B2 might be the next...

[JanSolo]

Hi all.
I am probably interested in purchasing a B2. I know that they are available from LostWorlds, Buzz Rickson and Real McCoys/The Few. Which one do you consider to be the best? Which one features the best leather and the deepest mouton collar? Does anyone know if Aero makes one?

Kind regards

 

[aswatland]

John Lever is our resident expert on repro B2s. I'm sure he will be able to help.

 

[John Lever]

Of the three manufactures I would say Buzz and The Few are the ones to consider. The Buzz is a wearer straight out of the box. The veg. tanned aniline horse is very soft and comfortable to wear. It also has a warm lining called moquette [?] which compliments the colour of the leather and the collar beautifully. I paid around £650 plus taxes, for mine from HPA, but sold it to fund my Few B2. I regretted the sale so much that I have just bought it back.
That's how good it is
The Few version is made from veg/chrome aniline horse and is slightly stiffer and more workman like. The lining is wool blanket and is slightly itchy so this may be an issue for you. There is a choice in leathers for this one. Last year they were made from a colour called Garam. This year they are made out of mid-brown horse hide. This leather looses it's top coat very quickly and achieves a worn look rapidly,. I have a B-1 on order from them in this leather.
Both jackets use a hookless zip and they can be a real pain. I ordered a replacement from HPA when I realised there could be a later issue of wear or breakage. They sent me one for free.
Regarding ordering and availability, I had to order from HPA months in advance and pay up front. I understand that ELC can order any BR jacket so they might be a better bet. It's too late for this year though as any order placed now will mature next autumn. The Few only really cater for the Japanese market and they will try to fit you in only after all the Japanese orders have been satisfied. This can take 6 months at least. They are also a hefty price. Mine cost £1250 plus duty of £200 giving a whopping final cost. So be prepared !
They are with out doubt very beautiful jackets, just warm enough for winter wear without the full sheepskin 'experience'
Why Aero or ELC don't make them is anyone's gues as they are very similar in design to the Irvin.

Few

Buzz

LW

 

[JanSolo]

John, thank you so much for your opinion and the photos of you and your jackets . I'm glad that you vote so strongly for the Buzz Rickson version as it is my favourite version aswell. I like the fluffy looking moquette lining so much and the colour of the leather and the sheepskin collar is just amazing.

I never realized though that it the B2 is so difficult to come by. It looks like I will have to wait until 09 to lay my hands on one of these beauties.

But at the moment I have more than enough jackets to wear as you probably can tell from my first post last week.

I remember you posting photos of an A1 aswell. I have an Aero A1 incoming as a birthday present for my father. I wonder if he likes it. What were your initial impressipon when you received yours?

 

[aswatland]

John please can you put the name of the maker below each picture of you in each B2.

 

[Fletch]

The final pic is the Lost Worlds B-2. I now own John's.

As you can see, the hide is much stiffer than the other 2 makes and the collar much thicker.
The single-snap latch at the neck is unusable - it just unsnaps instantly or will not reach at all.
Happily tho, you can button one or the other collar loops (not without supreme effort however) and secure it that way.

This jacket, along with some other LW models, might actually go past the point where toughness of material is practical, and instead becomes a kind of fetish...

Easier to control the tight stitching on our firm, "attitudinal" Horsehide -- with a mind of its own, no shrinking violet.

 

[John Lever]

The final pic is the Lost Worlds B-2. I now own John's.

As you can see, the hide is much stiffer than the other 2 makes and the collar much thicker.
The single-snap latch at the neck is unusable - it just unsnaps instantly or will not reach at all.
Happily tho, you can button one or the other collar loops (not without supreme effort however) and secure it that way.

This jacket, along with some other LW models, might actually go past the point where toughness of material is practical, and instead becomes a kind of fetish...

it's still a great jacket though. Just tiring to wear. It needs a serious biker to wear it day in day out.

 

[WhiskeyTangoFox]

Jan:

I agree with John Lever and Fletch. The Buzz Rickson's B-2 is cut closer to a 1930s type of jacket (i.e. higher armholes and arms have a nice taper to the wrist) and the leather is lighter weight (3oz), which makes the jacket much less restrictive to wear.

The Lost Worlds version is made with 4oz spray-dyed horsehide and needs a lot of wear time to break in. With the alpaca lining, the Lost Worlds is the warmer of the two jackets. The construction is excellent as well although the zippers are a little weak.

If I could have only one, I would keep the Buzz Rickson's version. That's my opinion...

Noel

 

[Budajoe]

I have to 2nd John's comment on the Buzz Rickson version as I personally own that one...

It is an utterly stunning jacket in the flesh -- the one thing that jumps out at you is how wearable (as John mentioned) it is -- the leather is not at all stiff (e.g. Aero, although I do love their style of Horse as well) -- it is buttery soft, and requires no break in. The lining is very soft and warm as well.

I got mine from HPA and I received it 3 days after I ordered it -- sucks you have to wait for 09 to get yours.

Now I haven't personally seen or handled the McCoy or the LW version, but I couldn't justify the huge amount they're asking for the McCoy (which is close to $2,000.00 US money!!!) -- crazy!

Anyhow, you'll love it -- it's definately on my top 5 (maybe even in the top 3)favorite jackets of all time list.

Budajoe

 

[Edward]

Why Aero or ELC don't make them is anyone's gues as they are very similar in design to the Irvin.

Demand, I gather... If memory serves, it was Rufus who told me recently that Aero have said it's not something they see them having a market for. EL presumably feel the same or no doubt they'd have one. Pity - given the quality of Aero's (and ELC's) leather jackets, I should expect they would make an excellent product, which would be a bit cheaper as well if it could be sourced within the UK.

 

[Fletch]

They obviously see this as an item of Far East interest only because of its 1930s specialist nature. I think this is a mistake, given that they sell A-1s and prewar A-2s.

They could sell B-2s if they were willing to compete on price with Buzz and the rest. It might be tough, tho, because unlike sheepskins, these have to be fully fashioned. Horses aren't born wearing blankets!

 

[green papaya]

John Lever

nice jacket, how tall are you John?

 

[John Lever]

John Lever

nice jacket, how tall are you John?

5 ' 10 '' I weigh 175 pounds

 

[JanSolo]

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread. As I pointed out earlier, my preference for the Buzz Rickson version was very clear right from the beginning but now I am in love. The leather, the collar and the cosy teddy fur lining look so right...
John, do you wear size 38 or 40?