Official Umbrella aficionados thread

[Lucy J]

Looks like you're in the market for a fine umbrella indeed. Just to point out one contradiction in your list, however: an umbrella cannot be both full stick and have a leather handle. A leather handle, by definition, will be a fit-up umbrella--separate handle and stick. If you want a leather handle, go with Maglia. If you want a magnificent full-stick with the best canopy, go with Heurtault.

Don’t know Heurtault - I’m assuming they are French?

I have a solid stick Maglia which a client bought for me as a present. It’s a lovely brolly and not normally one I would risk in severe weather here on the coast. However, I was caught in a sudden squall a couple of weeks ago and the wind took complete control of my Maglia and got right under the cover, trying to rip the umbrella inside out. I held on tight and the frame stayed intact even with the wind battering the inside of the brolly - so I was able to get the brolly back facing into the wind and get it down before the wind had another chance to do some damage.

Can also recommend 10-rib longchamp umbrellas (priced around 170 euros I think) I have a couple which are very stylish - cotton fabric rather than nylon - they are also very strong and I’ve had one of them repaired (at very low cost) when it was ripped inside out in what must have been 50mph winds...

 

[logboy]

... expensive!

http://parasolerieheurtault.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/womensumbrellas2018.pdf

http://parasolerieheurtault.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/menscollection2018.pdf

 

[Lucy J]

Love the beige and ivory ladies 10 rib brolly with the real dome shape, and also the men’s 10 rib Bordeaux colour brolly - but the prices are very high!

My only 10 rib brollies are a James Smith Swiss frame brolly and a couple of Longchamp walking brollies. What do people think of the merits of more than 8 ribs? Does it make a stronger brolly?

 

[logboy]

would guess so. quality of the frame helps, and hertault are sometimes (i think) old rather than cheap and new.

 

[ojaw]

Ince's full length umbrellas still use Sheffield-made springs, the rest of the hardware is asian as with most others these days. Can't fault the action, nice and smooth and seems strong.

 

[rharlow]

would guess so. quality of the frame helps, and hertault are sometimes (i think) old rather than cheap and new.

Yes, Heurtault is expensive, but worth the money. Many of his umbrellas are vintage--painstakingly cleaned, repaired, and restored, using vintage parts when possible. The frames on these ones are magnificent--nobody in the world makes umbrella frames like this anymore. Heurtault's attention to detail is magnificent, and his canopy work is nothing short of astonishing. I had a nice chance to visit his shop last year and chat at length with him about his work. Certainly the undisputed master umbrella maker alive today. Pricey, but worth it.

 

[rharlow]

Yes, Heurtault is expensive, but worth the money. Many of his umbrellas are vintage--painstakingly cleaned, repaired, and restored, using vintage parts when possible. The frames on these ones are magnificent--nobody in the world makes umbrella frames like this anymore. Heurtault's attention to detail is magnificent, and his canopy work is nothing short of astonishing. I had a nice chance to visit his shop last year and chat at length with him about his work. Certainly the undisputed master umbrella maker alive today. Pricey, but worth it.

Sorry, that message was for everyone engaged in the recent discussion, not just Logboy (he and I have discussed Heurtault and other makers at length in the past)

 

[Complexo]

I just received my Maglia. I fell in love with the green and the contrasting dots of rust as well as the yellowish stick it had. It really feels quite neat to operate it.

However, I have one question. This hole in the wood it has in the handle. I'm worried about moist, water or whatever coming in there and ruining the tree from within.

Is this coursed by bending the wood too fast or is it normal to have those holes and should just be appreciated as a part of the wood's nature?

 

[gyasih]

So, who are the good full stick makers?

 

[ojaw]

So, who are the good full stick makers?

Probably only need to read the last 4-5 pages, you'll quickly see which ones are preferred around here.

 

[ojaw]

I just received my Maglia. I fell in love with the green and the contrasting dots of rust as well as the yellowish stick it had. It really feels quite neat to operate it.

However, I have one question. This hole in the wood it has in the handle. I'm worried about moist, water or whatever coming in there and ruining the tree from within.

Is this coursed by bending the wood too fast or is it normal to have those holes and should just be appreciated as a part of the wood's nature?

I don't think there's any need to worry about the structural integrity, if you're concerned about water ingress you could easily plug it with a bit of sugru/beeswax/wood filler/boogers...

 

[rharlow]

I just received my Maglia. I fell in love with the green and the contrasting dots of rust as well as the yellowish stick it had. It really feels quite neat to operate it.

However, I have one question. This hole in the wood it has in the handle. I'm worried about moist, water or whatever coming in there and ruining the tree from within.

Is this coursed by bending the wood too fast or is it normal to have those holes and should just be appreciated as a part of the wood's nature?

Gorgeous umbrella. That little hole is completely natural, shows the beautiful character of the wood. I wouldn't worry about it leading to any problems. Plenty of ways to plug it if you're worried--I concur with ojaw's suggestions.

 

[mactire]

dagg i’ve gone off, as the last i saw photos of didn’t look great in quality but was bought in their recent sale for a good discount.

What was the issue with the Dagg?

 

[logboy]

What was the issue with the Dagg?

rharlow got one and showed me pictures of it. the shaft / handle joint looked wonky to me.

speculation from my perspective would be that dagg might be a company selling returns or seconds during sale periods, as a way to clear them.

personally, i think there are better options. more than enough to have more umbrellas than genuinely necessary.

i am tempted by a fair few, but at £3-400 a time - especially for english ones - i am not confused and hesitant as a result of not knowing what frames are used, and if they're good enough for the overall price point.

 

[mactire]

i am tempted by a fair few, but at £3-400 a time - especially for english ones - i am not confused and hesitant as a result of not knowing what frames are used, and if they're good enough for the overall price point.

Have you used any restoration services as a matter of interest? I'm looking into this as I've found a few old ones at home, could be worthwhile for yourself as there's plenty of english made frames on ebay.