The core trainers reminded me of something i wanted to ask you to include in a future video (or put it into a seperate one altogether, if there was 'enough meat to it'): Would you mind to share Your thought process for choosing a pick for attacking a particular lock? (There's probably not '*the* correct one', but potentially a couple of less suitable ones. DeviantOllam has an anecdote about 'the wrong pick' in one of his videos, so there may be something to it. 😉) Would be great...
I just got in the heavy bars last week. There's actually a total of nine bars that match each other that you can get through sparrows. I bought them all for under 25 bucks. They are awesome! If you only want to have one set of bars this would be the one set to own. I quit using all my other bars when I received this set. They have two two-piece sets of heavy bars and a five piece set of standard bars. They all match and make an awesome set. Like I said I think I spent $23 with shipping for the whole set of nine.
Cool stuff from Sparrows, even if everything isn't "for me" I like that they are always innovating! Definitely the TOK tensioners. A thorough, honest review, as always Ash, thanks! 👍👍
I've got the practice lock and the reload kit (featuring a couple of LockNoob designed pins ^^) and i love the fact that they keep expanding their products, rather just whipping out new ones. Really cool. Thanks to both, Ash and Sparrows for bringing it up. (I really love that particular practice lock. I return a lot to it when i 'need a relaxing pick', although i beefed it up to 6 pins with security pins. Definitely would recommend the practice lock for beginners, even more so with the available expansion kits.)
I also got the LockNoob designed Check pins, and the Scrooge pins are on the way! And the Munition pins; also a LockNoob design? LockNoob, thank you for all the videos. I have learned a lot from you and I really do appreciate it!
Update 1: My training core set (among other things) just arrived. Tip: When taking the cores out of their 'sleeves' try to not pull them out at the key. Pulling at the key will make the key pins try to go into the bible (which isn't there obviously) creating a lot of drag on the sleeve in the process. Giving them a small twist as LockNoob recommends does help though.
Update 2: Gave the Kwickset core some exercise. (Trap for beginners: When changing the core either rotate it somewhere between 45-90 degree (with respect to the shear line) when inserting it or use a core shim, so the empty chamber for the 6th pin does not screw you over.) Experience from it: Interesting how the angle of the pick takes some getting used to. However, other than that for me it's just another 'wide open keyway' so far. (To roughly translate a german saying: Putting a pick in there is like 'throwing a sausage into a gym' with respect to the keyways i tend to encounter on a day to day basis.) Wide keyways are great for beginners to get their 'keyway navigation fu' started. As far as the drivers are concerned: Chamber four has my favorite spool and chamber two my favorite serrated pin, others are standard. Used a Peterson Gem, but i will walk some of the Sparrows and Southords through it as well.
Update 3: Moved to the Weiser. Experience so far: The thing has so much space in there that this in itself is somewhat challenging. Thought that the Schlage keyway had plenty of space already, but if the Schlage was like an attic, then this is like a full-scale barn. ;) Quite interesting to explore. Oddly enough (at least with the bitting i got so far with the cores), chambers 2 and 4 are a bad place for security pins, as i hardly feel them. I find this odd, because chambers 2 and 4 are the sleeves the 'Revolver' has its aces up in. (But maybe i just got an unfortunate bitting by some odd chance, who knows...)
Update 4 (final): Turned to the Yale eventually. As far as the keyway goes it's probably the most difficult one (imo). I wished i could say the same about the key bitting (it's probably the worst, at least in mine), but the set is for exploring the keyways after all, so... What i would Sparrows ask to do is to come up with another Reload Kit (or an expansion set for the existing one) with a couple of more challenging bittings and a six-pin key/bitting. That being said: Still a lovely expansion for the practice locks and well worth getting for/as a beginner.
I already have the .025, .032 and .040" in the set of 4 they sell as "Knurled Bars". And I recently grabbed up their "Heavy Bars" at .050". I've been looking at these .079" "Heavy Heavy Bars" and wondering if they'd be useful. Thanks for the review. I hope they release a set that covers the middle ground also from .050" to .079". I think that would be very useful. Maybe .055", .062", and.070" (1.4, 1.6, 1.8mm).
