I am amazed it has taken Sparrows this long to create a jack knife style pick-set. Almost as nice as a Mad Bob's jacknife. An amazing amount of thought has gone into this design. Great review.
Love the lock up, and the well thought out release mechanism for the picks and tension tool. But at this price, I'd still choose a SWICK. It has 12 profiles that lock up pretty dang solid. And it has 8 tension tools, and still fits in a package about the size of a Bic loghter.
I think the turning tool storage and access on this tool is absolute genius. Definitely a good candidate for an EDC if ever there was one. Cheers from Texas!
The two screws at the top of the pick set looks to be a place for a pocket clip. That said this thing is really cool Its out of my price range but it would be nice to get in the future
I mostly agree with your assessment. It's a nice-looking tool, but one that sorely lacks in actual utility. A few additions could massively improve the issue. One or two deeper hooks are an absolute must, as is a TOK bar. Personally, I would also like a BOK wrench with a shorter head, and one with a twist. Another thing I would really love to see is a simple straight probe, which I find very convenient for tubular locks. Maybe a key extractor if they want to market this as an emergency tool. And the thing is, this isn't impossible to do. A twisted wrench might be a bit tricky, but the others are downright trivial with minimal modifications. The Swick includes no less than twelve tools, two TOK bars and *six* BOK wrenches, though unfortunately no twisted wrench. Sparrows could make it a bit wider and make the blades a bit thinner to make space for more essential tools. These look like 25 thick blades, but Sparrows steel is strong enough that 20 thick would work perfectly fine for picking. It's a shame, really. Such a seemingly nice tool with so much wasted potential. Unfortunate.
Told my husband about your review and how cool this looks. He saw how excited I was about it and even though it's expensive he ordered me one straight away, for my edc. I am a beginner but I have to get good now, right? Love your channel and voice.
Sparrows knows how to make things look good! They really got close with this. Love the locking mechanisms for the picks and tension tool. The black metal looks great and size seems good. But I feel this has three major fails, no top of the keyway tool. They could have at least milled out the case/handle and attached one on each side. No medium or high hook, seems they should have ditched one profile like the city rake to include a medium hook as you mentioned. And the biggest fail of them all is the price. I would have jumped at this in a heart beat but not at the current price point. It’s a tempting piece to add to the collection but to hard to justify when there are a couple other products that compete.
Does any pro use a city rake, when I buy a kit those are the first I toss in the drawer. Would have loved a med hook instead. TOK is a must. They put a decent amount of engineering on the retention of that turning tool, I feel like they could have incorporated at TOK tool somehow. Maybe they will go the CI way and sell upgrade tools to replace the ones we don’t use. -Just an idiots opinion.
it all depends on use? sure a lock sport pro may use abuncha sized hooks but one look at the choices made with this and it's more then obvious this is made and designed for one purpose... door... lock on fence... file cabinet... car ??? this thing is for someone who doesn't have keys and just wants a quick open on the sly... some pros have a wrist band full of tools and a tube pick decoder in there back picket.... some pro just need something pokey... a hook... a grip of racks.. I mean a comb and a waffer skeleton and someone with finesse could slide anywhere he wanted to... but who cares... no one's burning a Benji on it hahaha.. if it had a comb $45 tops and that's cuz its name brand lol
This is a low-sec rapid-entry tool, and city rake with rocking technique opens a lot of locks like that. It definitely should have done a medium hook instead of half diamond to go with the short hook and offset hybrid though for a balanced set. That turner holder is a really slick and smart design, but I agree that not having multiple turner options or at least 1 BoK and 1 ToK is a big fail that they missed on here.@@jn1rz1
@@lenbones7940 Sure it would be nice to load a ton of picks into this but in reality every pick company should know that the main/common picks to use in most situations are the short hook, medium hook and a short and medium frequency style rake. Most companies have figured this out and sell a kit that includes just these. I feel like many companies know this and fill their kits with bloat and skip an essential tool to get you to buy extra kits. I understand once we get into the sport we all have our favorite unique pick like a gem, hybrid, monkey paw or the like but these are not the absolute essential picks and for a small compact edc, one would think they would include the medium hook for the very common high set pins found in many door locks and the like. But in the end you make a good point, not many people will find the price point good enough to even purchase this. But if it had a medium hook I might have been a sucker to give it a go, because it's got style and great branding... I also can't understand why combs are so popular, in my area I rarely come across a lock that a comb will work on.
