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lockpicks- sparrows or peterson?

Having read the FAQ's you are still unfulfilled and seek more enlightenment, so post your general lock picking questions here.
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Do not post safe related questions in this sub forum! Post them in This Old Safe

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lockpicks- sparrows or peterson?

Postby iwannapretzel » 20 Nov 2016 17:45

title pretty much says it all. I always thought peterson was the go to, but I recently have been perusing the sparrow site and it seems like they have some pretty high quality products. I'm not really looking for sets, just a few high quality single picks in the designs I've come to like.
also, if there are any other similar companies that you'd like to suggest for a reasonable price, please do.
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Re: lockpicks- sparrows or peterson?

Postby TorontoGuy » 20 Nov 2016 18:30

Sparrows does sell single picks. the category is at the bottom of their list on the web page.
That said, you won't go wrong with either company. Each has some items unique to them that are quite interesting. Because I live in Canada, in the same town as Sparrows is based, I have been buying a lot from them just because of the reduced and faster shipping but I do have some Peterson product (like the pry bars) which as exceptional.
I started with SouthOrd and I still have many or their picks too.

TG
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Re: lockpicks- sparrows or peterson?

Postby Silverado » 21 Nov 2016 7:53

Try the search bar. There are countless reviews, comparisons, and opinions on both (and many others in the same threads) all through this forum.
"If you are not currently on a government watch list. You are doing something wrong" - GWiens2001
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Re: lockpicks- sparrows or peterson?

Postby tpark » 21 Nov 2016 15:21

I prefer the Peterson picks but the best way to determine what is best for you is to purchase some picks and try them. In my opinion,the steel is better on the Peterson picks, and the handles are larger. The Peterson picks are more expensive though. As Silverado has suggested, there's lots of good information in previous threads on this very topic.
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Re: lockpicks- sparrows or peterson?

Postby Shackle Jackal » 21 Nov 2016 15:27

All things said and done it really does come down to personal preference. I have some sparrows, some HPC and, some home brew and each of them have their merits and draw backs. Price point of course plays a factor, and reviews can be helpful but I think it is all relative.
Its a very dangerous thing, to know what your doing. - Murderface
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Re: lockpicks- sparrows or peterson?

Postby Tyler J. Thomas » 24 Nov 2016 10:32

I use my Peterson's a lot but if I have a locked cabinet or desk lock or any lock that's seized up or dry as a bone? I bust out old reliable: a Southord half-diamond.

Peterson's are great for picking but I've found they can be very delicate. Granted, I'm not solely a hobbyist and I might not be very careful with them when it's 20 degrees and windy or 11 PM on a Sunday night and someone's locked out. But if I have time and am comfortable (both of which seem reasonable assumptions for hobbyists)? Peterson's are fantastic.

That said, they are pricey. If this is your first set, you might want to invest in Sparrows or HPC or Southord until you can get a feel for picks and realize their physical limitations. Once you've done that, or if you already have, definitely buy Peterson's.
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Re: lockpicks- sparrows or peterson?

Postby Ace_entry » 29 Nov 2016 8:39

I tend to favor sparrows.
Peterson plastic handles are nice but I prefer the sparrows profile.
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Re: lockpicks- sparrows or peterson?

Postby Big Jesse » 29 Nov 2016 10:10

Buy both!
Ive been collecting Peterson's since 2010, and finally own all of them, over 75 different picks. Now I'm going to start collecting Sparrows. I think they have something like 25 different picks. Most are in the Monstrum XXL, but then theres a few other proprietary picks that were just released in singles you originally could only get in a different set.
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Re: lockpicks- sparrows or peterson?

Postby Silverado » 29 Nov 2016 10:42

Ive been collecting Peterson's since 2010, and finally own all of them, over 75 different picks. Now I'm going to start collecting Sparrows. I think they have something like 25 different picks. Most are in the Monstrum XXL, but then theres a few other proprietary picks that were just released in singles you originally could only get in a different set


+1!
I got the Octo Rake in the EOD set. I didn't think it would work well at all and was pleasantly surprised. The Sandman pick looks really neat too.
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Re: lockpicks- sparrows or peterson?

Postby OrMeanGene » 1 Dec 2016 19:44

Personally im a big fan of peterson. Actually just opened package today from there. Their handles seem to be most comfortable and give good feedback. You dont have to get 16dollar gov steel with rubber handles, the 8 dollar with plastic is just as good to me. Hell the 3 dollar spring steels are awesome too. You cant beat that price. Side by side its about as thick and tough as gov steel models. When i think about price and start looking at elsewhere, ill always end up at petersons. I have sparrow case(12bux), octo rake, king and queen, decoder and knife (way cheaper then peterson). Still i agree with most, either are very good picks.
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Re: lockpicks- sparrows or peterson?

Postby MiPo » 16 Dec 2016 16:28

I've tried many lock pick brands and I definitely prefer Peterson and Sparrow (nothing better exists that I know). Peterson's variety is huge and better than Sparrows. But the fewer sparrows picks that I have are very, very valuable. But, a reasonable price is something different ;-) If I should choose, I would probable go for sparrows and perhaps add some Pertersons later on. The handles of Pertersons are a bit better. And the Sparrows 0.4mm euro hooks come with no handle at all, but you can put your own shrink wrap on it.
And if money doesn't matter much, go for the polished versions at Sparrows - these are greatly finished ;-)
Cheers,
Michael

iwannapretzel wrote:title pretty much says it all. I always thought peterson was the go to, but I recently have been perusing the sparrow site and it seems like they have some pretty high quality products. I'm not really looking for sets, just a few high quality single picks in the designs I've come to like.
also, if there are any other similar companies that you'd like to suggest for a reasonable price, please do.
Less talented, but patient and persevering.
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Re: lockpicks- sparrows or peterson?

Postby LockPickViking » 20 Dec 2016 19:56

I would also say both, its fun and good practice to vary picks. ive tried many differents brands aswell, but none that i liked. cheers
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Re: lockpicks- sparrows or peterson?

Postby s0u1h4ck3r » 8 Jan 2017 7:53

LockPickViking wrote:I would also say both, its fun and good practice to vary picks. ive tried many differents brands aswell, but none that i liked. cheers


Realy? You have not found a brand of picks that you like? You don't have one or two picks you use more than others? I have a hard time believing that you don't prefer some picks over others :P
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Re: lockpicks- sparrows or peterson?

Postby GWiens2001 » 8 Jan 2017 10:18

s0u1h4ck3r wrote:
LockPickViking wrote:I would also say both, its fun and good practice to vary picks. ive tried many differents brands aswell, but none that i liked. cheers


Realy? You have not found a brand of picks that you like? You don't have one or two picks you use more than others? I have a hard time believing that you don't prefer some picks over others :P


A number of us who have picked for a while have a number of picks from a number of manufacturers. But my favorite picks are made by me, except for my dimple pick, which was made by Femurat.

Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
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Re: lockpicks- sparrows or peterson?

Postby s0u1h4ck3r » 8 Jan 2017 15:37

Yes, if u make your own that makes sense:)
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