Ask a Question, Get An Answer About Outerwear

[newtojackets]

Same as yours. These matte looking ones are just sprayed over or something. Schott doesn't make an accurate B-3 replica so I wouldn't expect them to have the kind of coating authentic to the actual military jackets. This is what you need to look for. Eastman, Aero and an earlier RMC make the best ones ever, if I am to be asked.

have you potentially handled the Avi Leather B-3? I love the look of it (very similar to RMC), so keen to hear thoughts about it

 

[Marc mndt]

Never realised? Does that mean the durability is far worse than typical leather / a usual sheepskin hide?

My B2 doesn't have much of a topcoat by design. That doesn't mean that the jacket is not durable, it just means that it's not water resistant.

 

[newtojackets]

My B2 doesn't have much of a topcoat by design. That doesn't mean that the jacket is not durable, it just means that it's not water resistant.

View attachment 655499 View attachment 655500

What I'm trying to understand is why does the outside of your jacket still look like it's made of matte leather rather than suede (the typically nappy hair texture), if it doesn't have the coating?

@Monitor

 

[MrProper]

What I'm trying to understand is why does the outside of your jacket still look like it's made of matte leather rather than suede (the typically nappy hair texture), if it doesn't have the coating?

@Monitor

I think because the flesh side of sheep is not as fuzzy as that of cow or horse. But maybe it is just sanded so that it is similar to nubuck. My sheepskins are like that. And over time, the stressed areas become smooth.

 

[Canuck Panda]

I have tried on a Schott B3 in store years ago and it was not of the acrylic coating kind. But I have also seen the acrylic coating kind. So there are both out there.

Acrylic coating is stiffer than the non acrylic coating ones. I wouldn't call it better or worse quality. For me the quality of the shearling is the density of the fur. I have budget ones and they are not as dense as the more expensive ones.

Hard or soft outer shell is a personal choice. You can have it all clad in horsehide and make an armor out of it or go suede and soft like very thick sweats. Stiff or soft will determine what kind of drape you want.

I don't think fading is that bad. The full acrylic finish can be a bit stiff for most people. Think FQHH.

Density of the fur matters, top is medium density, middle is budget low density, and bottom is high density. You can have super dense and shorter furs. The budget ones I had have longer but curled fur to hide the bald spots. Spread the fur out to see.

 

[newtojackets]

I have tried on a Schott B3 in store years ago and it was not of the acrylic coating kind. But I have also seen the acrylic coating kind. So there are both out there.

Acrylic coating is stiffer than the non acrylic coating ones. I wouldn't call it better or worse quality. For me the quality of the shearling is the density of the fur. I have budget ones and they are not as dense as the more expensive ones.

Hard or soft outer shell is a personal choice. You can have it all clad in horsehide and make an armor out of it or go suede and soft like very thick sweats. Stiff or soft will determine what kind of drape you want.

View attachment 655507

I don't think fading is that bad. The full acrylic finish can be a bit stiff for most people. Think FQHH.

Density of the fur matters, top is medium density, middle is budget low density, and bottom is high density. You can have super dense and shorter furs. The budget ones I had have longer but curled fur to hide the bald spots. Spread the fur out to see.
View attachment 655508

I really like that second jacket (the brown B-3). Where is that from?

 

[MrProper]

My B2 doesn't have much of a topcoat by design. That doesn't mean that the jacket is not durable, it just means that it's not water resistant.

View attachment 655499 View attachment 655500

In any case, it looks pretty cool.

 

[Monitor]

have you potentially handled the Avi Leather B-3? I love the look of it (very similar to RMC), so keen to hear thoughts about it

No, never.

My B2 doesn't have much of a topcoat by design. That doesn't mean that the jacket is not durable, it just means that it's not water resistant.

View attachment 655499 View attachment 655500

Yes, that. Just to clarify, I am talking strictly about the durability of the finish. The leather - Or the jacket itself - Is a whole other issue of course which has nothing to do with the type of finish it is coated with.

Also, beautiful jacket!!

What I'm trying to understand is why does the outside of your jacket still look like it's made of matte leather rather than suede (the typically nappy hair texture), if it doesn't have the coating?

@Monitor

@MrProper answered your question correctly.

The tannery can sand the leather to near smooth surface, just as they can leave it naturally fuzzy. This is a very high-end jacket that has been carefully sanded to get the uniform, clean look and was then lightly coated.

But it could've been made to look any way the maker wanted.

 

[newtojackets]

No, never.



Yes, that. Just to clarify, I am talking strictly about the durability of the finish. The leather - Or the jacket itself - Is a whole other issue of course which has nothing to do with the type of finish it is coated with.

Also, beautiful jacket!!



@MrProper answered your question correctly.

The tannery can sand the leather to near smooth surface, just as they can leave it naturally fuzzy. This is a very high-end jacket that has been carefully sanded to get the uniform, clean look and was then lightly coated.

But it could've been made to look any way the maker wanted.

This makes sense! The ones with the hairy surface just haven’t been sanded yet

 

[jojothenorthstar]

I have tried on a Schott B3 in store years ago and it was not of the acrylic coating kind. But I have also seen the acrylic coating kind. So there are both out there.

Acrylic coating is stiffer than the non acrylic coating ones. I wouldn't call it better or worse quality. For me the quality of the shearling is the density of the fur. I have budget ones and they are not as dense as the more expensive ones.

Hard or soft outer shell is a personal choice. You can have it all clad in horsehide and make an armor out of it or go suede and soft like very thick sweats. Stiff or soft will determine what kind of drape you want.