Thanks for the great review. The tool looks very nicely made, and I love the fact that it’s not plastic. Being a knife collector as well, I see the value is being good, so I just purchased one. Thank you.
@@RV_Chef_Life The Companion may look like it has a lot of picks, but most of the blades are bypass tools. For actual picking, you get two weirdly long rakes, two hooks, a decoder and a flat. The Companion can't even be used to SPP or rake a lock without external tools or expansions, since the tension tools are sold separately. It's just as bad, but in a different way.
When I saw it on their page I thought it was over priced compared to others out there; however, the locking feature certainly seems better than those with a tightening knob. It is basically their Tux set without the snake rake. There are people that will say you are limited to just one turning tool, however tools are so flat that it would easy to carry more TOK in your wallet. For your next vid, try to take an SSSV hook and grind it down to replace one of the "hooks"?
Thanks for a really thorough and well considered product review, lessons for both reviewers and product developers in there. It looks like a nice bit of tech, but as a beginner, way more (and less) than I’m looking for.
Sparrows has some really good starter offerings, Tuxedo, Dark Shift, SSDev for SPP. Or go personal choice with single picks and level one/flat five turners. Their picks are especially good strength wise for new pickers still developing their touch and a deal at $5 each. They were my first real lock picks and I still have some profiles in my EDC. Other than them Jimmy Long's are great picks - great metal, handles, and profiles - and also about $5 each. They are my current favorite, amazing comfort and feedback! They overtook my Petersons at half the cost so highly recommended.
I've given up on the idea of jackknife style. A set of real picks can be stored in a very small package. I can fit 3 full size picks into my 3D printed pen and it still has enough room for a full size ink refill.
I dont think we need the city rake since a rocking motion can work with a rake or the bck of a short hook. But the hybrid, medium and deep hook would be fantastic. The half diamond, worm and triple peak are great rakes.
$95! I could get an old escort mark 3 or I could get an escort that will be here about 9.30pm for a few dollars more. Multipick have a very similar tool for £39 I believe. It might not have the fancy red paint but it does come apart and it looks like it can be dismantled, I think it comes in bits, and additional tools can be added. $95 = about £65 - 70. Nearly twice the price of the Multipick tool. I can't see the added value?
The CC is definitely more of a bypass EDC multitool, but yeah it'll get you in a lot more things a lot more ways for the same cost (but poor ergo-dynamics). However the new Slim Pickings is just the Riv-Pick and CC/SSF turning tool expansion kit for a pure picking EDC at $55 usd.
@@dannileigh6426 personally I'm not a fan of the jack knife design in any form. I carry the sparrows tuxedo with a short and medium hook, a double and triple bogeta, a key extractor, and a few wrenches. It's basic, effective, and cheap. It's flat and easy to carry in my back pocket or the leg pocket on my carhartts as well.
Nice locking system ! I always wondered why it was so hard to implement a knife locking system on a jackknife… Same as you, I would definitely trade off the city rake for a deeper hook. But in any case, that doesn’t really matter as I won’t spend €90 on a jackknife with only 6 basic picks and a tensioner. If their want that amount of money from me, they will need to come with and advanced version, ie including .020 SSDev picks and a TOK tensioner. Sparrows made their reputation on good value products (ie their DD pick), what happened here ???
It's gorgeous but like most jackknives they missed a number of marks on this, such as the hook profile selection, the inclusion of both a worm and bogota, which are frankly so similar it's an odd pairing; and any jackknife IMO should offer a hybrid TOK/BOK turning tool.
I think I'd like it, but I'd trade the 'snake' for a deeper hook and add a TOK tensioner to make it more perfect. Some disparage the city rake, but I've found that when it works, it works faster than anything else and it's become my first selection with unknown locks. A quick try will tell you whether you need to switch profiles. Now just to win the lottery so I can afford one!
I second you on the benefits of the city rake, being able to scrub or rock with it and even set single pins gets through a lot of cheap KiK locks. And like you said if it doesn't get an open right away it gives a good sense of what to try next.
