HandAmerican Borosilicate Rod

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fockewul

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I’ve ordered a HandAmerican borosilicate rod and received it today. I must say that I'm very disappointed.

The first thing that struck me was how cheap it looked. The handle looked and felt like some cheap plastic imitation of wood. The sheath is also made of cheap leather that due to its texture and color will eventually pick up stains very easily after some use.

Now, for the rod itself. I measured it and it is slightly over 11” (without handle), not 12” as announced. The groovings on the rod look like a rush job. There was still some glass powder left on the rod when I unsheathed the rod. I cleaned the powder and inspected the rod carefully. I noticed that the grooving is uneven. Some grooves are cut deeper than others. Several imperfections are visible on the rod. I’ve attached a picture of one of these imperfections.

I paid almost $80 for this rod. For a glass rod with imperfections on it stuck on a cheap plastic handle! I feel like I was ripped off. :mad: This thing isn’t worth $30, let alone $80.

I’m worried what those imperfections might do the edge of my blades. Does anyone have a HA borosilicate rod? Is your rod like mine or did I get a bad one? I’ve read so many good reviews of this rod that I find hard to believe it is this bad.

You input is appreciated.



Click on the picture for larger image or follow this link:

http://img284.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=24735_HArod_122_461lo.jpg
 
Last edited:
The first thing you SHOULD have done, is talk to Keith. It borders on slander to make a post of it like this. I'm sure Keith will make it right. He is obviously unaware of your concerns.

Getting all bent out of shape isn't going to help.
 
First: who is Keith?

Second: it would be slander if it was a lie. It is not. The pictures prove the imperfections. What I wanted to know was if this was normal in these rods. What I get is no help and someone accusing me of slander.

Third: I'm entitled to an opinion and to express it publicly, whether you like it or not.

And forth, yes, it does look and feel cheap IMO.
 
No, first, if you have a dispute with a product, you go to the manufacturer or the seller/dealer you got it from. Since that's who can help you, start there. Coming here to complain will just get you this advice. If they do make it right and you still want to gripe about the inconvenience, fine, do so -- in FEEDBACK, by the way, which is where I'm moving this.
 
Yes, you are so right. Comming here is pointless. Now I understand why there are so many good reviews of this product. Don't worry, I won't bother visiting this forum again.
 
Buh Bye!

Oh wait, I can see that you are still here on BF! So I guess you are lying to us?

Really, if you call Keith at HandAmerican, he should help you with your complaint. If he doesn't, then you have every reason to complain on any public forum. If you go straight to bad-mouthing somebody about a problem that he may not be aware of, you are only making yourself look small.

BTW, I own one of those, and I didn't buy it for the grip or sleeve, then again, I won't cry if it gets stained. I don't know if the grooves are of varying depths because that doesn't affect how the rod will perform. It is meant to re-align rolled edges, if you are expecting to to sharpen blades by removing steel, then you didn't do your research.
 
fockewul said:
I’ve ordered a HandAmerican borosilicate rod and received it today. I must say that I'm very disappointed.

The first thing that struck me was how cheap it looked. The handle looked and felt like some cheap plastic imitation of wood. The sheath is also made of cheap leather that due to its texture and color will eventually pick up stains very easily after some use.

Now, for the rod itself. I measured it and it is slightly over 11” (without handle), not 12” as announced. The groovings on the rod look like a rush job. There was still some glass powder left on the rod when I unsheathed the rod. I cleaned the powder and inspected the rod carefully. I noticed that the grooving is uneven. Some grooves are cut deeper than others. Several imperfections are visible on the rod. I’ve attached a picture of one of these imperfections.

I paid almost $80 for this rod. For a glass rod with imperfections on it stuck on a cheap plastic handle! I feel like I was ripped off. :mad: This thing isn’t worth $30, let alone $80.

I’m worried what those imperfections might do the edge of my blades. Does anyone have a HA borosilicate rod? Is your rod like mine or did I get a bad one? I’ve read so many good reviews of this rod that I find hard to believe it is this bad.

