At work, it's unrealistic for me to constantly be (un)locking my box. It remains unlocked. The rule is:

If you need the correct tool to do the job right, and, know how to use it, ask me. I won't say no or deprive you of the opportunity to do a quality job. I will place the tool in your hand. Or, if away from my box tell you which drawer it is in.

If you don't know how to use it, tell me. I'll give you a quick lesson. Or, assist by doing it myself.

When you're done, place the tool back in my hand. Not in the box, or someplace else.

BUT, don't ever,.........ever,.......ever,.....let me find one of my tools (which are all marked) in someones hand without permission or laying about somewhere. They will be insulted, ridiculed and made to feel like the worthless slime that they are. I make no apologies to them, management or anyone around at the time, for this abusive treatment. It is what they deserve. They have earned it.

My box has remained unlocked in some fairly questionable work environments. It's seems that to a point, the worse the crowd "might be", the more appreciative and responsive they are to my approach. I say to a point, because, I do use caution and have found myself in situations where my tools would have "gone missing" if I wasn't defending them. My approach only works were there is some ongoing relationship from which the recipients are going to benefit. If you're in a hostile environment, removing manufacturing machinery from a facility that is destined to be closed, don't take anything with you that you aren't prepared to loose.