View attachment 655507

I don't think fading is that bad. The full acrylic finish can be a bit stiff for most people. Think FQHH.

Density of the fur matters, top is medium density, middle is budget low density, and bottom is high density. You can have super dense and shorter furs. The budget ones I had have longer but curled fur to hide the bald spots. Spread the fur out to see.
View attachment 655508

btw where did you get that vest? it looks awesome

 

[Jiantle]

Does anyone own or just have any thoughts on the Sugar Cane Aviator Jacket?

Curious to know what the leather is like and how the fit is. I feel like in the Sugar Cane jackets I've seen, the torso is really long, which doesn't work for me.

I have the itch to add an aviator to my collection and this one caught my eye. I think the light colored buttons and brass zips really make it pop.

 

[photo2u]

Does anyone own or just have any thoughts on the Sugar Cane Aviator Jacket?

Curious to know what the leather is like and how the fit is. I feel like in the Sugar Cane jackets I've seen, the torso is really long, which doesn't work for me.

I have the itch to add an aviator to my collection and this one caught my eye. I think the light colored buttons and brass zips really make it pop.

View attachment 658713

Nice very expensive jacket. That are other choices at a much better price.

 

[Jiantle]

Nice very expensive jacket. That are other choices at a much better price.

Agreed, definitely expensive. I wouldn't pay the retail price for sure but may be able to get a used one.

 

[Canuck Panda]

I really like that second jacket (the brown B-3). Where is that from?

RMC NZ. There are deals out there, look for the ones with the RMC tag cut off. They will come with a heavy discount. Same nice jacket, much lower prices.

btw where did you get that vest? it looks awesome

Thanks. Johnson Leathers. If you are thinking of making it out like this be aware it will be a monster jacket. Horsehide shell plus shearling lining means there are two layers of leather, plus fur. Will last generations probably. Go with the lightest weight horsehide on the shell to make it easier to wear, don't heavy leathers.

Does anyone own or just have any thoughts on the Sugar Cane Aviator Jacket?

Curious to know what the leather is like and how the fit is. I feel like in the Sugar Cane jackets I've seen, the torso is really long, which doesn't work for me.

I have the itch to add an aviator to my collection and this one caught my eye. I think the light colored buttons and brass zips really make it pop.

View attachment 658713

I've looked at this jacket before many times. There is one on Mercari that's been there for years. I didn't buy it because the seller wants what he originally paid (new). When these jacket first came out, they undercut prices, about ¥100,000 to ¥130,000. Now the resellers wants to make bank. Be aware.
These jackets are good. But knowing how much they were brand new is very hard for me to pay their current asking prices. I had and sold a Sugar Cane jacket. The constructions are on par with all the current Japanese brands, the cut is slim long, very good construction and material, and their original MSRP were much lower than today's standards.

Price comparison,

 

[Marc mndt]

But knowing how much they were brand new is very hard for me to pay their current asking prices.

I understand your sentiment but this is true for pretty much each and every jacket. Ten years ago an ELMC Californian cost £825, today you'll pay €750 for a second hand one. A Lewis Leathers Dominator was £525, today you'll pay more than that for a second hand one.

This Buco J-27 was $41.50 when new. I paid a whole lot more for my well used one lol.

 

[Jiantle]

I've looked at this jacket before many times. There is one on Mercari that's been there for years.

Yes this is the one that I've seen too. I saw somewhere that their size 40 jackets have a 25.5 inch back length so the size 42 may be way too long for this style, which is my main concern. But I know numbers only tell half the story so I wanted to see if anybody has experience with it.

The leather also looks like it has a teacore effect but looks like it fades beautifully rather than chips, which is special.

 

[newtojackets]

RMC NZ. There are deals out there, look for the ones with the RMC tag cut off. They will come with a heavy discount. Same nice jacket, much lower prices.


Thanks. Johnson Leathers. If you are thinking of making it out like this be aware it will be a monster jacket. Horsehide shell plus shearling lining means there are two layers of leather, plus fur. Will last generations probably. Go with the lightest weight horsehide on the shell to make it easier to wear, don't heavy leathers.


I've looked at this jacket before many times. There is one on Mercari that's been there for years. I didn't buy it because the seller wants what he originally paid (new). When these jacket first came out, they undercut prices, about ¥100,000 to ¥130,000. Now the resellers wants to make bank. Be aware.
These jackets are good. But knowing how much they were brand new is very hard for me to pay their current asking prices. I had and sold a Sugar Cane jacket. The constructions are on par with all the current Japanese brands, the cut is slim long, very good construction and material, and their original MSRP were much lower than today's standards.

View attachment 658769
Price comparison,
View attachment 658770

What do you search in buyee for the B-3s with the tag cut off? Just ‘Real McCoy B-3’?

 

[Aloysius]

Yes this is the one that I've seen too. I saw somewhere that their size 40 jackets have a 25.5 inch back length so the size 42 may be way too long for this style, which is my main concern. But I know numbers only tell half the story so I wanted to see if anybody has experience with it.

The leather also looks like it has a teacore effect but looks like it fades beautifully rather than chips, which is special.

I wish I went longer on my aviator personally. It's ultimately a form of double-breasted half belt.

 

[Raisin Brando]

Do any modern companies besides Aero make a wool or wool/leather 40s style half-belt?

 

[Marc mndt]

Do any modern companies besides Aero make a wool or wool/leather 40s style half-belt?

Sugar Cane.