Ghurka – the maker of fine leather goods – offers a couple of different Roorkee patterns for sale at its website: the officer’s lounger and the officer’s chair.
Both are made in the classic style in oak with nice leather details.
What caught my eye were a couple of construction details. One that I like, and one that makes me say “Hmmmm.”
The one I like is the way they attach the arm straps to the back of the legs. I assume there is a threaded insert in the leg. Then the strap is secured by a brass thumbscrew. Even better: the maker has punched holes in the arm strap so you can take up the slack. After studying a bunch of old Roorkees, the arms always go slack.
I’m sure I’ll try this method out on a future chair.
The other detail is the way the maker adjusts the straps on the reclining back of the chair. The adjustable straps use Sam Browne buttons and punched holes. It creates a clean look and requires less hardware than a buckle, but the straps cannot be adjusted as finely as a result. Perhaps it’s no big deal.
All in all, very nice examples.
— Christopher Schwarz
Wow. $3000 for Roorkee. I realize people need to make a living but that’s a bit steep for what I’m seeing (not to mention the accessories). I like the leatherwork details as you point out but the wooden parts give me a sense of ‘cheap, ugly and unrefined’. None of the roorkees I’ve seen from you give me that feeling; yours all say ‘quality and attractive’, something I’d like to have in my home. I’d say your design aesthetic is much more refined (or just my style).
Jason
double wow.$1440 for a stool!
So now you know, those people who got a CS original for 1/3 of that got a hell of a bargin.
The plastic feet do nothing for me, but the seat cushion might be worth a try?
That seat back method is sexy. I like it!
I’m with jstrom75, the finish work on the wood is shockingly bad. It almost looks like the photography was done before the chair was actually finished. The wood looks bare and dry; and small things like breaking the edges on corners hasn’t happened yet.
Maybe it’s just because we are woodworkers, but the difference is jarring.
Those photographs are stunning…
I like the leather details, but like others have said the amount they are charging is insane!
The price sets the market…it gives Mr. Schwarz’s book that much more value and anyone making these pieces that much prouder…