Devil In The Details: Custom Made Apron Hardware

Product design and domestic manufacturing is an adventure with plenty of challenges. Sourcing fine materials can be one of them.

When we developed our No.445-S Apron Line with adjustable neck slider, we were unable to source a quality metal slider that appealed to our aesthetic, so plan B was to have them made for us in Boston based off the following criteria: 

1. Solid Brass - Brass plate does not develop a patina and it looks gaudy. I cannot express how much I dislike it.  

2. Sand Cast - Casting is old world and cool - as long as the piece isn't bulbous and does not look like part of a pirate costume. I was tempted by die cut from solid brass sheet stock but felt the look was too tactical for this application.  

3. Appropriate Proportions - Why is everything so big? Many aprons brands today are using gigantic hardware. Shower curtain grommets secured with handbag scissor snaps, or massive square rings that inevitably rotate like the D-Rings on the side of a cheap duffle bag. Less is more.

4. Strength - The foundry we used manufactures for the military and understood our need for a slider that has to be light in weight, but not in strength. 

We are very happy with how our custom brass sliders turned out and we hope you enjoy them too!

• Aprons,
• Materials,
• Process