I suppose I might be considered an optimist when in the process of one of the worst droughts in recent history I ordered an umbrella. The truth of the matter is here in my neighborhood we did get a light touch of rain sufficient for me to use the umbrella I keep in my car. I noticed that some of the rain seemed to be getting through and looked up and realized that the fabric was beginning to wear at joints in the frame.

Since I cannot really remember how old that umbrella is, just that it's plenty old, I cannot fault it for developing holes. I started perusing the Amazon reviews and, although it cost more than some of the others, decided to buy the RST 41" black umbrella.

The umbrella came in late yesterday and I've just finished giving it the once over along with opening and closing it; it is impressive as to its build. When one presses the release button the umbrella pops open with considerable force; one might want to be careful that no one is in the line of fire when the button is pressed. The umbrella extends and the canopy is opened and the canopy retracts when the button is pressed a second time; the rod does not recompress but the canopy retracts and is ready to be pulled down again toward the handle.

I was not familiar with RST Umbrellas and decided to find out more about them and discovered they are produced by a Chinese company: Shangyu City Xingbao Umbrella Co., Ltd. Zhejiang, China (Mainland). For some inexplicable reason I wasn't surprised by that. This company was founded in 1995 and ships all over the world.

Only time will tell if I get as good long-term service from this one as I did from my old one. If anything newsworthy develops concerning the umbrella I'll update the review.