FINALLY !!. I'm so happy they made another choice of keyway for the Progressive set. I had mentioned this to them a while back like others probably did also. This will make the set even better to practice with. Very nice
I am a new lock picker (about 3 months now). I standardized on Sparrows gear so far (looking a Peterson set in 0.018 and some of their tension wrenches). I got the Wizwazzle pick set, some TOK knurled bars, heavy bars, a cut-away practice lock, and the reload kit. I pinned the lock for 2 pins, then 3, then 4, 5, and 6. I added a serrated pin, then a spool pin, opened them without looking. I made a 6 pin challenge lock of spools and serrated pins but it was too hard for my current level. Spools give me the most trouble. I was able to pick a 5 pin serrated configuration however. So this low cost lock and reload kit is getting me to maybe beginning an intermediate level. I bought a few padlocks off of Amazon (Master 3, Master 140, Brinks 5 pin 671-50001, Master 575, and an American Lock Series 1100). I opened all of them except for the 1100, which is currently above my level (spool pins again). Io got a Master Lock 570 and a Brinks 40 mm lock on the way should be easier than the American 1100... But still I want to learn different key-ways as all the Sparrows locks so far were the Schlage keyway. So the Core Trainer is a dream come true! I have 3 Sparrows cut-away practice locks to use them in. Maybe I'll additionally get the progressive locks (4 of the same locks without cut-away for $27.50) that I can re-pin and/or re-core. Or perhaps the revolver. The point is that the system is modular and incredible value giving me a lot of lock picking options. A final note, tomorrow I pick up two motorized key cutters and 300 assorted blank keys for a great price. I'll be able to cut keys for each of the key-ways, including extreme biting scenarios. I will likely make a set of space and depth keys for each. This will take me a long way towards learning the big 4 American key-ways. This hobby is fun and so far Sparrows has been a great partner on my journey :-)
I love your reviews! That kit looks pretty cool, it would definitely save me from buying pounds of locks from Ebay, I know what I'm going to get for Christmas. As for that patch, not a big fan of the logo, but the design can easily be used just as you said, I can see someone making a patch that matches denim jeans, and it could serve the same function (always looking for a place to hide stuff, I live in NYC :)). Thanks again, keep them coming and have a great day!
Got mine in yesterday. Found it hard to take cores out of the plastic tubes they come in. So, after picking up all the scattered pins, I cut the closed ends off the tubes and now I just use a core follower to push them out. Much easier.
I bought a few sets of heavy bars from I think law lock picking as they were the only ones making them at the time; though now I think I’m going to have to buy a few more sets as I like the knurling on the sparrows bars and also like things to match which isn’t the case with the law locks wrenches, at least they were leas than $2/each. The sparrows heavy bars are usually my go to bar as they’re a perfect fir in the Kwikset which seams to be my bread and butter as they’re the most popular lock where I am, despite their bottom of the bucket security.
That’s pretty cool. Looks like I need to get those cores after I’m finished with the practice set. I wonder if Sparrows will eventually be selling pre-cut keys (4-5) for each different core so they can be repinned like the SC1 practice locks?
I like the new keyways for the Sparrows practice lock! I hope the pinning on the new keyways are as challenging as the one that came with my original Sparrows lock, with the Schlage keyway! To this day, I find this particular pinning, very challenging! I think it's pin 4 that has to be picked before pin 5 and if you even touch any of the other pins, it will screw it up! lol I love it! Anyway, I'm going to check these new ones out, as well as the new tension bars! Thanks for the update and happy holidays everyone!!
I am a fan of sparrows. Although they are not as high end as multipick, they are very high quality picks, and so much more products. Plus they have very reasonable prices, and they carry some special tools designed by users, like BILL and LPL designed disk detainer pick. I like the patch idea, just not the dragon design. Maybe in the future they will offer a choice of different designs and logos. Those different keyway plugs are awesome! For a long time I have wished they carried stuff other than schlage. That lock you used is part of a set of practice locks they sell which features locks that get progressively harder to pick by the number of pins, more aggressive bitting, and inclusion of security pins. And they also sell a practice lock called "the revolver" that is a round lock with 4 different bibles surrounding one core, that would also use these alternative keyway plugs.
Just as a note on the revolver: The four bibles actually add to the challenge in a way hard to foresee: The drivers in the opposing bible kind of act like detents, giving it a rather odd feeling when tensioning it. Feels a bit like a lock with a lot of wear. (Something to be aware of as a beginner imo.) A thing i personally dislike about it is its weight: It quite quickly causes fatigue when picking it in the hand, so a vice is definetely recommended. Yet the revolver is a nice practice lock to own.
I definitely love this idea. I think it’s very efficient and innovative to have a set like this. You can even use this as a resource to learn how to rekey.
For the pry bars, i got the Covert Companion. They are good and have a decent selection on tools. The metal isn't the greatest (it isn't the worst either). They are in 25, 32, 40 and 50 (thousandth) of an inch. The tool itself is not bad but not the greatest for the price. The comb picks are for smaller locks. I only use the wave rakes and the two hooks (and obviously the tension tools from the expansion set) but it seems alright to use if you like the 'pistol grip' method.
Please bare in mind that i think the LPL is acting on point for a lawyer. His prices are over the top. They are good(ish) products but not essential. The Covert Companion is not a tool you will feel gutted for buying (unless you expect perfection). Its a handy tool to have but you may need to get used to the pistol grip (which is quite easy for us Europeans). I've have a few lock-picker multitools and this one is by far the most complete. Some will give you this or that, the Covert Companion gives you a bit of everything. That's why the price is what it is. All in all, it may be worth it.
