Ken Nelson Report post Posted July 31, 2009 I ordered a pair of maker stamps from what used to be Harper Mfg. in Las Vegas. The handle on on is not right in my opinion. Knurling cut one way, not the other. Handle will almost cut your hand and turns the stamp. I called Todd out there and was told to get used to it. It is what it is and It is mine. I am very disappointed. I will NEVER do business with this company again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heath Report post Posted July 31, 2009 Have you tried wrapping it with athletic tape. I've done it on some smaller stamps to give a little more grip, or in your case a little less. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Nelson Report post Posted July 31, 2009 Have you tried wrapping it with athletic tape. I've done it on some smaller stamps to give a little more grip, or in your case a little less. This too will be made usable and with some work. I just feel that a premium priced tool should be correct. Mistakes do happen and how a person or company handles honest mistakes speaks volumes about their character. Just my opinion. I wish I had went with Infinity again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kustom Report post Posted July 31, 2009 This too will be made usable and with some work. I just feel that a premium priced tool should be correct. Mistakes do happen and how a person or company handles honest mistakes speaks volumes about their character. Just my opinion. I wish I had went with Infinity again. Ken, Can you post a picture of your stamps handle? A pictures worth a thousand words as they say. Steve Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rustyriggin Report post Posted July 31, 2009 Todd told you to get used to it?? How pathetic is that? Thats like paying top dollar for a sheridan tooling and getting a crooked basketweave. I would find someone named Harper to talk to about the stamp AND Todd!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deb59 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 I agree...Sometimes a little case of "athletes scalp" is what it takes to get their attention and let them know that you are the customer paying for a piece of equipment (and their salary) and you expect a good quality tool, some customer courtesy and service along with that. It's their job!! - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hidepounder Report post Posted July 31, 2009 I ordered a pair of maker stamps from what used to be Harper Mfg. in Las Vegas. The handle on on is not right in my opinion. Knurling cut one way, not the other. Handle will almost cut your hand and turns the stamp. I called Todd out there and was told to get used to it. It is what it is and It is mine. I am very disappointed. I will NEVER do business with this company again. Ken, You mentioned that the company used to be Harpers.....did Tim sell the company? Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Nelson Report post Posted July 31, 2009 Ken, You mentioned that the company used to be Harpers.....did Tim sell the company? Bob It is steel stamps inc. now. I don't know rather it has sold or what but I will not ever do business with them or recommend them ever again. Seems like I have been having more problems with poor service and inferior products the last 6 months than I have in years. I hope it gets better. Maybe I expect too much but I feel that if you pay for a premium tool, you should not have to rework it to do the job it is intended for. I have a lot of suppliers that are never a problem and I appreciate them beyond what words can describe. Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D.A. Kabatoff Report post Posted July 31, 2009 I'm really curious if the company has changed hands and if their leather maker's stamps have changed in quality. I got mine about eight years ago and have never seen anything as well made. I'll be looking for another one in the future and would sure like to see photos of what they are turning out now. Darc Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hidepounder Report post Posted July 31, 2009 I'm really curious if the company has changed hands and if their leather maker's stamps have changed in quality. I got mine about eight years ago and have never seen anything as well made. I'll be looking for another one in the future and would sure like to see photos of what they are turning out now.Darc Darc, Sounds like we got the good ones. I have been supporting Harper's because of the great job they did....but it upsets me that I have been recommending someone who treated Ken the way they did. Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TroyWest Report post Posted July 31, 2009 I have two Harper stamps, both are excellent. Tim sold the company to Todd as of June 2nd and he changed the name to Steel Stamps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D.A. Kabatoff Report post Posted July 31, 2009 Perhaps someone should forward this thread to Todd so he will have some idea just how fast his business can go down the drain. Bob, I've been doing the same with everyone who asks I always tell them Harper's stamps are the best out there... sure won't being doing that anymore. Darc Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Nelson Report post Posted August 1, 2009 Perhaps someone should forward this thread to Todd so he will have some idea just how fast his business can go down the drain. Bob, I've been doing the same with everyone who asks I always tell them Harper's stamps are the best out there... sure won't being doing that anymore.Darc These stamps make a very good impression, as good as the infinity I had at my last location. The problem is the handle on the smaller of the two stamps. I will try to get a picture of it posted the next day or two. I am well satisfied with the quality of the face of these stamps. Interesting how these things happen when companies change hands. Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D.A. Kabatoff Report post Posted August 1, 2009 Hi Ken, I've posted a picture of the stamp I use that came from Harper's... I haven't seen everything out there but of the ones I have seen, this is the best by far. The impression is crisp and clean, symetrical, letters are evenly spaced and sized, really couldn't ask for more. Not sure how different the handle is from yours but I really like this one. Sorry the photo isn't a bit better. Darc Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HarryB Report post Posted August 1, 2009 (edited) Wow! I wrote Harper Mfg. about a stamp and got a reply on 6-23 from "Harper old" (?) It was a very smart assed answer that I didn't expect because I, too have about three Harper stamps already. So, now who do we get stamps from that are made like Harper's ? I like the round handle and the stamps I have are excellent but, snub one of us and you snub all of us! Edited August 1, 2009 by HarryB Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Troy1 Report post Posted August 2, 2009 I was about to get a quote on my first maker's stamp from them...just got the art ready this past week. Sounds like I might be better off searching out someone else. Any recommendations? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickybobby Report post Posted August 2, 2009 Try the "search" button for Maker Stamps. There are a couple threads and some members here on LW make them and many people are happy with them. I have one from "Infinity" in Canoga Park Ca. that is one of the nicest I have seen. I got it about 10 years ago. Great quality, clean crisp lines. I have moved (changed states) and ordered one from "Tuffcase" ,it is a plastic or delrin ?, very inexpensive but not useable. The imprint is so shallow it looks awful. I am going to try Jeff at Grey Ghost Graphic for my next maker stamps. As soon as the money truck shows up!! Rick J. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hidepounder Report post Posted August 2, 2009 I was about to get a quote on my first maker's stamp from them...just got the art ready this past week. Sounds like I might be better off searching out someone else. Any recommendations? Troy, I would have to agree with Rick. I haven't used Infintey Stamps, but they have been around for a long time. You would have to assume that the longevity of the company must mean something positive. They are the only other steel stamp maker that I am aware of but I'm sure there are others. I have seen steel stamps that did not have the round knurled handles and I don't like them as well. Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Nelson Report post Posted August 2, 2009 Try the "search" button for Maker Stamps. There are a couple threads and some members here on LW make them and many people are happy with them.I have one from "Infinity" in Canoga Park Ca. that is one of the nicest I have seen. I got it about 10 years ago. Great quality, clean crisp lines. I have moved (changed states) and ordered one from "Tuffcase" ,it is a plastic or delrin ?, very inexpensive but not useable. The imprint is so shallow it looks awful. I am going to try Jeff at Grey Ghost Graphic for my next maker stamps. As soon as the money truck shows up!! Rick J. I had a pair of infinity at my last location and they were very good. I wish I had went back to them. The "harper" Steel Stamps Inc., were $50.00 cheaper. Big mistake for me. Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Nelson Report post Posted August 2, 2009 I had a pair of infinity at my last location and they were very good. I wish I had went back to them. The "harper" Steel Stamps Inc., were $50.00 cheaper. Big mistake for me. Ken I will try to get a better picture of the 2 stamps in question posted. No very computer savy!!!! Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vikti Report post Posted August 3, 2009 (edited) Refund or not, I'd send that one on the back. And if I had made it, I'd be embarrassed to give a customer something like that. How do you keep the right one from twisting when you hit it? Damon Edited August 3, 2009 by Vikti Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Nelson Report post Posted August 3, 2009 Refund or not, I'd send that one on the back. And if I had made it, I'd be embarrassed to give a customer something like that. How do you keep the right one from twisting when you hit it?Damon I have only used it a couple of times and you are right, it is difficult to keep it from turning. Th ridges are pretty sharp. I have pretty hard, rough hands, made that way by 40 years of ranching and cowboying. Very uncomfortable to use the tool. Actually, the large stamp has almost all of the knurling sanded off of it. It is a big stamp and it doesn't make any difference. In my opinion, there is a quality control problem with the stamps. BUT, the stamps do make a nice mark. I want to state, I do not have a problem with the large stamp but do still feel the small stamp is not correct and I just want other crafters to know about it. I can not afford to have duplicate stamps made and doubt a lot of other people can either. Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kustom Report post Posted August 3, 2009 I will try to get a better picture of the 2 stamps in question posted. No very computer savy!!!! Ken Yikes! No wonder you don't like it. That's like holding the threads of a bolt. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hidepounder Report post Posted August 14, 2009 I had an occassion today to speak to Todd who purchased the steel stamp division from Tim Harper. Todd has been there making stamps for a long very long time. I was unaware that the company had sold and that Todd, not being a Harper, changed the name to Steel Stamps Inc. Now that I know what transpired in the sale of the company and who has purchased it, I am once again confident that they are producing the same great stamps they have become well known for and I will continue to recommend them to anyone who desires a quality steel makers stamp. Personally I prefer a more aggressive knurl on a tool handle as it enables me to maintain a firmer grip. I really like the look of the spiral pattern and was unaware that it has been available for some time. I happened to have a conversation with another maker who requested the spiral knurling on his last two stamps and absolutely loves them. I recognize that on occassion mistakes are made or there are commincation breakdowns that can leave a customer dissatisfied. It happens in every business and it is always unfortunate. Hopefully Steel Stamps Inc. and Ken will be able to work together to resolve the issues Ken has with the knurling on his new stamp. It sounds like an issue of personal preference rather than the quality of the stamp. Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bree Report post Posted August 14, 2009 I had an occassion today to speak to Todd who purchased the steel stamp division from Tim Harper. Todd has been there making stamps for a long very long time. I was unaware that the company had sold and that Todd, not being a Harper, changed the name to Steel Stamps Inc. Now that I know what transpired in the sale of the company and who has purchased it, I am once again confident that they are producing the same great stamps they have become well known for and I will continue to recommend them to anyone who desires a quality steel makers stamp.Personally I prefer a more aggressive knurl on a tool handle as it enables me to maintain a firmer grip. I really like the look of the spiral pattern and was unaware that it has been available for some time. I happened to have a conversation with another maker who requested the spiral knurling on his last two stamps and absolutely loves them. I recognize that on occassion mistakes are made or there are commincation breakdowns that can leave a customer dissatisfied. It happens in every business and it is always unfortunate. Hopefully Steel Stamps Inc. and Ken will be able to work together to resolve the issues Ken has with the knurling on his new stamp. It sounds like an issue of personal preference rather than the quality of the stamp. Bob Bob... Did you ask him about his comments to Ken? I must say that he wasn't all that customer friendly in his response to Ken's complaint. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
