Tents, what's worth the price?

[Merrydeath]

I'm looking at buying a wedge tent, and there are 2 I've picked out. One is 10oz Sunforger, 2 door, sod cloth, 9x9x7h stakes but no poles for $280 and ship

the other is 13oz Sunforger 2 doors, no sod cloth or stakes, 9x9x7 $400 and can pick up.

also, does the bell back fit more periods or just a plain back?

has anyone any experience with both those additions, and can steer me the right way?

[michaelsbagley]

I can tell you the 13 oz canvas is going to make the one tent a huge amount heavier than the other one....

Personally, I would go for the first one of the two you listed. As for bell wedge versus plain wedge, I would lean towards the plain wedge. I believe bell wedges were used in some late periods, but I always think medieval when I see bell wedges, I find the straight wedge has a more 18th century look...

[Capt. Bo of the WTF co.]

I have both, and I will tell you that you will appreciate the double opening alot more than the bell in warm/hot weather. No air moving makes for miserable night when the humidity is up. I have the heavier sunforger on all my canvas, though mine were sold as 12oz. rather than 13oz. Don't know why, must be the makers thing. Nothing wrong with 10 oz. Go with option #1. The sod cloth is a good addition and this will help keep out the draft in cooler weather. That price with stakes is good, (I assume for a new one?) and poles are easy to make/come up with.

Good luck!

Bo

[Merrydeath]

MB.. I also do Ren faires, and that is why I wondered about the bell back.. it also works for Rev war tents too... but I think I'm more inclined to get away from that now and just have the straight back. Less weight and doesnt make that much of a difference.

BO-- this is why I'm stuck on this one... I've camped with the 13 oz more, and I was impressed with the weight.. no wind cutting thru, less lights (going inside in morning or also having my light showing out), 2' overlap on doors, and no "misting' in heavy rains.

but, its also $500 total with set up. I can use that difference for a bunch of gas in my car.

I can get both with the same additions: sod cloth, 2 doors, iron stakes that can be purchased, might have poles from someone free... I do like the ropes with the 13 oz, softer over time at $3 each (something manilla) and the ropes and stakes kits are $75 only with the 13 oz... Shipping is about the same, $30.

https://www.strinztipi.com/index.php?crn=20...ion=show_detail (13 oz sunforger 9x9x7wedge)

$500 with stakes and ropes, no puller no poles

http://www.fcsutler.com/fccanvas.asp (10 oz sunforger 9x9x7 wedge)

$300 with stakes and puller, no ropes no poles

going around and around on these..

[Capt. Bo of the WTF co.]

Don Strinz does top notch work for sure. My 1757 bell is from him and yes it will take the worst that Mother nature will throw at you for sure. I also have a 1790 officers model from him that I use for the whole family when we all go. (It's way too big to take otherwise.) His work and materials are definitely worth the price, but I am curious as to why it would need ropes? Extra wind protection like tying down mobile homes maybe? I copied his stake design too for my own use. I have said before, if you are going to buy a tent, go with a good one and Strinz is definitely among the best. But i would still check out others for price. Panther also does fine work, as do Tentsmiths and R-K Lodges. I cannot say anything bad about Don Strinz as I know him personally as well as having been a customer of his for fifteen plus years now. I don't know anything about the other maker though. Definitely get one with a sod cloth though!

Bo

[Merrydeath]

the ropes are for the awning I can make if I set up one side of the tent.. Like a big lean to for others to be shaded.

I had a modern tent at Council Bluffs and the dang thing was about 2' off the ground during a wind storm. I slept in my car that night. The owner of the 13oz tied his tent down and it stayed put. I've also seen them put cement blocks on the ropes to hold it down.

I talked to Pat for an hour today, asked her everything under the sun.. nice person!

and panther primitives is about the same price for the 13 oz etc.. but Strinz is more local in case something is wrong.

I didnt check Tentsmiths or RKLODGES for the 13oz, just the 10 oz and Crazy Crow is about the same price also.

have to go and see someone.. back on later!

[Capt. Bo of the WTF co.]

In that case,(and I forgot about the opening up one side option.. DUH me!), if you can afford Strinz, go for it. Don and Pat are super folks to deal and camp with! They stand behind their stuff period. Nebraska is close and they are usually in Mo. at Lake Pomme de Terre the first wekend in May too. The only reason my double door isn't a Strinz is because I got it at an event for 100 bucks complete with stakes and poles. It is only 10 oz. and I haven't had it in real bad weather yet. I have a real good story about my bell wedge at Fort De Chartres during a bad storm with a tornado nearby I'll tell you someday.

Bo

[Merrydeath]

I can just barely afford the heavier tent, but we had snow last night and my butt is cold in the house. I think I need the heavier tent and will forego the laptop this year instead. My first faire is May 1 weekend, only 3 weeks away.

