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Harry J. Epstein Day 2025

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Squankum

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Peeked inside my shirt for a union label the other day, knowing that past HJE shirts were done in a union shop. Didn't see it. Thought of the old song.



Found it tonight when I was putting the shirt on a drying rack. Different union.
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Oh, look, a cat hair. What are the odds...
 
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Duck tape Bill

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Maryland
jsackin said:
I didn't have it in me to make trophies this year (partially because they're getting harder to find at thrift store) but instead I enclosed some nice tool giveaways (mostly Felo) for the winner's of this years contests which are:

Best Box Art Request: W. Liden

"This past Saturday I was turning over my compost pile with a pitch fork when I found a box turtle buried in the compost. I picked her up to make sure I hadn't hurt her, and while I was looking at her, something hit me in the head, and then something else hit me in the arm. I soon realized that there were at least 20 yellow jackets swarming around me because I had disturbed their nest which was also buried in the compost pile. One of the yellow jackets managed to sting me on my upper lip before I took off running across my back yard, turtle still in hand.... I would like some box art to commemorate this "exciting" event in my life."

Runner up is of course the Ozzy Osborne request: "Ozzy Osbourne driving a Jeep Comanche with a American Staffordshire Terrier in the passenger seat. It would be cool if they were jumping a canyon and Ozzy was throwing up the devil horns."

Best HJE Day Comment: A. Bardagjy

"Jori - I appreciate the excuse to buy some good tools. Congratulations to you and your fiancé. When kids are young, it's physically demanding and when they're old it's mentally demanding. In the first months, your love, adrenaline, and instincts will push you through the physicality of it (lack of sleep among others). But it will wear on you and your partner. Be sure to give each other grace. Everything else will come naturally. Wishing the best to you, your fiancé, and your growing family. The universe sure has a funny way of working sometimes."

Best Poem: Lots of great entries this year, but E. Delio got me with this one:

She’s wandering through
A valley of tulips and shadows
Unpossessed by her heart

Lee Ludden was very generous to donate a $100 gift certificate in honor of his father who was a lifelong craftsman and I decided that E. Delio should get the prize this year. I'm getting married on the 9th and have been working on playing a small set and will work in a song inspired by this, so congratulations to all the winners! Best grouping of HJE Day poems so far!

(PS. We're still waiting on those Vessel water key screwdrivers but the wilde pull scrapers arrived so that freed up a bunch of orders.)
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First, congrats on your upcoming marriage!

Second, Thank you for choosing me as the winner for the box art contest! I just got the shipping notice, so I'll post a picture of the box as soon as it arrives. For all who are interested, it took four days for the swelling in my lip to go down, I looked like I had gotten a botox injection or something. The turtle was unharmed and went on her merry way once I set her down in the yard. She's an eastern box turtle, and I estimate her age at somewhere around 40-50 years old. She lives in the small area around our house, and we see her a few times every year. About ten years ago she laid eggs right next to our front door, and I was lucky enough to see her laying the eggs, and later when the three babies hatched. Here's a picture of her digging the hole before she laid the eggs:468672334_10159947113741853_5890961703376319582_n.jpg
 
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DarkMonohue

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It's here! It's here!

Box art request this year: shop cat snoozing on the front counter. Knocked it right out of the park, as usual. This is the third entry in Little Monohue's HJE Box Art Gallery.
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This will not be a surprise to anyone who's ordered from Jori and crew before, but all the same, the packing is spookily good. This is professional work.
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Yes yes yes, but what's inside? Well, this is, that's what.
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Most of this is for me. The kitchen knife, the Red Pig trowel, and the little Japanese scissors are for Mrs Monohue. The Wera Allen keys were a request from my boss, Matt. The big Wera set is a... hold on... big Wera set...
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Big Wera set?
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Surely it's a mispick. I didn't order that. But I also didn't remember to come back and watch the Wera lottery video.

Holy smokes! Thank you, Jori (and everyone at HJE) and Wera! I had to do the right thing and give the set to Matt. He ordered the Wera stuff that put us in the running, so in fairness, he won it.

