The surfaces polish well and a 'matte' finish when shipped is expected in this price range. I was given a 500g hammer to strengthen my braids but I liked it so much I ended up buying a 1000g hammer as well. I like the long handles that allow for powerful swings, but the slight choke on the handles also gives a very balanced feel in the hand. I hope Kseibi will continue to import these hammers into the US as I would love to add the two largest sizes to my set one day!