What kind of umbrella do you have?

[lsquare]

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

The last time I looked at them -- and it's been a while -- I wasn't impressed.

I really liked that umbrella's all black look. Do you know of something similar that is good? The Gustbuster is doing well, but I don't like the wood-colour handle.

 

[lsquare]

I'm looking at Briggs' umbrellas and I'm wondering what sets them apart from the competition besides that it's hand-crafted? What kind of release system does Brigg employs? Is it like the Gustbuster and most umbrellas in which you lock the umbrella by pulling it and getting the metal part to slide into a lock?

 

[gehrig]

Yea you pull it up and the metal cylinder thing slides over some hook. What sets it apart is the solid wood shaft - looks much nicer than a metal shaft and probably nicer than a pieced together wood shaft although I've only seen those in passing on the sidewalk.

 

[lsquare]

I'm also looking at a James Smith umbrella:

http://www.james-smith.co.uk/acatalog/City_Classic.html

Does it come with a metal or wood tip at the end? How big is the canopy? Is it 36" as stated? If so, doesn't it seem kinda small?

 

[gehrig]

I don't know what Smith ones are like but I just tape measured my Brigg and it's slightly longer than thirty six, tip part is wood (presumably still part of the shaft) and covered with a metal cap at its end. The canopy is sizable, i am six one one eighty and it covers me in its entirety, I can't imagine you will have any coverage issues unless you are immensely obese.

 

[Nantucket Red]

I have a Totes umbrella that opens and closes automatically and fits in the back pocket of my laptop bag. What's it to ya?

 

[Ivan Kipling]

A huge, black, doorman's umbrella that I bought at Hammacher Schlemmer. It covers three people; this can invite trouble. A group of Gypsies once gathered underneath my umbrella, on State Street in Chicago. They followed me all the way to Marshall Field's. I had to force the umbrella away from them, before entering the store. No, I wasn't willing to give it up.

 

[lsquare]

Originally Posted by gehrig

I don't know what Smith ones are like but I just tape measured my Brigg and it's slightly longer than thirty six, tip part is wood (presumably still part of the shaft) and covered with a metal cap at its end. The canopy is sizable, i am six one one eighty and it covers me in its entirety, I can't imagine you will have any coverage issues unless you are immensely obese.

So the canopy of your umbrella is greater than 36 inches? I'm shorter and thinner than you so I guess there won't be any problems there.

How does your umbrella lock up? Is it via the traditional lock system that most umbrella employs?

 

[aportnoy]

Brigg compact that fits into the zippered outer compartment of my briefcase.

 

[chorse123]

Originally Posted by aportnoy

Brigg compact that fits into the zippered outer compartment of my briefcase.

The straight handle or the crook?

I have a standard maple from Brigg via Classic Luggage and am very happy with it, but it is sometimes a pain to carry a stick umbrella.

Do you think the compact is significantly better than some random Totes or something like that, and if so, why?

 

[aportnoy]

Originally Posted by chorse123

The straight handle or the crook?

I have a standard maple from Brigg via Classic Luggage and am very happy with it, but it is sometimes a pain to carry a stick umbrella.

Do you think the compact is significantly better than some random Totes or something like that, and if so, why?

The crook J. I find the compact to hold up in the wind way better than any other compact I've owned. The canopy seems to be larger as well.

Plus I love the wooden handle and it was under $100.

 

[nmoraitis]

Brigg PoW and I'm lovin it!

 

[Teacher]

Originally Posted by whoopee

Obviously. Where do you live? I've been around and can't remember being outside in that sort of wind.

Here on the plains of North Dakota, there's an extreme amount of wind (windmills are popping up all over the place, and we have at least one windmill manufacturing plant that is expanding all the time). I've had umbrellas invert on me three times, each time accompanied by copious amounts of nasty language.

 

[DocHolliday]

One of the first times I carried my Brigg, I saw another fellow's umbrella turn inside out. First time I had seen it happen. You can imagine how smug I felt, though I felt bad for the poor soul. He continued to carry it over his head, collecting water like a saucer.

And Sgt, to answer your questions, the 36-inch canopy should be fine, and my Brigg uses the traditional brass locking mechanism.

 

[Holstein Bilter]

Totes Umbrella. Best umbrella I ever had/used. Lasts forever.

Totes Mens Clip Case Auto Open Auto Close Umbrella

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Totes-Me...486694&sr=8-10