[american_flag_uk]

thanks again Matt for the new lot of pictures! - i looked at them whilst i was in Prague - in the Czeck Republic- (and yes... i did bring two Czeck Republic flags back with me ... ! ) but i waited till i returned now to put a responce in.


I like that rayon flag an awful lot!
When we were in the internet cafe in Prague - I was showing my boyfriend these pics and he just said - pfft - whats the difference!? - so i lined the two pics up of the 2 flags on their staffs and he went.. Ohhhhhhh - well yes I can see they are different now!.... Proof perhaps that I spend alot more time looking at flags - really looking at them - than he does!! (and probably most others too)

I very much like the idea of the material being very soft and smooth... this is what I like!

[chrity2008]

Where would be the best place to get flags material in order to start an online business with flags?

[mattsaccount]

Originally Posted by american_flag_uk

thanks again Matt for the new lot of pictures!!

You're welcome

[flagexport]

Nylon 210 Denier is quite often for making us flags,

[flagsdotcom]

You do not want to buy printed flags... EVER. At flags.com we recommend nylon flags most often. They hold their color longer than rayon. Nylon flags are the best overall unless you get heavy winds. Then polyester is recommended. Cotton just looks pretty, not so functional. The most important thing is how the flags are finished. Make sure they color fast (i.e. Solar Max), lock stitched, have sewn stripes and embroidered or appliqued stars. A good quality American flag ussually costs between $25 and $35 USD.

[Robin Hickman]

.
Hello, FlagsDotCom !

Welcome to the USA-Flag-Site Forums !


Of the 700, or so, American Flags that I own, I'd estimate that approximately 450-500 of them are of the Dyed/Printed variety. Of those, approximately 300 are nylon (mostly SolarMax nylon, I think). Since I haven't done a "complete" inventory in the last 3 or 4 years my estimates might be "off" a little bit.

Dyed nylon Flags are lighter and "fly" much better, especially in low-wind conditions, and they seem to be stronger and last longer than their sewn/embroidered brethren. While they share the same type of header, Flag material and hem stitching, they lack the 12 greatest weak points of sewn/embroidered Flags: the sewn seams between the 13 Stripes.


That's just my two cents worth of my humble, uneducated, and non-professional opinion based on over 20 years of hands-on, volunteer community service Flag flying.


Robin Hickman
Chairman, Springfield Jaycees' "Flags For Patriotism Program"
Eugene-Springfield, Oregon, USA
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[coasterville]

How timely this thread resurfaced.

I just took down my most recent Nyl-Glo flag for the last time. It started to develop a tear between two of the stripes, and once said tear gets much further than the 4 rows of stitching, it deteriorates fast.

That said, I got two years life out of it, so that's not a bad investment. I am a big fan of the all sewn flags, but you the very thing that makes them seem more real also makes them more fragile.

I didn't even think the flag I just took down looked that bad overall until I sat it right next to a brand new flag of the same make. Some fading was evident throughout, and a few of the stars had started to look a bit worn. All minor damage really that you couldn't see until you have it down in your hands.

For the winter time, though I am going with a "cheap" all printed flag I received from the DAV at some point in time. No sense putting a good, new flag up right before snow season.

[coasterville]

One last thought, I wonder if that mesh netting like the one flag American_Flag_UK told us about some time ago does any good at combating the problem?

[Robin Hickman]

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Hey, Coasterville (David) !!!


QUOTE : "One last thought, I wonder if that mesh netting like the one flag American_Flag_UK told us about some time ago does any good at combating the problem?"


I know the thread you're talking about. Her last entry about it was on April 17th, 2009. Evidently at that time it was still in active use in the U.K. Come to think of it, Amanda never did post pictures of it so that we could see what it looks like. :

http://www.usa-flag-site.org/forum/mysterious-attachment-my-new-us-flag-1710.html


If the nylon webbing attached to the fly-end to increase the flag's life-span does NOT work, then why would they still be using it? Probably because they BELIEVE it works BUT there has been no definitive testing of it to prove that it DOES NOT (or DOES) work.

If it really DOES work, then WHY aren't ALL the flag manufacturers in the world using it on the fly-ends of all their flags? It could be a wild conspiracy cooked up by the wild-eyed GOLD FRINGE SOCIETY to suppress its use so as to prevent flags from lasting longer "out in the wild".

WHY?

Because if it works and flags last longer, FEWER would be sold!!!



Hmmmm.....



Robin "Help! The Paranoids Are Out To Get Me!" Hickman
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[coasterville]

I take it you also beleive in the 500mpg engine and the 100 year light bulb conspiracies as well.

I can think of another reason though. The fine mesh netting might be virtually invisible say up on a 25' or higher pole, but in residential use on a 6' wall mount pole, might seem unsightly. I wonder if just sewing a second 'header' on to the fly end of the flag would be a little less inconspicuous, and serve the same purpose as the net 'protecting' by shielding the seams between the stripes.


Since gold fringe flags aren't typically used in outdoor applications, I don't see why the "Gold Fringe Society" would be involved, as they seem to be more interested in indoor/parade flags.