I purchased the core training kit specifically for my revolver. After installing the kwikset cylinder, I discovered the driver pins in the revolver are too large to drop into the core, thus the core spins freely with or without the key. Impossible to pic! This was my experience, yours may be different. I have written an email to sparrows to see if they have a remedy for my issue. Since it's the weekend, I hope for a response during business hours.
I like how they keep advancing their practice lock sets. The heavy bars are a definite plus because yes sometimes you just need something bigger. The patch well finally they have gotten away from they big sparrows logo making them stick out like a sore thumb. I do like the design too.
Think I'll add these cores to my collection. I already have the 4 practice locks and the reload kit but they all have the same key way. What I'd like to see next from Sparrows are some bent top-of-keyway tension bars. I've seen them used on various locksport videos but they are always home-made. Anyway, great video.
I bent 4 of my Sparrows TOK bars (0.025, 0.032, 0.040, 0.050) to make my own. I'll likely re-order the std set and the heavy knurled set so I'll still have the unbent bars too. Also looking at Peterson BOK Tension Bars. They have BOK bars in different thicknesses, not just different widths. They also have a kit to bend your own with a bending tool and pieces of stock.
What I'd lije, is a TOK tensioner that was thick enough to actually wedge into the top of a Schlage or Kwikset and hold itself in place... I'd like to try TOK more often, as I can certainly see advantages... But they constantly slip or cam out. A lot of the time, the tensioner goes into the bush as soon as the lock picks.
I only just found this video. interestingly I received my order of heavy bars and a core trainer set yesterday. I'm looking forward to putting these cores into my Sparrows Revolver as that's just about the best combination of options. As always with Sparrows, great value for some robust hardware.
Thanks for the reviews, Ash. 🙂👍 Those cores are a good idea if you have a selection of US locks. And the price is about right. It would be even more useful for beginners, if Sparrows would add some European keyways to the range. What do you think?
WR5 and KW1 are the same key way. I use KW1 blanks in WR5 locks, the difference is the pin lengths/cut depths. Picking wise I don't think there is difference, just use a sparrows high reach off the bottom with medium-high tension. (I ordered one of the core trainers last week anyway, I mostly just wanted the Y1 though)
They look a good idea nd love how sparrows products are all compatible with each other like they'd work in the revolver etc yea mite give those a try when I get a bit better lol great video as all ways 👍
I got the core trainer (and heavy bars). I did notice that the holes are like bezeled? Compared to the core in the practice locks. What do you think? Also if you shorten the follower you can just stuff it into the little box with the cores and a practice lock like that progressive or a cutaway. Is that not a great starter kit? (Add the spirit set, TOK, and reload and someone can be set for a while!)
On the strength of this video I've decided to order some top of the keyway bars as I only have flimsy own made ones , one critism about the kit , I would have thought sparrow would have included the follower bar .
Very cool, I have purchased a lot from Sparrows. Unfortunately I have been waiting for nearly a year to hear back from them after being told in an email they would get back to me regarding a problem with my order, I waited a couple months and resent an email, no response. I wanted all four in the king/queen/knight/etc set, I was sent a duplicate instead of the 4th rake. I contacted them, gave detailed explanation and several pictures and they were quick to respond and fix the problem, they sent a replacement. The replacement was another duplicate. At this point I was told they would get back to me, after a few months I resent email, no response.
If heavy bars are not available, can tension bars be doubled or tripled up and taped together as a makeshift heavy bar? I'm just curious if that could/would work. That's to work in a pinch if needed. Obviously, if you find you're lacking something that comes up from time to time, invest in it, but till then, I reiterate the question.
I love these things, just got mine recently but the key retaining pin hole’s on mine are slightly off so the pin will shoot out. I’m going to try and drill a New hole on the opposite side and see if I can fix them, if it goes well I’ll try to add on to this comment lol
I would like to get the Training cores as i can pick my practice lock so easily & it would be goo to have some different cores to play with, i made a heavy pry bar that was around 1.7mm thick that worked ok considering it was made out of mild steel to works but it does tend to bend from time to time.
I recommend getting the 'Reload Kit' if you feel your Sparrows practice lock being too easy to pick. It will give you a ton of options to beef it up, including 6 pins, steel springs and all sorts of security pins, some LockNoob designs included. It's not going to be an Assa Abloy, but you will get a ton more out of it. (Also helps to order the 'gut wrench' and the pinning tweezers along with the 'reload kit'/training cores/whatever if not around already and maybe another one of the resin followers to deal with the plug end cap, as the resin guys don't last forever.)
@@matt79de I have the repining kit, it's just that picking the same core is just that there is no variety, I have pinned it with different pins including some of my own work.
@@roberthiggins1142 I see. Well then: Would be nice to read an update on how they worked out for you when you got them. Grats on doing your own pins, that's always a cool thing.
I seem to be having trouble finding the basic practice lock that the core kit goes with. I’m looking on Sparrows for a practice lock with the SC1 keyway. Can anyone please point me to a compatible practice lock? Thanks in advance.
