Something old (ish) - 10 months in AL Simmons Bilt

[Plumbline]

I know they have in the past and Andy was great to deal with when I bought my M422a

bear with them ... I think most people will be on holiday till the 5th Jan .... it is New Year after all.

 

[scotrace]

I'll pm Scotty.

Only my grandmother could call me "Scotty," and only after she passed age 95.

 

[Fanch]

Only my grandmother could call me "Scotty," and only after she passed age 95.

Scotrace, do you live anywhere close to Columbus, the location of Ohio State University, the same school that trounced and humiliated Wisconsin in the Big 12 college football playoff that resulted in BU and TCU neither making the Final Four? Now that is controversy that none of our brethren on the other side of the Atlantic would understand.

 

[Otter]

Scotrace, do you live anywhere close to Columbus, the location of Ohio State University, the same school that trounced and humiliated Wisconsin in the Big 12 college football playoff that resulted in BU and TCU neither making the Final Four? Now that is controversy that none of our brethren on the other side of the Atlantic would understand.

[huh].

 

[Fanch]

I rest my case.

 

[Plumbline]

Bear in mind Fanch I lived in the finest city in the USA for 18 months (95-96).. Cleveland, Ohio ..... for my sins that has left me with a love of :

The Tribe ( had louge tickets at the Jake )
The Browns ( last season in Browns stadium
The Cavaliers ( NBA at the Gunde Arena)

never quite got into the lumberjacks ( most people I knew harked back to the days of the Barons .... me I'm LEAFS all the way !)

.... and Buckeyes are my adopted US College teams ..... ( can't believe the loss to IOWA today)

so not all reference is lost on us limeys ..

 

[pawineguy]

He has? I can't say I'm surprised or particularly saddened by that news. Whatever A-1's choice is, I look forward to seeing his fit pics.

Bill Kelso Facebook page updated with A-1 pics just now!! Now that's service!

 

[Edward]

Andy F hasn't posted here in a while, but presumably he still reads the board, as last I looked BK made a few references in their Fbook feed to discussions on TFL. Fb seems to be a good way to contact them.

 

[zhz]

Andy F hasn't posted here in a while, but presumably he still reads the board, as last I looked BK made a few references in their Fbook feed to discussions on TFL. Fb seems to be a good way to contact them.

Andy no longer a member here as he told me, but I am sure he still reading the posts. The best way to contact them is email I think.

 

[thor]

From BK's latest FB post

 

[A-1]

Gonna ask Andy if they can make handwarmer pockets ‘under’ the normal pockets.
It’s a really hard decision between the BK Aeronaut and the AL Simmons Bilt. Damn... Any opinions?

 

[A-1]

The leathers of BK seem to be more mid-weight as they have a softer drape. I’d like to see a AL Simmons Bilt in mid-weight like seal jerky HH.

 

[Plumbline]

I like both ..... and both can be made in a variety of hide ... I went for the AL one because :

a) I could get it relatively quickly ( within 4 weeks)
b) I got it at a great price
c) They already had my sizes on file so I knew it would fit.

there is really nothing I'd change about the Simmonds Bilt ..... I like it a lot and it reduced considerably my issue with button jackets ( a carry over from various Banstormers and VDR's which were made of the toughest, heaviest leather possible).

I think it'd be stunning in mid-weight hides .... and while AL are focussing on medium to heavy hides ( Horween) they have some AMAZING goat and mid weight steer .. their mongolian horse is also more mid weight and stunning. I would, however, say that Andy and BK source some FANTASTIC hides ... especially mid weight veg tanned full grain hides. I like the AL goat better because it has a softer hand than BK's ... but you can't fault either TBH.

The main difference between all the manufacturers is delivery and customisation. For the level of customisation you want only BK and AL will be options .... unless Aero have changed their policy regarding this. Rgerading delivery I think you'd be looking at 4-6 weeks max for AL and 8-16 weeks BK ( this is a rough estimate based on the delivery of my M422a over 2 years ago)

This is how the CXL Horween Steer breaks in

 

[Superfluous]

Gonna ask Andy if they can make handwarmer pockets ‘under’ the normal pockets.

Yes, he can.

 

[A-1]

Thanks for the great input! I’m always adding little tweaks to the wish list of my jacket. I’ve always loved the look of buttons (I don’t have one zipped jacket!) and the possibility of only closing the first buttons from the top.

Andy told me the wait would be something between 6-16 (great estimate PL!) and Deb said at AL it’s only two weeks at the moment.

I’d really love to have my jacket made in a darker brown mid-weight HH. Prefer the look of HH compared to goat. The CXL Steer Simmons Bilt looks stunning but I think it will be too heavy for me.

Would love the jacket to be versatile (spring, autumn, mild winter and colder summer days). Wear it with a very thick troyer or only a t-shirt. This should be my go to jacket whenever I have to wear a jacket. (Hence the handwarmer pockets)

This model was my initial idea but the maker cannot source the same hide anymore: https://www.classic-kontor.com/Bran...DON-FERGUSON-TYPE-A-1-FLIGHT-JACKET::676.html

SF, thanks for letting me know about the possibility of the hand warmers underneath the normal pockets? You don’t happen to have a photo of this option?

This option makes BK jump to the front. I prefer the look of the various HHs they are using compared to the HHs from the other makers.

 

[ykurtz]

This model was my initial idea but the maker cannot source the same hide anymore: https://www.classic-kontor.com/Bran...DON-FERGUSON-TYPE-A-1-FLIGHT-JACKET::676.html

I love the jacket at this link. 3-ply merino knits, horn buttons, etc. Looks great.

 

[A-1]

Yeah, me too! Thing is that I still feel the need of having hand warmer pockets. But as they can't source the leather anymore I moved on and found the Simmons Bilt..
Plumbine, excuse me for one more question: if I'd stick to the CXL Steer and prefer a trim fit, would you recommend sizing down or going true to size. Meaning, does the leather have some give our stretch?
And is the steer as thick as the FQHH Warhawk?

 

[Plumbline]

Not much give and the AL patterns are pretty true to ( suit) size if you wear a 42" suit then order a 42 .... ask AL for measurements and compare them to your own. In my experience actual chest + 2" is as trim as you'd really want to go as follows :

Actual Measured Chest - 42"
Ideal Jacket chest ( armpit - armpit ) ............... 22" trim - 23" average - 25" loose

get as many measurements as posible and ask the manufacturers .. they make and fit the jackets to many people every week .. they KNOW what will fit and can guide you.

The steer is slightly thinner than the Warhawk IMHO ( not much probably 1/2 oz .... but a little) still about 2.5 - 3 oz. No "stretch" as such maybe 1/2" MAX.

If you want a lighter hand and weight I'd ask when you order .... equally if you want knits I'm sure these could be added also.


HTH

 

[A-1]

Thanks so much! You answered a lot of my questions!

 

[A-1]

Plumbline, I’ve tried to find photos of the Mongolian Horse Hide but couldn’t find any. Do you have any photos to share? Maybe some close-ups as well?

Would you personally prefer the AL CXL steer or the Mongolian HH? I’ve placed an order but am still not sure if I should choose CXL Steer burgundy, Seal Jerky HH or Mongolian HH... The Mongolian is thinner and lighter than the steer, right?

Is the Mongolian a bit like this one?
http://www.original-flightjackets.c...e/Gordon-Ferguson-A-1-Flight-Jacket::676.html

Thank you so much for helping!