Nope, a long pry bar and a pipe wrench with a cheater pipe will also do. It's all about leverage. I work with metal shops boys and took a old U-lock to work, and those fellow show me 5 different way of removing it. Some noisy, some silent, and one even used a portable hydraulic crimper like tool that can shear through u-lock or harden grade 80 chain. I wouldn't worry too much if my lock malfunction to unlock on me, but I'll be more concern with leaving it outside overnight.