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If you’ve spent more than five minutes researching lock picks online, you’ve probably landed on an overseas site. Sparrows out of Canada. SouthOrd from the US. Prices look reasonable — until you actually do the maths.

Here’s an honest breakdown of what buying local actually means for Australian locksport enthusiasts, with real numbers.

The Import Reality Check

Let’s use the Sparrows Tuxedo Set as the example — it’s one of the most commonly recommended beginner kits online, and for good reason. It’s a solid set.

Here’s what it actually costs an Australian to get it:

And that customs question mark is the one that keeps people up at night. Australia’s low-value threshold means small parcels often slip through — but sometimes they don’t. If you get hit, you’re looking at GST on top of everything else, with no way to predict it at checkout.

So that “cheap” overseas kit suddenly isn’t so cheap.

What the Same Money Gets You Locally

At Bare Bones Lock Picking, a comparable beginner kit starts from AUD $67 — manufactured right here in Australia, in AUD, shipped from Australia.

No conversion rate to check. No international shipping fees. No customs lottery. No 3-week wait.

The picks are made from 301 high-yield stainless steel — the same spec used by professional-grade manufacturers. Full tang through the handle. Built to last.

The Five Real Reasons to Buy Australian

1. AUD pricing — what you see is what you pay
No surprise conversions at checkout. The price on the site is the price you pay, in your currency, with Australian GST already factored in.

2. Shipping that actually makes sense
Local orders ship fast. We’re talking days, not weeks. If you’re keen to start picking, waiting a month for an overseas parcel is genuinely frustrating — especially when you’re a beginner who just wants to get into it.

3. No import fees or customs surprises
Australian-to-Australian is simple. There’s no threshold to worry about, no import declaration, no getting slugged with unexpected charges after the fact.

4. Local warranty
If something goes wrong with your picks — a tip snaps, something’s not right — you’re dealing with an Australian business that can actually sort it out without the headache of international returns. Bare Bones has a warranty and stands behind every pick they make.

5. You’re supporting Australian manufacturing
Bare Bones picks aren’t imported and relabelled. They’re designed and manufactured in Australia. When you buy local, you’re putting money back into a small Aussie business, not into an international supply chain.

“But I’ve Heard Overseas Brands Are Better Quality”

Honestly? It depends what you’re comparing. High-end overseas brands like Multipick make exceptional picks — but they’re also priced that way, and a beginner doesn’t need a $150 set to learn the basics.

For entry-level to mid-range picking, Australian-made picks at Australian prices make more sense. Once you’ve got the fundamentals down and you know exactly what you want from a pick, that’s when it’s worth exploring specialist international options — if you still feel the need.

Most people find they don’t.

The Bottom Line

Imported picks aren’t bad. But when you factor in currency conversion, international shipping, potential customs charges, and multi-week wait times, the real cost is almost always higher than the headline price suggests.

Local picks — same material spec or higher in some cases, made here, shipped fast, priced in AUD — are a smarter starting point for any Australian getting into locksport.

Browse the Bare Bones kit range →
Got questions before you buy? Check the Beginner Questions page →