Sourcing zippers (in EU): Waldes, RiRi, Talon, Crown, etc..

[TartuWolf]

This has probably been discussed here and there but let's a have new thread for this in 2025!
This question is coming from someone living in EU, but I guess it's relevant to US folk too.
Where are the best places to source your zippers?
Main jacket zippers (although the sleeve and pocket ones are also of interest).
#8 or #10.
Ebay is the obvious choice, etsy in some cases. But maybe you know some websites/stores that provide them consistently?

My own findings (regarding the best zippers known to me):

---

Waldes
Not possible to get individual orders, only bulk to companies.
With one possible exception here:
https://phoenix-shop.jp/products/detail/141506969
I haven't heard of any other places where you can potentially get them.
Maybe here as well:
https://www.apparel-x.com/search.php?category=FASTNERS&searchitemtype1=WALDES

---

YKK "old american" universal
Found one place in JP:
https://www.globalstandard.jp/c/universal
Smaller ones:
https://leathercrafttools.com/craft-material/Zipper/list/
Maybe here as well:
https://www.apparel-x.com/search.php?category=FASTNERS&searchitemtype1=Metal zipper&maker=401

---

RiRi
Here I've had most success.
UK:
https://www.londontrimmings.co.uk/product-view.php?id=1418
https://www.londontrimmings.co.uk/product-view.php?id=1422
FR:
https://mylittlecoupon.fr/en/search?q=RiRi+M8
Grailed (seller seems located in EU):
https://www.grailed.com/listings/42806009-vintage-riri-zipper-m8-two-way-antique-brass-65cm

---

Crown
This place has been mentioned on TFL before:
https://mash-japan.co.jp/oversea/cgi-bin/plist-eng.cgi?cno=73&pg=1&dm=1

---

Other:
This place in JP has Scovill, Talon, Conmar. But the stocks are rather limited:
https://www.mash-japan.co.jp/oversea/cgi-bin/plist-eng.cgi?cno=17

 

[Carlos840]

Not in EU, but i have ordered a few Crown zippers from these guys just in case something goes wrong with one of my LW zippers after LW is gone...

Zipper

 

[Hoanglong]

Is there anywhere that sells whizzer zippers ( or waldes?) like this?

 

[TartuWolf]

@Hoanglong I did mention a few potential places in my post where you might be able to get some Waldes.

 

[postman10mm]

Is there anywhere that sells whizzer zippers ( or waldes?) like this?

View attachment 725666

Follow TartuWolf’s first link, not Waldes but pretty close and YKK goodness

 

[John Warr]

This has probably been discussed here and there but let's a have new thread for this in 2025!
This question is coming from someone living in EU, but I guess it's relevant to US folk too.
Where are the best places to source your zippers?
Main jacket zippers (although the sleeve and pocket ones are also of interest).
#8 or #10.
Ebay is the obvious choice, etsy in some cases. But maybe you know some websites/stores that provide them consistently?

My own findings (regarding the best zippers known to me):

---

Waldes
Not possible to get individual orders, only bulk to companies.
With one possible exception here:
https://phoenix-shop.jp/products/detail/141506969
I haven't heard of any other places where you can potentially get them.
Maybe here as well:
https://www.apparel-x.com/search.php?category=FASTNERS&searchitemtype1=WALDES

---

YKK "old american" universal
Found one place in JP:
https://www.globalstandard.jp/c/universal
Smaller ones:
https://leathercrafttools.com/craft-material/Zipper/list/
Maybe here as well:
https://www.apparel-x.com/search.php?category=FASTNERS&searchitemtype1=Metal zipper&maker=401

---

RiRi
Here I've had most success.
UK:
https://www.londontrimmings.co.uk/product-view.php?id=1418
https://www.londontrimmings.co.uk/product-view.php?id=1422
FR:
https://mylittlecoupon.fr/en/search?q=RiRi+M8
Grailed (seller seems located in EU):
https://www.grailed.com/listings/42806009-vintage-riri-zipper-m8-two-way-antique-brass-65cm

---

Crown
This place has been mentioned on TFL before:
https://mash-japan.co.jp/oversea/cgi-bin/plist-eng.cgi?cno=73&pg=1&dm=1

---

Other:
This place in JP has Scovill, Talon, Conmar. But the stocks are rather limited:
https://www.mash-japan.co.jp/oversea/cgi-bin/plist-eng.cgi?cno=17

For RiRi might I suggest going to

This has probably been discussed here and there but let's a have new thread for this in 2025!
This question is coming from someone living in EU, but I guess it's relevant to US folk too.
Where are the best places to source your zippers?
Main jacket zippers (although the sleeve and pocket ones are also of interest).
#8 or #10.
Ebay is the obvious choice, etsy in some cases. But maybe you know some websites/stores that provide them consistently?

