Today is a post geared towards the Fauxology readers who are professional faux finishers. I have a question: Does anyone else have this debate? When I need to purchase new tennis shoes for work, I keep in mind that I will be in some construction sites and that paints and plasters will fall on them. So, do I go with the less expensive pair because they’ll be colorful within the day or do I respect myself and buy a good, solid pair because I will be walking and climbing in them approximately 5 – 6 days a week? I inevitably decide that I don’t want to add any more muscle pain to my day and buy the better pair. It always works out yet I debate it time and again.
Those thoughts also relate to the subject of today’s post: HakanWear. Hakan Engstrom is a fellow moderator on Talk Faux and he is a faux finisher in Sweden. I’ve been eyeing his line of paint gear since I’d heard of it. His pants are 100% cotton and have pockets for everything. But the best part? Hidden knee pads right on the knee area. I say this because I really dislike the Velcro knee pads. (Let’s face it — even Giselle Bundchen would look stocky and unattractive in them.) So, we decided to try out his gloves and pants. My brother Jason got a men’s black pair and Monica received a ladies white. Debbie Jackson and I decided to try out their gloves.
GLOVES: It’s hard for me to use gloves because I just use my bare hands. However, I get really embarrassed when I go meet designers and potential clients and there is paint under my fingernails, I always cringe. Regular gloves are too loose and can get hot. I didn’t hold up much hope for them, but they were great. They conformed to me and at one point, I forgot I had them on. (Until I immersed my hands to wash out my trowel. I don’t recommend doing that.) Plus, it helps keep the chafing off that working all day with a trowel will give you. Debbie had this to add: “They are extremely comfortable. You can actually feel things with your fingers which surprised me as I dislike having my fingers covered up for that reason. The price is not bad if you compare them to garden gloves or mechanic’s gloves. They are more than the latex disposable gloves but I do like these better simply because I can still feel the work I’m doing.” The gloves retail for $9.50. They have a nylon top and poly palms to help the gloves breather.
PANTS: After our package arrived, I was so bummed that I didn’t get the pants. Jason has this to share: “OK, awesome pants, very comfortable and useful at work with many pockets to hold the tools and brushes you are using. The knee pads are the best. They are great when having to work low without the discomfort of traditional knee pads. You can move freely without worry. Also, the knee pads cushion your shins on ladders since they hang a bit lower when standing — a great bonus. He does have this to caution about, though: My only issue with these pants was that I ordered the black pair and after washing them with a “dark color” detergent, the color faded out. Since I am not a fan of white pants, I would be concerned with the other colors as well. Maybe they need to change dyes. But all in all, these pants get a recommendation.”
Monica had this experience: “I love everything about the pants, especially the knee pads. I forget I forget they are there until I kneel and realize how convenient it is to have them built in. I love all the pockets. The pants fit great and cleaned well for me. The only thing I don’t like is that I have only one pair. It’s an investment in your daily comfort is the way you have to look at it.” The pants retail for $79. They are 100% cotton and have multiple pockets for cell phones, brushes and nylon lined dog-ear pockets for tools. The knee pockets are reinforced with nylon to make sure the knee pads stay in place.
Hakan spoke freely to me when I e-mailed him about the line: “You should know that similar pants are THE PANTS for painters and concreters in Sweden and they are as common as the white coat for a doctor. It all started when I was wearing the pants at the Salon in Denmark 2007. The US artisans held the pants with a great amount of interest. When teaching in New Orleans in April 2008 and at Salon in Chicago last year, the same reactions. So I thought, Why not give it a try!!! At the same time, a topic on TalkFaux came up where somebody complained about a bad range of working gloves. I thought maybe the ones I use for everyday working can be of interest as well.”
But where to buy them? Hakan explains, “They can now be bought from the E-shop, Faux Assured Studios in Utah, Studio Abbellire in Louisiana, Buon Fresco in Virginia, Wild Horse Studio in Georgia and Faux by Kathy in Chicago. For now, the pants come in White, Navy and Black and each color sells well. For Spring 2009, I’m working on getting a line of pirate leg pants with all the features of the long leg. These will hopefully be introduced at our booth at the March 2009 Decorative Arts Show in Long Beach. Also, we have added the benefit of adding our customer’s company name to the pants so they can also be used as a marketing tool.” (Personal note: That is SO cool!) As for the pricing, he says, “This is really more than just pants, its to be considered a tool. I’m aware of that the price is in the upper level but considering how they will last, they are cheaper than buying low quality pants and are more comfortable and user-friendly.”
So, therein comes the debate again. Gloves or no gloves? Buy a pair of less expensive pants that are not made specifically for the work day or invest in an item that can truly help make your commissions easier and more comfortable? I know my answer: Once you’re using them, you’ll wonder how you did without them. Then again, I have the benefit of seeing them work in person…but at least I can share my find with you! Have a great day!
Reference Site: www.HakanWear.com
The knee pads would SO come in handy. And, maybe if I sprung $9.50 for gloves, I would actually wear them, which I NEED to do.
hakan sent me some of his gloves as a prize last year, and they are great. i normally use latex or nitrile gloves, but for working on a big exterior mural, it was nice to have the grip and warmth of these on the scaffold, and they are holding up well.
btw, the dec arts show in long beach is MARCH 10-14, 2009
Love those gloves…my client today was polishing silver and her hands hurt and were stained. Of course, I had her trying them — they just feel so nice when you wear them.
Lynne – THANK YOU for letting me know about the date mix-up…how did I come up with May 2008?!? That was a great catch, appreciate it. I’ve changed it to reflect the right time frame.
Thanks for the kind words.
Yes – they are great and I hope more will find out the advantage with the line.
Therefore there is right now a 15% sale on pants & gloves, and even better on http://www.talkfaux.com under Classifieds some overstocked sizes are sold out for only $59!!!!
[...] I hope you caught our recent review of HakanWear. Hakan himself has graciously extended a 15% discount on all orders and further [...]