[csaanv]

Coasterville,
Is the Grand Union flag all sewn in the canton? Sorry, I agree with Robin the Betsy Ross looks "off" with the oversize canton and the stars pointing up. I think I know the flag company the makes these flags or at least distributes them here in the states. They are called Ruffin Flag Company out of GA. They specialize in CS flags but have "diversified" of late. They use the oversize grommets and a heavy, tight knit type cotton material. Did you buy these together.

[coasterville]

The canton on the grand union is printed. Thanks for giving me a lead on the source of my flags.

[Robin Hickman]

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Hi, csaanv !


I don't know who "authorized" the size of the "Grand Union" Flag's canton, but my opinion is that the Betsy Ross Flag's canton should be closer to that size than the current Flags specs.

When I saw Coasterville's two photos together like that, it's the first thing I noticed. Then it was that the Stars seemed to be proportionally too small to fit into the Union properly. Lastly, having all of the stars "heads up" just doesn't look "right".

I know what you mean about the Ruffin Flag Company's flags. I've got a couple of them from about four or five years ago. The grommets (or should I say "ringlets" or "eyelets"?) are WAY too big! But then so is EVERY chinese-made flag I've ever seen!

By the way, the "old" Ruffin website is no longer functional, but Soren Dresch has a "new" one up and running.

http://www.ruffinflagcompany.net/

I don't have any of his current stock, but judging by the pictures on the website, it looks like (at least) some of his flags are a little bit more "authentic" (well, at least some of the Betsy Ross Flags, anyway!) !

Betsy Ross 2PLY flag (600D) Sewn & Embroidered (3x5 = $14.00)


Betsy Ross (13 Stars) Cotton Flag. (3"x5' Cotton = $18.00)
(Notice the difference in the size of the Canton/Union?)


Betsy Ross Polyester Flag with canvas header & brass grommets 4 rows of sewing on fly side. (3x5 = $1.75)


Grand Union 3'x5' Polyester Flag with canvas header & brass grommets 4 rows of sewing on fly side. (3x5 = $1.75)



I've got Betsy Ross Flags made by Annin, Collegeville, and Valley Forge and they're ALL made with the smaller Union and the larger Stars. I believe they all use #2 solid brass grommets too.


Robin Hickman
Eugene, Oregon, USA
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[Robin Hickman]

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I just posted an entry regarding the Betsy Ross Flags and some stuff about the Ruffin Flag company, but it got "tagged" as "spam" or something and is being held for moderator approval.

Probably because I included a link to the new ruffin Flag site. Or maybe because I included prices. Or maybe BOTH???

BTW : The Ruffin Flag company seems to be doing a little bit better job with their flags, but with such small pictures it's kind of hard to tell.


Robin
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[coasterville]

I think I found the Ruffin flag site - Thanks Google!

Just be sure to get their new site and not their old site. It says factory direct from GA. That gives me some reassurance if is at least a US made flag. The Betsy Ross pic does look quite similar, doesn't it.

If it is a Ruffin, besides the giant gromets and their interpretation of te flags design, I can't fault the flags construction, it seems to be a well made flag. It's a heavier cotton that Annin Bulldog. That can be good for that traditional look and feel, not so good for fly-ability.

I found an earlier thread where we discussed my Betsy Ross, have a look here:
Added to my collection for flag day

I think most of us were in on that one as well.

[coasterville]

Robin, don't think you are alone. I just posted a Happy Birthday America thread with a link to my flag collection site. It got snagged for moderator approval!

[coasterville]

Bringing this back out for follow up -

It does look like Ruffin is the source of the Ohio flag as well, here is the catalog page for it:

OHIO FLAG 2PLY (600D)

I've seen more sewn construction Ohio flags out in the wild. (I like in Ohio, so I get to look at a fair number of them), there was even a news article where one of the Ohio prisons has a flag factory, and the article showed them making sewn construction US and Ohio flags, but I think it also said those were primarily for government use. At any rate it didn't provide a link to buy or even telling a source to go to.

Since I fly my Ohio flag about one week a year (around March 3rd), this 600D poly ought to last me several years, but it's nice to have a source if I need more. Though looking at the Ruffin catalog price, and knowing what I paid on EvilBay.

I also now have a theory that one of my favorite online flag sources, unflags.com may sell Ruffin stock. I noticed my latest round of international flags I bought from them have a distinctive cardboard header on the shrink wrap plastic bags. The cardboard header doesn't divulge who made it but it has a barcode for POS applications. Some of the images from Ruffin show that same blue cardboard header. It would make since, Ruffin only sells the 'cheap' printed poly flags by the case lot (24@$2 each), whereas unflags.com will sell single unit for $4.95. At least Ruffin will sell some of their more expensive stuff single piece. And I'm cool with that, I get outstanding service from unflags and acknowledge I don't really need 24 of each flag...

I'm really looking hard at this POW/MIA flag - it claims its double sided nylon, with an all embroidered design, seems like a steal at only $12.
Pow Mia, pow mia red,p.o.w mia,P.O.W. Mia Red,

[csaanv]

I wonder if the POWMIA flag is imported? Some of the flags I have seen from Ruffin are Nylon but the very stiff kind not like Aninn's Nyl-Glo.

[coasterville]

At $12, is there really any doubt? For only $12 I think i'm going to order one and see what it looks like up close.

[coasterville]

That didn't work out, when I tried to order it, I found out there is a 3 unit minimum.

It looks like they are a fairly comon eBay item though - For around $25. Nice 100% markup there. By the time y0u add shipping to that, it may be just as cost effective to get the 3/$36 deal. Which may be why so many are on eBay. At least you can FEEL like you got a better value.