It's an Aging/Oxidizing chemical that I feel they shouldn't have added. The effect of Antiquity is nice however the oxide makes everything stick. That's the reason you are having trouble with the outer sleeves. Chances are, and I haven't tried this, a mild acid followed with a clean water wash will remove most of the residue. Vinegar or something similar.
If you treat the lock with acid, I suggest that you wash the lock and use a solution of baking soda in water to neutralize the acid. Then flush the lock with water and promptly dry it.
I really like the cores! Wish they had offered those last year when I was brand new to picking. Might still get them anyways. Would have also liked the super heavy bars then. Cool patch.
Here's how I feel about them, first I bought a bunch of used locks from ebay, then I saw one of Bill's old videos and bought set plus repining kit, great idea sadly on paper. After picking first lock u realise how terrible they are, they don't feel like a real lock at all. Cheap Chinese locks have better tolerances than Sparrows training locks.
I have had these core trainers for 2+ weeks now and I have to say I am disappointed. Don't get me wrong, great idea, but in practice I think the spacing between the pin stacks on these different key ways is too different. I have tried them in a cut away from sparrows, along with a couple 6 pin schlage kik cylinders: For the wr5 and the kw1 it seems like only the last 3 pins line up to consistently engage and the y1 1,2 and 5 engage. The other driver pins just sit at the shear line and don't need to be picked. To be clear only one of these keys I received should be a zero lift pin (pin 4 in the y1), but on checking that pin stack with smaller key pins it behaves the same.
@@LockNoob I am going to try and get some video of each one in the cut away being picked to show I clearly am not manipulating those other pins to send to Sparrows to show the problem. It occurs to me however that most cores are test fit to ensure good alignment with the bible in the factory. This might be luck of the draw with this type of thing.
The bidding on those keys SUCKED. They were the slightest small bidding, and once you noticed it you stayed away from pointing out the pathetic bidding.,.but you did on the very first one that had ok bidding. Very biased.
Do you think you've just watched an auction or a lock review? If your commenting on the key bitting its irrelevant, as he explained you can make your own bitting and repin them. Nothing bias in this review.
Not biased at all. I’m not selling these and it makes no differ to me if you buy them or not. The keys are largely irrelevant too as 1.) I have no idea what bitting you might get (they could be the same, but I don’t know) and 2.) between the donor lock and the cores you will have between 20 and 21 key pins you can put in any order you wish and in any number
Noob is one of the most honest and unbiased channels. Like going to a hardware store to buy a lock, you have no choice on bitting you get. Chances of you getting the same bitting from Sparrows is slim.
@@GreyHazRoot yes you are right.but what he did was when he noticed the poor bidding he tucked the key away right quick and didn't mention it like the first. He knows what he did.
@@autisticsupercarnut5333 do you pick? Locks with a couple of no-touch pins like the bitting for that core can be overset nightmares. Nothing wrong with the bitting on that key.
New stuff from Sparrows to look at today! 😃👍 Let me know what you think of these in the comments below!
The core trainers reminded me of something i wanted to ask you to include in a future video (or put it into a seperate one altogether, if there was 'enough meat to it'): Would you mind to share Your thought process for choosing a pick for attacking a particular lock? (There's probably not '*the* correct one', but potentially a couple of less suitable ones. DeviantOllam has an anecdote about 'the wrong pick' in one of his videos, so there may be something to it. 😉) Would be great...
I just got in the heavy bars last week. There's actually a total of nine bars that match each other that you can get through sparrows. I bought them all for under 25 bucks. They are awesome! If you only want to have one set of bars this would be the one set to own. I quit using all my other bars when I received this set. They have two two-piece sets of heavy bars and a five piece set of standard bars. They all match and make an awesome set. Like I said I think I spent $23 with shipping for the whole set of nine.
I usually get two sets so I can bend some and leave one set flat
Cool stuff from Sparrows, even if everything isn't "for me" I like that they are always innovating! Definitely the TOK tensioners. A thorough, honest review, as always Ash, thanks! 👍👍
Nice practice set. Will take a look on the website.
I've got the practice lock and the reload kit (featuring a couple of LockNoob designed pins ^^) and i love the fact that they keep expanding their products, rather just whipping out new ones. Really cool. Thanks to both, Ash and Sparrows for bringing it up. (I really love that particular practice lock. I return a lot to it when i 'need a relaxing pick', although i beefed it up to 6 pins with security pins. Definitely would recommend the practice lock for beginners, even more so with the available expansion kits.)
I also got the LockNoob designed Check pins, and the Scrooge pins are on the way! And the Munition pins; also a LockNoob design? LockNoob, thank you for all the videos. I have learned a lot from you and I really do appreciate it!
Update 1:
My training core set (among other things) just arrived.
Tip: When taking the cores out of their 'sleeves' try to not pull them out at the key. Pulling at the key will make the key pins try to go into the bible (which isn't there obviously) creating a lot of drag on the sleeve in the process. Giving them a small twist as LockNoob recommends does help though.
