Hello all,
I am new here to the forum but have been on the outskirts for some time.Ive been especially interested in the TK manufactoring section which much new information has been brought to light around the die stamping theory.After reading and viewing the many photos of the process and finished die struck rings,I was ready to order one.My ring arrived a few days ago and rather than go on and on about how badly made it is,I will just let the photos speak for themselves.Ive heard of others that had received their rings and were quite pleased.Is this just a bad one out of the many good that have been sold or have others too received this type of quality?

Here is another shot of the die stamped Honor Ring.I am hoping that the seller is going to fix this issue.

Welcome to the forum Kid... Not exactly sure who you got the ring from as there are at least 3 here making them,,but this looks like its from our member in the Baltics..
Thats some seam.. And, looks like only a partial 'Himmler;?.. Hows the rest of the ring?

Hey thanks for the greeting.The rest of the ring has got quite a few more problems.The only thing good is the oaks and runic symbols.Just goes to show you that no matter how the rings are manufactored the true final quality lies in the hands of the one that does the assembly and finishing work.Other problem areas of the ring are the skull is misaligned both with the seam and the outer runes.One edge at the seam takes a dive rather than coming together square.The bones are straight out flat and are floating out from the band and the award date is little bitty compared to the rest of the engraving.The ring came from Latvia by a member that posts here on the forum.I looked at several of their photos posted here on the forum, of their die stamp set up showing steel Honor Ring die and press etc.,etc.I will probably post more shots tomarrow.I think this could have been a good ring had the finisher done it right.The skulls design is off and I dont particularly care for it.It has a very narrow jaw and is shaped too much like an upside down triangle.Im hoping this guy will make things right both for me and anyone else who may purchase or has purchased a ring from him.I know eveybody can have an occasional bad day.I will keep all informed of the outcome.

Got a pic of the front/skull?
Good luck on getting it right.
(Should be an easy fix with a torch and some silver stock save for the inscription which is another issue.)
Are these .925?
I have confidence in the maker, (if it's who I think.)
... he obviously must of just had an Off day welding.

Been a long day but I will post a pic of the front view of the skull tomarrow.

quote:

Originally posted by Gaspare:
... Not exactly sure who you got the ring from as there are at least 3 here making them,,but this looks like its from our member in the Baltics..
Thats some seam.. And, looks like only a partial 'Himmler;?.. Hows the rest of the ring?

I concur with Gaspare thought : that ring appears by Hapur.
Mine is crudely seamed as well, but in spite of that I like it.
The Himmler's signature probably disappeared due to some issues in closing the ring band.

Ric

POS.
Seiler.

I got my ring from Latvia two days ago. Other than a little discoloring around the skull and ring attachment point I am happy with what I got. I am considering ordering another. (is there anyone else who makes personalized TK rings? please pm if you know who does) Thanks

eVIL:

Welcome to the forum... is the last part of your name COUNT or something a little shorter?



Whatever, I like it.

John

quote:

Originally posted by JohnZ:


Welcome to the forum... is the last part of your name COUNT or something a little shorter?

Pretty funny J

the later is the intended meaning.

I bought one from hapur and I am very pleased. Mine exhibits none of the poor construction the one you show has. In fact, it is very well done and quite nice in hand. The skull is a a little too large for the ring, but it is meant to be a nice repro and not an exact copy. I would hope that one was done by a new apprentice or something like that. It really is rough on the seam, mine is perfect there.

Mark

Like I said you in email, just return it and I'll make new one. No problems with that.

Seems that I have to return to previous practice and make pics of every engrawing and completed ring to avoid things like this. Based on pics posted here it does not seem like typical ring made by me, but since I do not make anymore pics of every ring in all stages I can not argue.

Jeez,, now you know a little what Gahr must have been getting!

You really should though take a couple quick shots of every ring you sell. Maybe just a head on shot of skull and one of name,,something like that.. Anyway,,I've heard only good things about your rings,,and your return policy seems to be a good one.. Nice work all around and handled correctly,,happy ending..

My Salute to Hapur.
An entailed endeavor to say the least.
Custom-fit jewelry, engraved, international shipping and a honest business man as well.
Bravo!

quote:

Originally posted by Gaspare:
Jeez,, now you know a little what Gahr must have been getting!

You really should though take a couple quick shots of every ring you sell. Maybe just a head on shot of skull and one of name,,something like that.. Anyway,,I've heard only good things about your rings,,and your return policy seems to be a good one.. Nice work all around and handled correctly,,happy ending..

...this will, (of course), add $'s to the bottom line,,,,.Still a Bargain.

hmmm, maybe I should get myself one of these for wearing, G are these the best repro out there at the moment for details?

Hi Jon.,, It's a nice ring.. Not perfect,,,but none so far have been.
Method of constructin is cool,,band details seem really good.. Best as always, to view photos of it and compare to other copies.. There is photos of it here,,try a search...

I have just returned after surviving a week in the Peoples Republik of Kalifornia so I'm playing catchup. Other than Marks comments about the size/shape of the skull this is the best copy around. I retooled/aged mine a bit and it's now a real fooler until I take it off and show the inside.
Again I don't think you can go wrong for the price and hapur has shown his determination to stand behind his product.
Jim

Hi Jim,thats interesting.I would prefer mine to be non mint in appearance ,how did you undertake that?perhaps pm me if you would rather not put that on here.Thanks.

No I don't mind Jon but I do want to make something very clear up front. I personally would not alter an original piece in any way but since this is a copy I think it's ok.
This ring as provided by hapur has just about the nicest band you will find on a reproduction but the ring falls down IMO,as many do, on getting the right look to the skull. I remodeled the skull on mine a bit with emery paper to get the proportions more to my liking and more in tune with a 40s original. Unfortunately I did not take a before picture of the skull to show the difference.
My suggestion to anyone who wants to try this is to get a picture of a real ring that you really like,use it as a model and go from there. Take your time and go carefully as it's easy to remove metal but another matter entirely to put it back.
Another thing I did to improve the toning and provide a little surface wear was to soak my ring in a chlorene solution multiple times and then polish off the high points with jewelers rouge after each soaking. I use dissolved chlorene particles from pool tablets and this will blacken a ring in no time.
N.B: From what I can see of the skull on the ring posted above with the bad seam it appears that hapur has altered the skulls proportions which should be an improvement.
Jim

Dear Jim,

will be grateful if you could post a front shot of your ring on centring on the skull. thank you.

Here you go. I can take additional pictures if necessary. This photo was taken after I made adjustments to the skull which was previously larger and more bulbous in appearance.
Jim

i think it looks not too bad although the eye sockets could be slightly smaller. does hapur only make the pig nose variant?

Replacement has been sent. Pic of engraving.

quote:

Originally posted by military:
does hapur only make the pig nose variant?

I've made new die for skull, will make some and post some pics.

Oh cool, sort the skull out an it will be a super ring ! I'd like to order one once you show the new skull!

quote:

Originally posted by Jon Fish:....sort the skull out an it will be a super ring ! I'd like to order one once you show the new skull!

Me too !

Ric

quote:

Originally posted by jim m:
Here you go. I can take additional pictures if necessary. This photo was taken after I made adjustments to the skull which was previously larger and more bulbous in appearance.
Jim

Jim a question, is the way you are wearing your ring the way they were worn period? I seem to recall that there was a distinct order given that they had to worn with the skull orientated a certain way , though I never knew which, I wear my copy ring the other way round than yours is shown.

Thanks, Nolan