We know you love IH, but where do you think we can improve?
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I think YKK is the best zipper company in the world. Extremely vertically integrated, diverse, quality products at good price points. The IH two way on my car coat is outstanding.
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What's up with YKK? Serious question.
I think YKK is the best zipper company in the world. Extremely vertically integrated, diverse, quality products at good price points. The IH two way on my car coat is outstanding.
MCL, I agree they're the best zipper company in the world. They're a domination for sure, and consistently deliver reliable results on BILLION of items, no doubt there.
G, it's definitely emotional/personal. The feel of a Riri or Talon or other high end zipper (esp Riri as I've had a few more of those over the years), the touch is better in the hand, the smoothness when zipping is a 'zing' where you really feel it. I've never felt that with a YKK Zip. The IHSW-02 comes as close as I've had but not quite. Add at/near the price point I like the idea of a subtle show off for those 'in the know'. It's premium quality, best in the world clothing as is, the YKK zip doesn't give/show that nod.
It's not for functional reasons in short, and I doubt it'll get traction, but hey, it's the subject of the thread to discuss
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On YKK, interestingly enough;
Why YKK? - The mysterious Japanese company behind the world’s best zippers.
http://www.slate.com/articles/business/branded/2012/04/ykk_zippers_why_so_many_designers_use_them_.html -
Having owned Visvim jackets with Riri zippers, and more recently jackets with the modern interpretation of Talon zippers, I would take YKK all day long. The smooth zipping action is nothing compared to the sheer toughness and longevity of YKK, purely down to this they are a much better fit for IH.
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The IHSH-91 has red bar tacking on the pockets and orange chainstitching on the inside of the placket. I think it would look better if the colors matched, preferably both red.
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Having owned Visvim jackets with Riri zippers, and more recently jackets with the modern interpretation of Talon zippers, I would take YKK all day long. The smooth zipping action is nothing compared to the sheer toughness and longevity of YKK, purely down to this they are a much better fit for IH.
I get that, my original post still holds true as is too
Maybe a pet peeve of mine, but a non-YKK zippers help sway me to purchases. It shows a blend of form and function, not just one or the other. I'd happily pay a few extra dollars for something without the YKK zipper.
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I don't think you can reasonably make broad statements about YKK. They have a hugely diversified portfolio and value chain. For example, the Universal zipper on my IH hoodie was manufactured in Kentucky by an old domestic fastener company, Universal, which was acquired by YKK.
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For example, the Universal zipper on my IH hoodie was manufactured in Kentucky by an old domestic fastener company, Universal, which was acquired by YKK.
How on earth did you find that out?? That’s awesome…
Still don’t like how my zipper on my IHSW-10 seems to not want to always stay 100% up on my motorcycle anymore though.
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I just read the zipper pull. I think I'm wrong about KY, looks to be TN for mass scale manufacture: http://www.universal-fasteners.com/corporate/
I think the Universal on my IH hoodie is FAR better than the aluminum Waldes (made in JP) zipper on the Strike Gold hoodie.
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Honestly, I think it's as simple as the zippers which H selects for IH gear really suit them. Siri, Talon, Waldes etc… all tend to be a bit more delicate and refined, putting them on heavy duty gear would not be right in my opinion.
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The NOS Talons are beastly though. Particularly the brass one on my RMC deck jacket.
Big fan of the Iron Heart two-way zipper on my McLain. Talk about heavy-duty!
To get the thread back on track, I mentioned elsewhere that there could be community- or IH-driven WAYWT competitions decided by community vote. I think that would be fun. You could do item-specific ones, or ones where you post daily fitpics over some interval…. Just spitballin.
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Big fan of the Iron Heart two-way zipper on my McLain. Talk about heavy-duty!
That's a YKK
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Big fan of the Iron Heart two-way zipper on my McLain. Talk about heavy-duty!
That's a YKK
Yep, meant to point that out in the post; thanks!
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I have a Riri zip on my Wallet, its cool for stuff like that, but I can´t imagine an IH product with a Riri zip. The YKK zips on my IH sweats and jackets are really cool and working, never had a problem.
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Never owned a Riri, but the Talon on my superblacks is amazing. for some reason I imagine something like this for the IHSW-10: http://www.talonzippers.com/fasteners/zippers/vintage/
