what jacket you would definitely buy again and which would you avoid

[Evian]

Currently my favorite jacket is a slightly used howard hughe two tone jacket. The sleeves are made out of leather and the body is made out of cashere. The jackets I wouldn't buy is any jacket that is located outside the US. Returning a jacket back to the seller can turn into a nightmare. This happened to me with Paypal. I did everything they told me do. They forgot to mention to me that I should avoid USPS. USPS gives custom numbers and call them tracking number. Paypal won't refund your money back if you ship it back and get a custom number from USPS. I found that out the hard way.

 

[442RCT]

I own 2 Sefton A-2s and would buy another Sz 40 if it showed up.
I wouldn't buy the Avirex Horse Hide in Sz42 again...it fits like a Sz 44.
I should put it up for sale. Anyone want to buy a practically new Avirex A-2 HH ?

 

[CopperNY]

i tried a Schott 585 and it was a mess right out of the box. had heard amazing things, but mine was part of a 'rush' run that was still six months late. 2" to 3" threads sticking out all over the place, poorly seated grommets (crushed and/or split the leather), blousey lining in one sleeve and leather thickness varied wildly from section to section. also, the rep/tailor was determined to sell me an XL based on my measurements and it ended up fitting like an oversized sweatshirt. [that was my fault, should have stuck to my guns] if i could find an original run, or handle one in person first i might try another. ended up giving it to a friend who had fallen on hard times and was looking for a new jacket.

 

[aswatland]

I would definitely buy another original Irvin flying jacket or a decent size 44 original A2 again. I would not buy an inaccurate repro of either in the future to add to my collection, which rules out every repro maker of Irvins and all bar Goodwear for A2s!

 

[Cooperson]

I would definitely buy another original Irvin flying jacket or a decent size 44 original A2 again. I would not buy an inaccurate repro of either in the future to add to my collection, which rules out every repro maker of Irvins and all bar Goodwear for A2s!

I've been considering getting an A2 for a while now, could I ask why you rule out Aero and Eastman?

 

[ButteMT61]

I understand "accurate" if you are a reenactor or something, but all of these new jackets are not being used by anyone here in a B17 over Germany for cryin' out loud!
They're all made for guys who love a certain style and era who don't want the worry of owning/wearing a collectors item.
Personally, I'm having to set my sights differently due to my size. Some refuse to even entertain making a jacket in my size because they can't "accurately reproduce the original" that large.
I'll keep comments on that to myself.
As for what not to buy? Easy: cheap jackets. Only did that once before I grew to appreciate the real deal.
I have some good Avirex, Schott and WWII authetic jackets that are very good. Obviously, a custom Aero or other top make is desirable.
After I bought my first "real" watch, I could never go back.

 

[aswatland]

Having owned almost every A2 ELC make over the years they don't get all the fine details correct, whilst John Chapman at Goodwear does. Aero A2s are cheaper and even less accurate as repros.

 

[Dav]

Personallly I will never buy another jacket from the US, I purchessed a Schott 585 which I loved for just long enough to not be able to return it, then I got a bill for another 30%, import tax + VAT + £10 to Fedex for the privilage. I'm not knocking US manufacturers I just had a bad experiance, although much of it was my own ignorance. I'll stick with Aero.

 

[apba1166]

Buy again, but they'll outlast me: Langlitz Cascade, Reza Duro steer car coat, Sears "The Leather Shop" G1 (used ebay), Rossi y Caruso carpincho, North Beach shearling, a $49 Cripple Creek boar;
No way, ever again: any B3 (Sorry guys, I tried, but I move too much); any hip-length lamb (they just don't last and I can't baby them---but long length ok, 'cause the lighter weight is worth the trade-off); and sheepskin-lined goat or horse, no matter how great the idea and leather might be: a mistake I've made several times, and a hard one to learn.

 

[Harp]

Aero A2s are cheaper and even less accurate as repros.

I bought an Aero A2 off eBay some years back after looking over both Aero/Eastman websites, exchanging emails, and trolling for best Bay prices. Aero may not fit the bill for A2 purists, but my secondhand A2 works for me. I also own a Gibson&Barnes civil A2 and a Pakistani knockoff that is a back patch job but an otherwise great jacket. The G&B unfortunately came with poor webbing but is a fine texture horse, whereas the Aero is thicker with pebbled wrinkling down the left front side, adding some character to the jacket. With these three, I do not intend to buy another; otherwise though I would shop Aero again. Exactamundo original design particulars aside, Aero puts out a fine A-Deuce.

 

[Philalethes]

No way, ever again... sheepskin-lined goat or horse, no matter how great the idea and leather might be: a mistake I've made several times, and a hard one to learn.

May I ask why?

 

[Edward]

I bought an Aero A2 off eBay some years back after looking over both Aero/Eastman websites, exchanging emails, and trolling for best Bay prices. Aero may not fit the bill for A2 purists, but my secondhand A2 works for me.

That's it - horses for courses. I have two A2s, both bought used - an Aero and an ELC. If I was shooting for accuracy, Goodwear is the place to go (and I may well eventually do that, but the pound will have to come way up in value again for that to be feasible for me), no contest. I wear them as civilian jackets, though, so really more in the spirit of the way the original A2 civilian market 'tribute' jackets were worn back in the Forties and Fifties. For that, they work just fine for me, but then I'm not specifically an A2 collector with a bunch of originals - that's a whole different market.

 

[Mojo1975]

I would never buy a jacket from someone who would be considered unemployable in the public sector. These folks don't have their sh^t together and they cause all of us headaches. I don't care about specious claims of quality and craftsmanship...if they wouldn't be able to hold down a normal job, they aren't worth my money. I'm sure a lot of us have run into a few of these folks in the leather goods outerwear market. I just hate the pain-in-the-ass factor that these folks seem to ooze...