Update 2:
Gave the Kwickset core some exercise. (Trap for beginners: When changing the core either rotate it somewhere between 45-90 degree (with respect to the shear line) when inserting it or use a core shim, so the empty chamber for the 6th pin does not screw you over.) Experience from it: Interesting how the angle of the pick takes some getting used to. However, other than that for me it's just another 'wide open keyway' so far. (To roughly translate a german saying: Putting a pick in there is like 'throwing a sausage into a gym' with respect to the keyways i tend to encounter on a day to day basis.) Wide keyways are great for beginners to get their 'keyway navigation fu' started. As far as the drivers are concerned: Chamber four has my favorite spool and chamber two my favorite serrated pin, others are standard. Used a Peterson Gem, but i will walk some of the Sparrows and Southords through it as well.
Update 3:
Moved to the Weiser. Experience so far: The thing has so much space in there that this in itself is somewhat challenging. Thought that the Schlage keyway had plenty of space already, but if the Schlage was like an attic, then this is like a full-scale barn. ;) Quite interesting to explore.
Oddly enough (at least with the bitting i got so far with the cores), chambers 2 and 4 are a bad place for security pins, as i hardly feel them. I find this odd, because chambers 2 and 4 are the sleeves the 'Revolver' has its aces up in. (But maybe i just got an unfortunate bitting by some odd chance, who knows...)
Update 4 (final):
Turned to the Yale eventually. As far as the keyway goes it's probably the most difficult one (imo). I wished i could say the same about the key bitting (it's probably the worst, at least in mine), but the set is for exploring the keyways after all, so...
What i would Sparrows ask to do is to come up with another Reload Kit (or an expansion set for the existing one) with a couple of more challenging bittings and a six-pin key/bitting.
That being said: Still a lovely expansion for the practice locks and well worth getting for/as a beginner.
I already have the .025, .032 and .040" in the set of 4 they sell as "Knurled Bars". And I recently grabbed up their "Heavy Bars" at .050". I've been looking at these .079" "Heavy Heavy Bars" and wondering if they'd be useful. Thanks for the review. I hope they release a set that covers the middle ground also from .050" to .079". I think that would be very useful. Maybe .055", .062", and.070" (1.4, 1.6, 1.8mm).
Nice review. The training locks are amazingly adaptable. Fair play to Sparrows ,always thinking. 👍
FINALLY !!. I'm so happy they made another choice of keyway for the Progressive set. I had mentioned this to them a while back like others probably did also. This will make the set even better to practice with. Very nice
I guess you could recut the pinning kit to other blanks to get more changes for your practice locks if they line up
Actually not thought if that, that’s a great idea!!
I am a new lock picker (about 3 months now). I standardized on Sparrows gear so far (looking a Peterson set in 0.018 and some of their tension wrenches). I got the Wizwazzle pick set, some TOK knurled bars, heavy bars, a cut-away practice lock, and the reload kit. I pinned the lock for 2 pins, then 3, then 4, 5, and 6. I added a serrated pin, then a spool pin, opened them without looking. I made a 6 pin challenge lock of spools and serrated pins but it was too hard for my current level. Spools give me the most trouble. I was able to pick a 5 pin serrated configuration however. So this low cost lock and reload kit is getting me to maybe beginning an intermediate level.
I bought a few padlocks off of Amazon (Master 3, Master 140, Brinks 5 pin 671-50001, Master 575, and an American Lock Series 1100). I opened all of them except for the 1100, which is currently above my level (spool pins again). Io got a Master Lock 570 and a Brinks 40 mm lock on the way should be easier than the American 1100...
But still I want to learn different key-ways as all the Sparrows locks so far were the Schlage keyway. So the Core Trainer is a dream come true! I have 3 Sparrows cut-away practice locks to use them in. Maybe I'll additionally get the progressive locks (4 of the same locks without cut-away for $27.50) that I can re-pin and/or re-core. Or perhaps the revolver. The point is that the system is modular and incredible value giving me a lot of lock picking options.
A final note, tomorrow I pick up two motorized key cutters and 300 assorted blank keys for a great price. I'll be able to cut keys for each of the key-ways, including extreme biting scenarios. I will likely make a set of space and depth keys for each. This will take me a long way towards learning the big 4 American key-ways.
This hobby is fun and so far Sparrows has been a great partner on my journey :-)
I just ordered this kit first break today, looked up a video on it in second break and found you, much appreciated
those top of the keyway tension looks so good 😎👌
I love your reviews! That kit looks pretty cool, it would definitely save me from buying pounds of locks from Ebay, I know what I'm going to get for Christmas. As for that patch, not a big fan of the logo, but the design can easily be used just as you said, I can see someone making a patch that matches denim jeans, and it could serve the same function (always looking for a place to hide stuff, I live in NYC :)). Thanks again, keep them coming and have a great day!
