What Factories Teach Us About Better Making | Douglas Davidson is Back!

Send a textIf you're still using the closest scissors to your machine - you need this episode. We sit down with Kai Scissors for a deep, no-fluff breakdown of what serious makers actually need to know about cutting tools. From steel and geometry to maintenance habits that pros swear by.Listen to the episode to get a 20% off discount for ROTR listeners. In This Episode, We Cover:Why premium scissors will radicalize your cutting experienceHow to choose the right size, style, or serration for technical fabrics, tight work, or heavy-duty materials The secret maintenance tips you won't find on reddit When rotary cutters, specialty blades, or niche tools outperform traditional scissorsFind Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send a textEver wonder what actually happens before a fabric hits the shop? In this episode, we sit down with RBTR's own Carter Holland to pull back the curtain on product decisions, failures, tradeoffs, and future releases you won’t hear about anywhere else.How fabric ideas really get approved or quietly killed before they ever reach your sewing tableWhat goes wrong during development and testing and why some “almost launched” materials never see the light of dayThe unspoken constraints of cost, MOQ, timing, and quality that shape every product we releaseEarly insight into upcoming fabrics and categories that will define what makers are building nextShop New Products HereFind Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send a textTraditional tailoring might seem worlds away from technical gear—but the principles are the same. In this episode, Alasdair Leighton-Crawford of Cimoro shares how skills learned on Savile Row translate directly into better-fitting apparel, smarter pack design, and more intentional making.We talk about:Why tailoring is one of the fastest ways to truly understand fitHow athletic thinking and craft obsession shape better gearWhat most makers overlook when designing packs and apparelBalancing bespoke work, scalability, and running a small businessWhy making by hand still matters in an age of automation and AICimoroShop Fabrics HereFind Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send a textFactories aren’t just about scale—they’re classrooms for better design, smarter workflows, and more durable products. In this episode, Douglas Davidson shares lessons from global manufacturing floors and explains how makers at any level can apply factory thinking to make better gear, whether sewing at home or building for production.Announcements: Maker Meet-Up Spring 2026Shop New ProductsGuest Links:Douglas Davidson | Canvas Worker & The Brown BuffaloHolubar Mountaineering backpack Bruce Johnson - History of GearHiroshi fujiwara (Goodenough)Dan Green, Arcteryx VP of DesignWilson bag factory Clarification: Douglas mentions Pungkook as having 100,000 employees in the episode. In the flow of the conversation, that number got mixed up. He meant to say 10,000 employees.Find Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send a textLet us know what you want out of the podcast for 2026. Email us: [email protected], the episode that was planned for this week had a technical problem and was lost entirely. We're bummed because this was going to be a fun episode. After only missing one week over the 5 years we've been running the show, we suppose it was bound to happen eventually. Don't worry, we have exciting episodes planned for 2026 and you can expect to hear from us on a regular basis once again. Thanks for our best year of podcasting!Shop Fabrics HereFind Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send a textHow our guest went from weekend prototypes to leading design work at The North Face, Nike, and Burton. This episode traces what it really takes to get great at designing gear. You’ll hear practical insights on materials, overseas factories, and the decisions that shape products you trust.Guest: Douglas Davidson of Canvas Worker and The Brown Buffalo Factories Mentioned: http://www.pungkook.com/AJ Factory, https://www.instagram.com/kcajvn/Meru Documentary Shop RBTR Fabrics hereFind Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send a textSewing mistakes happen to everyone. Yes, even the pros. Today we’re breaking down how to actually fix the ones that haunt your workshop. From feeding fabric through the machine to perfecting seam allowances and choosing the right project order, we’re giving you the guide we wish we had on day one. Plus, we answer community questions on binding 3D shapes, PSA tape stitching, machine feed types, and even… what happened to Isaac?2025 DIY Kit Sale Ep. 135 with Luke Mathers from Truce DesignsCo-Host, Matt Evans from Red Paw Packs | Custom UL Packs built in Tarpon Springs FLShop RBTR Fabrics Find Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send a textGreat pack fabrics don't always come right from the mill. Luke from Truce Designs finds some of his fabrics from old sailboats, kites, and scrap bins. Upcycled fabrics aren't just "green" they're durable, functional, and full of old stories. They're the perfect accent to include on a bespoke project. Listen to this episode to hear about what to look for, what to stay away from, and how to upcycle old materials. Truce Designs Links: Website Youtube ChannelInstagramNew Products: Marine Grade VinylShop RBTR FabricsFind Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send a textGood design is more than shapes and stitches. It’s timing, color, and knowing when something is good enough to release. We chat with James from Route Unknown to talk about secrets behind the drop method and how he creates modular, beautiful, and ultra-durable products in his one-man shop. Plus, why the UK doesn't have that many cottage companies. Listen to the episode to understand the edgy title :)https://www.instagram.com/route__unknown/https://route-unknown.com/[email protected] new products hereFind Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send a textIn this episode, we’re separating fact from fiction in the world of technical fabrics and MYOG. We debate 10 true or false statements about technical fabrics, covering topics like seam strength, water leakage, ripstop grids and more. Expect a playful and opinionated conversation that is sure entertain and maybe shock you. Guest: Matt Evans from Red Paw PacksShop new products hereFind Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com