[Sam Hober]

I have noticed an increase in the number of 7 fold ties on the market, particularly from the more 'economical' suppliers.

I had previously understood 7 fold ties to mean a tie constructed, by hand, from a single piece of silk to make front and back. I had also understood them to represent the pinnacle of tie making quality.

My first experience with a 7 fold tie was last year and a product from Austin Reed which I bought on an internet sale. It was a terrible tie. Cheap fabric, consistency of cardboard, and tied a terrible knot. Unwearable. So much for the pinnacle of tie making quality but a lesson learned. My next more recent purchase of a 7 fold was from Charles Thywhitt and this appears a better tie.

However, I am wondering if '7 fold' is to ties what 'selvedge' is to denim -- something for marketeers to stamp on a product hoping that customers assume it is by definition better quality.

So, some questions :
Do any of you have experience of 7 fold ties and do you prefer them to regular (?3 fold) ties?

Are 7 fold ties always made by hand? (After the Austin Reed experience I assume not)

I hear that a number of 7 fold ties are actually 'fake' as in they are 6 fold - how do you tell?

I also hear that 7 fold ties are generally harder to knot successfully and lose shape more than regular ties, is this true?

Many thanks!

Haffman,

Sorry for the late reply.

How slowly and carefully a tie is made is more important than the type of construction by far.

Unlined ties do lose their shape - wool interlinings really help a tie over time. Knots are a personal decision no set answer.

A single piece of silk is rarely part of an unlined 7-fold and is not important.

The quality of the silk is very important.

In Italy many lined 6-folds are called 7-folds - I don't know why, but it is simply wrong. I am not sure but fake may be too strong of a word - maybe a language problem?

 

[Sam Hober]

Thank you very much David. I was interested to hear that the single piece of silk is not that important to a 7-fold tie as I had mistakenly thought that this was the core principle. As for the mislabelling of the 7-fold, the term seems to have developed a cache so that it is seen as a hallmark of quality without the customer necessarily being clear what it means (guilty :redface...perhaps that has led to it's use being debased, as with so many things in clothing...

Anyway I certainly know where to come when it's time to try a 'proper' 7 fold :smile:

Sorry for the late reply.

A custom made tie is typically made very slowly and carefully - if a tie has a single piece of silk it is going to be very difficult to adjust the length longer and this is often necessary in the tie making process.

Also what is the benefit of a single piece of silk except in some formal wear where the collar is turned up.

"I like the hefty knot you get when using a 4 in hand with a 7 fold."

Shiny,

I wonder if it is a true unlined 7-fold that you are using as I have never seen an unlined 7-fold that makes larger knots than lined ties that are a 3 or 6-fold construction.

Keep in mind many 7-folds are actually lined 6-folds and that Italian 7-folds will often have some interlining in the knot area.

 

[Sam Hober]

Dear David, One day I will buy ties from you. Meanwhile, I was in Rome and bought some really nice 7-fold ties from Damiano Presta. Because it is an italian manufacturer, I have no idea if it is really a 7 or 6-fold tie, but I don't really care, as the ties are beautiful. They are substantial and tie a nice knot, so I am happy. Even if they are the epitome of tie making, wearing a 7-fold italian hand-made tie (or a Sam Hober for that matter) is something that is done for oneself, as it would be very hard to notice the peculiarities of such a tie as compared to other high-quality ties. I was complimented on wearing the Presta ties, but because I think they are beautiful and not because they were seven (or six) folds. It is not a fad, but a personal preference that in the grand of schemes does not make a huge difference.

Sounds like you had a great time on your trip.

I agree with you that purchasing a beautiful Italian tie when you are in Italy is a great idea.

Also luxury ties are indeed to make a man happy.