Davis Machinist's Apron

The Ben Davis Machinist's Apron is highly repairable due to its simple construction, though quality has reportedly declined recently.

• •Repair Accessibility: Straightforward repairs possible with basic sewing skills - seams coming apart (reported after just one week by some users) can be reinforced with standard tools.
• •Parts & Materials: Made from durable denim that can be patched easily. Users report the core material remains strong, and replacement straps or new pockets can be added as needed.
• •Longevity Potential: Despite recent quality concerns, the apron's simple design allows for multiple repairs over time. One user mentioned having a previous version for 15 years, suggesting good repairability.

Bottom line: Easy to fix with standard sewing tools and techniques, requiring only basic skills to maintain. Quality issues might mean more frequent repairs needed, but the simple construction makes this straightforward.

This once-legendary apron has fallen hard. Long-time customers who owned previous versions for 15+ years are now watching seams fail after one week.

• •Material still solid: Heavy-duty denim core remains protective against oil and grime, earning praise from machinists and shop workers
• •Construction quality tanked: Multiple reports of seams coming apart after minimal use - one user saw failure after just 1 wash and 1 week of wearing
• •Production moved to China: Decade-long customers confirm quality dropped when manufacturing left USA, with higher prices for inferior stitching

Bottom line: The Ben Davis name still carries weight, but recent buyers are getting 2-year aprons at 15-year prices. Skip unless you find old stock.

Ben Davis Machinist's Apron offers only a basic 90-day warranty for defects in material and workmanship, which is inadequate for a product that was historically known to last 10+ years.

• •Limited Duration: 90-day coverage period is extremely short for a workwear item meant for daily use
• •Basic Coverage: Only manufacturing defects are covered; normal wear and tear excluded
• •Declining Quality: Multiple user reports of seams falling apart after just one week and one wash suggest quality issues that may appear after the warranty expires

Bottom line: This short warranty reflects the product's apparent quality decline after manufacturing moved overseas. For a BIFL product, a 90-day warranty signals low manufacturer confidence in longevity.

Ben Davis Machinist's Apron has a long-standing reputation but faces serious criticism over recent quality decline.

• •Historical reputation: Previously considered BIFL with users reporting 10-15 years of service from older versions.
• •Recent quality concerns: Loyal customers report manufacturing shift from USA to China coinciding with seams coming apart after just one wash.
• •Availability issues: Redditors frequently mention stock shortages (good luck finding them though. They are almost always out of stock).

Bottom line: A once-beloved BIFL staple with declining quality but still functional design. The mixed reception and manufacturing changes prevent a higher score despite its strong community recognition.