Tried every bike shop around here (eighteen, NWMBC, sett valley, high peak cycles...) and no one stocks them

Nearly everyone sings their praises so why doesn't anyone carry them

Have to try ordering one online

because a propperly installed star nut is more than sufficient for preloading a bearing.

Kinda pointless, and if you think you need it, look at your stem or installation for the cause of the problem!

heard some bad reviews about those hed doctors though

ended up getting a headlock off the bay

Why are star nuts a pain?

They are cheap, lightweight, only need fitted once in a fork and never let you down.  Probably the most reliable bike part i have ever used.

its getting the thing in straight that worries me

never tried it but I can more or less guarantee that I'll make a balls up of it

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=10224

Buy this and star nuts take 3 seconds to install perfect every time.

Still cheaper than a headlock!

LOL, yea, ok, so your headtube'll probably fail first

back to the original Q of why are they so hard to get hold off, well that was kinda answered in the first post: "Nearly everyone sings their praises" - demand must of out-stripped current supply.

They're not that hard to get hold of, Its just one of those items you have to know where to look....

Headlock