Trying to source Crown zippers

[LA Guy]

Anyone know if the company even still exists? Or where some deadstock might be found?

[Sabrosa]

I believe that Lost Worlds (http://lostworldsinc.com/Leather_Motorcycle_Jacket_Trojan_Horsehide_Vintage.htm) uses NOS/deadstock Crown zippers in many of their jackets, so you might be able to contact them and see if you can purchase from them directly, or if they can point you to someone who can. Judging by the prices of their jackets though, they would probably be fairly expensive to deal with.

There is also an auction for Crown zippers on ebay, although only in 7" and 9" varieties:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8260447640

Edited by Sabrosa on Feb 19, 2006 at 06:55 PM

The original Crown zippers were produced by Coats & Clark, but I can't imagine they are still in production today. The jackets that Buzz Rickson make use a replica of the Crown zippers that they manufacture, so that might be an option as well.

Edited by Sabrosa on Feb 19, 2006 at 07:14 PM

[LA Guy]

Thanks Sabrosa,

Yeah, Jay is thinking of doing cut and sew hoodies (he could manage a small operation), and crown zippers would be one of the crown jewels, so to speak. But the prices are pretty steep, like you said...

[yuljo]

Have you considered Riri zippers? They are amazing quality, the finest zippers I've ever used. I know W&H and spruce use them and Marc Jacobs for their bags as well.

[LA Guy]

That's plan B. Do you have their contact info? Thanks man.

Fok.

[ten100switch]

not sure how to get them in bulk but i do like the quality of riri zippers and the electroplated teeth are fun, though they aren't the prestige of crown

[LA Guy]

Thus, Plan B. But for zippers actually being produced in bulk, they are aces.

[yuljo]

http://ririzippers.com/index.htm

Be sure to show us how things turn out.

[kumo]

richard kidd hoodies uses the sterling silver zipper by riri... most smooth zipper i ever used...

Edited by kumo on Feb 19, 2006 at 11:29 PM

[LA Guy]

Quote:

richard kidd hoodies uses the sterling silver zipper by riri... most smooth zipper i ever used...

Edited by kumo on Feb 19, 2006 at 11:29 PM

--- Original message by kumo on Feb 19, 2006 11:27 PM

While cool, I don't that we are ready to spring for sterling silver (or charge $1000 for a hoodie, ouch!). I'm going to continue looking for Crown, and then go with the regular riri's if I can't find crown...

[sybaritical]

I have an awful lot of Vexed generation and they've used Riri for all their gear since '99 or so ... I've never had a problem with any of it - My A4 pocket coat with electroplated zips is especially fantastic. Makes an overlooked utilitarian funtion the focal point of the garment ...

[LA Guy]

Quote:

http://ririzippers.com/index.htm

Be sure to show us how things turn out.

--- Original message by yuljo on Feb 19, 2006 09:16 PM

Will do.

Yeah, riri's are great, but Crown's have more the feeling that we are going for, so at this point, it is really a design (and cost) rather than a functional issue. I'll definitely keep you guys updated if you are interested...

[wild_whiskey]

I bought a riri zipper to jerry-rig an American Apparel hoodie, though I still havent put it on yet (dont know how to sew)