Hackman Tools?

Does anyone have any experience or opinions about the Hackman "Tools" line of stainless steel/aluminum cookware? How do they compare to All Clad? Does anyone know if the aluminum core goes all the way up the sides as does All Clad's?

[Thanks to all who replied to my previous message about broken Le Creuset]

[Brook]

Although I don't know the answer to your question about the aliminum core, a European friend said that Hackman tools are very well respected on the continent.

[bouland]

You apparently are concerned about heat trasfer since you asked if the aluminum continues up the sides -- have you considered copper -- which has twice the heat transfer of aluminum? I wrote an article last January describing the advantages of copper and how it can be less expensive than the more popular All-Clad style of pots. You may find it helpful.

Dear Bouland and Brook,

Thanks so much for your reply. Bouland, I had in fact read your previous postings on the subject of copper pans, and also went to your superb WWW site (hint, all of us should log on to a la carte at some time.)

Indeed, I have a visit to Dehillerin on the list of things to do on my next trip to Paris on your advice. The Hackman question was because the old Tavolo.com was being dumped by its new owner Ourhouse.com and I picked up a few pieces at unbelievable prices. Hackman is prohibitively expensive otherwise, and unlike All-Clad one is too much in awe of the beauty of the design for one to concentrate on cooking, though they do seem to be the equal of All-Clad, if not of serious copper.

I'm assuming that if one orders via mail order from Dehellerin one can add about 50% to the price on their wbsite to account for shipping and taxes? If so, that's still an amazing buy, as long as the Franc and the Euro remain roughly where they are. (In any case, the pieces I need, like a 6 quart saute, are likely to be very heavy and I want to heft them first!)

Thanks again for your reply and your wonderful Website!

And Brook, thanks also for your reply. I gather they are distributed much more widely in Europe than in the US.

John