It turns out that cutting through the shackle of some padlocks does not require an angle grinder or specialist tool. An ordinary blade and a pair of pliers can be enough. It sounds like another internet stunt, but the technique does work: if the shackle is made from the right kind of steel, the blade gradually bites into the metal.
First, give the blade the secure grip that bare hands cannot provide. Clamp it in the pliers with the working edge exposed. The result is a crude but surprisingly usable cutting tool.
Then comes the interesting part. Work the blade over one section of the shackle, gradually deepening the cut. Do not try to force it straight through the metal. Consistent movement and firm support matter more. A thin shackle gives way faster; a thick one takes considerably more work. On an old, heavy padlock, the trick may take quite some time.
Why is this possible at all? The shackle on a basic padlock is not necessarily made from hard, heat-treated steel. If the metal is soft enough, the cutting edge removes it layer by layer until the shackle is severed.
A knife may also work if it has a sufficiently thin steel blade, but it is less convenient than a loose blade. The exposed edge can slip easily, too, so only try this on a lock that belongs to you.
There is an important catch. The same technique will not work on every lock. On modern models with hardened shackles, the blade may go blunt quickly without making meaningful progress. The harder the steel and the thicker the shackle, the lower the chance of a quick result.
But if you have an old, basic padlock whose key disappeared long ago, the method looks so simple that it is hard not to want to test it yourself.
