Ravenswood Leather, or others like them...

[JJames]

I have found a few items such as jerkins and doublets that I really like at Revanswood Leather. the issue is that yesterday I had emailed the company for a 3rd time in the past 2 and half weeks, and unfortunatly have not gotten a respone and my product specific questions remain unanswered. (I will attempt to call tomorrow and see if I have better luck). I'm not on hear to vent or bash the company, they seem reputable, however, until I hear back, I would like to find similar competators and see what they have to offer. Any suggestions per experience or reputation of what sites to check out? Any help would of course be appreciated.

Again, I am searching for companies who make/sell jerkins and doublets made of leather or similar materials.

Thanks,

James-

[Tipsy Gypsy]

www.pendragoncostumes.com seems to have some nice men's jerkkins/doublets. We eyed some pieces last year at TRF. A friend of mine has the Desiree bodice, and she says it feels wonderful; it certainly looks good on her!

[robert of armstrong]

I would have a look at Crimson Chain Leather
www.thecrimsonchain.com/

or Potomic Leather
www.potomacleather.com/Potomacleather.htm


Both have really good stuff.  I have items from both.  Crimson Chain is a little less expensive than Potomac and has a few items very similar to Ravenswood.  Potomac has awesome stuff, much of it in deerskin or elkskin.

[jaunvie]

My husband got his from Pendragon Leather. We ordered it at Michigan Renfest, but we had it custom tooled. We didn't hear from them often, but we had no problems with it. We ordered it almost a year before the wedding so we had it in time no problem.

[Aernn]

I have dealt with Ravenswood in the past.

Calling is the best way to get a hold of them, for some reason their email doesn't get checked and they don't always respond.

I have been happy with the numerous pieces I have ordered from them, even some that were customized.

Though as I said, calling is the best way to get a hold of them especially if you have custom requests or questions.

[Capt Gabriela Fullpepper]

Toki and I will both give Ravenswood Leather TWO BIG thumps up.

Toki got a jerkin from them in June just before CoRF. He wore it one time and the tie button loops started to unravel and go white. This was some concern of his. We were up at the Estes Park Scottish Highland festival today and it's one of the festivals Ravenswood attends. All the crew from the web site were there.

As Toki was buying a new Renaissance Tudor flat cap I said we did have one issue with his jerkin and they guy we were dealing with got very interested. We told him about the button loops made of cord starting to unravel and he called over one of the head guys. They knew exactly what the issue was and told us to either mail it to them and they would repair it, or get it to them while they are at the faire and they would fix it. They were very sorry for the problem and want to make it right

Ravenswood has a lifetime warranty and this people stand 110% behind their product. They are very nice people who want your business and will prove that they stand behind it.

I know Toki is sold on them, and I myself want some of their items too.

They do respond to email, but it is very slow. They also do not send out email on a regular bases and I would highly suggest that to contact them, do it over the phone.

[Dallan]

I've had similar experiences with Ravenswood Leather. I own a number of pieces from them and I am very happy with them. I suspect that they are largely a family run business and when the gentleman who seems to run it is at faire their response times sometimes become disappointing. Calling them should work.

[Dayna]

I would avoid Crimson Chain like the plague!!!  The old forum had a thread containing the saga of my trying to get back a garment I'd dropped off with them for alterations, only to have them drop off the face of the planet.

If you are buying it In Person and don't need anything done to it, go ahead, however be aware that the fastenings they say will not rust do indeed rust if you so much as breath on them.  If you are buying over the web and/or need alterations, buy it somewhere else and get it altered somewhere else.

Dayna

[JJames]

Thank you very much for all your replies! Very good feedback, and what I was kind of hoping to hear as I do like their (Ravenswood) products and it seems resonably priced. However, it is nice to see what competators offer as well, makes comparing value and the unique traits these vendors offer easy when you hear from real customers.

Thanks, Again.

-James

[francesca de la calabreze]

I love Ravenswood... I now own two of their bodices and several of their gauzy skirts..  I bought my newset items this past weekend at the Estes Park Highland games..  Once I had everything together on Sunday it was awesome....

As to service, the group is very attentive to all customer needs.. and look forward to their repeat customers....