BellaOnline Forums Hobbies and Crafts Spinning Majacraft Rose or Schacht Matchless

I am looking to get a portable spinning wheel that can move around the house and go on vacation with me. I have an Ashford Traditional (my first and only wheel) that I have learned on but it is awkard to move around.
I have/raise pygora goats and I'm getting 3 mini llamas this spring, so I will be spinning a lot of fine yarns. I just want to make sure I have all the fiber types covered. I like double treaded as I am left handed and that seems to work for me.

I am looking at the Majacraft Rose and the Schacht Matchless.

Any suggestions or comments?

thanks,
Kelly

Hi..
I don't know how "portable" you want the wheel to be from your description. But I do own a Schacht, and while you can purchase wheels to help you move it about from place to place, it is definitely not one of those "back back" wheels that fold up and is carried easily. ( Unless I am mistaken and they do produce a travel wheel, I think they call all of their wheels "matchless"). It is a gorgeous and well functioning wheel however-- so I don't want to dissuade you from considering it-but it's heft and non 'foldability' could be a detractor for some.
Have you considered the Ashford Joy wheels? They truly DO "fold" up and are very lightweight -- which is sometimes a bit of a problem, I think. The one I tried had several "dents" on the main wheel because the lightweight wood used was so soft! Still, youcould easily put one of these in your car for traveling and you would have a nice little wheel with you.

I have a Majacraft Rose and absolutely love it, it is so easy to spin on. I had double treadle Lendrum before and while I like it and it spun well there is no comparison in the performance of the two. It's like comparing a Cadillac and a Volkswagen. Hope this helps.

I love my Majacraft Rose! It was my second wheel, and because it can fold down easily I have taken it to several guild meetings. It travels well. My only complaint with it is that if it gets bumped, the wood dents easily. This hasn't stopped me from taking it with me, though, because I enjoy spinning on it so much. It's smooth and comfortable.

Cara

I have a Schacht Matchless and a folding Lendrum. I love them both. I've tried a Rose, and it was nice, but not (IMO) as nice as my Schacht. I didn't consider it to be a very portable wheel either. My Schacht is not very portable. The Lendrum is. I really don't see comparing the Lendrum to a Volkswagen either! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> If you want to talk the Volkswagen of wheels, there are some plastic ones out there that may qualify! Of course, we're all partial to our wheels and are brand loyal, I think.

I have a Majacraft Rose and have used a Schacht...I love my Rose and it is portable enough. It isn't as light as the lightweight-plastic ones out there, but it is much nicer to spin on! I WOULD, if finances permitted, get the Schacht, however. Not to replace my Majacraft Rose, but in addition to it. I DO think the Rose is easier to spin on, particularly at first...but you pick up the basics easily enough, I think <shrug>.

There it is, yet another opinion.

Have you considered or tried the Majacraft Gem? I have a couple of friends who use them and I've spun on one. I was very impressed! One of my friends even carries hers, folded up, on the back of her motorcycle. How's THAT for portability!?!

My wheel is the Majacraft Suzie, which I bought primarily for it's portability, then I fell in love with it. It travels well, can be strapped in with a seat belt and even after 8 years of heavy use (it's my only wheel) it's still running strong.

The Schacht are heavy, so whether you'd like it or not may depend on how much you like lifting and toting. As I get older... I like it less and less.

Pegg

Kelly,
Did you make a choice yet? Let us know!

Pegg