This looks worth the cost, it would be nice to have a pocket clip with it. I've owned a good handful of Jackknives my favorite so far is the southern specialties but the presentation of the hooks/ tensioner retention/ locking mechanism makes this a winner. Be perfect if it held a flat bar tensioner and a monkey paw instead of the half diamond
Thanks for the review! You brought up aspects of it's design (pro & con) that weren't apparent from their site. That locking feature for the picks looks (and sounds!) very solid and confident while also appearing to have good ergonomics controlling it. And that hidden turning tool design is very slick and innovative! Solid and comfortable handle and readily accessible turning tool are top points for a tool like this for me. However, I think they missed out not making that hidden turner holder larger and able to hold other turning tools. Given this is most likely for rapid open low security locks I personally find I'm more picky about the right fitting turner than pick profiles. Saying that, while I'd keep the Offset Hybrid and Short Hook I would certainly trade the Half Diamond for a Steep Hook or the High-HD from their Monstrum set. What would you folks choose for 6 sparrows profiles in this? Given their releasing expansions for other offerings I reckon it'd be a good bet for them to do that here. With your maker skills Lock Noob a video of you modifying your personal selection of their picks for this could be a neat video. Not having any attachment point is a big miss to me too. The whole point is for it to be handy, ie close-of-hand. It could have just been a small extension on one of the metal plates at the butt with a hole in it for paracord or keyring as you said (plus you'd think Sparrows could see the benefit of a strong pointy-bit there). They obviously put thought into this design and I could have seen a detachable belt-clip or something, especially at this price point. Pockets are great but it's nice when things have their place. And on the price point, it is a really nice design, and as you pointed out with innovative features, but $120CDN for 6 profiles and one turner isn't $120 useful to me. It's cool as heck and I'm sure they'll sell well; they might be the sharpest jackknife design on the market right now if you ask me, but should definitely have more profiles and turners at that price and to be really useful IMO. I'd really like to see a comparison between this and Covert Instruments' Slim Pickings. They're both very different design philosophies on the EDC multi-tool and both very new, would be interesting how they compare and hold up. I like the overall design and locking mechanism of the Escort but also the multiple turners with Slim Pickings (I'm glad they made it separate of the Covert Companion). Anyways, thanks, for the review video with your thoughts, and for your own neat and innovative designs for locksport. I was glad to see the Monkey Paw expansion as it's a favored go-to of mine, and your Medusa profile is in my rapid entry EDC. Would love to see any other profile designs you might be playing around with.
Hmm. Very nice. I wonder, is there enough room for a second turning tool? I would love to see a top of keyway - just a stubby version of the tool they have with a little burr on it to grip the brass. Nice review, BTW.
To be absolutely honest with you i completely agree with everything you said. I thinking the same things as you reviewed away 😂 It looks really nice in black and looks very nice quality. I love the way the picks are locked into place and the clever way the tension tool is held. just needs another alternative turning tool. Great review 😉
While the cost is quite high, it probably has the most innovative locking system and turning tool retention I've ever seen. I've seen other type locking systems, but this one I consider the best for a positive lock, speed and feedback. As far as extra screws, I believe they are going to offer a pocket clip from another website in which they stated such. But I can't remember where.
I have a generic chinese made tool, similar to this one, that had a piece that screws in to hold the picks in place when picking. The screw piece fell off. It has 7 picking tips, one is a deaper pick. It has an H on the side inside a shield. The tensioner doesn't have more than just spring pressure to keep it from falling off. So far, I haven't lost that. LOL
Yes locks boarding is starting to get some attention and units get bought out the minute one of these videos gets put up so I don't know the range most of these companies are able to produce and if this has something to do with the high praise along with the fact that they are developing and sourcing parts themselves. Hopefully prices will come down soon . I got a bunch of jackknife pics as stocking stuffers on timu they were made by H&H for about seven bucks a pop
I like that it locks without using a screw, but Sparrows is shooting themselves in the foot here. At that price, it's simply not worth it when compared to Swick or even a Covert Instruments Slim Pickings.
I agree, it's vastly overpriced for what it does/is. Of course, some customers have no concern over price, I get that, but in reality the value is not there.
@@n7warlock22I’ve used the covert companion and it’s very difficult to use. The picks don’t lock into place so it makes picking a challenge. Plus they are very short and hard to hold.
I really like it and everything. But at that price point I would just end up going with Swick which has even more versatility. I'm kind of bummed that sparrows didn't release this at a much lower price point
Interesting that the box still says "Folder" and that some of their pre -marketing leaks also referred to this product as The Folder. I've assumed that was a working prototype codename before they settled on The Escort, but Sparrows apparently went so far as to have the boxes printed. 🤔
Love it and agree 100% on your pros and cons. But also see 95$ plus shipping to germany is way to much for a nice to have big boys toy 😅 By the way, maybe i messed it, is it 0.5mm? Thanks a lot for the great review.
