Why Should I Buy A Vanson?

[TREEMAN]

I think misting would be the best bet.

My favorite jacket to this day is still my HH Vanson Enfield. Just a real classic and tough to find one in HH anymore.

I would love to see a pic of that jacket ..

 

[Carlos840]

Probably dumb questions - but…
just wondering about the getting it wet - does this mean soaked or could I mist it with a spray bottle till its fairly damp?
Also I know it depends on how wet and the weather conditions, but wondering on average, how long you wear it to dry - a couple hours or all day?

If it rains go out and walk in the rain.
If it doesn't fill a spray bottle and spray the outside of your jacket.
The key is rubbing it in and spraying every 15 minutes for a couple hours. Then wear it untill dry to the touch, or untill you are bored. It's not an exact science, no need to be super precise...

 

[Peter Mackin]

You never have to baby your vanson, I left my granddaughter looking after my Enfield for 30 seconds while I got her some water to make sandcastles, the joys

Happy to report that the Enfield survived unscathed,

 

[Guppy]

You never have to baby your vanson, I left my granddaughter looking after my Enfield for 30 seconds while I got her some water to make sandcastles, the joys View attachment 352085

It looks like applying a baby to your jacket might be one of the roughest treatments you can give it.

 

[Rich22]

A very interesting thread... never opened it before, until a photo of one of @ton312's photos piqued my curiosity. So many mentions of the great patterns making these jackets so wearable... but what exactly is it that they're doing right that almost everyone else is getting wrong? I can imagine some companies patterns fit some of us better than others, as we all come in different shapes and sizes, but overwhelmingly everyone seems to like Vanson's patterns...

 

[Guppy]

A very interesting thread... never opened it before, until a photo of one of @ton312's photos piqued my curiosity. So many mentions of the great patterns making these jackets so wearable... but what exactly is it that they're doing right that almost everyone else is getting wrong? I can imagine some companies patterns fit some of us better than others, as we all come in different shapes and sizes, but overwhelmingly everyone seems to like Vanson's patterns...

I wouldn't say other makers are doing something wrong. Vanson has great patterns that fit motorcycle riders especially. It's their specialty and what they are great at. They also have history of using excellent quality and weight leather for this application. They are extremely reasonably priced relative to the other makers we tend to talk about.

Other makers do other things well that serve other purposes equally well. Aero makes very nice reproductions of styles from a particular era; Eastman, RMC, and Aero have their military replica jackets, Thedi do innovative statements that harken to classic styles; Langlitz does nearly bespoke custom work catering mostly to motorcycle riders with loads of individual attention, etc.

 

[Rich22]

I meant specifically regarding fit and mobility, as opposed to generally.

 

[jglf]

I meant specifically regarding fit and mobility, as opposed to generally.

Great range of motion with gusset back that extends to top of shoulders, underarm “footballs”, vertical back seam which helps conform to the anatomy of your back, low placed cinch straps to give you more of a V look vs hour glass with higher placed straps. I personally like the look of a 1-piece back, but the Vanson just fits and looks so good on me. I own 2 oxfords and they are by far the most comfortable and best fitting jackets I own, and you can get nice leathers through thurston.

 

[TREEMAN]

Funny when the talk gets serious about MC jackets…. A Vanson thread usually appears….

 

[photo2u]

It is a leather jacket not the space shuttle.

 

[JMax]

It is a leather jacket not the space shuttle.

True, but I know plenty of people that can’t make a good ham sandwich.

 

[brokenglass]

Well I'm convinced, this thing is on it's way.







I believe it's a Raid rather than Raider which has a shorter front and extended lower back. The Arrow in the current lineup is it's successor.

One missing under lapel snap which will be an easy fix. Also I see buttons (not snaps) around the underside of the collar, throat latch? Previous owner says he bought it new 28 years ago in Tokyo. Old comp weight? Talon zips all around. Will report back when it has arrived.

 

[Guppy]

Well I'm convinced, this thing is on it's way.







I believe it's a Raid rather than Raider which has a shorter front and extended lower back. The Arrow in the current lineup is it's successor.

