Vintage A-2 offering I haven't seen before..

[Doug C]

I'm pretty sure this is a new A-2 on the market, new to the reproduction market that is... don't remember seeing it before anyway. But it seems nice to me, very authentic from the site. Anyone have one of these? It seems to have alot of what we love in an A-2. http://www.billkelsomfg.com/site/photos.php

 

[Atticus Finch]

Jacket looks OK. I'm not sure about the "Vagetable" tanned horsehide, though.

AF

 

[Doug C]

..why, that's my preference actually (vegetable tanned leather in general). Only because the eventualy wear is better IMHO.

 

[jon z]

Just checked out the site. It seems they've been on the market since the end of Oct last year &, reading between the lines, they are made in Greece. IMO quite a decent jacket for the money & openly Customs friendly to buyers from outside the EU.

 

[aswatland]

The A2 jacket featured uses the un-named label which was a Doniger contract. It is a little like a Doniger with the pointed collar, but has a collar stand, so as the blurb says it's not really based on any specific original A2. The price is quite a lot lower than top end repros, so there is definitely a market for it. Now all we need is for someone to buy one and evaluate it.

 

[JanSolo]

How could I miss that!! Pattern and cut and some of the details look quite good! And the price is very competative. Is the jacket really sold from Europe? Prices are stated in EUR...
Anybody owns one of those or knows somebody who does?

 

[Doug C]

:eusa_doh: , I'm considering it, would have to scrape my pennies though.

 

[Mr. 'H']

Very interesting development.... especially with the recent Aero price increase - having a new player in the market is no harm.

BTW how did you figure they were made in Greece - is it buried somewhere on the site?

And I'm figuring "Bill Kelso" is a reference to John Belushi's character in "1941" the movie.

 

[Atticus Finch]

...Now all we need is for someone to buy one and evaluate it.

Sometimes being big is such a drag. Evidently, they only make up to a size 46. If the cut is "military slim", as they advertise, I would prefer a size 48.

Just looking at the photos and reading the specs, I would guess this jacket is on par with something like US Authentic or Gibson and Barns.

AF

 

[feltfan]

Jacket looks OK. I'm not sure about the "Vagetable" tanned horsehide, though.

AF

At least they're not vague about it...

Interesting. Everyone see the Links page, with links to VLJ forum and
The Fedora Lounge? Wonder who he posts as here?

Sure would be interested in seeing pictures of people wearing
their jackets. That's where a really good jacket comes to life.

 

[Smithy]

It's incredibly good value for the spec level of the jacket. It's not a GW or an ELC but from the pics it looks as if they are offering a very nice jacket. They will sell quite a few of these I reckon. Sure it's a generalisation and there's exceptions but a lot of Italian leather tends to be rather nice.

I'd love to see an FLer do a review of this new offering.

 

[James71]

I'd love to see an FLer do a review of this new offering.

Twont be me... Ive got a 50 chest and a 38 to 40 waist, so Ive got no hope of fitting into even their XL..... Im stuck in the Wilsons Leather version that fits the chest and arms, but is too big around the middle for the time being...

(Im reticent to get it altered because I might want that extra room once I cross over to the other side of 40.....)

 

[jon z]

BTW how did you figure they were made in Greece - is it buried somewhere on the site?

It's not a known but an assumption. I clicked on the link to their website builder. It took me to an Athens based company & guessed they would have used someone local.

 

[kiltie]

Anyone ponied up for one of these yet? I'm seriously considering it...probably within the next week or two...
89% sure...
...all I need is someone to say, "I dare you..."
Maybe unload a hat or two to bolster my Paypal account.
Sure would like to see one on somebody though...
Water's kinda chilly...don't wanna be the first on to jump in...:whistling

 

[Creeping Past]

I emailed them on 8 June but they never replied. I don't want to order from a company with no communication.

 

[saucerfiend]

I emailed them on 6-7 with NO reply. If you can't contact me before I pay you, what happens when I do?

Brian

 

[kiltie]

Hmmm... That's somewhat disappointing. I have had one exchange with them without any problems, about two weeks ago. Still, I don't like to hear that others aren't satisfied. Unfortunately, best I can tell, the next least expensive A-2 repro jumps up about 200 bones...that's a lot of Ramen noodles and macaroni and cheese, if you know what I mean.

 

[Creeping Past]

The ONLY reason why a message was not answered is because it has not been received. Why your messages may have not been received is a mystery to us ...

Please use the email address sales@billkelsomfg.com as the only correct email address for correspondence and also feel free to contact me by PM if you like.

You are always welcome at Bill Kelso's.

Best regards,
Andy Falzon

Thanks for the reassurance. Perhaps you've had server problems? I've re-sent my email to your sales address, so maybe it'll get through this time.

Remember that you can't send or receive PMs until you've had a few more posts...

Cheers,

CP

 

[kiltie]

Noticed what you said about PMs.
Wonder how many one needs before he can use the PM service.

I don't know how many posts you need before you can PM, but maybe I can help you get another.
As I stated in a previous post, I'm hoping to place an order for a jacket wthin the next two weeks. Your jacket is on a very short list of options for me. Could you please answer a few questions here and pad your post count?

-Is your website current? i.e., Is the stock represented accurate?

-Are all of the options currently available through your company represented on your site?

-If I regularly wear a size 46 jacket, will your 46 have the more "trim" fit of what we see in original and more expensive reproductions?

Also, I believe there was some speculation earlier: where are these jackets made?

Thank you for any and everything you can tell us about your product.

 

[Spitfire]

Twont be me... Ive got a 50 chest and a 38 to 40 waist, so Ive got no hope of fitting into even their XL..... Im stuck in the Wilsons Leather version that fits the chest and arms, but is too big around the middle for the time being...

(Im reticent to get it altered because I might want that extra room once I cross over to the other side of 40.....)

Will not be me either. Nice jacket though!