Which one? Sparrows or Peterson?

[RStephen]

Which set for newby, both are similar in price... Reasoning behind recommendation?
Thank You!

Sparrows: Monstrum for Beginners?
http://www.sparrowslockpicks.com/produc ... um%204.htm

or

Peterson: EAGLES NEST Government Steel
https://www.lockpickshop.com/GSP-EAG-PS.html

[Mighty]

I would consider just getting an intermediate 'beater' set for now, that you can abuse a bit as you learn the force required for many locks. For my first set, I got the Southord PSX-14 ($35CA), and have had it for months, with no failures. You may want to include it, or a smaller sparrows set in your options. You really only need a hook, various tension tools, and some raking tools to start (Bogota and snake maybe). Any of the intermediate to high-end brands will last a long time. You may also want to look for a few slim/european versions of the hook/rakes, since its tough to get a lot of picks into smaller keyways.

That said, both of those kits look pretty cool, but I think you will find you only end up using maybe 4 picks consistently. If you think you are going to be using them hardcore for a long time, I would go with the Peterson, since everyone seems to consider them the best, and you don't need many of the more exotic picks in the Monstrum.

[PowerHaus930]

If you have that kind of money to invest then go for it but if you are just starting out and not sure if you will like the hobby the Sparrows Tuxedo would be a good choice http://www.sparrowslockpicks.com/product_p/tux1.htm Both Peterson and Sparrows make high quality picks. If you go to Peterson's website http://www.thinkpeterson.com/ they have more picks and different options available than LockPickShop.com offers and you can buy individual picks from them. I think they might be a few dollars cheaper if you buy directly from them as well. Also in my opinion for what you get I would recommend the Sparrows Vorax over the Monstrum http://www.sparrowslockpicks.com/product_p/tux1.htm Another thing to think about is what type of locks you will be picking. If you are in Europe or will be picking high security locks then you will need thinner picks in order to access the pins. Normally picks used for Euro and high security locks are 0.015" thick and standard picks are anywhere between 0.025" to 0.030" Most kits come with 0.025" picks. The thinner picks are more fragile though so be prepared to break or bend some picks if you are heavy handed (which most beginners are)

[WestCoastPicks]

As others have stated. I wouldn't go whole hog right away. Save your money for locks. There isn't a pick you can't make from a wiper insert and a file.

Peterson (much better than sparrows) is like buying your kid a Lamborghini to learn how to drive with.
Just get an average set like the tuxedo. The vorax has like 3 picks you'd actually use. All you honestly need is 2 or 3 hooks.

[RStephen]

OK... I am now leaning towards the tuxedo. What should I expect for import tax from Canada to US?

[PowerHaus930]

I've never heard of anyone having to pay import tax on purchases from Canada to the US. As a side note the Canadian dollar is currently worth 0.79 US dollars and Sparrows lists prices in Canadian dollars so the tuxedo set which is about $40 CA is actually about $31.60 in US dollars.

[WestCoastPicks]

Not sure, but I don't pay anything extra on my Peterson orders from the states. I'm in Canada, so sparrows is only $6 to ship for me.
Peterson on the other hand, is $35 to ship to me, even if I want one $3 pick. So I only order a couple times a year, and usually big orders. Also as stated above, our dollar is low at the moment. So even more expensive.

Mock up the order, it will give you a price with shipping, in Canadian dollars. If you have to pay import charges, they are based on the value of the item. A $30 item would cost no more than $2 or $3 if any at all. If you are in the US, you might want to order from Peterson just cause of the convenience. If you do, I would just order single picks unless you really want a case.

You really need to decide what kind of "picking" you're going to do. If you're going to SPP (single pin pick), you don't need any rakes or diamonds or anything like that. They would be nice to look at, but you would never use them. Your time picking/practicing would be spent with hooks.
If you just want to get in to locks, all you need is rakes, shims, bypasses, bump keys, bolt cutters and saws.

If you want to learn how to pick locks, any time spend doing those other things - While maybe fun - would ultimately be useless.
If money is an issue (and it is for most people these days) you're going to want to spend as little as possible on gear you won't use and cannot help you progress your skill. Save your money for locks. Sparrows or Peterson are both good, Peterson is better in my and most peoples opinion. But whatever you get, you only need 2 or 3 different picks, maybe 2 of each if you're worried about breaking them. You could probably get them for $20.


Peterson Suggestion: $9 (EN - Plastic Handles Before shipping)
2 hook 1's
1 Gem

Sparrows Suggestion: $14.25 (bare handle option before shipping)
2 short Hook's
1 steep hook

Toss in a triple peak if you want to rake a bit for fun, but wont help you at all progress your SPP skill. That honestly is %98 of what we all use to SPP pin tumbler locks.

[WestCoastPicks]

Edit:

That $14.25 Sparrows is Canadian. So Even less for you.