New Bill Kelso Half-Belt California Sportswear

[Seb Lucas]

I know, I know, BK has copped some over the rep's ostentatious self promotion. Some of it from me.

But you know what? This looks cool. Their attention to detail is amazing and I don't think enough people do a good half-belt. Now here's a full grain one. Look at that articulated back. Looks good enough to eat from where I sit. Bastards.

 

[thor]

Great looking jacket! It's believe it's based on the jacket worn by Bruce Willis in "Surrogates" (I may have to watch the film just to check out the jacket).
BK certainly make a quality jacket and this one looks like a winner.

 

[ProteinNerd]

It is a fantastic looking jacket.

BK has some pretty serious wait times doesn't he?

 

[Seb Lucas]

Great looking jacket! It's believe it's based on the jacket worn by Bruce Willis in "Surrogates" (I may have to watch the film just to check out the jacket).

Yes it is. A botched sci-fi film but a great jacket. I think they may have bought an original and deconstructed it to make this one, Maybe they'll chime in. I love this pattern and had one copied by Johnson Leathers in San Fran in 3 oz cowhide. But this is very tempting.

Here's my (sorry folks) Johnson....

 

[Superfluous]

BK based this jacket on the Californian jacket made by Tony Nowak for the Surrogates movie. There are additional photos here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.764717566891870.1073742050.540638042633158&type=1 . BK's details and craftsmanship are superb. That said, I personally do not care for the two creases on the back of this jacket (I suspect BK can make the jacket without the creases).

 

[Seb Lucas]

BK based this jacket on the Californian jacket made by Tony Nowak for the Surrogates movie. There are additional photos here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.764717566891870.1073742050.540638042633158&type=1 . BK's details and craftsmanship are superb. That said, I personally do not care for the two creases on the back of this jacket (I suspect BK can make the jacket without the creases).

I didn't have pleats put in mine but I miss them.

 

[zhz]

I like BK's HB a lot, both this one and their Westfall.

 

[zhz]

I think the waiting time is depends on the hides they stocked. If the hides you asked is available, it takes 6-8 weeks, but it is not available, oh......good luck man...

It is a fantastic looking jacket.

BK has some pretty serious wait times doesn't he?

 

[EmergencyIan]

I know, I know, BK has copped some over the rep's ostentatious self promotion. Some of it from me.

But you know what? This looks cool. Their attention to detail is amazing and I don't think enough people do a good half-belt. Now here's a full grain one. Look at that articulated back. Looks good enough to eat from where I sit. Bastards.


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That is a beautiful jacket.

- Ian

 

[Superfluous]

I didn't have pleats put in mine but I miss them.

Thats the word I was looking for, but could not recall. Thanks.

 

[morrison2951]

Nice jacket! I believe that Nowak also made a Bruce Willis Surrogates repro jacket as well.

 

[Cole]

As far as I know BK had an original Tony Nowak from a filmjackets.com member to do the pattern.

I think this is a beautiful jacket. If I did not allready own a original Tony Nowak Surrogates jacket, this would be the one I'd go for. Who know's, if my wife ever stops complaining that I spend to much money on jackets, jeans and stuff I might still buy one, just to have a HH version. Yeah I know, I'm an jacket addict.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Cole, I think you need a HH one, like the original Californian.

 

[pauleway]

I didn't have pleats put in mine but I miss them.

I think it looks better without the pleats! Always wondered what the purpose was for pleats anyway!

 

[Superfluous]

I think it looks better without the pleats! Always wondered what the purpose was for pleats anyway!

The original TN jacket had pleats. That said, I agree with you that it would look better without the pleats. Similar Californian style jackets from ELMC and Aero do not have pleats. Moreover, the pleats seem unnecessary given the bi-swing.

 

[zhz]

I think the pleats in this style is necessary for the bi-swing. But I don't like it either, thats is why I prefer the Westfall than this one. I think these two looks almost identical from the front.

The original TN jacket had pleats. That said, I agree with you that it would look better without the pleats. Similar Californian style jackets from ELMC and Aero do not have pleats. Moreover, the pleats seem unnecessary given the bi-swing.

 

[Dinerman]

The original TN jacket had pleats. That said, I agree with you that it would look better without the pleats. Similar Californian style jackets from ELMC and Aero do not have pleats. Moreover, the pleats seem unnecessary given the bi-swing.

Just to clear up, since this seems to be a misconception in many threads here. "Californian" was a brand name of the Californaia Sportswear Company- they made many models.

 

[Superfluous]

Just to clear up- "Californian" was a brand name- they made many models.

Thanks. I was going to ask about that. I know that GW offers a similar designed "Californian" (different cuffs) that GW designates the "Ventura" -- presumably, the "Ventura" is one of the original designs offered by the Californian company?

 

[Ribdoner]

Sooo many great looking jackets, so little closet space.

 

[Seb Lucas]

The original TN jacket had pleats. That said, I agree with you that it would look better without the pleats. Similar Californian style jackets from ELMC and Aero do not have pleats. Moreover, the pleats seem unnecessary given the bi-swing.

The pleats look cool. The original Californian jacket Tony copied had pleats. There's a great side by side comparison of the 1940's jacket next to a Nowak. It's identical.