Best bang for buck in quality zippers for classic leather jackets?

[TheHamPimp]

Hey folks! I have a great local leather guy, and was thinking of giving him a shot at making a custom jacket for my personal collection....and I also want to try to get him into the higher end market. He's been poking leather for over 50 years, but doesn't know squat about the internet

What's the best zipper brand/style to go with for leather vintage and motorcycle jackets, if I was to order him a decent quantity of silver and brass zippers to start? It needs to be something current, so he can re-order, but Talon, Riri, etc all seem either NOS only or prohibitively expensive, so looking for some ideas. YKK seems like a solid choice, but didn't know if there was anything better. I'm looking for a classic set of for front, sleeve, and pocket zippers.

Thanks!

 

[El Marro]

I would slow down if I were you, start with your own jacket first. Order whatever brand of zippers you want for your custom jacket and see how he does making it. No need to buy a bunch of zippers until you find out that this guy can actually make a good jacket and that he enjoys doing so.
If that part goes well I think you still may want to hold off on a big order of inexpensive zips. This guy is never going to compete with the big outfits on scale and production so I think it would make sense for him to specialize in high end custom. He could order the zippers as the jacket orders came in and that way not be out for any money that he’s not going to get back.

 

[TheHamPimp]

Yeh, I should clarify. I want to order some samples for my jacket to use as a model for photos, but whatever we choose should be available for quantity purchase if things go smoothly.

We have talked about the labor hours that go into a jacket, so we would not be competing with Aero, Simmons, etc....thats simply the market he would like to enter.

Thanks. Could still use a good recommendation if you have one.

 

[AerGuitar]

I’ve been making jackets for a few months now and have been trying several different zips along the way. I’ve tried some talon and conmar repros, some different NOS talon, RiRi, lightning, and YKK. I’m really attracted to YKK’s “Vintage Universal” line, but that seems to be a bulk buy in only option and I’m not sure I’m willing to dive that deep at this point. My favorite zips to use are either NOS BRASS Talon(very expensive), lightning from Lewis, or YKK zips ordered through Wawak sewing supply online. Wawak offers several different colors/teeth(solid nickel, brass, aluminum, etc.)options as well as some different pulls. These YKK zips are very solid and have a much different feel than the ones you might find for sale in a fabric store. Any kind of chain type pulls for pockets requires a bit of searching around online.

 

[TheHamPimp]

Thank you...this is exactly the kinda stuff I wanted to hear, and thank for chiming in...I have seen some of your stuff

 

[Authenticstyle]

You can get riri zips cut to size at buckleguy.com

 

[Aloysius]

You can get YKK with a paperclip shaped puller; that way you can avoid the modern pull shape without having to shell out for a wholesale YKK Universal.

 

[Edward]

YKK are very hard to beat in terms of a quality zipper; the important bit them becomes making sure you get a model with a puller that doesn't look immediately 'wrong'. It's amazing how many of the 'budget' leathers that are otherwise very serviceable garments almost immediately kill the look with a very modern looking puller.

 

[TheHamPimp]

Thanks, guys. I ordered an assortment of YKK universal and bit the ****** on shipping from Japan, based on these recommendations. I will post up some pics when they come in, and when my sample jacket is made.