Zipper repair questions

[Jonanah]

Hi all,

I have two leather jackets and one non-leather jacket that need new zippers (and one that’s right on the edge). I live in NYC — are there any repair shops local to me that can be trusted with top tier Japanese jackets? Or is the general sense that it’s worth just paying to ship to Dena at Great Leather for her reliability?

Some other Dena-specific questions:

Does she work on non-leather jackets?

Also, when sending a jacket to Dena, do you also send her the replacement zipper? Or send a link to a product page for her to procure? What kind of stock do they have in-house?

I’m leaning toward just putting some Riris on everything because NOS vintage or Japanese repro zippers seem too hard to source, too expensive, and too unreliable. It would also be nice to have some two-way zippers. Though if anyone wants to share some good sources for deadstock zippers or quality, durable repros please do!

Thanks for the help!

 

[Jonanah]

Bonus question: I absolutely love the beefy Universal Japan #10s Freenote Cloth uses on their heaviest jackets, but I’ve never been able to find where to order them (or smaller sizes for that matter)

 

[Peacoat]

Hi all,

I have two leather jackets and one non-leather jacket that need new zippers (and one that’s right on the edge). I live in NYC — are there any repair shops local to me that can be trusted with top tier Japanese jackets? Or is the general sense that it’s worth just paying to ship to Dena at Great Leather for her reliability?

Some other Dena-specific questions:

Does she work on non-leather jackets?

Also, when sending a jacket to Dena, do you also send her the replacement zipper? Or send a link to a product page for her to procure? What kind of stock do they have in-house?

I’m leaning toward just putting some Riris on everything because NOS vintage or Japanese repro zippers seem too hard to source, too expensive, and too unreliable. It would also be nice to have some two-way zippers. Though if anyone wants to share some good sources for deadstock zippers or quality, durable repros please do!

Thanks for the help!

I suggest you contact Dena directly. I can tell you, though, if your jackets are heavy leather, she won't work on them.
dena@greatleather.com

If Dena won't do it, she can refer you to someone who will.

 

[photo2u]

Since you are NYC, why don't you contact regius? Here is a link to a posting of his work. https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/fs-regius-aviator-size-42.120562/
He is a gent that might work with you to help you out? Regarding big zippers, it is hard to beat an American made ykk for the price.

Good luck with your project.

 

[iknowleather]

Hi all,

I have two leather jackets and one non-leather jacket that need new zippers (and one that’s right on the edge). I live in NYC — are there any repair shops local to me that can be trusted with top tier Japanese jackets? Or is the general sense that it’s worth just paying to ship to Dena at Great Leather for her reliability?

Some other Dena-specific questions:

Does she work on non-leather jackets?

Also, when sending a jacket to Dena, do you also send her the replacement zipper? Or send a link to a product page for her to procure? What kind of stock do they have in-house?

I’m leaning toward just putting some Riris on everything because NOS vintage or Japanese repro zippers seem too hard to source, too expensive, and too unreliable. It would also be nice to have some two-way zippers. Though if anyone wants to share some good sources for deadstock zippers or quality, durable repros please do!

Thanks for the help!

Jonanah,
Please excuse my delayed response. I'm sorry to say I don't visit Fedora Lounge as often as I should!
To answer a few of your questions: I only work on leather jackets. You are free to send whatever zipper you want as a replacement, it just needs to have a wide enough tape to get caught in the seam. I stock YKK and have just a few NOS. YKK Two-way zippers only come in sizes 5 and 10.
Hope this helps!
Dena