The locking mechanism is nice, but the lack of pick choice, modularity, and crappy wiper insert tensioner are all dealbreakers for me. Probably better off getting a Covert Companion and grinding your favorite picks to fit.
It's a shame that they did not include a second tension tool, Wendt showed how to do that two years ago. Give the apparent high quality of the materials used, I consider it rather a collectible than a tool for real use.
turning tools have always been a weak point for sparrows. i am surprised that they spent so much thought on the turning tool retention mechanism and so little thought on including more than one tool. also agree that the three hooks are way too close in usable profile. a medium/deep hook should definitely replace at least one if not two of the three currently in the set. the two seemingly useless screws look like they were intended to hold a belt clip, but for some reason it isn't included.
That’s really nice but 95 dollars that’s ridiculous it’s only 6 picks and a tension tool which you can get for 25 to 30 dollars so they’re charging 60 dollars for the housing of the picks
Nice tool, but while I understand you can carry lockpicks in the UK, I'd imagine the police would be very interested as it resembles a lock knife. - Not very discrete for an EDC compared to a tube with a few picks inside.
@@LockNoob yes like on fish! What you do is, get a load of fish scales in one hand, keep piling them on until it feels as heavy as the pick. Then take the handful of scales to the butcher and ask him to weigh them 🙂 then tell us what he said!
I have a similar kit from AliExpress for 5$.. I mean sure I'd get a better built/cooler one like this for 40-50$ but for 100? It's not special materials, there are only 6 profiles and it's not even a unique design.
I understand the picks and rakes being bright metal, but I sure wish the screws came blacked out. They just seem to ruin the look for me- like one side is blacked out and the other isn’t. Definitely something I’d do if I get this. As for a key loop, I think the 2 small screws at the end look like they would facilitate a knife style pocket clip. (I wonder if that’s in the works.) I think one could be made to fit. This might also allow for a key loop, or at least attaching to the clip. If anyone decides to make a knife clip for this-make it black!
Like all Jackknife tools it is limited in its application. The locks you chose to demonstrate on are all easy openings, achievable with one profile. All the locks you showed could be opened with every profile on that tool, so not really a fair review. Why not show the TRUE deficiency of this type of tool. It would be extremely difficult to change profiles, as is often necessary and required during the picking process, of opening a lock that truly requires two different profiled picks to achieve the opening.
The new folding lock pick set from Sparrows!
I am amazed it has taken Sparrows this long to create a jack knife style pick-set. Almost as nice as a Mad Bob's jacknife. An amazing amount of thought has gone into this design. Great review.
Good to see you out and about mate 👍
Cheers my friend!
Love the lock up, and the well thought out release mechanism for the picks and tension tool. But at this price, I'd still choose a SWICK. It has 12 profiles that lock up pretty dang solid. And it has 8 tension tools, and still fits in a package about the size of a Bic loghter.
I think the turning tool storage and access on this tool is absolute genius. Definitely a good candidate for an EDC if ever there was one. Cheers from Texas!
The two screws at the top of the pick set looks to be a place for a pocket clip. That said this thing is really cool Its out of my price range but it would be nice to get in the future
I mostly agree with your assessment. It's a nice-looking tool, but one that sorely lacks in actual utility. A few additions could massively improve the issue. One or two deeper hooks are an absolute must, as is a TOK bar. Personally, I would also like a BOK wrench with a shorter head, and one with a twist. Another thing I would really love to see is a simple straight probe, which I find very convenient for tubular locks. Maybe a key extractor if they want to market this as an emergency tool.
And the thing is, this isn't impossible to do. A twisted wrench might be a bit tricky, but the others are downright trivial with minimal modifications. The Swick includes no less than twelve tools, two TOK bars and *six* BOK wrenches, though unfortunately no twisted wrench. Sparrows could make it a bit wider and make the blades a bit thinner to make space for more essential tools. These look like 25 thick blades, but Sparrows steel is strong enough that 20 thick would work perfectly fine for picking.
It's a shame, really. Such a seemingly nice tool with so much wasted potential. Unfortunate.
^This, exactly the last line summation.
Nice looking jackknife pick set but I think they missed on the pricing. $95 is about 1/3 too much. Too bad.
Told my husband about your review and how cool this looks. He saw how excited I was about it and even though it's expensive he ordered me one straight away, for my edc. I am a beginner but I have to get good now, right?
Love your channel and voice.
