Aero hardware (nickel vs. brass)

[handymike]

The old brass Talons will tarnish!
(And look great)

 

[dark wood]

I would guess all the hardware is the same base metal, likely brass. Nickel is just plating over steel or brass.

 

[Seb Lucas]

I would guess all the hardware is the same base metal, likely brass. Nickel is just plating over steel or brass.

Nickel over brass is good. Base metal or probably more accurately 'pot metal' is a cheap zinc derivative that is incredibly ugly once the plating comes off. Many zips are made of this junk. I hope the Talon zips are brass underneath, that wouldn't bother me too much.

 

[Peacoat]

I, too, prefer the brass.

BTW, welcome to the Lounge.

@ton312: We had a discussion on the ring type buckles some years back. There is a way to thread the leather through the buckles that causes them to cinch up and not move. In that thread someone posted pictures of the proper way to thread them.

 

[roadking04]

I am a cross zip junky. I prefer the silver hardware on an m/c jacket. I think the silver zippers and snaps give the jacket a rock 'n roll/ edgier look.

I think brass would be a safer/classier look on a halfbelt.

 

[Herman F.]

I'm finding the pro-brass argument pretty compelling (and if Bennarion's photo is any indication, brass can look stellar with navy). But I have a gut feeling that for me personally, silver-ish trim against the blue is the way to go. This is based on probably hours of staring at photos and videos of myself in the sale jacket. I'm sure nobody here can identify with that experience.

Still haven't decided for sure, though. The fact that I'm now going with the Premier halfbelt broadens the hardware options, I reckon. I'll ask for pics of some of those old Talons and Conmars. (The other option is a Hookless zipper, which my reading here has taught me to stay far away from.)

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Brass hardware on brown/cordo/tan. Matte nickle (not shiny silver chrome) on black/gray.

 

[Peter Bowden]

I'm finding the pro-brass argument pretty compelling (and if Bennarion's photo is any indication, brass can look stellar with navy). But I have a gut feeling that for me personally, silver-ish trim against the blue is the way to go. This is based on probably hours of staring at photos and videos of myself in the sale jacket. I'm sure nobody here can identify with that experience.

Still haven't decided for sure, though. The fact that I'm now going with the Premier halfbelt broadens the hardware options, I reckon. I'll ask for pics of some of those old Talons and Conmars. (The other option is a Hookless zipper, which my reading here has taught me to stay far away from.)

I had to have a puller replaced on a Hookless zip which Aero replaced FOC and it has worked well ever since.You have to make sure that the inserted part is fully home.A major advantage of the Hookless zip is that the riveted metal section wont pull away from the leather over time-in theory anyway.

 

[JMax]

Brass all the way, except if the leather is a shiny black, such as vanson’s x-150, the Schott/Legendary HH, or even FW Shinki. Then nickel looks great, though brass does too.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Brass all the way, except if the leather is a shiny black, such as vanson’s x-150, the Schott/Legendary HH, or even FW Shinki. Then nickel looks great, though brass does too.

Yeah I'd agree with that. I'm glad I don't have brass on my black Shinki FW jacket. However, I really want to go brass for whatever jacket I get next.

 

[Rich22]

So the modern Talon zips that Aero use are a brass alloy base with a prettier brass as a coating? That sounds disappointing. Solid metal is surely the way to go rather than good brass coating cheap brass?

 

[Seb Lucas]

So the modern Talon zips that Aero use are a brass alloy base with a prettier brass as a coating? That sounds disappointing. Solid metal is surely the way to go rather than good brass coating cheap brass?

I don't recall that being mentioned. Brass is usually given a clear coat to retard tarnish. That can wear off. But no one here has identified what's under the nickel plate.

 

[Rich22]

I don't recall that being mentioned. Brass is usually given a clear coat to retard tarnish. That can wear off. But no one here has identified what's under the nickel plate.

I’m possibly adding 1 and 1 and getting 3. The wording from the company themselves doesn’t help:

Zippers are made of durable, tarnish-resistant brass alloys. These are offered in a multitude of metal finishes to complement the brand’s palate.

Edit: Well it clarifies what is underneath, but it doesn’t clarify if all their zippers have a finish on the outside that differs from the core. Is the brass the exception?

 

[barnabus]

Brass is an alloy. A mix of copper and zinc. I guess the finishes they refer to might be lacquered or polished or antiqued or wev.

 

[Rich22]

Brass is an alloy. A mix of copper and zinc. I guess the finishes they refer to might be lacquered or polished or antiqued or wev.

Well, obviously brass is an alloy... no one doubted that. I’m speculating as to whether the core alloy is plated with a second alloy...

 

[miglan30]

I prefer brass on brown or black. Love the contrast of brass on a black jacket.

 

[Herman F.]

Here it is - Premier halfbelt in navy Vicenza, with nickel hardware (Talon zipper) and olive sateen lining, made by Julie Leitch. I'm really happy with it.

I'm glad I stayed with nickel. I agree with most of the folks in this thread that brass is more striking, but I was going for kind of an understated effect. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[handymike]

Looks great!
Congratulations.