Vintage Eyeglasses

[bombin]

If you have the original cables and the frames are gold filled, then there should be no problem as they will last a lifetime.
If you are using modern replacement temples, then the covers are a good idea as these are only plated.
Richard

Thanks, Richard. Yes, they're gold-filled. So they shouldn't be a problem then? That's good to know.

(I suppose the replacement cables at Optometrist Attic are just gold-coloured and not actually gold-filled?)

 

[Retro Spectator]

I have these glasses, but they aren't vintage. I got them in January, so they are pretty new. They are made by a company called Bellagio. Would these glasses be included browlines? The bottom of the lenses are not covered with anything, and they have built in plastic nose pads.

 

[Retromoto]

I've wore glasses w/ cable temples for 35 years and while I agree with you regarding the compromising of the appearance, I would still recommend covers on the temples. The cables can really bite into the sensitive area behind your ears and once irritated, can really be a painful nuisance. This is especially true in the summer months.
Retomoto

 

[bombin]

I've wore glasses w/ cable temples for 35 years and while I agree with you regarding the compromising of the appearance, I would still recommend covers on the temples. The cables can really bite into the sensitive area behind your ears and once irritated, can really be a painful nuisance. This is especially true in the summer months.
Retomoto

Where do you get your covers from?

 

[Retromoto]

I did not wear them for years and suffered although later was able to get them through a industrial safety glass supplier which supplied my "Shop " glasses before I retired.


BTW, Did your eye doctor fit you for the frame you purchased or did you order these on your own?
Retomoto

Where do you get your covers from?

 

[bombin]

I did not wear them for years and suffered although later was able to get them through a industrial safety glass supplier which supplied my "Shop " glasses before I retired.

I see that the Optometrist Attic carries them too.

BTW, Did your eye doctor fit you for the frame you purchased or did you order these on your own?
Retomoto

I bought old frames off eBay. I'm having glass lenses put in and the optometrist said he would fit them when the lenses are done.

 

[WideBrimm]

bombin: I've been wearing (Art Craft) Rimways with the cable temples for over 20 years now. You can get the clear plastic covers from your optometrist (should be free or a nominal charge when you buy the lenses). They do help keep the temples from irritating your ears. After a few months the plastic covers get brittle and eventually break into pieces. At that time, your ears should be used to the temples, and you can dispense with them if you want. From then on you can clean you glasses frames from time to time by soaking them in gentle, soapy clean dish water with an old tooth brush. That will clean the grease and dirt from the temples and nose pads, and keep them looking new for a long time.

 

[bombin]

WideBrimm: Thanks for the suggestion. I'll ask my optometrist about the covers when I go to pick up the spectacles. (I suppose, in a pinch, any heat shrink tubing might work too). Thanks also for the cleaning suggestion ... I might try that for my old/current frames too.

 

[esteban68]

Ok you get to a certain age and you think I'll need glasses one day and you put it off, and last time I had an eye test they said " you're border line needing a prescription for reading in your left eye" so obviously I ignored them then day before yesterday whilst out and about I bought these from the 1950's? made by LEWCO England, so I cleaned them up and tried them on like you do and lo and behold I can read very small print quite a bit better than without them, happily they fit me and she who must be obeyed too and she can read with them better too...so we've got our first pair of 'readers' aT 46 for a fiver and they're well made and vintage so all good.

 

[bombin]

esteban68: those are very handsome specs. great find!

 

[1mach1]

Very nice, Esteban!

 

[esteban68]

here a 'selfie' such as it is;

ignore the grey bits it's just the flash bleacing the colour out of my hair...which needs a trim now I look at it!

 

[bombin]

further questions on cable temples

I got my cable temple spectacles back from the optician yesterday; I had him adjust the temples a bit (and put on covers, just in case) and they seemed to fit ok, but with continued wear they're becoming more and more uncomfortable (on the ears mainly).

Is this likely to just be getting used to new frames discomfort? Or do they probably need further adjustment?

A related question - how difficult is it to adjust the temples oneself? (My wife has a set of jewellery tools and offered to try to adjust it.)

 

[Stuffsmith]

Hi bombin - just speaking for myself, I find cable temple specs do make the backs of my ears sore with use over a day. I have other glasses that I alternate with them because of this.

In terms of adjusting the temples, it depends on what adjustments you're speaking about. Tightening screws on the hinges can be done with miniature screwdrivers with great care not to strip the screw.

 

[Rudie]

I have no problem with mine. At first my ears became sore, but once I got used to them everything was fine.

 

[Fastuni]

If the metal cable irritates behind the ears, just put a thin coat of varnish over them. Makes it also smoother and it still is flexible.

 

[scotrace]

Savile Row
http://www.berkshirechase.com/pages/2.html
Silver out of stock:
http://www.focusers.com/cat2002.html
Richard

I'd avoid Berkshire Chase. My two pairs fell apart. Very cool design, very poor quality.

 

[bombin]

@stuffsmith: No, I was talking about adjusting the shape of the cables, not anythign with the screws.

@Rudie: how long before your ears weren't sore? Do you recall?

@Fastuni: like nail varnish or?

[Also, a vaguely related question - these 1920s era frames came with their original case - but I notice that I have to somewhat compress the cables in order to be able to close the case. Is this normal/expected/acceptable? Or will that affect the fitting of the cables?]

 

[Fastuni]

Thats what I have used. Just one thin coating though.

 

[Rudie]

@Rudie: how long before your ears weren't sore? Do you recall?

A few days. I don't recall exactly, but not more than a week I'd say.