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Umbrella length and handle engraving

josepidal

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In addition to a briefcase, I've decided I want to get a classy umbrella with a solid wooden shaft and handle for the weather in my part of the East Coast. Maybe something in the midrange like Fox's.

Two questions:

1) How do you figure out what length to purchase? Do you just try walking with it while holding the end of the handle, and the right length is when it lightly touches the ground with each step, roughly like a cane? I am 5' 4" and figure 26 inches (roughly medium length) would do it for me.

2) If the wood handle has a metal plate on it, is it possible to have this engraved yourself, thus saving money? Would anyone know where to get this done and how much this would cost? The umbrella stores just outsource this and charge an incredible premium per letter.
 

JayJay

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Some of the websites such as Brigg provide a guide for determining proper length.

I had my Brigg hand engraved with my full name. I would not do hand engraving again but would have my initials machine engraved instead. It's nice to have my full name but the engraving looks like machine engraving, and my initials would be enough.
 

DocHolliday

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Originally Posted by josepidal
1) How do you figure out what length to purchase? Do you just try walking with it while holding the end of the handle, and the right length is when it lightly touches the ground with each step, roughly like a cane? I am 5' 4" and figure 26 inches (roughly medium length) would do it for me.

Yes, this is the general idea. You want your arm to bend slightly when standing with the umbrella tip on the ground. But I don't know of many sized umbrellas available in the U.S., especially in the middle price range. If you want to go upscale, Brigg comes in three sizes -- you'd probably take the size 25. Smith will cut one to length for you, but they're in London. Maybe some other folks will know of more.

2) If the wood handle has a metal plate on it, is it possible to have this engraved yourself, thus saving money? Would anyone know where to get this done and how much this would cost? The umbrella stores just outsource this and charge an incredible premium per letter.
Lots of places offer engraving. Any good silver shop can do this for you, and relatively inexpensively.
 

josepidal

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Originally Posted by JayJay
I had my Brigg hand engraved with my full name.
Thanks Doc!

Jayjay, how did you have this engraving done, and where on the umbrella?
 

josepidal

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Originally Posted by DocHolliday
Lots of places offer engraving. Any good silver shop can do this for you, and relatively inexpensively.
Might anyone have actually done this with a midrange or high end umbrella? Just wanted to be sure, as I've heard (and experienced) stories of botched simple jobs. Thanks!
 

josepidal

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Originally Posted by DocHolliday
Brigg comes in three sizes -- you'd probably take the size 25.
May I ask what people's heights are and what their umbrella lengths are, just for comparison?

How slight do you mean, when you say bend slightly? Do you mean something like a 60 or 70 degree angle, or closer to a 45 degree angle? Sorry to be meticulous, but apparently this is an area where an inch is a significant difference in wrist/elbow comfort when standing.
 

medwards

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Originally Posted by josepidal
Might anyone have actually done this with a midrange or high end umbrella? Just wanted to be sure, as I've heard (and experienced) stories of botched simple jobs. Thanks!

Yes. It shouldn't be a problem.
 

chorse123

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You're overthinking the length. A size 25, as Doc suggests, should be fine. I'm 5''10" and use a size 26.

How long do you plan to stand posing with your umbrella? I am usually either walking with it, using it, or it's in a stand somewhere.
 

ESSR181

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As long as you don't walk around NYC like a pretentious asshole who thinks he's entitled to 3 times the umbrella-air-space-real-estate as everyone else, I think you'll be just fine.
 

JayJay

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Originally Posted by josepidal
Thanks Doc!

Jayjay, how did you have this engraving done, and where on the umbrella?

I purchased my Brigg umbrella from classicluggage.com where the engraving was an option for the silver collar (i.e., metal band) on the handle.

I'm pleased with the engraving but it did add to the cost, significantly. Machine engraved initials start at $45.00 and hand engraved name and telephone number can be as much as $150.00. I plan to go for the $45.00 option next time.
 

josepidal

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Heh. That was the kind of price I was hoping to avoid, and figured there's very little gained by having the store do it for you.
 

nmoraitis

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I'm 5'9" and my Brigg is 26".
 

josepidal

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Has anyone had success having the umbrella engraved by another engraver and not Brigg or the shop that sold the umbrella?
 

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