About...

With an associated interest in magic, performing for many years as a magician, a side interest has always been solving puzzles. My earliest recollection was playing with a 9 Ring Meleda while very young, but it wasn’t until I was given a Trick Lock by a fellow magician that my interest in specifically puzzle locks came about. Fascinated by the vast variety of lock designs and methods for opening, I realised I required a few rules before buying.

A small sample from Murray's puzzle lock collection

My first and only requirement became that I buy ones with a unique method of opening that differed from my other locks. At a local Magic Circle meeting, I gave a short talk about puzzle padlocks and different strategies puzzle makers use to confuse or misdirect people who try to solve them. With a number of parallels to the magic environment, the magicians found the similarities amusing and the talk educational.

At the conclusion of my first year of collecting, a friend approached me with a unique request: to deliver a similar presentation to the New Zealand Skeptics Inc. at their national conference as an engaging after-dinner entertainment. Despite feeling apprehensive about addressing skeptics I drew on my background as a magician, understanding the importance of infusing humour, captivating content, and audience involvement into such talks. The presentation, blending all these element's, garnered resounding success and even earned mentions on a number of prominent international skeptic podcasts. One overseas attendee was so intrigued she directed her American team to craft a Wikipedia page dedicated to puzzle locks, filling a gap in coverage on the platform at that time. The topic is now listed, abiet short, but I am sure it will grow.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puzzle_lock

More of Murray's puzzle lock collection

Although my padlock collection is small compared to many overseas offerings, my amassed locks continue to grow. Unable (and unwilling) to purchase the high end expensive models ($500 - $3000 US), I am content solving ones I can afford, and though my interest is purely hobbyist, it is a pastime I am passionate about. After purchasing and solving each new lock, I write instructions on how best to open it since many solutions shown on YouTube are either incorrect or far more convoluted than mine.

Murray