My own findings (regarding the best zippers known to me):

---

Waldes
Not possible to get individual orders, only bulk to companies.
With one possible exception here:
https://phoenix-shop.jp/products/detail/141506969
I haven't heard of any other places where you can potentially get them.
Maybe here as well:
https://www.apparel-x.com/search.php?category=FASTNERS&searchitemtype1=WALDES

---

YKK "old american" universal
Found one place in JP:
https://www.globalstandard.jp/c/universal
Smaller ones:
https://leathercrafttools.com/craft-material/Zipper/list/
Maybe here as well:
https://www.apparel-x.com/search.php?category=FASTNERS&searchitemtype1=Metal zipper&maker=401

---

RiRi
Here I've had most success.
UK:
https://www.londontrimmings.co.uk/product-view.php?id=1418
https://www.londontrimmings.co.uk/product-view.php?id=1422
FR:
https://mylittlecoupon.fr/en/search?q=RiRi+M8
Grailed (seller seems located in EU):
https://www.grailed.com/listings/42806009-vintage-riri-zipper-m8-two-way-antique-brass-65cm

---

Crown
This place has been mentioned on TFL before:
https://mash-japan.co.jp/oversea/cgi-bin/plist-eng.cgi?cno=73&pg=1&dm=1

---

Other:
This place in JP has Scovill, Talon, Conmar. But the stocks are rather limited:
https://www.mash-japan.co.jp/oversea/cgi-bin/plist-eng.cgi?cno=17

Foir RiRi might I suggest going to

E.L.Watson & Co

The UK RiRi agents ?

 

[TartuWolf]

For RiRi might I suggest going to

Foir RiRi might I suggest going to

E.L.Watson & Co

The UK RiRi agents ?

I'd rather avoid websites with sketchy certificates that flag warnings from browsers. Might be a legit company, don't know, but they need to deal with their website quality and not use self-signed certificates.

 

[John Warr]

I'd rather avoid websites with sketchy certificates that flag warnings from browsers. Might be a legit company, don't know, but they need to deal with their website quality and not use self-signed certificates.

You pays your money and you takes your choice. AFAIK if you can't actually BUY anything from the web site security is not going to be a priority - they take no information from you and if you need to buy anything it happens off-line, the ultimate security.
If you want EVERY site you aces to be secured you are going to restrict your web access somewhat. You won't be visiting our web site for a kick-off
ELW are not going to be a source for single items unless you are feeling rather well-heeled BUT if you want small batches made with custom tape colours or otherwise non-standard they are VERY helpful although it helps if you are VAT registered. Some of the components for the attached were sourced from them.

 

[TartuWolf]

Might be able to get some RiRi from these folks as well, but max size seems 6 according to the description:
https://mando.fr/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=1997

Some RiRi for US folk:
https://zipupzipper.net/collections/riri-zippers
https://pacifictrimming.com/collect...3lpFhJ_XjbDLuxGeJROXHBC7nVsb1E0KxVzLi0YT1rdYX

Some nice YKK stuff in NL, Excella seems to be the high end line of YKK, max size 8 though:
https://www.leatherbox.com/collecti....p.m.custom.rits_maat=8 (9 mm)&sort_by=manual

 

[erwinkn]

Based in France and I sourced Waldes zipper from this vendor: https://www.kanemakijisai.com/repair-kit

They have a few repro zipper, pulls, knits, and button options. Very easy to order and they shipped quickly.

 

[TartuWolf]

Based in France and I sourced Waldes zipper from this vendor: https://www.kanemakijisai.com/repair-kit

They have a few repro zipper, pulls, knits, and button options. Very easy to order and they shipped quickly.