Matt's gonna owe me so many tacos...
 

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AndreaW

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Aug 23, 2024
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AndreaW said:
Got my shipping notice yesterday, my orders combined, and difference in shipping refunded. Excellent!
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Got my order today. Almost perfect. Was missing four items that were the same four items highlighted in pink on my (5 page 😂) paper order receipt included with the package. Not sure if that means they are coming later or if they were overlooked and missed making into my box. I sent an email, but let me know if you need any other info, Jori.

All in all, really happy with my first HJE Day scores.
 
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jsackin

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Nov 23, 2005
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Location
Kansas City Missouri
AndreaW said:
Got my order today. Almost perfect. Was missing four items that were the same four items highlighted in pink on my (5 page 😂) paper order receipt included with the package. Not sure if that means they are coming later or if they were overlooked and missed making into my box. I sent an email, but let me know if you need any other info, Jori.

All in all, really happy with my first HJE Day scores.
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They're coming later!
 
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consti2tion

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Nov 30, 2010
Messages
509
Location
East Texas
Here is my order and awesome box art! Thank you HJE!! The "Get a Grip" rubber squares are handy as hell when you're cutting small diameter stainless tubing or anything of that nature, much grippier than a hand! And as always everything was packaged with the utmost care.
 

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brglasp

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Pomona, Kansas
My order showed up a few days ago. The delivery guy was eyeballing the box art before setting it on my porch. I got a good laugh out of the box art myself. I requested "The HJE storefront in a dystopian future, the year 2200". I'm doing my part to make the box art become reality. I'm close to a dozen barn cats. Jori if you need any cats, you let me know they are FREE! Currently have 6 cute little kittens! Thanks again Jori and crew, a blast as always. This has become my favorite Holiday!

I've been curious on the Wright ratchets and then the Wright 3425 made an appearance in Jori's video. I have to comment that the audible sound the ratcheting mechanism creates is the most satisfying I've ever heard from any ratchet. I want every knob and switch on everything I own to have the feel and sound of this ratchet. Love it.

IMG20250731130326.jpg
 
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Squankum

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I see several of you got the wee little Japanese scissors I was touting months ago. I got some, too, to hand out as gifts. Gave one to a friend this week as a little gift for her retirement bash and she's thrilled with it.
 
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NightSky

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Jun 29, 2024
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Southwest OH
brglasp said:
My order showed up a few days ago. The delivery guy was eyeballing the box art before setting it on my porch. I got a good laugh out of the box art myself. I requested "The HJE storefront in a dystopian future, the year 2200". I'm doing my part to make the box art become reality.

IMG20250731130326.jpg
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I'm not sure this depicts a dystopian future, unless one considers generations of cats no longer dancing to the tunes spun out by the electric can opener orchestra or getting scratched at just the right place under the chin or between the ears or on the bridge of the nose... Maybe it is dystopian.
 
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zanyad

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Package arrived Thursday (a day early!) and was opened with much excitement. Missing one item (bomb tether is out of stock and was refunded immediately). Pleasantly surprised to get two screwdrivers for the mystery box. Box art was a request for the apprentices, an old pickup truck.

Thanks again, Jori and crew!
 

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Squankum

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NightSky said:
I'm not sure this depicts a dystopian future, unless one considers generations of cats no longer dancing to the tunes spun out by the electric can opener orchestra or getting scratched at just the right place under the chin or between the ears or on the bridge of the nose... Maybe it is dystopian.
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A future with no warm laps!
 
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vssjim

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McLean Va.
zanyad said:
Package arrived Thursday (a day early!) and was opened with much excitement. Missing one item (bomb tether is out of stock and was refunded immediately). Pleasantly surprised to get two screwdrivers for the mystery box. Box art was a request for the apprentices, an old pickup truck.

Thanks again, Jori and crew!
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They are really out of bomb tethers last year they said they had thousands and thousands of them and still shows like 10,000 in stock now
 
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fishwatcher

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Squankum said:
Here's something neat I spotted at HJE lately - Dexter knives, to include kitchen knives. USA made and fair prices!

