Figures that are Machine Stamped into pre-shaped molds in the blink of an eye are predominantly made in China, Indonesia, or Taiwan.  Some of these companies are naming these vanes as handmade.  Although human hands assemble the preformed pieces, they are NOT shaping them. It is misleading as it is NOT the traditional definition Americans are accustomed to.  Hand-sculpted weathervanes are created blow, by hammer blow yielding a more unique figure with individual character. OUR  WEATHERVANE  FIGURES  ARE  COMPLETELY  HAND  SCULPTED! Most imported weathervanes are soldered together by ‘clam-shelling’ the right half with the left half resulting in a sharp un-craftsman-like seam. Close attention to the soldered seam on hand-sculpted vanes ensures a stronger and more attractive seam. The wall thickness on imported tubing and sheet metal are metric and a thinner gauge than standard American thicknesses. Tube and sheet metal strength and longevity will be less on imports. Imported vanes are supplied standard with cold rolled steel posts that are spray-painted black. These posts are notorious for rusting quickly. Ferro Weathervanes posts & spindles are made of solid stainless steel and can be purchased as an option for those who purchase imports.  Also, beware of spindles that ‘thread’ into the post as they always ‘un-thread’.  The biggest benefit of imported weathervanes is their affordability, although their prices have been creeping up recently. A hand-sculpted weathervane will most likely last longer and with fewer problems than the high-production imported vanes.  The individual character and integrity of American-made weathervanes invoke the satisfaction we feel for finely crafted products and art.  It is conceivable that these weathervanes may increase in value with age and it is doubtful this will ever happen with mass-produced imported vanes.