Quenchcrack Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 I recently purchased a set of hammers from Blacksmith Depot to replace some hammers I lost in a burglary (I got them back!). I paid $35 for a Swedish and Czech hammer. With shipping it came to $48. The Swedish hammer head is mounted off center and leans to the side. Useable but ugly. The Czech hammer is soft and marks easily. I cannot recommend these hammers. Yes, Mr. Hofi, I know better; you get what you pay for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highlander Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 I bought the same set a while ago, quenchcrack, but it was on sale for cheaper. the handles both looked like they were glued on by a child(glue EVERYWHERE), but they were both rock solid. After some grinding to finish the hammers as i like them, they seem to work well, although i am not used to the short handle of the Hofi style hammer, so i don't use it often. I love the swedish pattern hammer, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Martin Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 Quenchcrack, you don't have to make sure you don't get drilled by other members. It will surely be said either way, but people don't have to drill you about "you get what you pay for". I haven't used either, but you could always re-HT them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quenchcrack Posted November 14, 2008 Author Share Posted November 14, 2008 M Brothers, yes but to re-haft them after heat treating is hardly worth the effort. I bought these hammers for use when I go to demos and club meetings. The low cost was supposed to reduce my exposure to loss if they go missing. I actually liked the Czech/Hofi hammer quite a bit but is does mark easily if you hit cold iron with it. The Swedish hammer is a bit light for my taste. I may still order a real Hofi someday. Like after my son graduates..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Salvati Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 Bob, grind/cut off the peen end on the swedish hammer to make a handy cutler's type hammer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quenchcrack Posted November 14, 2008 Author Share Posted November 14, 2008 Apprenticeman, the peen end balances the hammer. Cutting it off would ruin it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustyshackleford Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 Have you tried getting in touch with anyone from the Depot about this? I'm sure they would be willing to work something out with you. They acknowledged to me that their handles were an issue with one shipment. I recently bought the 1kilo Swedish from them, and enjoy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trollhammer Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 I got the same set a couple of months ago. The handles were pretty rough, but serviceable. I had to dress both of the heads quite a bit, as they both had some pretty sharp edges. Other than that though, I've not had any issues with 'em. I haven't dinged either of them up while still learning hammer control. I will say though, I pretty much stopped using both of them when I got my Hofi Hammer. Overall, I consider both of them usable, but in the future, I'll definitely save my nickels and dimes for better hammers. Mickey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primtechsmith Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 I have the czech and it is really soft. One of our demonstrators was usign the swedish hammer in the head flew off the handle. Come to find out the handle is only in there half way and filled with red epoxy. I took the head and threw it in the forge and heated the whole thing up and then quenched it in water. It helped harden the head up a lot and I put the handle in all the way and put a wedge in it. I also sanded the varnish off the handle. It is now suitable for a beginner to use in the school... The head is crooked on ours too...I think the mold is off.... I did not expect much from these hammers(I got them for about 17 bucks or so a piece from another seller). You get what you paid for I suppose. my .02 Peyton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 I picked up some lose sweedish pattern heads a couple of quad-states ago, a bit rough on the punching and quite soft but as I got them for students I *LIKE* them to be soft---harder for them to damage my anvils and tools. I do have to dress them every now and then but for the price I paid and the safety I get from them they were a good investment. I've had students claim that their bad hammering was due to the hammer and not that they couldn't hammer straight and that my sweedish pattern I used to correct their problems was what made the difference---so now they can use a sweedish pattern themselves and find out they *still* have the same problems! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quenchcrack Posted November 14, 2008 Author Share Posted November 14, 2008 I posted my complaint on the Blacksmith Depot site yesterday and got an email from Mr. Kayne today. He offered me a $50 gift certificate. It is a gracious offer but I only asked that the defective BD Swedish Hammer be replaced. I could not ask for more than that. It is refreshing to find a merchant that will admit to a problem and promptly address it as generously as Mr. Kayne did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KYBOY Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 Thats good to hear..:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quenchcrack Posted November 14, 2008 Author Share Posted November 14, 2008 Well, this is odd. Kayne just sent me an email saying would not be replacing the hammer as I requested. They would refund my money instead. Guess they figure I am just too fussy and would never be happy.......maybe so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 It's possible they reviewed the last shipment of hammers after your complaint and discovered there aren't any up to standard to replace yours with. I don't believe I've ever heard of a complaint Kayne and Sons wouldn't make good on. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quenchcrack Posted November 15, 2008 Author Share Posted November 15, 2008 (edited) OK, here are photos of the BD Swedish hammer, $25 with shipping (Square Head) and a HF hammer, $5 (Round Head). Note that the head is square with the top of the picture frame and the handle slopes to the left. The HF hammer is about 8 years old, the Swedish was used once. Am I making a mountain out of a mole hill? As I said, poor workmanship but not unusable. Frosty, the same idea occurred to me. I would bet a big orange drink that is the case. Edited November 15, 2008 by Quenchcrack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 No, the handle is definitely cattywompus and the face looks dinged already. Kayne and sons is giving you your money back though and I'm sure they'll explain why they're refunding rather than replacing if you ask. It may just be a matter of a slipped die rather than poor workmanship. Of course I'd expect quality control to catch it when the handle is installed so there is definitely someone NOT doing their job. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rthibeau Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 So, did you end up satisfied with Kayne & Son?? I've bought from them before and would like to know they stand behind their products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quenchcrack Posted November 15, 2008 Author Share Posted November 15, 2008 I was told that "every brand including those at regular hardware stores have hammers that could be considered off by some and fine by others. We will refund the entire amount of your invoice today." I will return the hammers when I get the refund. However, I still don't have the hammers I wanted. Richard, I think BD stands behind their products but I still wasn't happy about the outcome of the situation. I was left feeling that they thought I was just being too picky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecart Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 I met Mr Kayne a couple of years back and bought the Swedish hammer from him. I am just a beginner, so the hammer seems okay to me, but I will look at it again. As for doing business with him, I have chosen not to make him my first choice for my blacksmithing needs. That is only a personal choice that has little to do with his product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quenchcrack Posted November 16, 2008 Author Share Posted November 16, 2008 Ecart, The Depot carries Peddinghaus Swedish hammers and the store brand of Swedish hammers. I bought the store brand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecart Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 I am pretty sure that's what I bought too. Mine only cost $30. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rthibeau Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 QC...don't know about too picky, but not that much money so really no big deal on either end. There's a reason the store hammers are cheap, as you unfortunately found out. Is a swedish pattern what you're still wanting to get? Otherwise, an inexpensive hammer for demos but still very functional are ones like I remake from store bought hammers. Yes, they have to be cleaned up, re-heat treated and rehandled, but not that big a chore considering what you end up with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Evers Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 (edited) It's possible they reviewed the last shipment of hammers after your complaint and discovered there aren't any up to standard to replace yours with. Some years ago, I had a similar problem with one of my farrier tools, a clincher. I left my good one at a clients about 60 miles away. Called him, he said he was coming to town on the weekend and would bring it. I went to my supplier, bought a cheaper replacement to get me thru the week and serve as an extra later. I then proceeded to tear up the replacements at the rate of about two/per day. I'd have been happier and I'm sure they would have been to just have my money back. It was a frustrating few days for both of us. Edited November 16, 2008 by Jack Evers accidently hit submit too soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quenchcrack Posted November 17, 2008 Author Share Posted November 17, 2008 I do not work for the companies I buy stuff from. I am not their Quality Control Inspector. Apparently, some companies think they can sell junk, let the consumer find the clinkers, refund their money and everyone is happy. This is cheaper than actually doing in-house QC. I am not saying Blacksmith Depot is one of those kind of companies but this whole affair left me with a bad taste in my mouth. If the low-priced item is not serviceable, then have the courtesy to say "these items look just like the real thing but are made so poorly that they may not actually be functional, however they are really cheap". If the Chinese did this, their economy would tank in 6 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quenchcrack Posted November 24, 2008 Author Share Posted November 24, 2008 OK, to be fair to Blacksmith Depot, they did try to make this right. I don't particularly like the hammers but they gave me my money back and said to keep the hammers, which is one way to give me a$50 gift certificate. I know a lot of companies that would do no such thing and leave me hanging. So I still have my $50 and a couple of light hammers that I can present to a young newbie smith at one of the HABA meeting and we will all be happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.