 

[Ace Rimmer]

Vanson Force: yes

Vanson ProPerf Force: maybe. IMO the perforated leather coverage is not ideal. There are several non-perforated leather pieces used to construct the front of the jacket and this creates a significant patch of solid leather on a summer jacket! However, there are very few armor-ready jackets in the Schott Perfecto style and for safety reasons I would never wear a non-armored jacket on a motorcycle -- so there's not much choice left on the market. Also, I would definitely buy one in a color other than black ... battleship or pearl gray would have been much less hot during the summer.

Vanson Comet: yes

Aero Highwayman: yes

Aero Veste de Rallye: yes

Taylor Lynchburg: no (apologies to johnnyjohnny if he's reading this. Sixty dollars is an excellent price but I've worn it once since I bought it. Nothing wrong with it, it just didn't work for me. )

Wilson's Leather "generic" jacket (looks like a Vanson Mercury): yes. This may sound strange coming from a TFL Outerwear fanatic, but everybody needs a "beater" jacket. This jacket, despite not fitting me particularly well, has been my constant companion in situations where damage or theft might occur to my nicer jackets since 1998 or so. Smoke filled bar? Significant chance of rain? Questionable coat check attendant? No problem! It even has a zip-out Thinsulate liner, adding to its versatility. I was thinking about trashing it in favor of a Vanson Mercury but after my good friend had his $500 leather jacket stolen from a coat check in Manhattan (NYC) I am holding onto this jacket for dear life. Untlil someone steals her, she's a keeper!

 

[bumphrey hogart]

I would never buy a jacket from someone who would be considered unemployable in the public sector. These folks don't have their sh^t together and they cause all of us headaches. I don't care about specious claims of quality and craftsmanship...if they wouldn't be able to hold down a normal job, they aren't worth my money. I'm sure a lot of us have run into a few of these folks in the leather goods outerwear market. I just hate the pain-in-the-ass factor that these folks seem to ooze...

WHAT??? I haven't the slightest idea what it is you're trying to communicate,I'm flummoxed,you have obviously had an unfortunate experience in the outerwear department that involved an unemployed person,I can't imagine how that came about,unless you've been using soup kitchens for retail therapy, which,if true,is your obvious mistake.Shops are always manned by employed people,that,though obvious,seems to solve the problem,no chance whatsoever of being sold a leather jacket by someone on the dole in a shop.So unless I've completely misunderstood your point,(which,I admit, is fairly likely)that seems to solve your problem,unless this buying of clothing from the homeless is some kind of addiction,under those circumstances,I really advise some sort of counselling.

 

[Mojo1975]

WHAT??? I haven't the slightest idea what it is you're trying to communicate,I'm flummoxed,you have obviously had an unfortunate experience in the outerwear department that involved an unemployed person,I can't imagine how that came about,unless you've been using soup kitchens for retail therapy, which,if true,is your obvious mistake.Shops are always manned by employed people,that,though obvious,seems to solve the problem,no chance whatsoever of being sold a leather jacket by someone on the dole in a shop.So unless I've completely misunderstood your point,(which,I admit, is fairly likely)that seems to solve your problem,unless this buying of clothing from the homeless is some kind of addiction,under those circumstances,I really advise some sort of counselling.

Please see differentiation between private and public sector employment. The point will make little sense without an understanding of the differences between private and public sector employment.

 

[Dav]

I would never buy a jacket from someone who would be considered unemployable in the public sector. These folks don't have their sh^t together and they cause all of us headaches. I don't care about specious claims of quality and craftsmanship...if they wouldn't be able to hold down a normal job, they aren't worth my money. I'm sure a lot of us have run into a few of these folks in the leather goods outerwear market. I just hate the pain-in-the-ass factor that these folks seem to ooze...

WHAT??? I haven't the slightest idea what it is you're trying to communicate,I'm flummoxed,you have obviously had an unfortunate experience in the outerwear department that involved an unemployed person,I can't imagine how that came about,unless you've been using soup kitchens for retail therapy, which,if true,is your obvious mistake.Shops are always manned by employed people,that,though obvious,seems to solve the problem,no chance whatsoever of being sold a leather jacket by someone on the dole in a shop.So unless I've completely misunderstood your point,(which,I admit, is fairly likely)that seems to solve your problem,unless this buying of clothing from the homeless is some kind of addiction,under those circumstances,I really advise some sort of counselling.

I don't understand either.

 

[Mojo1975]

I don't understand either.

don't worry 'bout it...

 

[bumphrey hogart]

Please see differentiation between private and public sector employment. The point will make little sense without an understanding of the differences between private and public sector employment.

This is getting worse,in the UK that means you'd only buy a leather jacket from someone who works for the government,(unfortunately that means you can't go to a shop,which I suppose explains your unfortunate experience),unless in the US there are government funded leather apparel retailers that I'm unaware of,which is perfectly feasible,this still doesn't explain anything.

 

[Mojo1975]

This is getting worse,in the UK that means you'd only buy a leather jacket from someone who works for the government,(unfortunately that means you can't go to a shop,which I suppose explains your unfortunate experience),unless in the US there are government funded leather apparel retailers that I'm unaware of,which is perfectly feasible,this still doesn't explain anything.

What don't you get...do you think that because I wouldn't buy from a private sector company run by folks who would never be able to hold a job in the public sector that I would never purchase a jacket from private sector folks??? This is the logic of the point: -Publically employable --> -Would buy private. Modus Tollens: Publically employable --> Would buy private. Just because one is publically employable does NOT mean that they themselves are employed by the public sector. If you don't understand this, then just forget about it...

...LOL...on with the thread...sorry for the jack!