Fulton Huntsman Umbrella Black

I bought this umbrella after being let down by a cheap £5 telescopic one I'd bought from nowhere important. I decided I needed to invest in a real "manly" umbrella; black as the night's watch and so smart that it would be something the great Gatsby would consider for his rainy days out in the town. This is why I went for the Fulton Hunter.This umbrella offers a sophisticated look to the user, one that should be accompanied by a trench coat, smart shoes and sandalwood fragrance. But hey, the umbrella is a good start to all of that.First of all, i'm re-editing my original review. I bought this in November 2011 it's now May 2013 and the umbrella is still going strong. The wood is wearing slightly revealing a less tasteful white; likely redwood, underneath the pleasant veneer. This is the only downside.Secondly, the pro's of which there are many... It's robust, it must have been since it's survived this long. It's heavy for an umbrella, giving it a sturdy feel. It looks elegant when closed and open. This isn't a golf so you can't fit a crowd underneath it, however if you're trying to pull that special lady close to you then it's a sure thing.Finally, the crooked handle. Ah, the uses this has. Firstly, it hooks around you arm if you're faffing. It hooks over bars, rails and banisters which is invaluable and it allows for the twirly motions of nonchalance one can exhibit as a young, sophisticated gentleman.But don't be mistaken into thinking this umbrella can only be used to keep off the rain. I have found many uses for it in the last years. Knocking apples off trees in autumn (I've never done this). Catching lift doors as they're about to close (Many a time done this). Spontaneously re-enacting the eccentric walk down those stairs in the original Willy Wonka film with Gene Wilder (I've been asked never to do this again). Finally, resting assured that should you need it, this would be invaluable in a zombie apocalypse. In tandem with a handy cast iron skillet I think the combo would allow for swift dispatch of undead foe whilst maintaining their normal useful uses.A true investment.

Quality umbrella, good price.

Feels great in the hands initially, balanced well enough that it doesn't feel uncomfortable to hold open or closed for a long duration of time - wind resistance is pretty good but have yet to test with very heavy winds/rains.

This is my third Fulton Hunstsman umbrella but not because the previous ones failed. The first was a gift... that one got stolen. The second I bought to replace the first... I foolishly left it somewhere and when I went back to get it, it too had disappeared. This one I need to be more careful with!So why keep buying the same brand and model? Because these really are extremely solid and strong. The double ribs greatly help to reduce the umbrella turning inside out in strong winds but, even if it does, it's easy to flip it back without damage. After flipping, the canopies on most other umbrellas I've owned have become floppy but the Huntsman remains taught and rigid as ever. The generous size of the canopy can comfortably accommodate two people (assuming it's someone you can get close to under current guidelines!). The shaft and handle are also strong, giving a product that will withstand the most punishing conditions.Downsides? The only negatives I have are that the wood of the handle will show dings and knocks over time. But it's wood so I guess that's only to be expected. Also the base ring that holds the spokes together when shut doesn't really work as well as I'd like but this isn't really an issue as the Velcro wraparound does the job perfectly well. These are extremely minor niggles. I'd rather put up with these and have an umbrella that really does it's job and lasts well.In conclusion, this really is a lot of umbrella for the price tag. It's big, strong and reliable. I used to buy telescopic umbrellas but never found a make/model that didn't become floppy or break over time. OK, the Huntsman won't fit into a handbag, man bag, briefcase or backpack but, if you want an umbrella that's strong and reliable, you won't be disappointed.

I was surprised to find it, it was hard to find a decent umbrella on Amazon. I spent a long time comparing various types and reading reviews. I feel content with my choice as this one, in particular, looks elegant, has a good build, feels sturdy in the wind; and comes in a decent price.

Withstands all winds and rain , very sturdy.

I am very happy with the quality, despite some small issues.+ Does what it needs to do under all circumstances and I used mine for several years. I bought now another one for my father because I am so happy with it.Small issues:- I dropped it often so some less important parts are damaged:-- Handle got some cracks and scratches in the resist layer, so the wood may start to rot in maybe another 10 years or so...-- Under the handle is (or rather was) a plastic ring-like structure which can hold the tips of the ribs. That cracked and finally broke off. It is not really needed, so I don't really care, but they could make that of metal instead.- Another problem: There is a ribbon to fasten the umbrella when not in use (as most umbrellas have it). It can get caught in the stretcher, so that the umbrella cannot be opened (and I suspect if you then just tried it with brute force you could damage the umbrella). Disentangling the ribbon easily solves the problem, but possibly there could be a better design preventing this from happening at all. I bet there are people who broke the umbrella that way, because they did not notice that the ribbon was entangled, so you need to be aware that this problem can occur or you risk damaging your umbrella when you just try to open it...Other the that the umbrella seems nearly unbreakable even under sever weather conditions.

Really great quality for a professional look. Super strong and durable components. No risk of collapse for a highly reasonable price.