Recommendation? Shop clothes - apron for grinding and general shop work?

FredyCro

FredyCro

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Jan 11, 2019
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I have been looking around and as I am currently not welding or forging, I think I would prefer a waxed canvas apron but don't know if the grinder sparks will burn through these. Hudson heavy duty aprons look good, any of you tried them? What do you use? Should I stick just with classic 3\4 length work coats?

I am trying to minimize the dust and wear in my normal work clothes (jeans/hoodie). I usually wear a work coat (waist length) over it now.
 
A leather apron is the wise choice. I don't think there is a long time maker who hasn't set his sweat shirt or other garment on fire at least once when not wearing one. A waxed canvas apron sounds like a really bad idea.
Jeans with no tears or tattered cuffs are good legwear.
Long sleeved jeans or similar tight weave cotton material shirt. Again, no tattered threads at the cuffs.
Leather shoes. If wearing boots, wear the pants over them, not tucked in.
 
I have a waxed canvas apron, granted I'm a stock removal guy, but it's definitely never caught fire from grinding sparks or been burnt. I'm sure it's not FR rated but seems to not be an issue for me.
 
Found this 1.4 mm leather apron with a lot of pockets and very reasonable pricing. I am not sure I am allowed to link, so I will post it like this. Has a lot of good reviews, the downside is it stinks from the chemicals they use in the process but I couple of weeks on the balcony should sort that out.

Doesn't exactly look like a blacksmithing apron, but that's not really what I am looking for anyway. I think I will pull the trigger on it.

I usually wear jeans, old timberland boots and a heavy cotton working jacket. I think the apron will be nice for grinding steel, drilling aluminium and similiar.
ixebs3O.jpg

Gotta work on my biceps game though :D
 
Why not coveralls? I have a thin pair of dickies that serve me well enough for stock removal. You could get FR for forging. With summer coming, I can see the value of an apron. But with coveralls you can wear gym shorts and an old T underneath and still only need to wash your hands and face.
 
Scaniaman said:
20-30 euro leather apron from amazon.de works great for grinding and protection when HT.
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Thats the one I posted. :)

Justin W said:
Why not coveralls? I have a thin pair of dickies that serve me well enough for stock removal. You could get FR for forging. With summer coming, I can see the value of an apron. But with coveralls you can wear gym shorts and an old T underneath and still only need to wash your hands and face.
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My shop is in a cellar of an old building, so in winter I need to dress couple of layers and all that beneath the coverall is not cool. Dressing pants over pants is tiring :) and it makes me think of 80ties skiing suits :D
 
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Joker66 said:
After setting a canvas apron on fire I decided to spring for the forge apron these guys make.
It is very heavy duty, fits great, and well made. I've used it for 2 years now. It's dirty but otherwise good as new. Buy once, cry once.
https://www.tstarleather.com/aprons
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How heavy is the forge apron? Too much for an old man to have hanging on an arthritic spine all day?
Nice aprons!

Missus fitzo, the great enabler, sees them and says, “Oh, that’s not bad for handmade leather work. You should get one.” I am not one to want to disappoint her.
 
fitzo said:
A leather apron becomes one of those "wise nods" after the first time a buffer grabs the blade and sends it at your crotch.

This one is in my US Amazon wishlist:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079KDMV1...colid=5A7PSY2AYFQ9&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
Looks like the one you posted but in brown.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's the one. The one I posted is from Amazon.de. I wouldn't expact it to catch a knife from a buffer though.

Joker66 said:
After setting a canvas apron on fire I decided to spring for the forge apron these guys make.
It is very heavy duty, fits great, and well made. I've used it for 2 years now. It's dirty but otherwise good as new. Buy once, cry once.
https://www.tstarleather.com/aprons
Click to expand...
Thats nice, one day I would like to make a heavy duty apron or buy one.

CasePeanut said:
I have that exact one. It’s very lightweight and thin. Comfortable to wear, but I don’t think it offers much protection compared to an actual black smithing apron.
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Yeah, me neither. But it should suffice for catching grinding sparks and drilling swirls, I think.
 
I make my aprons out of (water) buffalo hide leather. It is supple, even when thick, and looks nice. I only put in one pocket on the chest. I put an extra "flap" where the split at the groin is. This flap is very important if you do forge welding! Neck strap goes around and snaps on one side. Waist strap does the same.
Stacy demo Williamsburg 001.jpg
 
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Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
I make my aprons out of (water) buffalo hide leather. It is supple, even when thick, and looks nice. I only put in one pocket on the chest. I put an extra "flap" where the split at the groin is. This flap is very important if you do forge welding! Neck strap goes around and snaps on one side. Waist strap does the same.
View attachment 1550095
Click to expand...

That's a nice apron! Really good looking piece of leather, was already asking myself what kind of leather is used. I guessed the vegetable tanned leather is too stiff.

Yours looks at least 3-4 mm thick and still supple, I guess its even e softer when it gets worn in with time.
 
fitzo said:
How heavy is the forge apron? Too much for an old man to have hanging on an arthritic spine all day?
Nice aprons!

The apron is heavy ( I'll get an actual weight on it this weekend) but because of the shoulder straps there is no weight or pressure on your neck and the weight is evenly distributed on your shoulders. I wear mine for hours with no discomfort, and I'm an old arthritic guy too. The leather is very supple and is thicker than what I use for sheaths. You almost feel like you're wearing body armor with this on. It has already saved me from getting hurt a number of times. The workmanship is top notch. I smile every time I put it on. After looking at other aprons I saw these at the Blade Show several years ago and placed my order. I'm tall so I had him add six inches to the bottom. He is glad to make custom changes for you. Overall a beautifully made tool that does exactly what it should do for a fair price.

Missus fitzo, the great enabler, sees them and says, “Oh, that’s not bad for handmade leather work. You should get one.” I am not one to want to disappoint her.
Click to expand...
 

That, sir, was a fun read! Thank you!
If you do happen to get that weight I’d love to know.

That’s a great idea about getting it nice and long. My wife made an ankle length apron from canvas for me during a brief attempt to get used to sit-down grinding. I’ve gone back to my old Centaur Forge blue leather apron but it’s short by comparison.

One of those forging aprons is going to find a new home. Thanks, again!
 
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