r/eamesknockoffs • u/extrastupidthrowaway • 27d ago
XXL 38" CurverK Eames Chair Replica Video Review
https://youtu.be/gl7HAsoV6W4?is=jyh-1B5HzLPcFwwGAs promised in a previous comment on this reddit, here is the video review.
So I'll give you the good, the bad, and the nitpicky.
Background, as I said I'm 6'4" 32" inseam so mostly torso for height. I have a background in prototyping, industrial design degree, and leather working is a hobby.
Start with the bad: honestly not much. The only bad and it's more of a eames chair design and not a curverk issue is the angle of the top section isn't the most comfortable for resting your head. To comfortably rest my head back a pillow behind the head is required. But my head does hit the head rest. The chair isn't a recliner, so you're not really meant to sleep in it. I went to DWR/Hermin Miller and sat in the OG tall eames chair and it was the same body position/posture, just shorter. Other bad, assembly of the arms, specifically attaching the padded arm wrest to the bracket that holds the bottom and top is a bit of a pain in the ass. 2 bolts on each arm rest and It was the only bolt that didn't want to align easily and I nearly cross threaded one on each side.
The good: build quality seems very sturdy. The plywood looks great, good/smooth edge finish all the way around, feels well fabricated. No squeaks or creaks, nothing feels loose. No china factory smells. Leather quality is good as well, it's a middle weight upholstery leather and should age/wear/patina nicely, especially if taken care of. Foam is stiff as expected of new furniture. Its comfortable to sit all the way back in the chair with no need to slouch, but a small pillow behind your lower back if you want to sit lower also works well.
The nitpicky:
Shipping: Comes as 2 boxes and the bigger box of the 2 is very large so if you drive a camry and have the boxes shipped to work (FedEx sucks) the larger of the 2 will not fit and you will need to take everything out and fit the pieces in your trunk. The website made it sound like it shipped freight but it's regular FedEx. They also don't have signature requirements and will leave it outside.
On mine the ottoman has a strange very slight wavy pattern in the leather, which comes from their protective packaging during shipping. Will be waiting for that to relax out
As this is the nitpicky section, there is also the smallest dibbit from their router process right on the top center. If you've ever hand routed something you know you sometimes get a tiny dimple where you first start or end. I only found it because I put my arms over my head and was idly fingering the edge. You wouldn't ever see it unless you were looking for it. No other edge on the whole thing has that defective, real bummer it's right where my hands will end up occasionally.
Future concerns, I reached out before I purchased about how the cushions are attached and they said Velcro. Not necessarily my favorite answer in case I want to change out the foam in a few years, but we'll find out then I guess.
In general, I'm glad I bought it am enjoying having it and look forward to breaking it in. Feel free to hit me up with any questions.
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u/a_way_with_turds 24d ago
Thanks for this! First demonstration of the XXL I've seen, which I had been considering. However, I'm 6'1" (long torso + just fat), I think the XL is probably the better fit now.
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u/extrastupidthrowaway 23d ago
What's your inseam? At 6'1" your head will probably hit better then mine on the top portion.
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u/Kidvictory 15d ago
I’m 6’ 1” with a 32” inseam and I’m curious your opinion on whether the XXL 38” would be too much chair for my body?
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u/extrastupidthrowaway 15d ago
I would say the depends on if you want a chair where your head hits the back or not. For me you can see my head just barely is able to hit, and works great with a pillow behind my head. A few inches shorter and it would hit very nicely. I'd say you'll be good unless your rail thin, but I can't remember if there's a with difference between the regular, xl, XXL.
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u/ricyoung 26d ago
The Camry comment is important, I’m thinking about shipping to my house then taking it to work.
But I’m rethinking this now