Great contribution to the thread and TFL, thank you!
How do you read the sizing?
For example:
https://www.kanemakijisai.com/blank-2/box-type-zipper-repair-kit-dark-brown-tape-brass
"
Size
Tape length (Retainer box end to Top stop) 70.0cm (Include top stop)
Teeth width 5.5mm
Tape width 20mm
"
Does that equal a "nr5" zipper? So max they have in terms of size are nr5?

 

[TartuWolf]

Found another place for the "Old american" YKK stuff:
https://faszipper.com/collections/オールドアメリカン®
Gives you very nice pictures of the pulls which I like a lot.
~4000yen for a 80cm #10
At globalstandard youre paying ~2800yen for the same 80cm #10 but you can also specify the length which decreases the price.
For example I'd go for a ~47cm long main zipper, I don't need the 80cm.

 

[erwinkn]

Great contribution to the thread and TFL, thank you!
How do you read the sizing?
For example:
https://www.kanemakijisai.com/blank-2/box-type-zipper-repair-kit-dark-brown-tape-brass
"
Size
Tape length (Retainer box end to Top stop) 70.0cm (Include top stop)
Teeth width 5.5mm
Tape width 20mm
"
Does that equal a "nr5" zipper? So max they have in terms of size are nr5?

Really not an expert, but my understanding is that all their zippers are size #5, as was standard on jackets in the 40s-50s. Damon from Johnson Leathers told me the same thing, since I ordered this zipper for a jacket with them.

 

[TartuWolf]

I found you can pay a bit extra and forego the length customization if you want to get the nice "Old American" universal ones without the manufacturing wait time from here:

オールドアメリカン®

YKK ファスナー（ZIPPER）専門店ならではの市場に少ない”オールドアメリカン”

faszipper.com

Ordered 3 of these (with different sliders):

【取寄】【OPシングル】【Universal】 10MG OR DA22OAZ14-J ゴールド | 三協ファスナー公式通販 Global Standard

【取寄】【OPシングル】【Universal】 10MG OR DA22OAZ14-J ゴールド Universal(ユニバーサル) 三協ファスナー公式通販 Global Standard

www.globalstandard.jp

Ordered Sept7, currently estimated order completion / domestic shipping to the warehouse in JP is mid October.
So 1-2 months waiting time, which is not ideal, but not awful if you're patient.
Good price, beautiful and hopefully good stuff.
I'll get to test it out as soon as it arrives - my Vanson B is already eager about visiting my local leather tailor.
Fingers crossed!

 

[postman10mm]

Nice! I’ve been looking for a way to order a universal with the AZ15 slider forever, I’m going to get a few of these!

 

[TartuWolf]

Nice! I’ve been looking for a way to order a universal with the AZ15 slider forever, I’m going to get a few of these!

Go for it! Funnily enough the AZ15 is the only one of the 4 that I skipped, seemed too elongated to me.

 

[TartuWolf]

Finally received the YKK "old american" universal #10 main zippers from JP.
Beautiful stuff, not too expensive.
Around 2 months from ordering to arrival which is the main bummer.
Taking my Vanson B to the leather tailor today, putting one of these puppies on while shortening the jacket.
Same zippers, 3 different sliders.

 

[postman10mm]

Finally received the YKK "old american" universal #10 main zippers from JP.
Beautiful stuff, not too expensive.
Around 2 months from ordering to arrival which is the main bummer.
Taking my Vanson B to the leather tailor today, putting one of these puppies on while shortening the jacket.
Same zippers, 3 different sliders.

Nice! Are you able to tell if they are solid brass or, if not, what base metal is used?

 

[postman10mm]

Just arrived, about 2.5 months after ordering

I did not realize the orientation would be reversed, where the slider is on the wearer's left. This could be addressed when installing by flipping the slider and installing backwards, but that would hide the pinned detail of the box - otherwise they are even better than expected!

 

[TartuWolf]

@postman10mm
Looking great! Love the brass on brown.
I hope they are solid brass, but only time will tell with wear.
I'm waiting for one to be installed on my Octagon Vanson B, but that's been delayed and will only happen at the beginning of next year.
So you also ordered from "globalstandard"?
Takes quite a while to get them, but seems like fantastic quality and great price if you're not in a hurry. Definitely the best source to get great zippers for casual buyers I've found so far.