Great little picks, agree about the tensioners, not enough meat to just cut them down to a usable shape. The addition of couple of flat bar wrenches would sort it pretty much, it's a shame on-one actually tested them properly before release, it's was pretty obvious mistake the first time I tried to use them, even with my limited experience.
That they offer the Expansion kit with the flat wrench and better rake selection, leads me to believe they were adequately tested and its a scam to get you to pay $40 for two picks (hook and worm) and a wrench. I see this with most manufacturer's sub $50 kits - a couple standard picks and a couple of useless or low use picks, while lacking what should be a standard, which you must purchase separately. Wrenches are the biggest ripoff, but I dont suppose there would be much of a business in making 50 cent picks that last forever.
you can pick lots of different locks with these things all day every day. they really are great to use. you are dead on about only carrying the set of 4 picks and wrench, very easy to conceal but I disagree with you on one of the design faults you mentioned. easy fix, just use either the twin or the worm's dog ear for Tok tension and position the lock so the keyway is upside down in your hand or vise etc. I find this method makes it a lot easier when using these picks.
Getting into lock picking with my 12 y/o daughter. Was considering exactly this as an upgrade for her from her cheap Amazon beginner kit. Would you consider these a decent upgrade? I’m about to order myself the tuxedo nightschool and wanted to add something for her. Their suggestion is the Kick start because it’s easier to master. Any opinion?
Great review. I love sparrows picks I really do, but I don't really know if they are really any easier to carry and use than other sparrows stuff. Each to their own I guess :-)
I love them too, they're easily the best everyday picks in my view and the shape of their short hook, euro hooks, and offset hybrid are the best in the business. But they make some gimmicky crap as well.
Thank you for this nice review of the two kits :). They look nice, but just too short, which keeps me from buying these as I don't think they would work for me. That you like Sparrows is just personal preference ;), but I do also have some of their stuff and also new on order. The 25thou ones do not work that great for me. But bought now some new 20thou hooks for trying out. The thing I like on the sparrows is, that you can make your own handles for the thin bare metal ones (otherwise I prefer slim Southord or Multipick hooks...as far as commercial picks, when not using my own ones...if Multipick would only make 19thou stuff...).
Was thinking of buying both sets but not to sure now yes they are nice but being newish to locksport think could spend the money on something more practical rather than the aesthetic, would appreciate your suggestion after owning for some time. Thanks. Chris Ps: Great review
It a ok set. But you better check for a set like the Tuxedo by Sparrow or the Creeper. The Dark Shift is also a good choice but add the tension set level 1.
You should've put the regular sparrows short hook pick on top of the mace short hook to compare the difference in taper. Also, can you not use the mace tensioner as a BOK tensioner?
Good review, though one thing you overlooked was that in the demo that sparrows did, the tension wrench end was inserted in the bottom of the keyway, thus giving loads of room for zipping, raking, etc. See again for yourself on Sparrows' original video.
I understand your reasons, but top of the keyway tension and using a rake, doesn't work to great anyways. You will almost always knock your tensioner out. If you used the rake tensioner and the hook, than no prob. Also, I believe the hook has a thicker shank since it's supposed to get carried in your wallet. I honestly don't like to use .023 hooks or rakes anyway. Even here in the states, with wide open key ways like master and our crappy Schlage key ways. At least for me, .023 is to thick. So, having an option like these, even though they may not work as well as a standard pick set, the fact that you could carry them in your wallet, and not worry about really bending the crap out of them when you sit down, is a pretty nice option to have in a pinch. Also, here in the states, if you get busted with a pick set, and your not a licensed lock Smith, you can get into some trouble, especially if the cop wants to be a dick about it. And that's even if you don't have a police record. Another thing I like about them is how small they are. You can tie them up, or put them in a real small case, dip them in wax, and than hide them in an area in your yard that you would typically hide a spare house key. If someone does happen to find it, they're most likely not going to know how to use them. Especially, if you don't! 😃
Save your money (get some $4 Mad Bob's Bogatas). They look cool and are a nifty idea, but waaay overpriced and practically useless. Ive only had them a couple days and Im getting more success with them now, but Ive used comparably sized picks that work much better, so I feel confident in my evaluation.They are lousy as tension wreches. If you polish the Bogata, it becomes ineffective (I surface polished with a cotton cloth and plastic polish just to get them 'slippery'). Had to rough up the 'handle' end with 180 grit sandpaper, just to hold onto them. the wrench end slips out of the keyway a lot and is very difficult to complete a pick; and they are too thin and flexible for springloaded cylinders. If they were an inch longer, they would function a lot better. The Bogata shouldve been a Snake, or Worm, but I suppose thats why they have the other $20 kit ($40 for essentially 2 picks and a tension wrench) - this is exactly the kind of scam that makes me not want to do anymore business with someone. They 'work' on small, terrible locks, but thats about the limit to their utility. I feel much better equipped with my homemade picks (similar to the 3" mini Bogatas)
This is a really good balanced review. You made some very good suggestions regarding design "issues" and suggested changes. Well thought out.
Well done review, great points noted about the uses and drawbacks! It's good to see Sparrows respond with some info too.
Thanks for sharing.
Great little picks, agree about the tensioners, not enough meat to just cut them down to a usable shape.
The addition of couple of flat bar wrenches would sort it pretty much, it's a shame on-one actually tested them properly before release, it's was pretty obvious mistake the first time I tried to use them, even with my limited experience.