They do have other patches with pockets that aren't as peacocky
Thank you! I just actually found out that core trainer fits the Revolver. I have the Revolver, so I got me an extension. Will try this week.
👍
Got mine in yesterday. Found it hard to take cores out of the plastic tubes they come in. So, after picking up all the scattered pins, I cut the closed ends off the tubes and now I just use a core follower to push them out. Much easier.
Thanks for the review, very interesting….
I bought a few sets of heavy bars from I think law lock picking as they were the only ones making them at the time; though now I think I’m going to have to buy a few more sets as I like the knurling on the sparrows bars and also like things to match which isn’t the case with the law locks wrenches, at least they were leas than $2/each. The sparrows heavy bars are usually my go to bar as they’re a perfect fir in the Kwikset which seams to be my bread and butter as they’re the most popular lock where I am, despite their bottom of the bucket security.
That’s pretty cool. Looks like I need to get those cores after I’m finished with the practice set. I wonder if Sparrows will eventually be selling pre-cut keys (4-5) for each different core so they can be repinned like the SC1 practice locks?
Great looking bits=== more stuff I can't pick!!
Excellent concept and nice to see Sparrows listening to the community
I like the new keyways for the Sparrows practice lock! I hope the pinning on the new keyways are as challenging as the one that came with my original Sparrows lock, with the Schlage keyway! To this day, I find this particular pinning, very challenging! I think it's pin 4 that has to be picked before pin 5 and if you even touch any of the other pins, it will screw it up! lol I love it! Anyway, I'm going to check these new ones out, as well as the new tension bars! Thanks for the update and happy holidays everyone!!
I’m still trying to pick master locks lol, Hopefully this will be in my near future 😂😂
I am a fan of sparrows. Although they are not as high end as multipick, they are very high quality picks, and so much more products. Plus they have very reasonable prices, and they carry some special tools designed by users, like BILL and LPL designed disk detainer pick.
I like the patch idea, just not the dragon design. Maybe in the future they will offer a choice of different designs and logos.
Those different keyway plugs are awesome! For a long time I have wished they carried stuff other than schlage. That lock you used is part of a set of practice locks they sell which features locks that get progressively harder to pick by the number of pins, more aggressive bitting, and inclusion of security pins. And they also sell a practice lock called "the revolver" that is a round lock with 4 different bibles surrounding one core, that would also use these alternative keyway plugs.
Just as a note on the revolver: The four bibles actually add to the challenge in a way hard to foresee: The drivers in the opposing bible kind of act like detents, giving it a rather odd feeling when tensioning it. Feels a bit like a lock with a lot of wear. (Something to be aware of as a beginner imo.)
A thing i personally dislike about it is its weight: It quite quickly causes fatigue when picking it in the hand, so a vice is definetely recommended. Yet the revolver is a nice practice lock to own.
I definitely love this idea. I think it’s very efficient and innovative to have a set like this. You can even use this as a resource to learn how to rekey.
For the pry bars, i got the Covert Companion. They are good and have a decent selection on tools. The metal isn't the greatest (it isn't the worst either). They are in 25, 32, 40 and 50 (thousandth) of an inch. The tool itself is not bad but not the greatest for the price. The comb picks are for smaller locks. I only use the wave rakes and the two hooks (and obviously the tension tools from the expansion set) but it seems alright to use if you like the 'pistol grip' method.
Please bare in mind that i think the LPL is acting on point for a lawyer. His prices are over the top. They are good(ish) products but not essential. The Covert Companion is not a tool you will feel gutted for buying (unless you expect perfection). Its a handy tool to have but you may need to get used to the pistol grip (which is quite easy for us Europeans). I've have a few lock-picker multitools and this one is by far the most complete. Some will give you this or that, the Covert Companion gives you a bit of everything. That's why the price is what it is. All in all, it may be worth it.
A very interesting idea, I've never seen interchangeable training cores before.
Absolutely love my heavy bars! Couldn’t imagine not having them in my arsenal!
👍
very nice set Ash mate👍👊😊🇬🇧😎
I purchased the core training kit specifically for my revolver. After installing the kwikset cylinder, I discovered the driver pins in the revolver are too large to drop into the core, thus the core spins freely with or without the key. Impossible to pic! This was my experience, yours may be different. I have written an email to sparrows to see if they have a remedy for my issue. Since it's the weekend, I hope for a response during business hours.
wow this is actually great of an idea, thx for showing off
Definitely need to scoop up the practice set
i bought the revolver and i love it
Hi Lock Noob, 6th pin in the Y1 core - didn't matter in this case of course!
I like how they keep advancing their practice lock sets. The heavy bars are a definite plus because yes sometimes you just need something bigger. The patch well finally they have gotten away from they big sparrows logo making them stick out like a sore thumb. I do like the design too.
Enjoy your videos, just ordered the revolver training lock and the heavy bars tonight to add to my kit. Can't wait!
