Buckeye or A+M

[caskwith]

I have asked for a quote from both companies. Buckeye is quite a bit cheaper but I have never used them, A+M made my other stamps and I have been very pleased with them.

Any thoughts?

[N.Burnsworth]

I used buckey and they did a great job. It was a 2-3 week wait though.

[BigCasino]

I just contacted buckeye and it has been about a week and half with no reply

[sandahlpipe]

I have had a stamp made by both. Neither are particularly good with communication. Best way to contact is by phone in either case. I like the stamp by Buckeye a little better in terms of looks, but both functioned adequately and the prices were comparable.

[mredmond]

Harry, did you contact Buckeye through their web form? I never got a response when I did that. When I emailed them directly through stamps@steelhandstamps.com I got a pretty quick reply.

[N.Burnsworth]

I had to call buckeye as well. They aren't very good with online communication.

[Joe Hinkle Pipes]

I contacted them both through email. 3 tries to each and no response. I just went with A company that responded to my request.

[wdteipen]

I've used both. Paul Argendorf of A&M Steel Stamps doesn't do online communication. If you want to get ahold of him you have to call. He's always been pretty good about getting back with me if I leave a message but I've usually been able to catch him in person via phone. The biggest benefit to using A&M is that Paul is very familiar with the stamps we use and need and is good about steering folks in the right direction as far as what will work and what will not work so well. His stamps work adequately but aren't real polished in the fit and finish department.

Buckeye Engraving is also better about answering the phone as opposed to online correspondence although they would eventually reply to my e-mails after several attempts. They make very nice quality stamps. The down side is that you have to be very specific about what you want because they are very unfamiliar with the special needs of pipemakers as it pertains to stamps. Make sure to pay particular attention to sizes.

Bottom line: Paul at A&M is more familiar with our special needs than Buckeye. His stamps aren't as pretty as Buckeye's but they work just as well. Buckeye's prices are a bit better than A&M's.

[Nate]

Another option is Infinity Stamps out of California.

[d.huber]

I'm getting mine through buckeye now and while the stamps are a great value, don't expect them to do anything without you constantly reminding them. In order to get anything done they require a daily call to remind them that you want to pay them for a product you'd like to order. It's a hassle but they do nice work. Like Wayne said, be very specific about size.

[Sasquatch]

Agreed about Buckeye - did a good job but schedule seemed to be elusive and communication a little slow and more arduous than I would have expected.

[PremalChheda]

I have asked for a quote from both companies. Buckeye is quite a bit cheaper but I have never used them, A+M made my other stamps and I have been very pleased with them.

Any thoughts?

Seems like a no brainer to me. If you were pleased with a certain company, why not go to them again?

[caskwith]

I have asked for a quote from both companies. Buckeye is quite a bit cheaper but I have never used them, A+M made my other stamps and I have been very pleased with them.

Any thoughts?

Seems like a no brainer to me. If you were pleased with a certain company, why not go to them again?

Because I don't know what the other product is like, just because I am pleased with McDonalds doesn't mean I should never try eating at Burger King does it?

A stamp is a pretty expensive item, if the consensus is that the two companies are equal then I would like to make a saving if I can.

[BigCasino]

Harry, did you contact Buckeye through their web form? I never got a response when I did that. When I emailed them directly through stamps@steelhandstamps.com I got a pretty quick reply.

Yep, thats exactly what I did! Maybe I'll try calling or emailing them.
I found this place doing a web search they quoted me a price of $108 for anything that fits on a 1" block for that is the smallest size they work with.
http://www.steelstamps.com/antique-and- ... tamps.html

Since I never had a stamp, is this normal size? if not will it work? and also whats the average price?

[wdteipen]

Harry, did you contact Buckeye through their web form? I never got a response when I did that. When I emailed them directly through stamps@steelhandstamps.com I got a pretty quick reply.

Yep, thats exactly what I did! Maybe I'll try calling or emailing them.
I found this place doing a web search they quoted me a price of $108 for anything that fits on a 1" block for that is the smallest size they work with.
http://www.steelstamps.com/antique-and- ... tamps.html

Since I never had a stamp, is this normal size? if not will it work? and also whats the average price?

It depends on whether they will turn the handle end round for you which, btw, you have to specify with Buckeye in addition to the diameter of the round part. Paul at A&M already knows this and does it automatically.

[wdteipen]

Because I don't know what the other product is like, just because I am pleased with McDonalds doesn't mean I should never try eating at Burger King does it?

Last night my daughter said she learned in health class that the Whopper is less healthy a choice compared to a Big Mac. There's a deeper meaning in there somewhere for your decision but it will likely not be realized until after you've made it.

[caskwith]

Because I don't know what the other product is like, just because I am pleased with McDonalds doesn't mean I should never try eating at Burger King does it?

Last night my daughter said she learned in health class that the Whopper is less healthy a choice compared to a Big Mac. There's a deeper meaning in there somewhere for your decision but it will likely not be realized until after you've made it.

A very convoluted way of saying stick with Paul

[PremalChheda]

Because I don't know what the other product is like, just because I am pleased with McDonalds doesn't mean I should never try eating at Burger King does it?

Last night my daughter said she learned in health class that the Whopper is less healthy a choice compared to a Big Mac. There's a deeper meaning in there somewhere for your decision but it will likely not be realized until after you've made it.

A very convoluted way of saying stick with Paul

Nice!

I will give my 2 cents on the subject.

I have not had any dealings with Buckeye, but I have heard good things if proper instructions are given.

I have dealt with Paul many times, and the stamps have been very good that I received. Also, a few years ago, he made a special trip to the Chicago pipe show. He did not come to solicit business. He just wanted to come thank each of his customers in person.

Infinity stamps is another option, but I have not heard much except the one person that dealt with them had good results.

I will always go to Paul for future stamps.

[caskwith]

Well thanks for all the advice everyone.

I have asked for quotes from a few UK companies as if possible it's always nice to avoid customs etc but I will likely stick with Paul.

[BigCasino]

I just remembered that at argon they also mentioned that the stamp would be made from magnesium, and they attach a round steel knurled handle to the back, what do you all think about the magnesium? I know in its pure form it is a lot softer than steel