That they offer the Expansion kit with the flat wrench and better rake selection, leads me to believe they were adequately tested and its a scam to get you to pay $40 for two picks (hook and worm) and a wrench. I see this with most manufacturer's sub $50 kits - a couple standard picks and a couple of useless or low use picks, while lacking what should be a standard, which you must purchase separately. Wrenches are the biggest ripoff, but I dont suppose there would be much of a business in making 50 cent picks that last forever.
you can pick lots of different locks with these things all day every day. they really are great to use. you are dead on about only carrying the set of 4 picks and wrench, very easy to conceal but I disagree with you on one of the design faults you mentioned. easy fix, just use either the twin or the worm's dog ear for Tok tension and position the lock so the keyway is upside down in your hand or vise etc. I find this method makes it a lot easier when using these picks.
Peter Mumme yeah, it took me twice as long to pick a master with these as it does my homemade ghetto picks
Getting into lock picking with my 12 y/o daughter. Was considering exactly this as an upgrade for her from her cheap Amazon beginner kit. Would you consider these a decent upgrade?
I’m about to order myself the tuxedo nightschool and wanted to add something for her. Their suggestion is the Kick start because it’s easier to master. Any opinion?
Great review. I love sparrows picks I really do, but I don't really know if they are really any easier to carry and use than other sparrows stuff. Each to their own I guess :-)
I love them too, they're easily the best everyday picks in my view and the shape of their short hook, euro hooks, and offset hybrid are the best in the business. But they make some gimmicky crap as well.
Just get some regular 'no-handled' picks and cut down the handle end to a comfortable length.
i know it's quite randomly asking but does anybody know a good website to stream new tv shows online?
@Talon August yea, I've been watching on Flixzone for months myself =)
@Talon August thank you, signed up and it seems like a nice service =) Appreciate it!
Thank you for this nice review of the two kits :). They look nice, but just too short,
which keeps me from buying these as I don't think they would work for me.
That you like Sparrows is just personal preference ;), but I do also have some of their stuff and also new on order.
The 25thou ones do not work that great for me. But bought now some new 20thou hooks for trying out.
The thing I like on the sparrows is, that you can make your own handles for the thin bare metal ones (otherwise I prefer slim Southord or Multipick hooks...as far as commercial picks, when not using my own ones...if Multipick would only make 19thou stuff...).
Was thinking of buying both sets but not to sure now yes they are nice but being newish to locksport think could spend the money on something more practical rather than the aesthetic, would appreciate your suggestion after owning for some time. Thanks. Chris
Ps: Great review
It a ok set. But you better check for a set like the Tuxedo by Sparrow or the Creeper. The Dark Shift is also a good choice but add the tension set level 1.
Thanks
A very good thoughtful review.
You should've put the regular sparrows short hook pick on top of the mace short hook to compare the difference in taper.
Also, can you not use the mace tensioner as a BOK tensioner?
Meh, you're right, but why would I bother? These things are basically just toys for the EDC / Zombie Apocalypse crowd.
Better than nothing for sure.
Good review, though one thing you overlooked was that in the demo that sparrows did, the tension wrench end was inserted in the bottom of the keyway, thus giving loads of room for zipping, raking, etc. See again for yourself on Sparrows' original video.
I understand your reasons, but top of the keyway tension and using a rake, doesn't work to great anyways. You will almost always knock your tensioner out. If you used the rake tensioner and the hook, than no prob. Also, I believe the hook has a thicker shank since it's supposed to get carried in your wallet. I honestly don't like to use .023 hooks or rakes anyway. Even here in the states, with wide open key ways like master and our crappy Schlage key ways. At least for me, .023 is to thick. So, having an option like these, even though they may not work as well as a standard pick set, the fact that you could carry them in your wallet, and not worry about really bending the crap out of them when you sit down, is a pretty nice option to have in a pinch. Also, here in the states, if you get busted with a pick set, and your not a licensed lock Smith, you can get into some trouble, especially if the cop wants to be a dick about it. And that's even if you don't have a police record. Another thing I like about them is how small they are. You can tie them up, or put them in a real small case, dip them in wax, and than hide them in an area in your yard that you would typically hide a spare house key. If someone does happen to find it, they're most likely not going to know how to use them. Especially, if you don't! 😃
Great video man
Save your money (get some $4 Mad Bob's Bogatas). They look cool and are a nifty idea, but waaay overpriced and practically useless. Ive only had them a couple days and Im getting more success with them now, but Ive used comparably sized picks that work much better, so I feel confident in my evaluation.They are lousy as tension wreches. If you polish the Bogata, it becomes ineffective (I surface polished with a cotton cloth and plastic polish just to get them 'slippery'). Had to rough up the 'handle' end with 180 grit sandpaper, just to hold onto them. the wrench end slips out of the keyway a lot and is very difficult to complete a pick; and they are too thin and flexible for springloaded cylinders. If they were an inch longer, they would function a lot better. The Bogata shouldve been a Snake, or Worm, but I suppose thats why they have the other $20 kit ($40 for essentially 2 picks and a tension wrench) - this is exactly the kind of scam that makes me not want to do anymore business with someone. They 'work' on small, terrible locks, but thats about the limit to their utility. I feel much better equipped with my homemade picks (similar to the 3" mini Bogatas)
Sadly, I think you're correct.
Mad Bob's pry bars are kind of cool, but the picks are a bit soft and flimsy.