Good lockable A4 sized briefcase or box?

textbook

Want to lock up some of my certificates. Thought a heavy duty money box would be too hard core and just be nicked if a thief found it. Thought a briefcase would be ideal, could lock it so prying eyes can't look in, and didn't look suspicious could use it for interviews etc. But mainly the 'lock' must be good as this is its main purpose for me. It will spend most of its life under my bed. Are either of these two any good?


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Quality-Leather-Effect-Briefcase-Attache/dp/B004RV0KR6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1454352252&sr=8-3&keywords=lockable+briefcase


or


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Falcon-BD-2584-Flapover-Briefcase-Black/dp/B000AY1Y1K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454352834&sr=8-1&keywords=lockable+briefcase

Ectophile

Looking at the first one, a 3-digit combination wouldn't take long to crack just trying every number. The best you could do would be to set the two locks to different numbers. Those locks look like the ones on every other briefcase I've ever seen of that style - nothing special.

paddyrg

Briefcase locks are always going to be rubbish, their job is to keep out casual browsers, not secure the unattended contents. The locks will generally yield speedily to a screwdriver, they don't need to be great locks as any thief could readily go in through the side or hinge anyway.

For similar price to the briefcase you can get a basic digital safe, which will be slightly tougher to get into (although the cheap ones are still not exactly Fort Knox)

In between, you can get http://www.tesco.com/direct/metal-file-box/480-5964.prd?skuId=206-5579&pageLevel=sku&sc_cmp=ppc_sh-_-sh-_-tesco-_-206-5579&gclid=Cj0KEQiAoby1BRDA-fPXtITt3f0BEiQAPCkqQa9zbrjdnMAolXljKtHvtspiecP9iWlWqHJb7zib9zsaAmrV8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds which has a rubbish lock but is metal at least. Or metal filling cabinets start at £40- ish

textbook

paddyrg wrote: »

Briefcase locks are always going to be rubbish, their job is to keep out casual browsers, not secure the unattended contents. The locks will generally yield speedily to a screwdriver, they don't need to be great locks as any thief could readily go in through the side or hinge anyway.

For similar price to the briefcase you can get a basic digital safe, which will be slightly tougher to get into (although the cheap ones are still not exactly Fort Knox)

In between, you can get http://www.tesco.com/direct/metal-file-box/480-5964.prd?skuId=206-5579&pageLevel=sku&sc_cmp=ppc_sh-_-sh-_-tesco-_-206-5579&gclid=Cj0KEQiAoby1BRDA-fPXtITt3f0BEiQAPCkqQa9zbrjdnMAolXljKtHvtspiecP9iWlWqHJb7zib9zsaAmrV8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds which has a rubbish lock but is metal at least. Or metal filling cabinets start at £40- ish

Not looking to keep it safe from thieves. A big metal box with a lock on it attracts attention in itself. I just have some papers and certificates I don't want girlfriend finding. Thought a briefcase wouldn't attract attention and the lock would be enough for prying eyes!

Ectophile

Ah, "papers" and "certificates". Say no more :whistle:

At a rough estimate, a 3-digit lock could be cracked in 17 minutes worst case (trying every combination at one a second). It could then be closed again with no trace. Is that secure enough?

PasturesNew

Can't you just stick them in a plastic carrier bag and gaffa tape that to the back of the wardrobe?

MSE solutions incorporated.

textbook

Ectophile wrote: »

Ah, "papers" and "certificates". Say no more :whistle:

At a rough estimate, a 3-digit lock could be cracked in 17 minutes worst case (trying every combination at one a second). It could then be closed again with no trace. Is that secure enough?

But don't you think that no one is going to be that interested in a briefcase, whereas a metal lockable case thing might make people wonder what's inside?


Think 17 mins is enough- don't think girlfriend or whoever would be that interested.


Can I ask, would anyone suspect anything interesting would be inside a locked briefcase?