I have had both pets@home baby hams and adult unhandled hams and managed to tame them - dwarfs are another story though!
Anyway I am afraid there is no getting away from the fact that really taming involves intensive handling and running the risk of getting bitten
I have always found it a nerve wracking experience and hate feeling like I'm stressing the hamster which in turn means the hamster keeps on feeling nervous.
Jayne - Max is very like Algy in every way they even look similar, Algy came from pets@home, I thought he seemed brave and would tame up quickly, infact he was nervous, jumpy and bitey, he never came out of his house but would take treats in the end this is what I did.
I had a high sided box next to the cage, took him out of the cage by ushering him into a cup/ball, and then into the playbox, then I would pick him up for approx 30 seconds and then down again, I would repeat this often for about 10 minutes and then return him to the cage via the cup/ball.
I would keep on doing these 10 minute sessions for a couple of days, then when I picked him up I held him over the play box in case he jumped and ran him hand to hand for a few seconds each time.
With Algy it took 3 weeks, we got to a stage where he would run hand to hand but be nipping,but after repeated handling for these brief spells he stopped and now he is and always will be jumpy but very gentle and easy to handle
With Bonaparte again it was in - pick up - put down, in pick up, down, I would scoop him up giving him no choice and then back down.
When I spoke to the expert at the show he said the best way is to blitz and I agree. Bonaparte was tame within 5 days but it all definitely takes courage - possibly of the dutch kind for those of us old enough!
And of course plenty of plasters and antiseptic!
Anyway as we have a new petshop ham from today I am going to have to back my words with action, so if it is okay I will join in the taming diary from time to time.
Of course as Basia and Basil will testify there is always the exception to every rule!