One missing under lapel snap which will be an easy fix. Also I see buttons (not snaps) around the underside of the collar, throat latch? Previous owner says he bought it new 28 years ago in Tokyo. Old comp weight? Talon zips all around. Will report back when it has arrived.

Yes, it would have originally had a throat latch, which is what attached to the buttons. You could get a new one made if desired, but I wouldn't bother. It's going to be the old comp weight, and looks to be in great condition. Nice score.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Awesome jacket there Brokenglass. Looks in very nice shape.
Can't go wrong with true old-school comp weight leather.

 

[TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead]

Well I'm convinced, this thing is on it's way.







I believe it's a Raid rather than Raider which has a shorter front and extended lower back. The Arrow in the current lineup is it's successor.

One missing under lapel snap which will be an easy fix. Also I see buttons (not snaps) around the underside of the collar, throat latch? Previous owner says he bought it new 28 years ago in Tokyo. Old comp weight? Talon zips all around. Will report back when it has arrived.

Ooh, that is nice. Welcome. I'm also in Los Angeles. Finally getting some nice jacket weather in the morning at least.

If you like that one and want another Vanson, lmk, I'm selling my 1980s C2. That older comp weight leather is really nice. Good mix of tough, soft, thick, pliable, grainy.

 

[mendelboaz]

Well I'm convinced, this thing is on it's way.







I believe it's a Raid rather than Raider which has a shorter front and extended lower back. The Arrow in the current lineup is it's successor.

One missing under lapel snap which will be an easy fix. Also I see buttons (not snaps) around the underside of the collar, throat latch? Previous owner says he bought it new 28 years ago in Tokyo. Old comp weight? Talon zips all around. Will report back when it has arrived.

Oh boy. Wish I hadn't seen this. Now I want one of those. Awesome score, and a fantastic looking jacket. You will not regret it!

 

[brokenglass]

Yes, it would have originally had a throat latch, which is what attached to the buttons. You could get a new one made if desired, but I wouldn't bother. It's going to be the old comp weight, and looks to be in great condition. Nice score.

Thanks. Maybe I'll use the buttons that are there and add where needed to attach a mouton.

Awesome jacket there Brokenglass. Looks in very nice shape.
Can't go wrong with true old-school comp weight leather.

Ya looking forward to it. I got hit on my bike while wearing my Mister Freedom Campus Stallion and it did me well (I was pretty lucky) but now I'm wanting something serious for riding.

Ooh, that is nice. Welcome. I'm also in Los Angeles. Finally getting some nice jacket weather in the morning at least.

If you like that one and want another Vanson, lmk, I'm selling my 1980s C2. That older comp weight leather is really nice. Good mix of tough, soft, thick, pliable, grainy.

Weather just turned didn't it? Thanks for the offer but I found when it comes to crosszips I like everything toned down. The Raid I love for it's lack of belt, 1 piece back and all hidden snaps. The other two crosszips I have my eye on are similarly minimal though atleast 4x the price I picked this one up for.

Oh boy. Wish I hadn't seen this. Now I want one of those. Awesome score, and a fantastic looking jacket. You will not regret it!

This man here may persuade you further. And thank you!

 

[mendelboaz]

This man here may persuade you further. And thank you!

No further persuasion necessary. Quickly after commenting here I was able to snag a good-looking Raid off of Yahoo Auction, in a size that will hopefully work for me. Goes to show I have no spine or self-control whatsoever.

 

[jglf]

I also find that Vanson does a better job than most when it comes to “clicking” matching panels with same density and thickness of leather. This is probably bc they are a MC jacket maker first.

On my Aero, one sleeve is clearly from the belly portion of the hide while the other is smooth and denser. I know some people like the mismatched panels with different graining.

 

[Rich22]

I also find that Vanson does a better job than most when it comes to “clicking” matching panels with same density and thickness of leather. This is probably bc they are a MC jacket maker first.

On my Aero, one sleeve is clearly from the belly portion of the hide while the other is smooth and denser. I know some people like the mismatched panels with different graining.

The mismatching pisses me off if the jacket is left unsymmetrical. I don't mind if front panels don't match the sleeves, or back panel and yoke are different. However, sleeves must match each other. Front left and right panels must match. Cuffs must match each other. Etc. If it's a hodgepodge of bits it looks sloppy and incompetent.