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Replacing a Talon zipper with YKK, keeping the Talon Slider

A

armscye

One of the Regulars
Messages
143
Location
New England
I had an interesting experience recently in updating a Seventies Vanson: the #10 Talon zipper had a failing lower cloth tab, so replacement was definitely in order. But I couldn't find the correct metal color of vintage Talon zipper quickly. So I ordered a modern #10 YKK with the proper dimensions and color, tugged off the two "staples" that act as the top stops, and slid the period slider into place. At least in this case, it took only 20 or so up-down cycles to mate the slider to the teeth, and I was done. I'm not sure anyone but a zipper salesperson, btw, could tell the YKK teeth/backing from the old Talon parts.

Moral of the story: you might just be able to keep your period slider and update the rest of the zipper invisibly.
 
tmitchell59

tmitchell59

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,481
Location
Illinois
thanks! I have had to replace two Talon zippers in fairly new high end leather jackets and another in need of replacing. All failed on the male side. I have used YKK as replacement and they are very, very nice to use. Before the Talons failed the action was very poor, just a real pain to zip. The YKK just acts like a better more reliable zipper.

I just read, in another thread, that Aero is using YKK zippers as standard. I have not had good luck with the Talons in these newer jackets. Are these Talons in newer jackets NOS?

I have lots of vintage jackets with Talon and they work fine when the male side is secure. These jackets tend to be lighter weight.

I just want a zipper that works correctly.

T.
 
handymike

handymike

Messages
10,990
Location
SoCal
It's my understanding that the newer Talon zippers are made in China by a company that bought the name. The vintage ones (through the 80s- Dinerman please correct if I'm wrong) were US made by the original company.
 
Z

zhz

Practically Family
Messages
890
Location
China, London and Coventry UK
The Aero changed back to Talon after the Ken and Holly back.
tmitchell59 said:
thanks! I have had to replace two Talon zippers in fairly new high end leather jackets and another in need of replacing. All failed on the male side. I have used YKK as replacement and they are very, very nice to use. Before the Talons failed the action was very poor, just a real pain to zip. The YKK just acts like a better more reliable zipper.

I just read, in another thread, that Aero is using YKK zippers as standard. I have not had good luck with the Talons in these newer jackets. Are these Talons in newer jackets NOS?

I have lots of vintage jackets with Talon and they work fine when the male side is secure. These jackets tend to be lighter weight.

I just want a zipper that works correctly.

T.
Click to expand...
 
Z

zhz

Practically Family
Messages
890
Location
China, London and Coventry UK
The Talon do have a sale office in China, but the headquarters still in US. But I never heard they doing manufacture in China.
handymike said:
It's my understanding that the newer Talon zippers are made in China by a company that bought the name. The vintage ones (through the 80s- Dinerman please correct if I'm wrong) were US made by the original company.
Click to expand...
 
andyfalzon

andyfalzon

Vendor
Messages
422
Location
europe
Talon has given license to far eastern manufacturers.

Armscye, thank for the story. May we see a photo of your size #10 Talon slider?
 
M

mattp

One of the Regulars
Messages
161
Location
Australia
Very nice solution.

If one had a choice between Talon or Ideal zippers, any recommendations from the floor which might be 'better'?
 
P

pak

One of the Regulars
Messages
230
Location
Ak
This is an unrelated comment however may help with the operation of any zipper. I have quite a bit of workwear with heavy zippers all of which are YKK. To make them operate smoother I take Johnson's floor wax and apply a tad along the closed zipper. This makes the zip as smooth as silk.
 
S

Spoonbelly

One of the Regulars
Messages
226
Location
Dutchess Co. New York
pak said:
This is an unrelated comment however may help with the operation of any zipper. I have quite a bit of workwear with heavy zippers all of which are YKK. To make them operate smoother I take Johnson's floor wax and apply a tad along the closed zipper. This makes the zip as smooth as silk.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip. I just happen to have a can Of Johnsons. I did rub a very thin amount all along the whole zipper of my Cockpit goatskin A-2. It now works great - real smooth and fast.
 
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