Antler combination lock

On a recent foray abroad, I decided that it was about time I started locking my trusty holdall.. just because it has served me well for about 20years, doesn’t mean that it will always remain tightly shut when I get it off that carousel.

So, needing something simple, and not with a key, I settled on the combination lock. I realised early on that I would lose a key, or put it into the bag for safe keeping, but realised that I could probably remember numbers.

~~Product and Packaging~~

My combination lock is in orange, but I have seen the blue ones for sale.

These type of locks are for zipped cases…ones which have zips which join together and can be fastened I assume.

It is about 5cm in length and has 3 small dials at the side with a metal hook like contraption which snaps closed like other combination locks.

~~How do I use it?~~

Yes, it had to be simple, and this certainly is.

Inside the plastic packaging are the instructions on a piece of cardboard, and all explained in a series of written points and illustrations.

All you do is make sure the numbers are set to 0 on the three dials- they are a bit small, but once spotted, it’s plain sailing. The instructions tell me to pull out the shackle and turn it to 180 degrees; this is where the pictures come in handy- I know by looking at them that the shackle is the metal bit which fastens onto the luggage. Keep the shackle pulled out and set to new number. Release and then that’s it, all safety conscious and ready to use.

~~Price and Availability~~

RRP is £5.95, but I bought mine for the princely sum of £4 from Ethel Austin, so keep eyes peeled for a bargain!

Available from any shops selling holiday gear, and also online at www.antler-luggage.com

~~What I think~~

My bag has once again done some travelling, and again has been returned to me unopened. The cynic in me says that it hasn’t been opened in all of these years, so once again, it’s because my bag looks as though it will have nothing of interest in it. However, I like to think that the fact that I have a small lock on the bag makes it a bit less likely to be opened.

The lock is certainly easy to use, and clips quickly and efficiently onto luggage. I had no trouble setting the combination lock, and actually remember the number. I don’t know what happens if I forget the number because there are no instructions for re setting the lock. However, I think it might work if it’s put back to zero on all three dials and then the process is started again, although at the price, I think I would buy another.

For an easy to use combination lock, which offers some piece of mind, if not total and absolute security (what does?), this is a good choice.

Thanks for reading.

Daniela x