Thank you 😊
Sparrows knows how to make things look good! They really got close with this. Love the locking mechanisms for the picks and tension tool. The black metal looks great and size seems good. But I feel this has three major fails, no top of the keyway tool. They could have at least milled out the case/handle and attached one on each side. No medium or high hook, seems they should have ditched one profile like the city rake to include a medium hook as you mentioned. And the biggest fail of them all is the price. I would have jumped at this in a heart beat but not at the current price point. It’s a tempting piece to add to the collection but to hard to justify when there are a couple other products that compete.
Does any pro use a city rake, when I buy a kit those are the first I toss in the drawer. Would have loved a med hook instead. TOK is a must. They put a decent amount of engineering on the retention of that turning tool, I feel like they could have incorporated at TOK tool somehow. Maybe they will go the CI way and sell upgrade tools to replace the ones we don’t use. -Just an idiots opinion.
it all depends on use? sure a lock sport pro may use abuncha sized hooks but one look at the choices made with this and it's more then obvious this is made and designed for one purpose... door... lock on fence... file cabinet... car ??? this thing is for someone who doesn't have keys and just wants a quick open on the sly... some pros have a wrist band full of tools and a tube pick decoder in there back picket.... some pro just need something pokey... a hook... a grip of racks.. I mean a comb and a waffer skeleton and someone with finesse could slide anywhere he wanted to... but who cares... no one's burning a Benji on it hahaha.. if it had a comb $45 tops and that's cuz its name brand lol
This is a low-sec rapid-entry tool, and city rake with rocking technique opens a lot of locks like that. It definitely should have done a medium hook instead of half diamond to go with the short hook and offset hybrid though for a balanced set.
That turner holder is a really slick and smart design, but I agree that not having multiple turner options or at least 1 BoK and 1 ToK is a big fail that they missed on here.@@jn1rz1
@@lenbones7940 Sure it would be nice to load a ton of picks into this but in reality every pick company should know that the main/common picks to use in most situations are the short hook, medium hook and a short and medium frequency style rake. Most companies have figured this out and sell a kit that includes just these. I feel like many companies know this and fill their kits with bloat and skip an essential tool to get you to buy extra kits. I understand once we get into the sport we all have our favorite unique pick like a gem, hybrid, monkey paw or the like but these are not the absolute essential picks and for a small compact edc, one would think they would include the medium hook for the very common high set pins found in many door locks and the like. But in the end you make a good point, not many people will find the price point good enough to even purchase this. But if it had a medium hook I might have been a sucker to give it a go, because it's got style and great branding... I also can't understand why combs are so popular, in my area I rarely come across a lock that a comb will work on.
Thanks for the great review. The tool looks very nicely made, and I love the fact that it’s not plastic. Being a knife collector as well, I see the value is being good, so I just purchased one. Thank you.
I love Sparrows gear, have quite a number of picks from them but $95?
$95 is High......I'll just wait for the China knock off....probly cost $25....=))
Get a Swick if you can. Similar size, similar price, double the blades and eight turning tools.
Look at all the picks on the covert companion for the same price
@@RV_Chef_Life The Companion may look like it has a lot of picks, but most of the blades are bypass tools. For actual picking, you get two weirdly long rakes, two hooks, a decoder and a flat. The Companion can't even be used to SPP or rake a lock without external tools or expansions, since the tension tools are sold separately. It's just as bad, but in a different way.
When I saw it on their page I thought it was over priced compared to others out there; however, the locking feature certainly seems better than those with a tightening knob. It is basically their Tux set without the snake rake. There are people that will say you are limited to just one turning tool, however tools are so flat that it would easy to carry more TOK in your wallet. For your next vid, try to take an SSSV hook and grind it down to replace one of the "hooks"?
So much more informative and much less confusing than the teaser from Sparrow's channel, thank
Thanks for a really thorough and well considered product review, lessons for both reviewers and product developers in there. It looks like a nice bit of tech, but as a beginner, way more (and less) than I’m looking for.
Sparrows has some really good starter offerings, Tuxedo, Dark Shift, SSDev for SPP. Or go personal choice with single picks and level one/flat five turners. Their picks are especially good strength wise for new pickers still developing their touch and a deal at $5 each. They were my first real lock picks and I still have some profiles in my EDC.
Other than them Jimmy Long's are great picks - great metal, handles, and profiles - and also about $5 each. They are my current favorite, amazing comfort and feedback! They overtook my Petersons at half the cost so highly recommended.
I've given up on the idea of jackknife style. A set of real picks can be stored in a very small package. I can fit 3 full size picks into my 3D printed pen and it still has enough room for a full size ink refill.
