Within the last week I have noticed HKM brand bits popping up all over Facebook and eBay that are made with the same metal as the Herm Sprenger bits, aurigan. The HKM bits retail for $35, a fraction of what the HS bits retail for. Has anybody compared the quality of these two? My mare is going well in the HS loose ring that I have now, and I would love to get a second one for my western bridle so I don’t have to mess with switching bits back and forth. However, the price tag of a real HS has made that a no-go, up until now. Just want to make sure I am not buying something that could be scary quality or cause harm.
Following with interest for the same reason as the OP. I’ve never heard of HKM, and their website (https://www.hkm-sportsequipment.eu/artikel.php?content=content&id=7) doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.
I didn’t know they made bits but I have polos, saddle pads, and bell boots from them that I like a lot. Also possibly a pair of breeches.
This bit is not made of full argentan, and even less aurigan.
The lozenge part might be « coated » of argentan ; which is cheaper than aurigan.
That’s why it’s cheaper. It’s just coated.
And if it’s like my gold and silver plated earrings, it’s less expensive because it doesn’t last!
HKM shows the same picture with : Stainless and argentan (other bits at same prices say lozenge coated with argentan)
HKM is a good company with average quality stuff. Some are nice but the price does reflect the quality.
ETA : I removed « little » because CanteringCarrot is right, it’s not a small company at all. 
HKM is more popular here in Europe (Germany) and they generally offer good quality for the money. They make horse boots, coolers, breeches, bits, pads, and many other items.
They’re not a small no name company, and they have varying lines that offer higher or lower quality items.
I have a plain ol’ Eggbutt bit from them and I can’t tell the difference between that one and my Sprenger…but it’s plain.
I don’t 'know about their BITS, but they make nice mid-quality breeches, horse boots, dressage pads, a bit of everything! We have a vendor that comes to a lot of our shows that sells their stuff, and I’ve bought quite a bit of it - for the price, quality is decent. And OUR vendor is super nice, great customer service!
Well, responses didn’t really help persuade me one way or another…BUT I did get an awesome deal on the real thing off of ebay today. Sometimes her having a giant mouth pays off!
It’s a full cheek though…so gotta figure out how to use that with my Micklem bridle.
I have used a full cheek snaffle on the Micklem bridle.
I used bit keepers, and I put the bridle end of the bit keepers on the Micklem bit straps, on the outside part of the strap. Doing it this way keeps the branches of the full cheek bit away from the rings on the Micklem bridle and away from the horse’s cheek.
The mouthpiece Sprenger uses is patented I believe. I have compared knockoffs and the angle of the lozenge to the bars of the bit is different. The rounded joints lie differently (worse in that they dig into the tongue whereas Sprengers lie flatter if you believe in Sprengers philosophy)
Sprenger owns their particular valued configuration and it is not available on cheaper bits.I think that is the case but maybe things have changed re patents etc ?
On the other hand your horse may not care, so you can try it and see
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Also ‘‘Boucher’’ is not a thing.
I thought it was patented too, but since it seems like these bits are just now showing up everywhere, I thought maybe their patent had expired. Or is that only in the drug world that that happens. :lol:
I did end up getting a killer deal on the real thing off of ebay. It’s a full cheek, so different than what I have now, but I am hoping she won’t notice the difference.
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I will try that. Eventually I will probably go with a drop instead of the Micklem, which should make using this bit a bit easier.
