Are calico springs a better option?

Hi Nick.

Good question.

I am splitting your comment up into several parts as it is easier to answer the specifics without having to generalise.

In this case, what you are are asking is "why should you be paying more for presumably less?" As you rightly point out, these two mattresses are identical - APART from the spring unit and yet the more expensive Artisan Naturals has a lower spring count (1396 as opposed to 2000).

But look at the completely different construction of the springs. The Artisan Naturals utilises Calico encased pocket springs and the Artisan Tailored Pocket 2000 utilises Polypropylene encased pocket springs.  Poly springs are a mass-produced technique where a machine churns these out at a phenomenal rate and they are fixed together into mattress sized units by another machine.  The units are glued together and the individual spring pockets are heat-welded together.

Calico springs are sewn into Calico fabric (like sackcloth), aside from it being entirely natural it is also extremely forgiving which enables each individual spring to react better to movement.  Once the springs are made into the individual pockets, they have to be assembled into Mattress size units by hand (Hand Formed).  These rows of springs are not glued together but strung together to keep the springs together but also it enables the springs to be ENTIRELY independent of each other.

The spring count of mass-produced pocket springs can be up to 2000 in one layer and generally all in one tension (gauge).  It's the diameter of the springs that determines the spring count. The diameter of our Calico springs is 54mm which means that there is only enough room to accommodate 1396 springs.  As a comparison, The Vi-Spring Shetland uses 1720 Calico springs - but with a diameter of 48mm.  Their Herald Superb has a spring count of 1476 but uses a greater diameter of spring at 51mm.

Each manufacturer will determine what diameter spring to use in a particular mattress.  There can be countless arguments raised as to whose spring is better, and why.  Harrisons / Somnus / Spink and Edgar manufacture their own springs and even though they are not Calico encased, they too will argue that their spring system is better than Vi Springs (Their competitor).  Savoir Beds also use traditional Hand Formed calico springs in all of their mattresses (similar to Vi-Spring) They too, would argue that this method of pocket springing is the best.  And as Vi-Spring and Savoir are deemed to be the best UK manufacturers, it stands to reason that if these two manufacturing giants only use calico springs in their products then there has to be something behind it.

Incidentally, despite what some descriptions might suggest, there are only less than five UK manufacturers who utilise calico encased, hand formed pocket springs in their products - Savoir Beds, Vi-Spring, Us (Artisan Range), Burgess Beds (perhaps).

This 'Primitive Need' to try a mattress is understandable, there are no two ways about it.  It happens to be our stumbling block - how to convince somebody that once you know what to look for, it becomes all too apparent that YOU DO NOT NEED to try a mattress!  If every manufacturer told you EXACTLY what was inside the mattress, you would spend your money on getting the best springs and the best upholstery your money could get you.  It's as simplistic as that.

The reason why you are not being told this relevant information is that this is the only way you are able to tell one mattress apart from another.  Let me give you this example: We say our Artisan Luxury Kingsize (£1735) is a BETTER build than the Vi-Spring Devonshire Kingsize (RRP of £2585).

If you break down the Devonshire, component by component, it becomes all too apparent where your money is going - and it's not in the mattress - Read On: Springs: Similar construction: calico encased, hand formed units.

John Ryan By Design Artisan Luxury
Vi-Spring Devonshire

So why would you need to try it?  Not only are you saving £850 on an equivalent model but you are also getting 2000 gsm MORE upholstery, and it's not just any upholstery, it's horsehair!

I appreciate that the above is a generalisation of one mattress, and understand you may have counter arguments and questions but I do hope I have put into perspective the answer to your main question.

To find a poly mattress that uses the same fillings as Vi-Spring - also in the quantities they use as well is rather difficult.  Our Artisan Tailored Pocket falls into this range as it becomes the most logical step downwards to fit a certain price point.

Please do not hesitate to contact the office on 0161 437 4419 if you require any further information.  Our office opening times are 8 am to 8 pm Monday to Friday and 10 am to 4 pm Saturday and Sunday.

Kind Regards

Michaela