Think I'll add these cores to my collection. I already have the 4 practice locks and the reload kit but they all have the same key way. What I'd like to see next from Sparrows are some bent top-of-keyway tension bars. I've seen them used on various locksport videos but they are always home-made. Anyway, great video.
I bent 4 of my Sparrows TOK bars (0.025, 0.032, 0.040, 0.050) to make my own. I'll likely re-order the std set and the heavy knurled set so I'll still have the unbent bars too. Also looking at Peterson BOK Tension Bars. They have BOK bars in different thicknesses, not just different widths. They also have a kit to bend your own with a bending tool and pieces of stock.
They sent you the kit I just purchased.
Fantastic my friend I can see were this would help increase your skill levels. Price is responsible. 😎🌟⭐🌟⭐🌟😎
Great review!, cool stuff from Sparrows, my kid love them!, Is a locksporter too!
What I'd lije, is a TOK tensioner that was thick enough to actually wedge into the top of a Schlage or Kwikset and hold itself in place... I'd like to try TOK more often, as I can certainly see advantages... But they constantly slip or cam out. A lot of the time, the tensioner goes into the bush as soon as the lock picks.
Sir,I really like this video
Kindly keep up the excellent work and have a smashing day
Great stuff. I’ll be getting those cores. Nailed the reload, this is a great upgrade.
I only just found this video. interestingly I received my order of heavy bars and a core trainer set yesterday. I'm looking forward to putting these cores into my Sparrows Revolver as that's just about the best combination of options. As always with Sparrows, great value for some robust hardware.
Did the revolver work with the core trainer cuz the website says it don't work
@@stoutmanstoutman3782 Yes, though my Revolver was bought several years ago. I don't know if a new one would have the same dimensions.
@Graham sweet well I hope that they haven't changed it lol thanks so much
Their is a lock pick set on Amazon, is it a good beginner lock pick set?
Thanks for the reviews, Ash. 🙂👍 Those cores are a good idea if you have a selection of US locks. And the price is about right. It would be even more useful for beginners, if Sparrows would add some European keyways to the range. What do you think?
I’d love to see that!
cores in the expansion were slightly rusty. seems like everything works fine though
WR5 and KW1 are the same key way. I use KW1 blanks in WR5 locks, the difference is the pin lengths/cut depths. Picking wise I don't think there is difference, just use a sparrows high reach off the bottom with medium-high tension.
(I ordered one of the core trainers last week anyway, I mostly just wanted the Y1 though)
They look a good idea nd love how sparrows products are all compatible with each other like they'd work in the revolver etc yea mite give those a try when I get a bit better lol great video as all ways 👍
Look like a nice addition to the night school or revolver!
👍
I got the core trainer (and heavy bars). I did notice that the holes are like bezeled? Compared to the core in the practice locks. What do you think? Also if you shorten the follower you can just stuff it into the little box with the cores and a practice lock like that progressive or a cutaway. Is that not a great starter kit? (Add the spirit set, TOK, and reload and someone can be set for a while!)
What I mean by bezeled is that the top of the hole is slightly wider than the rest of it...
I thought I saw one of the key pin holes threaded on the KW1. Could be optical illusion. Can you please confirm? Thank you.
On the strength of this video I've decided to order some top of the keyway bars as I only have flimsy own made ones , one critism about the kit , I would have thought sparrow would have included the follower bar .
Good video , nice review of the product , you do a good job , moe
Very cool, I have purchased a lot from Sparrows. Unfortunately I have been waiting for nearly a year to hear back from them after being told in an email they would get back to me regarding a problem with my order, I waited a couple months and resent an email, no response. I wanted all four in the king/queen/knight/etc set, I was sent a duplicate instead of the 4th rake. I contacted them, gave detailed explanation and several pictures and they were quick to respond and fix the problem, they sent a replacement. The replacement was another duplicate. At this point I was told they would get back to me, after a few months I resent email, no response.
Their site says the cores don't fit the Revolver, but they look the same as the Revolver core.
How new are the heavy bars? I’ve had them in my kit for a while, idk when I bought them, but they are probably one of my favorite tensioners
Not very new. a couple of months?
Like the idea of this, thanks for the review.
I might be seeing things but was there a 6th pin in the Y1 core that you put in lol?
Take Care :-)
Not sure lol
Great video once again. Can you recommend where to buy items like this in the UK
If heavy bars are not available, can tension bars be doubled or tripled up and taped together as a makeshift heavy bar? I'm just curious if that could/would work. That's to work in a pinch if needed. Obviously, if you find you're lacking something that comes up from time to time, invest in it, but till then, I reiterate the question.
Yeah I need that patch
I love these things, just got mine recently but the key retaining pin hole’s on mine are slightly off so the pin will shoot out. I’m going to try and drill a New hole on the opposite side and see if I can fix them, if it goes well I’ll try to add on to this comment lol
Seem laser engraving of keyway names and shapes under lid for new people to know wich sleeve they pulled off
Do these cors fit the revolver?
I think so
@LockNoob I found out there not compatible which is a shame. You would think they would be.
