They're just "normal" I bought these along with three other Manfrotto super clamps (to save some money) but you can see the difference. The cast iron is less finished than that of the Manfrotto, it's rough and not nearly as clean. The parts that make it up are also not as "good" as the others I have. The worst thing about them is that THEY SMELL TERRIBLE! They have that really bad fuel smell that just doesn't seem to want to go away. The bag I keep them in with all the other stuff even has this smell and they've been in it all day! I'll only use them for light tasks and Manfrottos for really important things, and only if I keep them to myself. If the smell doesn't go away after a month or two, you can buy them from me on Ebay! :) If I could just attach a hint of how they smell for you to judge.