Panther Primitive Tents is going out of business Need recommendation

[Johnny Too-Tall]

Now that Panther Primitive tents is no longer taking orders and will soon close, does anyone have a recommendation on a new tent source. Not sure type tent I want to be honest but need something.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

Boy, I have a Panther tent, 2 actually (wedge & wall) and I have no idea who I'd go to now, but before I'd source a new vendor, I'd decide what type of tent I'd want and then go from there. Some might be better at a certain style that others, ya' know?

The loss of Panther will be a BIG hit to the reenacing and MZL'ding community, as their catalog was FULL of great items, besides tents and camp stuff. I've attached their catalog here for you - in case you didn't have it - take a look. Notice the key build details that they put into their tent designs. Maybe that will help you decide whom is best for your next tent purchase. Good luck!

 

[andy52]

RK lodges would be the closet to Panther .

 

[pat i.]

I thought RK was out of the business? I'd be happy to be wrong. Spring Valley and Tentsmith come to mind if looking for a new lodge.

 

[Coot]

Now that Panther Primitive tents is no longer taking orders and will soon close, does anyone have a recommendation on a new tent source. Not sure type tent I want to be honest but need something.

Hopefully the new owners of Tentsmiths are up to the former standards. Check their online catalog for styles/types.

 

[Johnny Too-Tall]

Hopefully the new owners of Tentsmiths are up to the former standards. Check their online catalog for stylest

Thanks I'll check them out.

 

[andy52]

I thought RK was out of the business? I'd be happy to be wrong. Spring Valley and Tentsmith come to mind if looking for a new lodge.

They still have an active website. Their tents are a little less expensive than
Tentsmiths don't know about the quality of either because I've always used Panthers

 

[#BPBReloadingFFL]

Now that Panther Primitive tents is no longer taking orders and will soon close, does anyone have a recommendation on a new tent source. Not sure type tent I want to be honest but need something.

Red Hawk

 

[Timber Wolf]

I got my order in last month for a small "guest" tent and oilskin tarp to go with the Mini-Wall I got last year. At my age I probably won't need anything else but am sad to see a good merchant close. Hopefully somebody will take up the reins.

 

[waksupi]

I thought RK was out of the business? I'd be happy to be wrong. Spring Valley and Tentsmith come to mind if looking for a new lodge.

I thought Dick and Katie's kids had taken over RK?

 

[Siringo]

I thought RK was out of the business? I'd be happy to be wrong. Spring Valley and Tentsmith come to mind if looking for a new lodge.

Don Strinz?

 

[waksupi]

Don Strinz?

Didn't Don die?

 

[CuNosecap]

Flint62Smoothie, thank you for posting the catalogue. There is an absolute wealth of knowledge there. Maybe the catalogue can be preserved as a sticky for future reference as it is so complete. Not just about pricing. Way more about tents/shelters/materials.

 

[55tulle]

My two lodges.

RK 8x10 Marque, about 2010. Still going strong. Stood up to 40mph winds no trouble
It breaths in and out like a balloon in wind gusts, without affecting a candle flame inside.

Tentsmiths 1750 French wedge bellback, about 2000. With dining fly. Another great tent.

I don't know if RK is still in business.

Are tent expensive ? Yes, but they are essentially custom made by hand for you. so consider that. Tentsmiths took a while with my dining fly sidewalls, but they say they are small and working non-stop.

I never stretch my canvas tight. I put it up as it is supposed to be, then leave some slack. The canvas will grow and shrink as it gets hot and cold/wet. I feel it's much easier on the canvas, and slows down the thinning of the cloth.

 

[pat i.]

I just called RK and the guy I talked to said they were retired so scratch that one off the list. It's really too bad because I have an RK wedge and it's a nice lodge. I have a Panther wedge too and it's equally as good. Im not far from Spring Valley Lodge and see Jim's products at a lot of rendezvous. He makes a great lodge too. It's just too bad the choices are getting fewer and fewer.

 

[Speedo]

Davis tent in Denver they make about anything you want, good outfit.
they have a new wedge tent out now.

 

[maillemaker]

I have not ordered from them in over 15 years but Tentsmiths was first-rate. I had them build a custom medieval pavilion to my plans.

 

[sportster73hp]

I bought my wall tent from Blockade Runner two years ago. I think they make them in house .

 

[kipcarter]

I thought RK was out of the business? I'd be happy to be wrong. Spring Valley and Tentsmith come to mind if looking for a new lodge.

Dick has died and his daughter who took over years ago has retired and RK is no longer in business.

 

[Jay Templin]

Now that Panther Primitive tents is no longer taking orders and will soon close, does anyone have a recommendation on a new tent source. Not sure type tent I want to be honest but need something.

I’m quite happy with the 10x12 wall tent we bought from Blockade Runner several years ago. https://www.blockaderunner.com/Catalog/catpg30.htm
Jay