The umbrella, cane, riding crop and miscellaneous accessories porn thread - Page 32

I'll check it out the next time I'm there. I curious about their whole stick Malacca cane that Cravate_Noir wrote about.

http://suitorial.blogspot.com/2011/10/napoli-mario-talarico.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SuitorialGentlemansWeekly+%28suitorial.+gentleman%27s+weekly.%29

I went to Gilbert Center's place in Brooklyn today to have an umbrella made. I Had a look at of all of his sticks, canopy fabrics, frames, etc. I decided on a solid bark ash with a navy blue nylon canopy. He measured for size and said I should have it in a week or two.The brolly cost around 200 bucks, and while I cant comment on quality yet, seeing some of his past work, I am sure it will be a steal.

Gilbert turned 87 today and has been an umbrella maker/repairman all of his life. I talked to him a bit on how special it was that he was one of the last of his trade, and probably the last in the US. He just laughed it off and said how he wished he had gotten into something else when he was young. He said repairing umbrellas doesn't make you money.

He showed me a hand written letter from one of his clients who he restored a umbrella for. The umbrella was for the clients grandfather. He opened the envelope and said, where is the money? There's no money, it's nice to get a card like this, but I want to go on a cruise! While the bitterness was always followed with a smile, it was a bit sad to see.

If you're looking for a top quality gentlemans umbrella, why pay double the price for an umbrella when you can support a guy who has been making umbrellas all his life? You can get in touch with Gilbert on his cell at (917) 692-2078. If you're in NY, its worth a trip to Flatbush to check out his basement workshop. He can take orders over the phone too. He only takes checks or cash, so if you need a proxy, just let me know.

I'll post pictures when the umbrellas is finished.
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Stopped by James Smith while in London last week after reading everyone's suggestions for Foo. It is certainly a gem of a shop, like stepping back into time. And the customer service was excellent as reported. I picked up a plank ash, solid stick umbrella with a navy canopy. They got out the measuring cane, but the umbrella's height was already ideal so they capped it and boxed it for shipping/checked luggage within half an hour or so while I browsed the shop. It was very well packaged, though Icelandair's baggage handlers earn a gold star for not even a single rip on the outer paper.



Apologies for the lighting...it's cloudy and rainy today, so it will be getting its first use!

Excellent choice. Was the silver collar an extra?

No it was included. Engraving is not done onsite, so they gave me the card of a local engraver, but I didn't have time to go. I may or may not have it engraved here.

 

The ratio of canopy diameter to umbrella height/length looks off.

The umbrella looks a little stumpy.

That's probably just the picture angle. By my measurement, the stick is about 38 inches long, so certainly not stumpy. It is a bit disproportionate at the tip because it is designed to be cut down and I left it at full length. But it doesn't bother me and I'd hardly call proper sizing a defect.

PIcked up a couple more umbrellas over the last month or so in anticipation of the winter wind and rain (to add to the two Briggs which I already have).

One is a Fox, with maple solid stick and a chocolate coloured canopy, and the other is from Longchamp and has a solid wooden shaft (not sure which wood) and a cover which is largely dark brown but the outside 3 or 4 inches is a lovely dark purple. (Can you tell from the colour choices that I've also bought a dark brown raincoat and brown patent knee boots for this winter!)

Both umbrellas are gents full-size rather than the smaller ladies versions, and the Longhamp has 10 ribs instead of the usual 8 so I'll be interested to see if that feels strong against the gusts that we get down here on the coast!

I've not used the Longchamp in any real wind yet, but the Fox got its first test last Monday when we had torrential rain and squally gusts when I was out of the office at lunchtime. I had to hold on tight with both hands but it felt pretty sturdy. Im sure there will be worse conditions to come before too long......

James Smith CHESTNUT ROOT-NOSE SOLID with Olive canopy.

My wife says the handle looks like a.............you get the picture

Love the umbrella - and I'm with your wife on that one - I would love to be able to hang on tight to that and run my other hand up and down the sturdy shaft when things get rough.....

Well, now that you mention it, I agree with her.

O_O

I didn't see it until she mentioned it.

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That ain't no woman! It's a man, man!

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