eames RAR: vitra or miller?  

Hi
Are you in Europe?

Yes I am. I somehow feel...
Yes I am. I somehow feel like a herman miller is more the real deal?
Thx

Seems like
Most Europeans would agree with you....

i'm curious to hear more opin...
i'm curious to hear more opinions here.
does it work the other way around for americans who think that vitra is more exotic? 🙂

To me it wouldn't make a lick of difference.
Condition, color, fiber content are what matter most. In that order.

Hi
Haven't seen any Vitra arm shell versions in person myself, but I prefer the shape of the Herman Miller version.

Is there a noticeable difference, woody?
I did not know that, thanks!

me neither, i'd like to know...
me neither, i'd like to know more about that!
thanks a lot!

Yes, there is...
Vitra productions show less fiber and have alot more "sheen" to them. I would much rather have a Herman Miller production. And of course I'd rather have a Zenith production than either of them.

I have noticed some differences in fiber content,
but have seen similar variance in HM versions, too. I think that mostly had to do with how the chopped-fiber mats were processed at that particular plant and time, and the individual working on the line, though. Variations in color consistency and sheen would depend on the resin/batch mix and the condition of the mold. I'm not aware that either Vitra or HM shells were ever top-coated.
I don't think I've ever heard anyone complain about "too much sheen" on an unaltered vintage shell before, but a ScotchBrite pad would cure that condition lickety-split.

tktoo...
True, some of the later production Herman Miller shells show less fiber content. But they still have more about them than even the earlier Vitra productions. And I don't necessarily think the "sheen" is about clear coat. Seems to be more to do with the plastic itself. Herman Miller productions come off looking more like crayons while Vitra chairs look more like markers if that makes sense.
And processes are perfected to be repeated ad nauseum. So I rather doubt your theory about things varying from one line worker to another.

Vitra
The top is wider, making the curves to the arms less dramatic.
(Hope you can tell from the angle of this photo)

Ah yes...
And there's that. I've only ever seen a handful of Vitra armshells over the years. I wonder if that's because of my location or because people just didn't buy them because they didn't fancy the different shape? I certainly don't like it. And I've seen plenty of Vitra sideshells. So I gather it's the latter.

More angles
Can be seen in this link. But no straight-on shot... I wonder if that's intentional.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/original-EAMES-Rocking-Chair-FIBERGLAS-shell-RAR...