Our factory is working on a new batch of chore coats that should be ready to sell in the next couple weeks.
This batch will be made with the Japanese cotton we used with the first batch, plus the nice embroidered patch and the custom buttons. As I mentioned before, I’m afraid we’ll have to raise the price a bit on the coat. Making nice garments in the United States is tricky and expensive.
After this new batch sells out, we will shift gears with the chore coat. Here’s why:
- Our West Coast factory raised the manufacturing price – radically – on us.
- The Japanese cotton has proved more difficult and expensive to get than we anticipated.
As a result, we will switch to a new fabric – an 11 oz. brushed bull denim – that is readily available here in the United States. It will still be black and 100 percent cotton, and it will still be awesome. We’re also switching factories. Tom Bonamici, who designed the coat, is negotiating with two factories here in the middle part of the country, and those talks are going well.
The new chore coat will still have the same embroidered patch on the interior pocket and custom buttons. And it will still be made in the USA. More details on the new chore coat, including the price, will be available in the coming weeks.
The only thing we haven’t been able to fix is figuring out how to make it cooler outside so we can wear our dang coats.
— Christopher Schwarz
Waiting for the order form (and hoping I have the size figured out correctly)
Just wondering: is there any tradition of a button or strap to help hold the sleeves rolled up when appropriate? Given that this is intended to be a working garment, something of that sort would seem useful.
(I’m reminded of the observation that you could recognize an old-time IBM service tech by the fact that, when he took off his blazer, his shirt sleeves were already rolled up — note, not short sleeves; very specific compromise between practicality and “Business” garb.)
I know black is traditional but a nice tan like a field coat might sell to some different customers. I can’t sharpen a pencil without getting wood dust on my clothes. Regardless, glad to see that you are continuing the program.
(Asking timidly, in a whisper:) Will we citizens/woodworkers of the world living outside the lately-not-so-united states be able to have one delivered to our doorsteps? (Waiting in anticipation for an answer, though not holding my breath…)
I don’t know if we’ll have our act together to ship these internationally. My recommendation is to use a mail forwarding service such as MyUS.
https://www.myus.com/
Other customers who have used the service have only good things to say.
Yep, I’m using US to Oz to ship to Australia, if there’s any Aussies interested in also getting a cost and sharing postage let me know..
Thanks for the tip, Chris. MyUS membership arranged, first order from Crucible done. : )) Now eagerly awaiting notification of availability of coats…
Totally agree with you on the temperature issue Chris. I would love one of those coats, beats wearing an apron to hold a few measuring and marking tools. It is just too dang hot here in North Carolina. I could only wear it November thru March. During the months of January and February it’s so cold that I don’t do much woodworking anyways. I envy all that have climate controlled shops. #roughingit