Bell Test

After getting many questions about how our bells hold up outside, we finally got the bright idea to have a visual test to show customers first hand. I know what you're thinking, "You're in the bell business, and you haven't tested the durability yet?"

The answer is, well, complicated. We've sold thousands of bells that have been used for outdoor purposes over the years, and we've had no negative feedback concerning their durability and plenty of positive second hand feedback (including repeat orders). We know that brass was used on ship bells because it was one of the few metals that could hold up to the corrosive salt associated with the sea. And we were aware that brass, and its close metal cousin, bronze, are metals that have withstood the test of time on antiques of many kinds. So, we were very confident that your bell, if hung outside, was going to structurally hold up. But we weren't sure how much upkeep was necessary to keep the polished look on shiny brass, or if antiqued patina would hold up better.

In early August of 2008, I hung two five-inch bells outside the porch of my North Carolina home. They are hung facing south for maximum UV exposure and are fully exposed to the elements.

From time to time, we will post updated photos of this test to show customers exactly how your bell will weather. After approximately two years, with temperatures ranging from over 100 degrees to the teens, and many rain (and snow) falls, I have to admit that I'm very encouraged by the results. From 4 feet away, it's almost impossible to tell that the bells are not brand new! Up close, there is some dirt (try putting your car in the driveway for two years and not washing it), but it's minimal. The shiny bell has very tiny hairline marks in the lacquer (which could be re-applied) that are non visible from over four feet away. And keep in mind that these bells are not touched often (acid in fingers speeds the oxidation process) and are not exposed to salty air. But I think this test is proving that with minimal maintenance, your bells will keep looking good for a long time.

On polished bells, if you want the highly polished look, we will recommend shining with brass polish at least once a year and spraying a little lacquer (available at hardware stores) on the surface after you're done. My personal preference is the antiqued style because with very little maintenance they will look even more like authentic antiques as the years give them an even richer patina. We're confident the bell you purchase from us will be a treasured family possession for many generations to come!