I have a Kirby Information question.

[kirbyvertibles]

Hello,
I have been thinking a lot about Kirby knowledge lately. A few people I know have found different Kirby's and I was just going to hop on here with a few questions.

First question, I was recently sent a picture of a Classic Omega that is dated 1973, that is 100% all original, including the ultra glossy, two piece handle with separate cord clip. I was told from this person that ALL the Classic Omegas would have had this handle originally, and the Rosewood, dull, one piece handle with the double bag hook/cord hook mounted on the side was exclusively a replacement. Is that information accurate? Also, Most Classic Omegas I see have the replacement handle, next to none that I have seen have the original. Was there a recall at some point? Or did just that many break? The number of non original Rosewood Omega handles seem to be quite a lot.


Second question, I also have received a classic III (as most of you have seen in my pervious thread about my Niece). It is a 78 model, at what point did they change the Classic II handle? Also was there a recall for classic III handles too? For the same problem of constant breakage. Any info would be great!

Thanks,
Phillip

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

kirbyvertibles

Phillip,

You're not alone. You are correct that the one-piece rosewood handle grip is a replacement; the original one was indeed in two pieces held on by six screws (three per side).

You are also correct that the version of the one-piece grip with the rounded tip and side-mounted bag/cord hook originally appeared on the Classic III in mid-1978 (replacing the previous one-piece grip which had a pointed tip and which like the original versions of the Dual Sanitronic 80, Classic 1CR and Omega 1CB grips had had the bag/cord hook in the back), and subsequent replacement grips for all Kirby models going back to the Dual Sanitronic 80 were made in that mold.

~Ben

 

[vacman1961]

The original handle grip on the Omega model was made out of a soy bean compound which was very brittle, the back of the handle grip broke with the slightest push. They eventually came out with a solid plastic handle and the hole for the cord hook screw was drilled through the solid plastic instead of a slot cut out in the hollow plastic and sliding over the screw.