Umbrellas

[dopey]

I would like some help from lounge members regarding umbrellas. Specifically, I would like advice on two questions:

What is the proper length in proportion to ones body? I assume that here the guidelines applicable to walking sticks would apply. Is the stick most comfortable at the length where your elbow is at a 45 degree angle, a 30 degree angle 90 degrees, etc. (if it is useful, I am only considering a crook handle for now)? I think it is safe to assume that whatever length I end up with, the canopy will be of sufficient size, so please ignore that issue for now.

The second question is with regard to canopy material. What are the benefits and detriments of coated silk? Is it simply luxe and nothing else? Is it as effective as the alternatives? Are there any other materials that I should seek or avoid?

FIinally answers to the questions I haven’t thought of would also be appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your help and with best regards,

dopey

[AnthonyJordan]

I would like some help from lounge members regarding umbrellas. Specifically, I would like advice on two questions:

What is the proper length in proportion to ones body? I assume that here the guidelines applicable to walking sticks would apply. Is the stick most comfortable at the length where your elbow is at a 45 degree angle, a 30 degree angle 90 degrees, etc. (if it is useful, I am only considering a crook handle for now)? I think it is safe to assume that whatever length I end up with, the canopy will be of sufficient size, so please ignore that issue for now.

The second question is with regard to canopy material. What are the benefits and detriments of coated silk? Is it simply luxe and nothing else? Is it as effective as the alternatives? Are there any other materials that I should seek or avoid?

FIinally answers to the questions I haven’t thought of would also be appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your help and with best regards,

dopey

Unfortunately I have little experience of materials other than nylon and so can't really help. My one silk umbrella was of the variety that hides away in a cane and so was very fine and rather prone to tearing. I assume that a proper coated silk covering will be rather harder wearing.

Have you decided what material you would wish the handle to be made out of? I recently picked up a vintage M&S umbrella with a malacca (possibly simulated) handle which I am quite taken with, but my favourite for some years has been whangee cane (I had two, one a Fox-frame also made for M&S and one which I think was James Smith. I left the latter on a 'bus a few weeks ago and some beggar walked off with it before it got back to the depot. It still breaks my heart to think of it.

[dopey]

I am not wedded to handle material yet, but I am leaning towards whangee.

I am sorry for your loss, AnthonyJprdan

[AnthonyJordan]

I am not wedded to handle material yet, but I am leaning towards whangee.

I am sorry for your loss, AnthonyJprdan

I like it as it is quite distinctive and also the sort of thing one has to go out of one's way to find; whilst one can find a range of "wood" and leather finishes on lower-grade umbrellas readily, this type of handle seems to have disappeared from the high street entirely. Whilst the loss of my brolly is galling I can at least say that after purchasing it for £8 and spending £12 on a new canopy and ferrule, in return for about 5 years use, it really didn't owe me anything. I'd still like it back though!

[TVD]

All my umbrellas are malacca handled (both with and without the silver tip) from Brigg (Swaine Adeney). I never dared to spend the additional five or six hundred on silk, though.

This summer I saw at James Smith some marvellous examples made out of a single piece of ebony. Not silk covered, though. At least I know what my next umbrella project is going to be. If I had been in need of an umbrella, I would not have hesitated for more than three seconds, despite the price.

[Cantabrigian]

I believe silk is just as effective as nylon - it may need to be replaced a little more often.

So far as height is concerned, I think it is best - if you can - to try the three different heights (or however many they have) to see what is most comfortable as you simulate striding along with your umbrella.