Pilgrim fireplace tools

[kevinmoelk]

Are the pilgrim fireplace tools really that good?

Looking for a woodstove set, considering the little pilgrim one, and also considering the $60 set that Lehmans sells. Does anyone have one or the other and care to comment on the likes/dislikes?

I see there is also a $32 dollar set that is short with the rake, any thoughts on this one? Don't know the brand name on the Lehmans or the $32 dollar set.

-Kevin

 

[BrotherBart]

Don't know. The three buck apiece welded pokers and shovels at Wal-Mart are all that I have ever needed. I went throught the "Beauty of the Fire Place Set" phase long ago.

They ain't furniture. You are going to be sticking them into a burning box. They will get dirty and ugly real fast.

 

[Mike Wilson]

Yes, they are that good. I would have no problem defending the house with my Pilgrim hearth tools... especially if the burglar was wielding a set from Lehmans, Home Despot, or Wally World.

Seriously though, major league quality difference.


-- Mike

 

[kevinmoelk]

Coaster, that's the set I'm looking at. Very nice. Lehmans set looks pretty good too.

(broken link removed to http://www.lehmans.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=6669&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=671&iSubCat=886&iProductID=6669)

But it seems to me that for a Pilgrim set you'd be paying some $ just for the name and reputation. I'm wondering how much difference there really is. Maybe it's like BB says, but I would like a set that wasn't 35 inches long. Thought about making my own, and still may, but the cost difference isn't that much to buy a set if I can get some under $50. The Lehmans set by the way, I can get for $45. Does anyone know what brand the Lehmans set is?


-Kevin

 

[kevinmoelk]

Here's the $32 buck set I'm considering, I know it's $34 here, I swear I thought it was $32.


http://www.fireplaceessentials.com/c18/c79/Basic-Tool-Set-p668.html

-Kevin

 

[webbie]

Pilgrim is American Made in Ca. - I know a bunch of people who worked there - well paid! When you buy a Pilgrim, it is like buying furniture made in Vt. or equiv - in other words high quality of materials and workmanship.

Granted, the $17 sets are pretty amazing for the money - I saw one at the Xmas Tree Shop, and could hardly lift the box!

I guess the idea for many folks is that the room where the stove or fireplace is often is a center area that they have some really nice stuff in already...

 

[tutu_sue]

I have two Pilgrim sets, the 2100 and 1029. Excellent quality and very important to me - ya just can't tip that stand over.

 

[Rich M]

Just some observations. The $34 set doesn't have a base that will catch the ash that will be coming off the rake and shovel. The $45 set has a questionable broom, a black style broom will last indefinately, I'm not so sure about that one - it looks flamable to me! As usual, I guess you get what you pay for. That Pilgrim set really does look nice, I'm tempted to upgrade.

 

[chevyhd]

No fancy fireplace tools for me. I heated and bent a 3/8 piece of steel rod into a poker with a handle. I also used some 3/8 rod and a piece of 1.5 inch angle about six inches long and welded them together and made a rake. Materials were free(from work) and only took me about 20 min. to make them. Sure beats paying big bucks for something fancy that you are just going to get dirty anyhow. But to each his own I say. More than likely it's whatever the "wifey" wants.

 

[MountainStoveGuy]

Sadly, pilgram operations got moved to china this year. The stuff i have been getting is almost as good as the US stuff. The finish isnt as nice as it used to be. Unfortunatly the price didnt drop. I like any tool set that doesnt use threads to hold them together. I want either one piece cast or press fit tools.

 

[BrotherBart]

Sadly, pilgram operations got moved to china this year. The stuff i have been getting is almost as good as the US stuff. The finish isnt as nice as it used to be. Unfortunatly the price didnt drop. I like any tool set that doesnt use threads to hold them together. I want either one piece cast or press fit tools.

Yep. Waiting for the ashes to cool to retrieve the poker end that fell off in the fire is a pain.