Empire Wool and Canvas Pullover

[Elsecaller]

Anyone have any experience with an Empire Wool and Canvas Grey Fox pullover? They look really nice, but man that's a lot to shell out for a pullover. I'm wondering what the comparison is to the Asbell pullovers. Obviously, you may get more detail, options and sturdier construction with the pricier garment, but is it worth it and what is the comparison?

Is it 80% of the functionality and 40% of the cost for the Asbell compared to the Empire? Something similar?

Just curious.

[Fallguy]

I have one and they are bomb proof. He only uses Army wool blankets to make them. The first thing he does is wash and shrink the wool. There is a 45 minute video of him sewing one of them up on youtube all the seams are double or triple sewn. They are very well thought out piece of outdoor gear. If you want a pretty one you find an old Hudson Bay or Pendleton blanket he will "murder it" his term. I do not own any of Asbel's Wool so I can not give a side by side comparison.

[Elsecaller]

I have one and they are bomb proof. He only uses Army wool blankets to make them. The first thing he does is wash and shrink the wool. There is a 45 minute video of him sewing one of them up on youtube all the seams are double or triple sewn. They are very well thought out piece of outdoor gear. If you want a pretty one you find an old Hudson Bay or Pendleton blanket he will "murder it" his term. I do not own any of Asbel's Wool so I can not give a side by side comparison.

I appreciate it. That is in line with what I have heard from others. It might be something I look to saving up for in the future. Right now that price tag just is too hefty for my budget for one piece of clothing.

[BAK]

Be sure your able to still do "pull overs".  I found I can't.  I bought one of Teresa's and ended up taking to a local seamstress and having it split up the front and put a zipper in it.

[Elsecaller]

Be sure your able to still do "pull overs".  I found I can't.  I bought one of Teresa's and ended up taking to a local seamstress and having it split up the front and put a zipper in it.

Good advice. I don't have any wool pullovers, but I do have a few fleece and cotton pullovers. I know wool will have less stretch, but I am getting it roomy for layering.

[Ryan Rothhaar]

Looks interesting but super expensive. I tried to read the description and couldn't make it thru the first 2 paragraphs. They must speak a different language up there. What's a fat bike? Is that like what napoleon dynamite used to make his killer jumps with?   

R

[Elsecaller]

Looks interesting but super expensive. I tried to read the description and couldn't make it thru the first 2 paragraphs. They must speak a different language up there. What's a fat bike? Is that like what napoleon dynamite used to make his killer jumps with?   

R

I noticed the same thing lol, I was like what does half of this mean!?

From everything I've read he makes great clothing.

He must be a better clothing maker than a marketer 

[BAK]

Sounds like he is catering to the well off "young sports", not so much hunters.

[Elsecaller]

Sounds like he is catering to the well off "young sports", not so much hunters.

The heck is a young sport? 

[Fallguy]

He is heavy into biking mainly offroad, a Fat Bike is a fat tire bike. They are used for riding soft surfaces sand and snow. He mainly makes for hard core winter campers and bushcrafters. He does have that Northern MN, Iron Ranger vernacular though. They are expensive but you get what you pay for. If you want to watch his process on sewing them here is a link.

[Fredjake1]

I have the camp coat and it is Great.

[Elsecaller]

He is heavy into biking mainly offroad, a Fat Bike is a fat tire bike. They are used for riding soft surfaces sand and snow. He mainly makes for hard core winter campers and bushcrafters. He does have that Northern MN, Iron Ranger vernacular though. They are expensive but you get what you pay for. If you want to watch his process on sewing them here is a link.

Yeah, bushcrafting forums is usually where I have seen comments about them. By all accounts top notch clothing. It's going to be a while until I can hope to afford one though.

[mjh]

I have an Empire vest and I have an Asbell vest and basic wool pullover hoodie.

If I needed to buy another pullover/zipper hoodie/anorak front type wool hunting/bushcraft coat type garment made in the USA I would spend my money on an Empire Wool and Canvas product.  Hands down--no questions asked--sure cost is a part of the package but the Empire cost is worth it to me.   I might consider a Day One product depending upon fabric used.  I do have some Day One hunting gear that I really like as well.

The vest I have is the absolute best wool vest I have ever purchased for outdoor use.  I've used Filson, Asbel, Woolrich, King of the Mountain, maybe one or two more.   I still use some of those as needed but the Empire Vest is the BEST of them.

Of course  your needs and budget may dictate your items bought but the Empire products I have owned and used have been top notch.  I also own an older Empire Canvas Works cotton canvas anorak.  Still use it from time to time in the winter.