I dont think we need the city rake since a rocking motion can work with a rake or the bck of a short hook. But the hybrid, medium and deep hook would be fantastic. The half diamond, worm and triple peak are great rakes.
$95! I could get an old escort mark 3 or I could get an escort that will be here about 9.30pm for a few dollars more.
Multipick have a very similar tool for £39 I believe. It might not have the fancy red paint but it does come apart and it looks like it can be dismantled, I think it comes in bits, and additional tools can be added. $95 = about £65 - 70. Nearly twice the price of the Multipick tool. I can't see the added value?
I'll be ordering mine next week 😊
Thanks for the review bud
The covert companion costs about the same but you get way more for your money.
The CC is definitely more of a bypass EDC multitool, but yeah it'll get you in a lot more things a lot more ways for the same cost (but poor ergo-dynamics). However the new Slim Pickings is just the Riv-Pick and CC/SSF turning tool expansion kit for a pure picking EDC at $55 usd.
@@dannileigh6426 personally I'm not a fan of the jack knife design in any form. I carry the sparrows tuxedo with a short and medium hook, a double and triple bogeta, a key extractor, and a few wrenches. It's basic, effective, and cheap. It's flat and easy to carry in my back pocket or the leg pocket on my carhartts as well.
Nice locking system ! I always wondered why it was so hard to implement a knife locking system on a jackknife…
Same as you, I would definitely trade off the city rake for a deeper hook.
But in any case, that doesn’t really matter as I won’t spend €90 on a jackknife with only 6 basic picks and a tensioner. If their want that amount of money from me, they will need to come with and advanced version, ie including .020 SSDev picks and a TOK tensioner.
Sparrows made their reputation on good value products (ie their DD pick), what happened here ???
I bought the covert companion when it first came out, I can say I hardly used it my custom Tuxedo kit does the job
Where is this fine pick of the Nile made. What does it say on the box. Thank you for the great video.
Would ithere be enough room to bend the last 4mm of the tension wrench and slim it down in to a TOK wrench
That's nice. Those 2 screws could be for a belt clip. my pocketknife came with one! Thanks for sharing.
It's gorgeous but like most jackknives they missed a number of marks on this, such as the hook profile selection, the inclusion of both a worm and bogota, which are frankly so similar it's an odd pairing; and any jackknife IMO should offer a hybrid TOK/BOK turning tool.
I think I'd like it, but I'd trade the 'snake' for a deeper hook and add a TOK tensioner to make it more perfect. Some disparage the city rake, but I've found that when it works, it works faster than anything else and it's become my first selection with unknown locks. A quick try will tell you whether you need to switch profiles. Now just to win the lottery so I can afford one!
I second you on the benefits of the city rake, being able to scrub or rock with it and even set single pins gets through a lot of cheap KiK locks. And like you said if it doesn't get an open right away it gives a good sense of what to try next.
This looks worth the cost, it would be nice to have a pocket clip with it. I've owned a good handful of Jackknives my favorite so far is the southern specialties but the presentation of the hooks/ tensioner retention/ locking mechanism makes this a winner. Be perfect if it held a flat bar tensioner and a monkey paw instead of the half diamond
looks great, my only wish is that they had found a way to include a TOK tensioner, on my "Maybe" list for future treats for sure
Would you pick this over the SouthOrd lock pick pen set?
Thanks for the review! You brought up aspects of it's design (pro & con) that weren't apparent from their site. That locking feature for the picks looks (and sounds!) very solid and confident while also appearing to have good ergonomics controlling it. And that hidden turning tool design is very slick and innovative!
Solid and comfortable handle and readily accessible turning tool are top points for a tool like this for me. However, I think they missed out not making that hidden turner holder larger and able to hold other turning tools. Given this is most likely for rapid open low security locks I personally find I'm more picky about the right fitting turner than pick profiles. Saying that, while I'd keep the Offset Hybrid and Short Hook I would certainly trade the Half Diamond for a Steep Hook or the High-HD from their Monstrum set.
What would you folks choose for 6 sparrows profiles in this? Given their releasing expansions for other offerings I reckon it'd be a good bet for them to do that here. With your maker skills Lock Noob a video of you modifying your personal selection of their picks for this could be a neat video.
