Kit Karson Jackets

[jeo]

 

[ton312]

Long overdue post (thanks again to @Marc mndt for posting this in the finds and deals thread)

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SUPERB!!!!!!!

 

[Marc mndt]

Long overdue post (thanks again to @Marc mndt for posting this in the finds and deals thread)

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Wow, what an amazing jacket. I love those stars on the kidney panel.

Looks like a perfect fit.

What's wrong with the inner collar, has the stitching come undone?

 

[jeo]

Wow, what an amazing jacket. I love those stars on the kidney panel.

Looks like a perfect fit.

What's wrong with the inner collar, has the stitching come undone?

Yes. There are a lot of other issues with the jacket. The moment I put it on and made the slightest movement, both seams at the top of the shoulders ripped a little. This isn’t a daily wearer but the leather is in good shape though so I will ultimately get all the issues taken care of.

 

[Smithprocess]

Hey all, wanted to share my Kit Karson. This jacket was my great grandfather’s. My whole life it has hung on the back of my dad’s closet door and recently my dad decided to give it to me. It was in ROUGH shape with most of the threads rotting, the liner tearing out and many seams pulling apart. It was covered in dust and mold spots and the leather was incredibly dry.
I took it to a tailor in berkeley who knows these jackets well and he repaired a ton on it. We decided rather than completely restoring the jacket to leave the little quirks that make it what it is to me… the brass main zipper that was replaced years ago, and the collar flap with the re-installed upside-down snap (ha!).

“After shots” below are after 4 coats of lexol. Will probably do another 4 over the next few weeks before starting to wear the jacket.

I’m looking forward to years more use with this as it was intended, riding and fixing motorcycles from the same era as the jacket itself.

@smithprocess on ig

 

[Aloysius]

Hey all, wanted to share my Kit Karson. This jacket was my great grandfather’s. My whole life it has hung on the back of my dad’s closet door and recently my dad decided to give it to me. It was in ROUGH shape with most of the threads rotting, the liner tearing out and many seams pulling apart. It was covered in dust and mold spots and the leather was incredibly dry.
I took it to a tailor in berkeley who knows these jackets well and he repaired a ton on it. We decided rather than completely restoring the jacket to leave the little quirks that make it what it is to me… the brass main zipper that was replaced years ago, and the collar flap with the re-installed upside-down snap (ha!).

“After shots” below are after 4 coats of lexol. Will probably do another 4 over the next few weeks before starting to wear the jacket.

I’m looking forward to years more use with this as it was intended, riding and fixing motorcycles from the same era as the jacket itself.

@smithprocess on ig

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Might be my favorite proportions yet on a “Perfecto-type” jacket.

 

[Will Zach]

Hey all, wanted to share my Kit Karson. This jacket was my great grandfather’s. My whole life it has hung on the back of my dad’s closet door and recently my dad decided to give it to me. It was in ROUGH shape with most of the threads rotting, the liner tearing out and many seams pulling apart. It was covered in dust and mold spots and the leather was incredibly dry.
I took it to a tailor in berkeley who knows these jackets well and he repaired a ton on it. We decided rather than completely restoring the jacket to leave the little quirks that make it what it is to me… the brass main zipper that was replaced years ago, and the collar flap with the re-installed upside-down snap (ha!).

“After shots” below are after 4 coats of lexol. Will probably do another 4 over the next few weeks before starting to wear the jacket.

I’m looking forward to years more use with this as it was intended, riding and fixing motorcycles from the same era as the jacket itself.

@smithprocess on ig

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The jacket will definitely go well with your bikes! The leather taylor in Berkeley - is this the Hungarian guy? I forgot the name, but there is a pretty famous leather repair shop there.

 

[Aloysius]

The jacket will definitely go well with your bikes! The leather taylor in Berkeley - is this the Hungarian guy? I forgot the name, but there is a pretty famous leather repair shop there.

Zoltan Hajnal of Advanced European Tailoring is the guy you're thinking of.

I meant to visit his shop when I was in Berkeley but didn't get the chance. He sources and repairs tons of vintage to send to the Japanese market and you can buy it direct.

 

[JMax]

Hey all, wanted to share my Kit Karson. This jacket was my great grandfather’s. My whole life it has hung on the back of my dad’s closet door and recently my dad decided to give it to me. It was in ROUGH shape with most of the threads rotting, the liner tearing out and many seams pulling apart. It was covered in dust and mold spots and the leather was incredibly dry.
I took it to a tailor in berkeley who knows these jackets well and he repaired a ton on it. We decided rather than completely restoring the jacket to leave the little quirks that make it what it is to me… the brass main zipper that was replaced years ago, and the collar flap with the re-installed upside-down snap (ha!).

“After shots” below are after 4 coats of lexol. Will probably do another 4 over the next few weeks before starting to wear the jacket.

I’m looking forward to years more use with this as it was intended, riding and fixing motorcycles from the same era as the jacket itself.

@smithprocess on ig

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Welcome. Great first post. Great jacket. My favorite Kit Label. Great workshop.

 

[Marc mndt]

Two tone Kit Karson spotted, does anyone recognize the movie or the actors?

 

[JMax]

Two tone Kit Karson spotted, does anyone recognize the movie or the actors?

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No idea but great bar.

 

[Will Zach]

No idea but great bar.

Yep, bar looks Mexican.

 

[Marc mndt]

Yep, bar looks Mexican.

It is, I'm in Merida.

 

[KBlake]

Hey all, wanted to share my Kit Karson. This jacket was my great grandfather’s. My whole life it has hung on the back of my dad’s closet door and recently my dad decided to give it to me. It was in ROUGH shape with most of the threads rotting, the liner tearing out and many seams pulling apart. It was covered in dust and mold spots and the leather was incredibly dry.
I took it to a tailor in berkeley who knows these jackets well and he repaired a ton on it. We decided rather than completely restoring the jacket to leave the little quirks that make it what it is to me… the brass main zipper that was replaced years ago, and the collar flap with the re-installed upside-down snap (ha!).

“After shots” below are after 4 coats of lexol. Will probably do another 4 over the next few weeks before starting to wear the jacket.

I’m looking forward to years more use with this as it was intended, riding and fixing motorcycles from the same era as the jacket itself.

@smithprocess on ig

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That fits you beautifully. The sentimental value really makes this the perfect jacket. Enjoy it!

 

[JMax]

It is, I'm in Merida.

Nice place. Hitting the beaches in the area? I just got back from South Padre, TX. I miss the ocean.

 

[Marc mndt]

Nice place. Hitting the beaches in the area? I just got back from South Padre, TX. I miss the ocean.

Not in this area. We're now traveling to Valladolid to do some sightseeing. After that we'll head to Playa del Carmen where they have plenty of beaches so I've been told .

 

[Will Zach]

Let me get this straight: the guy is in Mexico on vacation, hitting sightseeing sites, bars, and beaches, all the while identifying vintage jackets on old American movies, in a bar, no less. That's dedication.

 

[JMax]

Not in this area. We're now traveling to Valladolid to do some sightseeing. After that we'll head to Playa del Carmen where they have plenty of beaches so I've been told .

Cool. I’ve been all over that area. Some play but mostly work. That area was hot around 5 or so years ago. Playa del Carmen is nice. Enjoy the vacation.

 

[Marc mndt]

Let me get this straight: the guy is in Mexico on vacation, hitting sightseeing sites, bars, and beaches, all the while identifying vintage jackets on old American movies, in a bar, no less. That's dedication.

I can't help it, the jackets seem to be following me lol. I even bought one the other day. Online though, not locally. The Mexicans don't do leather jackets, too warm I guess.