You input is appreciated.



Click on the picture for larger image or follow this link:

http://img284.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=24735_HArod_122_461lo.jpg
Click to expand...

I think you're getting this reaction because a lot of people here have dealt directly with Keith at HandAmerican and we all know that he's a great guy. I'm sure if you bring your concerns to him, he'll address them directly. As a manufacturer and reseller myself, I can tell you that as hard as I try, I don't catch every last imperfection (far from it) on the products. When I do miss something, I make every effort to correct it. I know if a customer receives something that isn't what they were expecting, they might feel ripped off like you do, but from the reseller side, it has nothing to do with that and everything to do with QC and getting the 1 in 1000 product that didn't come out correctly.
 
Thanks for the support fella's.

I think I know who this is, I just received an email from Mark at CKTG and we had already decided to do whatever the customer wanted before I came over and read the post. We still will of course.

We did use an acetate handle at one time to satisfy commercial kitchen BOH requirements but have switched to a painted wood handle - it's real wood, but painting it makes it food safe, or at least acceptable by most standards.

As far as the 11" issue is concerned that is a copy/verbiage issue that we're fixing. The rods are 12" with one inch in the handle.

The grooves are hand cut so there may be some erratic lines, but they don't affect how the rod performs.

It is a light rod, that may take some people aback who are used to heavier steels.

Being in this business for over 16 years and selling in over 70 countries you've got to figure we're going to take a round or two here & there.

Thanks again, Happy & Merry to all,
Keith
 
Kinda curious to know if the guy actually USED the rod before complaining about it, because mine happens to work quite nicely in touchup and light burr removal. I've also handled cheap plastic before, and the handle is too heavy to be plastic.
 
I have 2 of the HandAmerican borosilicate rods, both with the plastic handles and horsehide sheaths. Mine are flawless and perform like dream.

It never dawned on me to measure them to find out if they were 11" or 12" or something in between because it is long enough to align my longest knife which is a 330mm Sujihiki. The plastic handle is of ample size, easy to clean and is designed to prevent rolling off the counter. The horsehide sheath fits the rod perfectly, is attractive and horsehide is not cheap last time I priced it.

Keith is a stand up guy and will make good on his products as he has stated. I highly recommend his polished steel rod, ceramic rod, metal strop base with magnetic backed strops and his chromium oxide products in addition to the borosilicate rod.
 
Brisket said:
I have 2 of the HandAmerican borosilicate rods, both with the plastic handles and horsehide sheaths. Mine are flawless and perform like dream.

It never dawned on me to measure them to find out if they were 11" or 12" or something in between because it is long enough to align my longest knife which is a 330mm Sujihiki. The plastic handle is of ample size, easy to clean and is designed to prevent rolling off the counter. The horsehide sheath fits the rod perfectly, is attractive and horsehide is not cheap last time I priced it.

Keith is a stand up guy and will make good on his products as he has stated. I highly recommend his polished steel rod, ceramic rod, metal strop base with magnetic backed strops and his chromium oxide products in addition to the borosilicate rod.
Click to expand...
The diamond spray, don't forget the diamond spray:thumbup:.
 
Call Keith at HandAmerican.com he's a true gentleman and a sharpening expert. I've spent many enjoyable times talking to him on the phone. He'll hook you up without a doubt. :thumbup:
 
The diamond spray, don't forget the diamond spray.
Click to expand...

Although I'm sure it excellent as well, I only mentioned products that I have used. I know, I know. I need to get some. I want to try the boron carbide paste too.
 
cziv said:
Call Keith at HandAmerican.com he's a true gentleman and a sharpening expert. I've spent many enjoyable times talking to him on the phone. He'll hook you up without a doubt. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Not sure I want to put in my two cents, but hey this is a feedback forum.

Years ago I commented on a bad experience that I had in someone else's thread about a bad experience with HandAmerican here in GB&U that was 100% true, and I got a threatening email from Keith saying he was going to sue me for slander.

I will not ever deal with him again.

I'll be checking my inbox for another threat to sue now.
 
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