. Since then, I have another lock of a similar style do the same thing. Same style, different brand. Others I have did not do the same thing (yet?). Is there something wrong with these combination locks that causes some of them to seize up? I may have to travel with a set of wire cutters in a side pocket.