Adam Savage Does a Warranty Repair on a Savage Industries Apron!
Adam Savage performs a warranty repair on a well-worn Savage Industries apron owned by a fan named Sasha. He replaces a pocket damaged by a tape measure and adds a leather liner to prevent future wear while discussing his manufacturing business and sewing philosophy.
Summary
Adam Savage welcomes viewers to his workshop to perform a special warranty repair on one of his company's aprons. The apron belongs to Sasha, who has clearly put significant use into it, evidenced by worn leather elements and sawdust indicating woodworking activities. The main issue is a front pocket that has been worn through by repeated use of a tape measure. Adam explains that his company offers lifetime warranties on their products and typically has very few warranty claims over their nine years in business. He begins the repair process by carefully removing the damaged pocket using a seam ripper, noting the satisfying wear patterns that tell the story of the apron's use. Adam decides to not only replace the pocket but also add a leather liner to prevent future damage from the tape measure. He travels to his loft to select appropriate leather material and explains his process throughout. During the repair, Adam discusses the broader importance of sewing as a skill, arguing that it's far more complex than culturally perceived and serves as excellent training for other maker skills like carpentry and welding. He emphasizes how sewing requires thinking 'inside out and backwards' and involves complex order of operations similar to other technical crafts. The repair process includes some typical challenges - Adam initially cuts pieces too small and accidentally sews through a strap, requiring him to restart portions of the work. He takes a weekend break before completing the final assembly. The finished repair includes the new pocket with hidden leather reinforcement, and Adam signs and dates his work, though he clarifies this personal attention is a special one-off rather than standard warranty service.
Key Insights
- Adam argues that sewing is a gateway drug to thinking through complex problems and serves as excellent training for carpentry, welding, and sheet metal work because these are all 'planer forms meeting under rules and conditions'
- Adam reveals that his manufacturing business hasn't made him very much money over the years, but describes it as providing invaluable education and institutional knowledge about commerce
- Adam explains that professional-level sewing requires thinking 'inside out and backwards' and involves multiple rounds of basting stitches to achieve proper fit, comparing it to a 'bloody magic trick'
- Adam states that his company has had to do 'surpassingly few warranty repairs' over nine years, expressing pride in both the construction quality and manufacturing partnership
- Adam admits he doesn't have the institutional knowledge as a professional sewer and clarifies that the products he sells are assembled by absolute professionals, not by him personally
Topics
Full transcript available for MurmurCast members
Sign Up to Access