Not having any attachment point is a big miss to me too. The whole point is for it to be handy, ie close-of-hand. It could have just been a small extension on one of the metal plates at the butt with a hole in it for paracord or keyring as you said (plus you'd think Sparrows could see the benefit of a strong pointy-bit there). They obviously put thought into this design and I could have seen a detachable belt-clip or something, especially at this price point. Pockets are great but it's nice when things have their place.
And on the price point, it is a really nice design, and as you pointed out with innovative features, but $120CDN for 6 profiles and one turner isn't $120 useful to me.
It's cool as heck and I'm sure they'll sell well; they might be the sharpest jackknife design on the market right now if you ask me, but should definitely have more profiles and turners at that price and to be really useful IMO.
I'd really like to see a comparison between this and Covert Instruments' Slim Pickings. They're both very different design philosophies on the EDC multi-tool and both very new, would be interesting how they compare and hold up. I like the overall design and locking mechanism of the Escort but also the multiple turners with Slim Pickings (I'm glad they made it separate of the Covert Companion).
Anyways, thanks, for the review video with your thoughts, and for your own neat and innovative designs for locksport. I was glad to see the Monkey Paw expansion as it's a favored go-to of mine, and your Medusa profile is in my rapid entry EDC. Would love to see any other profile designs you might be playing around with.
Hmm. Very nice. I wonder, is there enough room for a second turning tool? I would love to see a top of keyway - just a stubby version of the tool they have with a little burr on it to grip the brass. Nice review, BTW.
To be absolutely honest with you i completely agree with everything you said. I thinking the same things as you reviewed away 😂 It looks really nice in black and looks very nice quality. I love the way the picks are locked into place and the clever way the tension tool is held. just needs another alternative turning tool.
Great review 😉
Thanks!
While the cost is quite high, it probably has the most innovative locking system and turning tool retention I've ever seen. I've seen other type locking systems, but this one I consider the best for a positive lock, speed and feedback. As far as extra screws, I believe they are going to offer a pocket clip from another website in which they stated such. But I can't remember where.
I have a generic chinese made tool, similar to this one, that had a piece that screws in to hold the picks in place when picking. The screw piece fell off. It has 7 picking tips, one is a deaper pick. It has an H on the side inside a shield. The tensioner doesn't have more than just spring pressure to keep it from falling off. So far, I haven't lost that. LOL
Happy New Year!
Yes locks boarding is starting to get some attention and units get bought out the minute one of these videos gets put up so I don't know the range most of these companies are able to produce and if this has something to do with the high praise along with the fact that they are developing and sourcing parts themselves. Hopefully prices will come down soon . I got a bunch of jackknife pics as stocking stuffers on timu they were made by
H&H for about seven bucks a pop
Another good review. Definitely a set I'm gonna buy.
I like that it locks without using a screw, but Sparrows is shooting themselves in the foot here. At that price, it's simply not worth it when compared to Swick or even a Covert Instruments Slim Pickings.
It does look fantastic, but they need to include additional turners and picks so you can customize... Sadly even that wouldn't be worth $95
This is a nice set-up......U don't have a scale?
$95 for the most basic ass jackknife? Sparrow's lost their minds.
Basic? What other jack knife pick has a lock that solid?
That's what I thought after watching rook knights video of this yesterday. It's cool but way fewer tools than the covert companion for more money.
I agree, it's vastly overpriced for what it does/is. Of course, some customers have no concern over price, I get that, but in reality the value is not there.
@@HackedGoat this isn't a knife. Watch the video again.
@@n7warlock22I’ve used the covert companion and it’s very difficult to use. The picks don’t lock into place so it makes picking a challenge. Plus they are very short and hard to hold.
The Sparrow escort love the look and the design
Lock Noob Happy new year 👍👍
Very cool! Just don't love the exact picks they included and only one turning tool, plus I think the price is a good bit too steep!
Curious, would you personally recommend this from sparrows or the swick jack knife? Can't decide lol
That’s a slick looking jack knife style set.
I really like it and everything. But at that price point I would just end up going with Swick which has even more versatility. I'm kind of bummed that sparrows didn't release this at a much lower price point
Also, does it come apart for customization?
Yes, it looks like it does
Very cool, but a bit pricey for sure. You’re better off putting a kit together and getting a small pouch to carry with.
Damn, I would like one of these. Might have to get one!
Interesting that the box still says "Folder" and that some of their pre -marketing leaks also referred to this product as The Folder. I've assumed that was a working prototype codename before they settled on The Escort, but Sparrows apparently went so far as to have the boxes printed. 🤔
The pick is called the hybrid
Love it and agree 100% on your pros and cons. But also see 95$ plus shipping to germany is way to much for a nice to have big boys toy 😅
By the way, maybe i messed it, is it 0.5mm?
