Official Umbrella aficionados thread

[Sartorium]

My Talarico shipped today

 

[Lucy J]

The pics look good but hard to know about the quality.

For instance, I’ve used Smith & sons brollies in very significant wind without any damage, so I feel the extra cost was justified. Other brollies were being turned inside-out.

I have a James Smith brolly (metal shaft and 10 ribs rather than 8) with what they described as a “Swiss frame” and said it was the strongest frame they used... It’s blown out a few times in severe winds here in Brighton but has always - so far - come back into perfect shape without damage....

 

[Lucy J]

I have a James Smith brolly (metal shaft and 10 ribs rather than 8) with what they described as a “Swiss frame” and said it was the strongest frame they used... It’s blown out a few times in severe winds here in Brighton but has always - so far - come back into perfect shape without damage....

Looking like a rough day for us tomorrow in Brighton.... Winds over 40mph and heavy rain. Think I will need my waterproof coat from Mackintosh and either my James Smith 10-rib Umbrella or else one of my solid stick Briggs - and I will have to hang on to prevent the brolly blowing out of control...

 

[logboy]

Looking like a rough day for us tomorrow in Brighton.... Winds over 40mph and heavy rain. Think I will need my waterproof coat from Mackintosh and either my James Smith 10-rib Umbrella or else one of my solid stick Briggs - and I will have to hang on to prevent the brolly blowing out of control...

i am in the mood to treat myself to a really expensive english handmade umbrella, but don't know the current state / quality of brigg, smith or lockwood frames and sticks. they simply don't declare it and don't necessarily answer emails, from past experience. lockwood appeals the most because of the ability to customise the length to my exact height. smith comes second as brigg wouldn't tell me where their frames are from. can't justify the price without knowing this stuff, especially if not up to date.

 

[konstantis]

i am in the mood to treat myself to a really expensive english handmade umbrella, but don't know the current state / quality of brigg, smith or lockwood frames and sticks. they simply don't declare it and don't necessarily answer emails, from past experience. lockwood appeals the most because of the ability to customise the length to my exact height. smith comes second as brigg wouldn't tell me where their frames are from. can't justify the price without knowing this stuff, especially if not up to date.

James Smith never answered my five emails . Thats a shame . I finally purchased a beautiful cherry wood Talarico for half the price.

 

[logboy]

James Smith never answered my five emails . Thats a shame . I finally purchased a beautiful cherry wood Talarico for half the price.

ive had a talarico and sent it back because it arrived damaged. from the lower end of their range, so expect they probably deserve their reputation as great umbrellas. i have two maglia, so only ones i would have now are british handmade solid stick.

 

[konstantis]

ive had a talarico and sent it back because it arrived damaged. from the lower end of their range, so expect they probably deserve their reputation as great umbrellas. i have two maglia, so only ones i would have now are british handmade solid stick.

Was Maglia solid stick ?

 

[logboy]

Was Maglia solid stick ?

no, fit-up. but at a very low price, about £75 each once the process was over. bought one from dead stock and they sent wrong colour, so let me keep it. very nicely made. don't know that i'd buy a solid stick that remotely in case anything was wrong and it had to go back - shipping would be expensive, most of the cost of what i paid in fact. i just prefer (and have a taste for) english solid sticks. i went with maglia as an affordable better umbrella than i normally use, and want to move onto a solid english one now.

 

[ojaw]

Ince claims to have NOS Sheffield made frames for their solid sticks. Mine sure is nice.

 

[logboy]

Ince claims to have NOS Sheffield made frames for their solid sticks. Mine sure is nice.

i’ve heard that before, and some info to the opposite.it’s why i suspect always needs to be declared publicly or answered when asked on an email. i wouldn’t risk paying high for quality and simply just paying high for whatever they’ve become.

 

[ojaw]

Looked at my old emails again - my bad, the springs and smaller bits were locally made, the ribs and frame were made overseas.
Very sorry about that.

 

[K. Nights]

So, I've been looking for an umbrella recently and I had a few questions:

Is there a reason to buy a solid stick over two piece beyond aesthetics?

For the canopy, is there a difference between polyester and polycotton in terms of performance?

 

[logboy]

So, I've been looking for an umbrella recently and I had a few questions:

Is there a reason to buy a solid stick over two piece beyond aesthetics?

strength. english umbrellas evolved by being partially used as walking sticks when it’s not raining, and are usually measured by walking length - you should find a guide to get the length and coverage you need online - and even if you don’t use it that way, the best end of the market offering the best production skills and wood options will be a solid stick. joined wood (fit-up umbrellas) is still strong, but solid sticks will always look, feel and act like the best overall possible.

 

[logboy]

So, I've been looking for an umbrella recently and I had a few questions:

Is there a reason to buy a solid stick over two piece beyond aesthetics?

For the canopy, is there a difference between polyester and polycotton in terms of performance?

those stateside might be interested in these.

Solid Stick Umbrella in Chestnut

Additional detailed information for the Solid Stick Umbrella in Chestnut

lostmonarch.com

only there in navy or black, but (as with many rebranded by menswear shops) they declare they’re made in italy, and the stripes as an option should be indicating they’re by maglia. could probably check with an email. 36” length, which is shorter than my maglia, should suit those up to about 5’ 11” if length is something to always stick to as a guide.

 

[logboy]

i’ve ordered a kirchtag solid stick.

not an easy process right now, but new website coming in a month or so, apparently.

many, many exotic and unusual stick choices. available in two lengths : 100cm or 93cm. i don’t think anyone else in the world uses quite this range. lengthy process to prepare their sticks, too.

these are the solid sticks currently in stock according to what i was told this week. higher price is for larger size. some woods more expensive than others. see their website for pictures of each.

Apfel / Apple 380 / 350 euro
Birne / Pear 380 / 350 euro
Eiche / Oak 350 / 330 euro
Esche / Ash 350 / 330 euro
Hickory 350 / 330 euro
Kirsche / Cherry 350 / 330 euro
Nuss / Nut 380 / 350 euro
Ulme / Elm 350 / 330 euro

don’t know if this selection is affected by the seasons or because they just get used up from time to time. should be clearer with a new website.

frames and parts apparently from britain, italy and germany.

some of this can be translated from their website which is german only.

you choose fabric from website pictures (and state code when ordered) and metal parts colour (silver or brass) when ordered too. payment via phone or bank transfer, around two weeks turnaround, paid when sent if by card.

very helpful and patient. understands its slow with their old website. mr kirchtag speaks better english on phone than when answering emails.

postage to me in england at 55 euros.

ive chosen apple at 100cm, with aluminium parts and navy blue polyester fabric. will post pics.