My biggest thing then is getting the free uprights from Neb. I can only hope that my previous s.o. isnt a butthead and will actually follow thru this time.

[Capt. Bo of the WTF co.]

I wish I had time to get up there, Icould bring you all the poles you would need because I keep spares for my own in case of the unexpected.

There are literally tons of seasoned cedars around my house too, and I am considering making new sets for all my tents and get away from the dimensional lumber altogether. Best of luck, and if you don't get your uprights, we will make arrangements to get some to you after classes are out. (May 14th for me)

Bo

[Merrydeath]

May 14th is too late since I have a faire the first weekend of May, but I had some poles that might be given to me.. that didnt work out, and just frustrated the crap out of me.

I might be able to use LadyB's poles til I get some. I'm not sure when I can get to NE to get the others. and not sure how much they will cost to ship if I buy them from Strinz.

poop.

on the other hand, thank you Bo for above and beyond help from a friend. I know you are mucho busy and I dont want to offend Blondie by taking too much time from you..

hugs!

[Capt. Bo of the WTF co.]

Ahh heck, you are no trouble at all. Blondie knows she is my soul mate so no problem there. In fact, she would probably be glad for a vacation away from me!

What do you need for poles? how many, what sizes? If you can call or e-mail the info, I will see how my last few weeks of classes are for work-load, and maybe we can meet at the line on a saturday before your event? I am sure my poles from the Bell tent will be the same as your double door unit, but let me know for sure. Then all you should need are the ones for opening up the one side, Maybe six footers?

Bo

[Merrydeath]

I decided to bite the bullet and get the flipping huge tent and buy the poles already spliced from them.. on the reccommendation of Rats, I bought my tent from Blockade runner. 12x11x7 and all poles with some of the shipping for $550. I have to get other ropes cause I hate sisal and prefer un-manilla. They will try to get it to me by May 3.. I'm so excited

'and Bo.. thank you for your help! I will still need uprights but I can get those I think. You have been awesome.

[Capt. Bo of the WTF co.]

Full excercise of the womens perogitive to change their mind ay what?

Happy to help luv!

Bo

[Merrydeath]

lol I know I went back and forth on them for 3 weeks.. tried to find a big one that was heavy but not too excpensive. I loved Strinz tent but I couldn't swing the price and get the bigger tent. The FC Sutler one I liked but it seemed too thin, and I need to have it heavy enough for 50 degrees. Its been so wet here, that I wanted the bigger tent in case we need the space. I'll need tarps for the wet weather, too.

I decided to go with the poles they sold, since I need the tent soon and that way I KNOW they will fit. Its $90 for the set up kit, and with gas so high, it would cost that to get to the Iowa border.

Bo and Michael, thanks for all the help! Even if I didnt get the ones you suggested, I did pay attention to your advice.

2 doors, spliced ridge pole, iron stakes, sod cloth, and very heavy. Its a bit more then I wanted to spend, but my sawing and drilling skills are a bit rusty. :)

[Merrydeath]

I was wondering if any one knew what un-manilla rope was.. the strinz tents use that and it gets soft and (nicely) dirty after a while..

I would apprecate what you use as ropes on your tents

[Iron Jon]

It may be a cotton rope.

Natural fiber ropes are usually either manila or sisal. Synthetic ropes like poly or nylon shouldn't be used for a period tent. Manila is the standard for rope, it hold knots well, doesn't stretch much, and is a bit stronger than sisal. The sisal is cheaper, but it's very coarse and doesn't look as "nice".

[Capt. Bo of the WTF co.]

Un-manila? Better call Don & Pat, never heard of it. They must have changed since I got my last one from them.

Bo

[Merrydeath]

I did buy a length of nylon rope, just in case but I'll call Strinz about what they use. I only need 4 ropes with adjusters for the awning and I dont want to get hit with shipping.

Iron Jon, agreed on the sisal. I don't like to use it since it breaks off in skin. The Manila I saw at Menards and Lowes isn't too great but it would look period. The frame of mind I was in (ANOTHER store that I have to look for rope at!!) I was looking at the camo and thinking.. that could work!

[Merrydeath]

well, its the day after using my tent and I'm disappointed in it. The center ridge pole was 1.5 feet too short and the uprights seemed too long. The pins didnt go thru the tent top and kept sliding around til one broke off. I'm contacting the company and see what they will do to make it good.

Callenish said the non-grommeted top is more weather-tight and period, but it made for a long day. I'd like to have it look more period, Callenish, but I didn't like having to watch it, but thank you for your advice. On top of things as usual. :)

There were no ropes to keep it up and the stakes came out every once in a while. I'll contact them tonight when I have more measurements.