Huck (Finn’s) Bucket

Hardly a day goes by that I don’t have someone asking me when I’ll be writing about buckets. People text me, “Are you ever gonna write about buckets?” Email me, “Would you please write about buckets?!” And call me, “This is a message for Gayne: Please consider writing about buckets.”

Okay.

None of that is true.

What is true though is that Huck founder Joe Schneider reached out to tell me about how he and his company have created a far better bucket. I was intrigued, got one of his buckets, and was so impressed that I spoke to him about such.

How did you get into the bucket business?

I got tired of using crappy buckets and them always breaking when I was in the middle of doing something. I’ve always preferred quality over quantity and a better bucket didn’t exist so I set out to build my own.

Where did the name Huck come from?

As a kid I was always a big fan of Huck Finn and his adventures. As I grew up, I gravitated more towards Ernest Hemingway, but I was always drawn to and admired Huck Finn. The name was easy to spell, easy to remember, and has a rhyming element with “bucket” so I went for it.

What was your biggest obstacle in creating Huck?

With most people, I feel like they start a company and don’t really know what to

do to get it to the next level. I’m the opposite. I felt like I’ve always known what to do next and which direction to push forward but would cite limited financial resources as the single largest obstacle.

Your buckets are made in America? Where?

Our buckets are built in New Jersey and hand assembled. Packed, and shipped out of Maryland facility.

What’s the strangest use for one of your buckets you’ve seen so far?

Probably the most unique task we have ever sold buckets for is to a nuclear power plant that used them to transport tools up into the reactor because our handles are so strong. Other notable uses have been transporting demolition materials into small spaces. I love hearing all the different uses people are looking to use a better-quality bucket for as it reaffirms why I started the business in the first place. I had the same needs!

What do you use your buckets for?

I use them for just about everything from putting ice in my cold plunge every morning to thawing bait when I go fishing, feeding the deer, washing the vehicles, and even carry one to and from my shop as my briefcase. I could go on and on

Huck will gladly put a logo or picture on your bucket. What’s the strangest thing you’ve been asked to put on one so far?

Baby pictures, family pictures, and pet photos although I wouldn’t say these are strange. I think it’s pretty cool that these people are using the buckets often enough and want to have pictures of loved ones to reflect on. Then it’s not really a bucket anymore, it’s more of a personal tool. The buckets are like mini billboards as they get carried around through life.

Your buckets to have a lifetime guarantee. I imagine you’ve seen some destroyed buckets. Any good stories there?

We have gone what I would consider to be above and beyond to make sure our buckets can withstand the life exposure our customers may purposefully or accidentally put these buckets through and they have all survived. We have an extensive video section on our website documenting all of the torture tests we have exposed the buckets to from running them over with tractors, dropping them full of water on concrete from 20 feet up, freezing them and beating them with a baseball bat and even crushing them in a 30 ton log splitter and they passed with flying colors. I feel very confident in saying when you use these in the capacity you do a typical 5-gallon bucket these will never leave you. If they do, we stand behind them and guarantee them against manufacturers defects for life

What’s next for Huck?

We have several products and accessories we are really excited to release in various

stages of design and completion. Can’t say yet what we are working on but if I had to

pick two words to describe them I would choose “Super Cool!” We are also working diligently to open our own manufacturing facility and have the entire operation under one roof which is really exciting! We do not let any grass grow under our heels that’s for sure.

Gayne’s Take:

I got my Huck Bucket two weeks ago and have to agree that it’s pretty indestructible. I used it during our “Snowpocalypse” to haul firewood and then to empty the ashes from the fireplace. The bucket is sturdy as hell, so much in fact that I came to understand just how flimsy traditional 5-gallon buckets are. The handle is topnotch and doesn’t cut into my hand at all. I’m looking forward to using it this summer around the house and while fishing the coast. Plus, given that my picture is on it, it’s by far the most attractive bucket I’ve ever seen. I’m Gayne Young and I recommend this bucket.

Learn more at thehuckbucket.com.

This piece first appeared in the Fredericksburg Standard.

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