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www.harryepstein.com

Dexter Russell Traditional 7" x 2" Chinese Chef's Knife Walnut Handle

Dexter Russell Traditional 7" x 2" Chinese Chef's Knife Walnut Handle (8030-S5197)
www.harryepstein.com
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Has anybody got feedback on this Dexter Russell Chinese chefs knife (7” x 2”)? I have a Henkel’s Chinese cleaver (larger than this) and a Henkels 7” Santuko knife. This looks like an excellent deal, but I don’t know how much it is a duplicate of what I already have in the kitchen.

I’m also interested in the Dexter Russel Green River traditional hunting / fish knife. Any input on that from anybody who has one is much appreciated. IMG_2332.jpeg
 
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StillTooManyHobbies

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Jul 4, 2014
Messages
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Port Tobacco, MD
I had the opportunity to stop by the store a couple weeks ago while on a road trip with my wife. Got a chance to wander through 3 floors and the basement and got to meet the man himself. Had a great time, wish I lived closer. Also met the staff, who were very busy with customers and packing orders. As has been said before, you have to see it to believe how much stuff is packed into the store. I picked up a few more things while I was there. Thanks Jori and Matt for taking time to talk to us and show us around.
 

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StillTooManyHobbies

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I received my shipment today. Amazingly well packed (see picture of packing paper).Box art is great! "Wrenches dancing in a western bar". The Dexter chef knife is scary sharp! Mystery item was a Felo T25 driver. Thanks again
 

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67CarGuy

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Outside Boston, MA
StillTooManyHobbies said:
I had the opportunity to stop by the store a couple weeks ago while on a road trip with my wife. Got a chance to wander through 3 floors and the basement and got to meet the man himself. Had a great time, wish I lived closer. Also met the staff, who were very busy with customers and packing orders. As has been said before, you have to see it to believe how much stuff is packed into the store....
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Looks like a great place to get lost for a few hours... or days...

Note to self: when visiting HJE, bring snacks...
 
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Squankum

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fishwatcher said:
Has anybody got feedback on this Dexter Russell Chinese chefs knife (7” x 2”)? I have a Henkel’s Chinese cleaver (larger than this) and a Henkels 7” Santuko knife. This looks like an excellent deal, but I don’t know how much it is a duplicate of what I already have in the kitchen.
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Haven't used it yet, but it comes with a sticker saying, please, for chopping slicing, dicing, mincing, but not cleavering, and not hacking at frozen things, it's a thin blade and you might break it.
 
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DarkMonohue

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Pacific Northwet (OR)
Squankum said:
Haven't used it yet, but it comes with a sticker saying, please, for chopping slicing, dicing, mincing, but not cleavering, and not hacking at frozen things, it's a thin blade and you might break it.
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Dang, you are fast. I was just about to post that. It's lightweight and definitely not a cleaver.

I also still really like the olive wood MAM pocketknife I got a few years ago. It's lightweight, simple, and rather elegant, and a hell of a snack/sandwich slicer. Might have to budget for one of those Black Cats next year to round out my modest little collection.
 
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RTM

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SF Bay Area
fishwatcher said:
anybody got feedback on this Dexter Russell Chinese chefs knife (7” x 2”)? I have a Henkel’s Chinese cleaver (larger than this) and a Henkels 7” Santuko knife. This looks like an excellent deal, but I don’t know how much it is a duplicate of what I already have in the kitchen.
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As others have said this is a slicing knife not a cleaver. I love mine for all kinds of things like slicing apple slicing potatoes or even slicing melons with the tall skinny blade I feel I have much more control as I go through things. I have a similar one probably even taller from Lee valley that I love but my wife is terrified of.

If your Chinese cleaver has a thin profile all the way down like your chef's knife then it might be the same general use as mine
 
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Squankum

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fishwatcher said:
Has anybody got feedback on this Dexter Russell Chinese chefs knife (7” x 2”)? I have a Henkel’s Chinese cleaver (larger than this) and a Henkels 7” Santuko knife. This looks like an excellent deal, but I don’t know how much it is a duplicate of what I already have in the kitchen.
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'tis plain! You need the Henkels, the Dexter, and the Buck 945 Santoku knife!