Thanks a lot for the great review.
I'd prefer Wendt's Lockmaster Jackknife
@@Mex_the_Fox hi mex, had no chance so far to test any of them. But i think i will get my selfe one from Moki.
Nice review Ash mate 👍🇬🇧😎😊👊
Cheers Leon!
How would you say this compares to the SWICK by Storm and Reed?
I need to get one to try!
Pricing should be about 50$. I'm confused, did that have a tension tool built in?
Amazing bro love it
The covert instruments has waaay more for a similar price and you can change it to your needs.
I can't NOT see an upside down "M" in the logo, instead of the "W" it's intended to be.
Looks super nice but that price point is nuts!
The locking mechanism is nice, but the lack of pick choice, modularity, and crappy wiper insert tensioner are all dealbreakers for me.
Probably better off getting a Covert Companion and grinding your favorite picks to fit.
It's a shame that they did not include a second tension tool, Wendt showed how to do that two years ago. Give the apparent high quality of the materials used, I consider it rather a collectible than a tool for real use.
turning tools have always been a weak point for sparrows. i am surprised that they spent so much thought on the turning tool retention mechanism and so little thought on including more than one tool. also agree that the three hooks are way too close in usable profile. a medium/deep hook should definitely replace at least one if not two of the three currently in the set. the two seemingly useless screws look like they were intended to hold a belt clip, but for some reason it isn't included.
You're also stuck with BOK tensioning
looks good but shame about the price
Very nice design but the rivpick produced by LPL seems to be more cheap.
very cool design but ill stick with the SWICK.
It would be cool and funny if they made a switch blade version 😂
Like an updated southard pocket tool
Very nice... but the price...
50 dollars would have been overpriced. These are really novelty items, no locksmith actually uses a jackknife for everyday use.
Is it $33.99 yet ?
Still better than the covert companion.
I wish Sparrows would start using better materials for their picks. I like some of their profiles, I also like good quality tools.
That’s really nice but 95 dollars that’s ridiculous it’s only 6 picks and a tension tool which you can get for 25 to 30 dollars so they’re charging 60 dollars for the housing of the picks
Nice tool, but while I understand you can carry lockpicks in the UK, I'd imagine the police would be very interested as it resembles a lock knife. - Not very discrete for an EDC compared to a tube with a few picks inside.
I love this thing but the $95 pricetag is crazy.
Yeah you can describe how heavy it is. Have you heard of scales?!
Like on a fish?
@@LockNoob yes like on fish!
What you do is, get a load of fish scales in one hand, keep piling them on until it feels as heavy as the pick. Then take the handful of scales to the butcher and ask him to weigh them 🙂 then tell us what he said!
I like Covert Instruments' Companion much much better.
It's nice. However out of my price range. 🇺🇸
I wish it was about $25 cheaper. $85 is a little too much.
Mad bob jackknife
offset hybrid( name of the pick)
Thanks!!!
Well imma be out another $100 after watching thos
You're a goof
@@TRIIGGAVELLI😮😢😢😢😾😤
I have a similar kit from AliExpress for 5$.. I mean sure I'd get a better built/cooler one like this for 40-50$ but for 100? It's not special materials, there are only 6 profiles and it's not even a unique design.
I understand the picks and rakes being bright metal, but I sure wish the screws came blacked out. They just seem to ruin the look for me- like one side is blacked out and the other isn’t. Definitely something I’d do if I get this.
As for a key loop, I think the 2 small screws at the end look like they would facilitate a knife style pocket clip. (I wonder if that’s in the works.) I think one could be made to fit. This might also allow for a key loop, or at least attaching to the clip.
If anyone decides to make a knife clip for this-make it black!
Like all Jackknife tools it is limited in its application. The locks you chose to demonstrate on are all easy openings, achievable with one profile. All the locks you showed could be opened with every profile on that tool, so not really a fair review. Why not show the TRUE deficiency of this type of tool. It would be extremely difficult to change profiles, as is often necessary and required during the picking process, of opening a lock that truly requires two different profiled picks to achieve the opening.
WAAAY too expensive
Rule 2.
Terraformers are expressly forbidden from recreating Swindon?
LOL NOPE!
That things is ridiculously overpriced 😡
way too expensive
Plus 30% overpriced for what it is !
Are you always this wordy with so much unnecessary commentary?