Here are some frequently asked questions. If you have additional questions, feel free to contact us
Is shipping really free?
Short answer: Of course it’s free! Long answer, for some reason, USPS expects to be paid to move packages across the country. Some of the money that you spend on rolling pins goes towards packaging materials and the actual cost of shipping. We just don’t nickel and dime you.
Do you ship outside of USA?
No. It is a hassle to deal with international shipping especially when wood products are involved. In addition to the normal amount of paperwork, there is paperwork related to trade of endangered wood species. The international shipping costs seem exorbitant to us, and on top of that, there are customs fees which can be as much as 50%. We expect to have very few international clients willing to put up with that, but if you are one of them and you read my ramble to this point, feel free to contact us and we might be able to work something out.
How do you ship?
We ship via USPS Priority Mail. Sometimes the rolling pin fits in a flat fee box, sometimes it doesn’t. When it doesn’t, we don’t force it. We just use a larger box. The free boxes provided by USPS are very handy and certainly contributed to us selecting USPS over other options.
How do I get my tracking number?
We purchase shipping labels via PayPal. Once a label has been purchased for your order, you will receive a notification email from PayPal that contains your tracking number.
What if something unexpected shows up during the shipping process?
Well then we’ll deal with that when it shows up. There isn’t really a way to pre plan for unexpected circumstances.
How are rolling pins made?
First off, we pick a piece of wood that’s big enough to accommodate the production of the right size rolling pin and that does not have defects that would ultimately compromise the end product. Some pieces of wood are too thin to become a rolling pin, so several are planed flat and glued together. Sometimes this is done on purpose to create a visually interesting rolling pin. The starting block of wood is turned on a lathe between centers, sanded to about 320 or 400 grit, and a mixture of organic beeswax and mineral oil is applied. The resulting pin comes off the lathe and the support ends are lobbed off. The ends are then cut flush with a knife and sanded. The ends are stamped with the logo on one side and USA on the other. Wax and oil mix is applied to the freshly finished ends. The rolling pin is now ready to go to its new owner.
What kind of maintenance is necessary for rolling pins?
We find that the best maintenance for wood rolling pins is a mixture of organic beeswax and food grade mineral oil. About once a month, the pin should be wiped with such a mixture and then wiped clean. With every order, we include a 2oz tin of sch a concoction that we produce in house.
Is the rolling pin dishwasher safe?
No! Wooden utensils are not dishwasher safe. In most cases, a damp cloth is all it takes to clean a rolling pin. For any serious mess that happens upon a rolling pin, a bit of dish soap and water should solve the issue. Always make sure the rolling pin is dry on all sides before storing it.
How can I make the rolling pin feel smooth again?
When in contact with moisture, wood surfaces can develop a texture that is unlike the original smooth feel. This is expected. The smooth feel can be restored with some 400 grit sandpaper. Sand the pin in the direction of the grain (as in from one handle to the other, not by twisting the sandpaper around the pin). Once that is done, wipe off the dust and apply some of the beeswax and mineral oil mix.
Will you make a rolling pin from a piece of wood that a customer provides?
Absolutely not! While we have made quite a few rolling pins in the last few years, mistakes happen. Sometimes a bad cut damages the wood, sometimes the wood hides something like included bark, sometimes I measure twice and still make the wrong cut. With a piece of wood from my own stock, I take the loss and move on. If something like this happens with a piece of wood that has a special meaning to a customer, there is no path to redemption. I hope you understand why I can not take such a risk and possibly upset someone.
I have weird hands. Will you make you make a rolling pin to fit my needs?
First off, everyone has weird hands. If you need something special and I can help, I will do my best to help. Please contact us with your specific needs so we can further discuss.
What happens to rolling pins that have minor cracks and inclusions?
If at all salvageable, the flaws are patched and stabilized with a food safe epoxy. The resulting pins are sold as “ready to roll” (and just to make things clear, these “ready to roll” rolling pins are complete and photos of the exact items are posted) because people need to be aware of these unique features.
Do you do endorsements?
We are in the early stages and don’t have a social media invasion budget. If you have something in mind, feel free to contact us. Before you do that, make sure you are professional and don’t take anything personal. We don’t care if you are Jacques Pepin or if you are an eight years old kid with six youtube subscribers, the expectations are the same: be professional and don’t take things personal.
Are you going to add more questions to the FAQ?
If you have a question that you think deserves to be here, feel free to contact us.