Makers of Sailmakers Palm

[NickfromWI]

Thanks for the link! I have no clue why I couldn't find it. I swear I looked!

Click here to see 2 Palms

Notice the one on the left, the "best" one ($90) has a sharp edge on the inside of the thumb. I see the cheaper one has a rounded edge. That rounded edge looks more comfortable to me.

What other factors should I consider? Why is 3 layers better than 2? I won't be using this thing for hours at a time.

Whattya think?

love
nick

[Bob Pingel]

Nick,

The"best" is a roping palm and the other is seaming palm -- both Smith palms. The diff is in the thickness and stiffness of the leather. Both are beefy and way nicer than the WestMarine variety.

Where do you live in WI - do you ever get down near Milwaukee? I own a Smith roping palm and I'd be glad to let you take a look at it.

Contact me off board at rmpingel@earthlink.net

Bob

[NickfromWI]

Bob, actually on the WBF site, there are 4 palms showing. In the Best category, there was a roping one and a seaming one, and in the other category there was also a roping one and a seaming one.

That said, is the 3rd layer of leather necesarry? I bet this is one of those things that when I try them both on, I agree that the expensiver one is indeed worth it, but it's hard to get all that via the tiny screen on my computer.

And Bob, sadly enough, I no longer live in WI. I used to live in Stanley and went to school in Ripon. Now I live in Los Angeles. But I'll always be FROM Wisconsin.

love
nick

[NickfromWI]

Great news! After work yesterday I stopped by a local sail repair shop to see if they had any small scraps of dacron or other fun material that they'd sell cheap. Well, that didn't pan out, as they told me that they use all but the SMALLEST of pieces. BUT, they DID have some Smith palms on hand (literally!) and some for sail (I mean SALE). They had seaming palms and roping palms, but only left handed ones!

Well, I got to see the quality of the palms and WOW WOW WOW they seem (seam?) top notch. The lovely lady I spoke with said she'll call and get a quote for 1 right handed roping palm, then she'll call me back in a few days.

I am wayyyy excited about this.

Then Karina pointed out...."don't you have friends in England?"

So where in England would one go to pick up one of these puppies?

love
nick

[Jerry Barnett]

I have been wanting to get a palm, but have relatively large hands and would like to try some out for fit before buying. Not that easy.

1. The advice is to get "best" quality from Wm. Smith, but the internet info is a real mix.
Prices vary and in New York City there seem to be no sources. Any ideas for a local source?

2. Should I start with a roping or sailmaker's model. I am a novice, want to handsew some projects, and presently use a junker West Marine palm to make whippings, for miscellaneous ropework and for minor sail repairs. The roping one seems like it might be more useful for general use....or is that the wrong way to go?

3. Are there sizes? Or do you simply adjust the securing loop on the back of it?

4. Are the best ones with black/blackened leather (as above in this thread)?

Any advice appreciated.

[FrayedKnotArts]

1. The advice is to get "best" quality from Wm. Smith, but the internet info is a real mix.
Prices vary and in New York City there seem to be no sources. Any ideas for a local source?


I've managed to get three nice Smiths from Ebay... but I had to go thru about eight purchases to do so. Even so, the end cost about evened out with buying new and the ones I have were "pre-broke-in", as it were. Check (esp. in NY) maritime antique stores as well as dockside shops, ask gnarly ol' seamen, etc. Smith is definitely the way to go unless you can find an old Pembroke. (Chances are very small on that!)

2. Should I start with a roping or sailmaker's model. I am a novice, want to handsew some projects, and presently use a junker West Marine palm to make whippings, for miscellaneous ropework and for minor sail repairs. The roping one seems like it might be more useful for general use....or is that the wrong way to go?
[b]
The roping palm has a high collar around the thumb (thumbstall) which you use when you want to REALLY tighten up the stitch (sewing a footrope and the like, hence 'roping' palm) which will get in the way of some people's seaming, or ordinary sewing. If you don;t anticipate doing any heavy-duty sailmaking, the seaming palm is a better choice for flexibility, as well as being far the more available of the two.

3. Are there sizes? Or do you simply adjust the securing loop on the back of it?

To the best of my knowledge (small and puny) the palms were mad in two sizes... one for the smaller hand and the standard palm size... all adjustments shuld be done by adjusting the sailtwine loop at the back of the hand. If possible, avoid palms with a buckle and tongue setup as they fail at the damndest times.

4. Are the best ones with black/blackened leather (as above in this thread)?

Black, tan, whatever.... if it's new, it's only a decorative feature. Blackened OLD leather indicates age and use... not necessarily either quality or reliability, mind you, but only that it has been sweat into, oiled and has oxidized over time from salts. A darkened leather palm which is soft and supple IS a good indication of a quality palm as it shows it's been used a lot... but the real test is how it feels on your hand. I've been most fortunate that I was given my first and the others I have now all just sort of melted into my grip.... like they'd been there for several years. The rest of them get re-sold or donated. They're like puppies.... those that come right up and say hello are keepers... the ones who cower back by their mother or in a corner turn into someone else's problem.