How durable are bentwood rings? / How durable are wooden rings?

Since our rings are not laminate-cut or lathe-turned, but instead made using the “bentwood” technique, they are very durable. We pioneered the process and continue to use the absolute strongest joinery methods and finishing process available.  To read more about why our bentwood rings are so durable, click HERE.

What does “bentwood” mean?

This is the technique used to make our rings. In 2008, we needed a way to differentiate our bent wood rings from standard lathe-turned or cut-out wooden rings, so we started calling ours “bentwood rings”. This name eventually caught on and is now used by other wooden ring makers.

How long will a wooden ring last?

The common short answer to this question is that it depends largely on how they are treated. Due to the specialized hands-on bending technique that capitalizes on the strength of the wood, the rings themselves are incredibly durable. However, any wood finish – particularly on a wooden object that will see constant contact/rubbing/friction with skin – will eventually wear away. To prolong the life of the ring’s finish, we recommend avoiding the use of hand sanitizers, alcohol based soaps and other harsh chemicals. We also recommend removing your ring when working with tools or doing any heavy lifting to avoid dings and scratches.

We’ve worn our wooden rings since 2009 (it is 2022 at the time of writing this) and they are structurally just as sound as when first made. They have been refinished a couple of times, and we never remove them except for heavy-lifting or working with machinery.

Do you have a warranty on your wooden rings?

Yes. If your wooden ring breaks within 1 year from the date of purchase, we will make a new one for you at no charge. (We’ve had one instance of a dog gnawing on the owner’s ring, which we repaired + refinished. Though we do ask that you try and prevent that sort of thing. 😉 )  We just ask for the broken ring to be sent in first.

What about refinishing?

If your ring needs refinishing within 1 year from the date of purchase, we will refinish it for nothing more than the price of postage. If your ring needs refinishing after 1 year, there will be a refinishing fee of $50.

I bought a ring from an Etsy seller who is no longer in business. Will you refinish it?

Sorry, but we only offer to refinish the rings we’ve made.

Do you have a return policy?

We prefer to offer a full refund to those who truly aren’t happy with their ring (we completely understand how hard it is to gauge things like this when ordering online) – however, we’ve had some take advantage of this and order more than one ring with the intention of returning the one(s) they don’t want. We’re a small, family run business and at this time, Frank is our sole ring maker. With so much time and attention being put into each ring, this act affects us in a big way. With all that said, our current policy is – if the ring is returned within 30 days, in new condition, we will offer a refund minus a 25% fee.

What if my ring doesn’t fit?

If you get your ring and find that it doesn’t fit just right, we’re happy to work with you to get the right fit. After being made, our rings can be adjusted by up to 1 size bigger or smaller.  There’s no charge for this service – we only ask that shipping be covered to get your ring back to you. Anything over 1 size would require an exchange for a new ring – in which case there would be a $45 fee. We highly recommend being professionally sized at least once before ordering (please be sure your hand is nice and comfortable when getting sized – if your hand is too warm or if you’ve recently eaten something salty, your finger will be swollen – if your hand is too cold, your finger will shrink).

How do you make your wooden rings?

Our wooden rings are hand-made using a steam-bending technique. For more information, please click here.

What’s the difference between your rings and much cheaper wooden rings?

Our wooden rings take considerably longer to build, and they are constructed with greater care to ensure their durability. After 2012, many sellers started outsourcing their wooden rings to be manufactured in China. Those types of rings are churned out quickly, and designed to be sold cheaply while maintaining profit. NONE of our rings (and none of our components in metal rings) are manufactured overseas. Each and every bentwood ring from Stout Woodworks is made by Frank Ladner in our workshop.

Do you recommend your rings for a machinist or electrician?

We have made many rings specifically for electricians, due to the fact that they don’t conduct electricity. We do not recommend wearing ANY ring if you’re doing machine work. Our rings are strong enough that they can get caught in fast-moving mechanical parts just like a metal ring would.

Do the rings have seams? / Where are the seams?

All bentwood rings have seams, but they are usually not visually obvious and we work hard to make our bentwood rings as smooth seamless as possible. In some of the more grainy wood species, our seams are almost invisible. To see a “3D” turnaround video of a bentwood ring, click HERE.

What kind of finish is used on the rings?

Our standard finish is a medical-grade cyanoacrylate adhesive which is buffed to a high sheen, resulting in a hard-wearing and glassy surface that adds contrast (makes the grain “pop”) and leaves a shimmering effect in many wood species. Upon request, we can also finish the ring using a natural Walnut penetrating oil (food-grade, used in wooden salad bowls). With the oil finish, the ring will have a very low sheen and the “wood feel” is allowed to come through, but more maintenance is required.

Where does your material come from?

Material from native species has come from storm-blown trees, fallen limbs, and scraps or cut-offs. Exotic species are purchased from eco-conscious suppliers, with much of their own material being reclaimed from warehouses. Very, very little material is required for wooden rings. We’re still cutting on some of the same wood pieces we’ve had since we started in 2008. Given the tiny amount of wood required to make a single ring, we are able to use small pieces from wood prunings, and small chunks from tree stumps, as is the case with Brazilian Rosewood and other species protected from harvesting.

What is your turnaround time?

Our time frame changes with demand. Please contact us for more information about the turnaround time. (Getting married in a hurry but just found out about us? We may be able to work it out. Contact us!)

Do you ship overseas / internationally?

Yes, we do! International shipping rates apply.

How are your rings shipped?

Within the US we use USPS Priority (2-3 day delivery time).
For international orders, we prefer to use USPS Express mail (3-5 day service, not including time spent in customs), as it comes with tracking outside of the US – if you would rather international first class, feel free to use the coupon code FIRSTCLASS to discount the difference in price (please note that we cannot give a delivery estimate and cannot track packages using this service). Customers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply.

How are your rings packaged?

Each ring is enclosed in a small 2″x2″ box which is placed inside of a mailer.