but not perfect with respect to finish of the cast iron.
For a couple of decades I've had six pairs (each pair of increasing weight) of Dragon Door kettlebells –what may be the first and arguably the gold standard for North American kettlebells. A few years ago, a house sitter stole the smallest set–and given their small weight, I wasn't all that motivated to replace them. At least not until a 5lb kettlebell became available via the Vine program. It actually looked better than the original Dragon Door in this size, being more like the larger sizes of Dragon Door (the two smallest DD sizes were done differently, with urethane coating and smooth handles). Having already another Mikolo item (their six pound medicine ball) with which I am extremely pleased, I ordered up this new kettlebell, and like their medicine ball, it has exceeded my expectations for it.
Consistent with the product description, this kettlebell is of solid cast iron, with a neoprene coating over the bottom two thirds. The cast part should be taken literally, and like many kettlebells, the mold seams are evident. In some areas they are ground down (smoothed) quite well, in others the cast marks are not only visible but can be felt. One of these areas is near the internal edge of the grip, and while not painful, could cause blistering over sustained use. You could use a round file to smooth it, but doing so would cut through the finish.
The other mold seam is on the bottom inside the neoprene and extends the width of the bottom. It is prominent and interferes with the kettlebell's ability to sit perfectly flat. It can rest on its bottom, but does so at a tilt. This is no issue for swings and presses, but makes the 'bell less stable when used as a riser.
Despite these failings, I'm very pleased to add this kettlebell to my current stable, indeed, I like this one so much that I have ordered a second at full price (I prefer doing most exercises with one in each hand). Yes it is light weight, but not all lifting is purely for attaining maximal size and weight. It makes for an excellent warm up before heavier lifting, and it excels at rehabilitation where movement is as important as weight. Unlike most weight training equipment, this one can be blend into its surroundings, making storage uncomplicated.
If they had just ground down those mold marks, I'd declare this a 5 star product. Perhaps they have on other units, but for now all I can go on is the single sample in front of me. If the one coming is better, I'll report back.