Stork Aristocrat Handles

Great images Andrei and thanks for sharing. Although I like them all, the ball end in particular has a really great aesthetic IMHO.

It's too bad they removed their blog, because they had some really close up photos that showed the quality of lathing and attention to detail.  I'm not badmouthing Windrose, for they are 25% of the price of Storks, but you can really see the difference in quality between the two.  You don't see tooling lathe marks in the Storks like you do the Windrose.  The tolerances of the cutting are much more precise with the Storks.  Does everyone need, or even care, about that kind of thing?  Probably not, so it is great that we have both as options.  Some days we aren't going to want to drop $130 on a rod of metal, so we aren't going to sweat a tool marking here or there.

I’ve seen some of the Stork handles on Tras Krom’s SOTD photos (and now Flickr albums) and a couple of other sites on the web, and the attention to detail seems meticulous.

I have some other handles that looked good in the photos when I was ordering them, but once I got them, I have to wonder what the manufacturer was thinking. The handles arrived wrapped in heavy paper with small metal particles from the machining inside the packaging. Put that in a box that the postal service tosses around, and you get a handle that has little scratches and tiny dents all over it because of the shavings. Talk about “fresh off the lathe”…

Somehow, judging by user photos, I don’t think that’s how Stork ships their handles. Sometimes I wonder about the lack of detail some sellers demonstrate. To them I would say: some things may not matter to you, but don’t make the same judgement call concerning your customers.

Sorry for the rant. Back to admiring Storks…

To them I would say: some things may not matter to you, but don’t make the same judgement call concerning your customers.

Sorry for the rant. Back to admiring Storks…

I agree... this handle arrived very well packed and nicely wrapped in red tissue paper. Almost like a piece of jewelry.

Even further, after receipt, Andrei followed up to verify things arrived safe and sound as well as asked for feedback on how to improve the packaging.

It's that type of care and concern that differentiates companies.

It's too bad they removed their blog, because they had some really close up photos that showed the quality of lathing and attention to detail.  I'm not badmouthing Windrose, for they are 25% of the price of Storks, but you can really see the difference in quality between the two.  You don't see tooling lathe marks in the Storks like you do the Windrose.  The tolerances of the cutting are much more precise with the Storks.  Does everyone need, or even care, about that kind of thing?  Probably not, so it is great that we have both as options.  Some days we aren't going to want to drop $130 on a rod of metal, so we aren't going to sweat a tool marking here or there.

Just ask for a high res photos, that's easy
https://flic.kr/s/aHskFj2FZS
https://www.flickr.com/gp/traskrom/f0905V

THANKS!

I have some other handles that looked good in the photos when I was ordering them, but once I got them, I have to wonder what the manufacturer was thinking. The handles arrived wrapped in heavy paper with small metal particles from the machining inside the packaging. Put that in a box that the postal service tosses around, and you get a handle that has little scratches and tiny dents all over it because of the shavings. Talk about “fresh off the lathe”…

I like this kind of talk. Honestly, I don't care about items being presented in special boxes with wax seals and all that kind of jazz. I'd rather pay $5 less for said item than pay for fancy presentation that ends up buried in a drawer or another box, never to be seen again unless I resell it. I don't care about pomp & circumstance, because I know it is part of the price and serves me no real purpose. Is it nice that a maker takes that kind of pride in their product? You bet. I get it, but I really don't need it or want to pay for it. However, I do expect them to deliver said item in pristine condition. Take pride in the object itself. Basic bubble wrap works fine, if it does the job. I don't need it wrapped in handmade parchment produced with ancient Roman methods. I expect it to arrive in the same condition as it left your factory, and that condition will tell me a lot about your work. All the other stuff is inconsequential.

Congrats! !


I love, I have UFO, Wolfman, Triad etc, Stork are my current favorites , I have two and will soon have more, It is a work of high level.

I just received this Stork Ti Aristocrat 2 handle. It is beautiful. I plan to take it on its maiden voyage tomorrow. Thanks Tras Krom for great customer service. It is amazing how small the world has become. I paid an extra $25 for expedited shipping. It left Moscow on Monday and arrived in Minnesota this morning.

Which one next? Maybe the RWD?

Perhaps if I order again I'll use expedited shipping too. I have an order sent by regular shipping that has been "in transit" now for 6 weeks, with no updates for the last 4 weeks.

Yes John, as I said before, this people from Russian Post gave us a nice present. We are aware of the situation and will do anything needed. And in case if something happens wit the parcel, we will refund anyone affected.

Has anyone ordered lately? Curious what shipping times are. I see a few nice handles on eBay now.