Sparrows

[Eyes_Only]

Anyone had a chance to try out the tools from the new pick company Sparrows? http://www.sparrowslockpicks.com/Defaul ... directed=Y

I think it was Awol (correct me if I'm wrong) or wizwazzle that helped in its creation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eojU8IBVypA

I'm on a budget so I'll be having to wait till next month to buy anything but this is something I'll most likely be trying out when I get the chance.

[Josh K]

Kudos and all for getting a set made to how you like, but I've fallen in love with my Falle Safe tools.

After that I would go with Peterson, simply because I like the hook, gem, and reach trio.

I'm not a fan of the thermoplastic handles. I don't like the tension wrenches all that much. I guess I'd try a couple but not pay $75 for a set of 11.

What I would go for is some extremely slim picks with narrow shanks. Like Adams-Rite trip wire thin shanks. I just can't seem to maneuver around these euro locks.

[LocksmithArmy]

ya its awol's project...
I emailed the company and they are sendimg me a set to test and write them a review on... the review will be posted on [url]locksmitharmy.com[/url] when I finish it

[Eyes_Only]

Let us know if these picks bends easier or not compared to other pick brands. The look of the shaft on these picks in a close up shot makes it look like it would be more susceptible to bending.

[Oaklandishh]

I ordered some and they just arrived at school, so I will tell you guys what I think compared to the few other picks I have owned when Spring break is over.

[pjzstones]

here's some one using the rakes. seems like he's being really heavy handed though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puRS-Qq6btM

[LocksmithArmy]

here is my review

http://www.locksmitharmy.com/sparrow.php

[Oaklandishh]

I have been using mine for about an hour now and so far I like them. I got the cheapest full set which I think is called the "Strategy". The Hooks and diamond seem very good and feel quite strong. They are about equal in length and height to a southourd pick, and they are only a little bit thicker. The rakes come in quite a good variety and I have opened one of my easy locks with all of them. The only downside to them that I can see is that they are thicker then the hooks which makes it hard to fit into some of my thinner key ways. Hope this helps.

[raimundo]

The site gives wizwazzle credits for design.
several of the designs are a badly executed rip off of the bogota.
Look closely at the picks and look for places where thick parts meet thin areas at sharp corners and you have the design flaws that were eliminated on the real bogotas.
any sharp indent in design is a place where stresses build and can be the place where things break. These flaws have been put back in the design.

Someone who has these picks and some I made should show a photo of the real thing beside this botched copy.

[nataz]

In fairness, in the video where he talks about the designs, he very clearly says that the bogota's design is rai's, and he takes no credit.

Can't comment on the execution.

[Josh K]

In fairness, in the video where he talks about the designs, he very clearly says that the bogota's design is rai's, and he takes no credit.

Can't comment on the execution.

The video he does, but the site actually selling the picks doesn't.

[LocksmithArmy]

pix of rais versus sparrows

[Eyes_Only]

The Sparrows version on the Bogota looks like it needs a "Life Style Lift".

[raimundo]

Thanks for the photo comparison LSA

[dktf]

I actually ordered the wizwazzle set from sparrows but I plan on ordering a few of the bogota's from Serepick.com because I want a genuine bogota made from Rai's design. So far what I can say about the Sparrow's picks is that they do incorporate quite a bit of feedback and I have made this my primary set over my HPC set because spring steel (although sturdy) seems to flex quite a bit. The Sparrows picks offer a fine selection of hooks and nicely imitated bogota picks. However, I'm not sure if this is a bother to any of you who have ordered the picks is that it doesn't come with a carrying case which makes it quite impractical if you want to carry your picks around. I decided to empty out one of my Southord sets from it's carrying case and I removed the sleeves off of the Sparrow Picks and placed them into the former's case. The tension wrenches (you get 18 of them?) are quite nice as the metal piece that fits into the keyhole fits nearly all the way in probably to eliminate the tension wrench slipping out in some rare cases. Some of them are quite long but they can easily be altered to your own liking. As for altering the picks themself, I've yet to do so because where I live, they seem to work wonders on my house deadbolt lock where other sets have failed. For tighter keyways, one may want to sand down the picks (esp. the bogota one) because of it's thickness. Other than that, everything else seems to be fine. I would rate the set an 8.5/10. No set is perfect but this has been one of the better sets I've ordered and they come at a great price.