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www.buckknives.com

945 Santoku Knife - Buck® Knives OFFICIAL SITE

Buck Knives' Santoku Knife offers a perfect blend of functionality and versatility in your kitchen and is ideal for efficient slicing, dicing, and chopping.
www.buckknives.com www.buckknives.com

This one I can vouch for. Alas, to my knowledge, HJE is not a Buck dealer.
 
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fishwatcher

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Squankum said:
'tis plain! You need the Henkels, the Dexter, and the Buck 945 Santoku knife!

1754351781595.png


www.buckknives.com

945 Santoku Knife - Buck® Knives OFFICIAL SITE

Buck Knives' Santoku Knife offers a perfect blend of functionality and versatility in your kitchen and is ideal for efficient slicing, dicing, and chopping.
www.buckknives.com www.buckknives.com

This one I can vouch for. Alas, to my knowledge, HJE is not a Buck dealer.
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This is certainly, the way!
 
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Squankum

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Had an idea last night, using HJE orders. Sheath OP1 would go well with the Kanetsune scissors

www.harryepstein.com

Top Grain Leather Knife Sheath for Opinel #7 and #8 (OP1)

Top Grain Leather Knife Sheath for Opinel #7 and #8 (OP1)
www.harryepstein.com


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There is no off position on the genius switch.

Okay, I keep mine in the medicine cabinet, so for as long as the plastic sheath survives, I think I'll forgo the leather sheath. But it's an option! And a $2.50 option.
 
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cdoublejj

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Apr 11, 2022
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Location
MO
larry4406 said:
I finally got around to opening my box of tools! Been sitting in foyer while dealing with other things.

Nice assortment of Wilde pry bars, a wall mount holder, some Crescent nut drivers, and 2 stainless tweezers.

Nice bonus Wilde lock jaw plier!

Thanks Jori and all!

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Are those Cresents for display or can they actually be use for something?
 
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larry4406

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cdoublejj said:
Are those Cresents for display or can they actually be use for something?
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larry4406 said:
I will let you know. I took them out to the barn tool box. I need to fool with carb on push mower.
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I used them today.

Nice tight grip on bolt head.

Handles are too small but when the black grip piece is installed it was a comfortable grip and easy to use.

The vinyl pouch is less than desirable. Nothing holds the black grip in so it freely falls out. The pouch has zero memory or hasp to hold the nut drivers in so they freely fall out as well. I can see the pouch being deep sixed once an alternate is found.
 
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RTM

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larry4406 said:
. I can see the pouch being deep sixed once an alternate is found
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See the XceLite holder here. I intend to duplicate it, in a metal /wood combo for the metric set shown, sometime in the future.

Vintage Xcelite or other Nut Driver Sets

Yesterday, I picked up an XceLite holder at the flea market. A little research shows me this model has been posted here before. I thought it was mostly just dirty, but a good bit of it seems to be oxidation. As I was thinking of how to protect the label, I realized it was loose - almost...
www.garagejournal.com www.garagejournal.com
 
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dscheidt

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Messages
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RTM said:
See the XceLite holder here. I intend to duplicate it, in a metal /wood combo for the metric set shown, sometime in the future.

Vintage Xcelite or other Nut Driver Sets

Yesterday, I picked up an XceLite holder at the flea market. A little research shows me this model has been posted here before. I thought it was mostly just dirty, but a good bit of it seems to be oxidation. As I was thinking of how to protect the label, I realized it was loose - almost...
www.garagejournal.com www.garagejournal.com
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I have an Xcelite nutdriver kit, which is probably identical tools to the crescent one, since both brands got swalloed by the apex monster. It uses a plastic folding case, which works fine. The plastic cases that came before it stood upright, with a removable lid. That was much better for seeing the tools when you go to look for one, but I can see why they went to the one piece design.
 
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