I would like to get the Training cores as i can pick my practice lock so easily & it would be goo to have some different cores to play with, i made a heavy pry bar that was around 1.7mm thick that worked ok considering it was made out of mild steel to works but it does tend to bend from time to time.
I recommend getting the 'Reload Kit' if you feel your Sparrows practice lock being too easy to pick. It will give you a ton of options to beef it up, including 6 pins, steel springs and all sorts of security pins, some LockNoob designs included. It's not going to be an Assa Abloy, but you will get a ton more out of it. (Also helps to order the 'gut wrench' and the pinning tweezers along with the 'reload kit'/training cores/whatever if not around already and maybe another one of the resin followers to deal with the plug end cap, as the resin guys don't last forever.)
@@matt79de I have the repining kit, it's just that picking the same core is just that there is no variety, I have pinned it with different pins including some of my own work.
@@roberthiggins1142 I see. Well then: Would be nice to read an update on how they worked out for you when you got them.
Grats on doing your own pins, that's always a cool thing.
@@matt79de it is fun making my own pins i do enjoy making challenge & it's surprising what tools can be used to make/cut the pins
I seem to be having trouble finding the basic practice lock that the core kit goes with. I’m looking on Sparrows for a practice lock with the SC1 keyway. Can anyone please point me to a compatible practice lock? Thanks in advance.
Sparrows: Let's See How Many Times We Can Manipulate Locksport Instructors To Buy Our Practice Lock Sets
It's an Aging/Oxidizing chemical that I feel they shouldn't have added.
The effect of Antiquity is nice however the oxide makes everything stick.
That's the reason you are having trouble with the outer sleeves.
Chances are, and I haven't tried this, a mild acid followed with a clean water wash will remove most of the residue. Vinegar or something similar.
If you treat the lock with acid, I suggest that you wash the lock and use a solution of baking soda in water to neutralize the acid. Then flush the lock with water and promptly dry it.
Do the cores also work with the Sparrow cutaway locks?
I believe so
Already bought the core trainer, I haven’t even received it yet. I’m glad to see your impressions tho even if I already paid for it.
Update, just got them and they are great, but damn hard to remove from those sleeves.
Can you do a review on the new sparrows rodent tool
If I get one 👍
I really like the cores! Wish they had offered those last year when I was brand new to picking. Might still get them anyways. Would have also liked the super heavy bars then. Cool patch.
Here's how I feel about them, first I bought a bunch of used locks from ebay, then I saw one of Bill's old videos and bought set plus repining kit, great idea sadly on paper. After picking first lock u realise how terrible they are, they don't feel like a real lock at all. Cheap Chinese locks have better tolerances than Sparrows training locks.
I definitely think you learn best on real, used locks for sure
@@LockNoob hey Ash do u still have that soviet ZND lock?
I have had these core trainers for 2+ weeks now and I have to say I am disappointed. Don't get me wrong, great idea, but in practice I think the spacing between the pin stacks on these different key ways is too different. I have tried them in a cut away from sparrows, along with a couple 6 pin schlage kik cylinders: For the wr5 and the kw1 it seems like only the last 3 pins line up to consistently engage and the y1 1,2 and 5 engage. The other driver pins just sit at the shear line and don't need to be picked. To be clear only one of these keys I received should be a zero lift pin (pin 4 in the y1), but on checking that pin stack with smaller key pins it behaves the same.
You should definitely email Sparrows. The cores fit fine in the cutaways I have, so maybe something isn’t right they can replace?
@@LockNoob I am going to try and get some video of each one in the cut away being picked to show I clearly am not manipulating those other pins to send to Sparrows to show the problem. It occurs to me however that most cores are test fit to ensure good alignment with the bible in the factory. This might be luck of the draw with this type of thing.
The bidding on those keys SUCKED. They were the slightest small bidding, and once you noticed it you stayed away from pointing out the pathetic bidding.,.but you did on the very first one that had ok bidding. Very biased.
Do you think you've just watched an auction or a lock review? If your commenting on the key bitting its irrelevant, as he explained you can make your own bitting and repin them. Nothing bias in this review.
Not biased at all. I’m not selling these and it makes no differ to me if you buy them or not. The keys are largely irrelevant too as 1.) I have no idea what bitting you might get (they could be the same, but I don’t know) and 2.) between the donor lock and the cores you will have between 20 and 21 key pins you can put in any order you wish and in any number
Noob is one of the most honest and unbiased channels. Like going to a hardware store to buy a lock, you have no choice on bitting you get. Chances of you getting the same bitting from Sparrows is slim.
@@GreyHazRoot yes you are right.but what he did was when he noticed the poor bidding he tucked the key away right quick and didn't mention it like the first. He knows what he did.
@@autisticsupercarnut5333 do you pick? Locks with a couple of no-touch pins like the bitting for that core can be overset nightmares. Nothing wrong with the bitting on that key.
That's a clever way to extend their product life cycle!