Why so little love for the A2?

[Harris HTM]

Did they fall out

I don't think so. More of a spinoff I guess. If I remember well (if someone knows please correct me) both companies shared the same paypal account.
Moreover, again if I remember correct, once upon a time BK offered an a2 that was sold as is, you couldn't customize anything- no hide selection, sleeve or back length etc. Then they stopped. And Platon's jackets appeared.

 

[Edward]

I don't think so. More of a spinoff I guess. If I remember well (if someone knows please correct me) both companies shared the same paypal account.
Moreover, again if I remember correct, once upon a time BK offered an a2 that was sold as is, you couldn't customize anything- no hide selection, sleeve or back length etc. Then they stopped. And Platon's jackets appeared.

I remember at one time the relationship between the BK brand and whomever doing the manufacture wasn't clear. There was later a much-teased new UK-based owner, though in the end I don't recall the identity being announced. Interesting idea offering more than one brand, though. Makes sense if they're targeting different markets.

 

[Harris HTM]

I remember at one time the relationship between the BK brand and whomever doing the manufacture wasn't clear. There was later a much-teased new UK-based owner, though in the end I don't recall the identity being announced. Interesting idea offering more than one brand, though. Makes sense if they're targeting different markets.

Again: this is what I remember although I might be wrong. In any case the Platon Dubows are excellent jackets.

 

[Harris HTM]

I remember at one time the relationship between the BK brand and whomever doing the manufacture wasn't clear. There was later a much-teased new UK-based owner, though in the end I don't recall the identity being announced. Interesting idea offering more than one brand, though. Makes sense if they're targeting different markets.

Seems I remember correctly:

Post in thread 'Ja Dubow 27798 (Platon) A-2 jacket review and pics' https://www.vintageleatherjackets.o...-a-2-jacket-review-and-pics.22180/post-281585

 

[marker2037]

I do remember reading about all the Platon and Bill Kelso stuff, but it honestly was always so convoluted and tough to follow that I stopped caring.

I have had good success with my previous BK purchase, a Relic Hunter. It’s actually my favorite Indy jacket of the 4 I own. I honestly can’t fault them for anything through that process, but I am leaning towards just going with Good Wear. 18-24 months is doable for me, set it and forget it. I’ve waited longer for my Field Leathers, albeit I did decide to change the design and leather at one point which has pushed the project into another year.

 

[marker2037]

Current wait time with Good Wear is somewhere in the neighborhood of 18-24 months.

I see BK A-2 complaints (most are sizing issues) with decent regularity, so I'd err on the side of caution and go the Good Wear route. You can always drop Mr. Chapman an email and let him know what you're after, in the event that he ever has a sizing return that would work for your measurements.

It's a shame that Mark from Norshor has taken a hiatus from jacket making. He made a banger of a 27798 and his wait times were much easier to swallow for the impatient (like me).

Norshor

View attachment 785403

GW

View attachment 785404


FWIW, another good 27798 option is a Platon, if you happen to run across a used example.

Photo courtesy of Brettafett...

View attachment 785405

Awesome info, much appreciated. Which leather and knits is your Good Wear in? I’m guessing russet and golden brown?

That Platon looks excellent as well. Pretty much the exact make I am going for with seal, dull purple, and olive thread.

 

[coolhandluke_7]

Awesome info, much appreciated. Which leather and knits is your Good Wear in? I’m guessing russet and golden brown?

That Platon looks excellent as well. Pretty much the exact make I am going for with seal, dull purple, and olive thread.

That GW shown in the middle photo is not mine. The Norshor was the only one of those three pictured jackets that I've owned. My guess is that the GW is likely russet Italian or Shinki HH with mid-brown knits.

If I were to make a suggestion, go for seal Horween HH with the dull purple knits, like Saint-ex's on VLJ's Dubow 1755.

 

[marker2037]

That GW shown in the middle photo is not mine. The Norshor was the only one of those three pictured jackets that I've owned. My guess is that the GW is likely russet Italian or Shinki HH with mid-brown knits.

If I were to make a suggestion, go for seal Horween HH with the dull purple knits, like Saint-ex's on VLJ's Dubow 1755.

View attachment 785559

That does look amazing. I didn’t know this was an option as the site just says “Horween Horsehide- various”.

Horween certainly would be the most historically accurate, homegrown so to speak .

 

[LordOfLeather]

As others have said, it's the cuffs and waistband that I find unappealing, and they remind me of a grandpa jacket. Anything with a waistband like that tends to ride up and stay put when I lift my arms, which drives me nuts.

That being said, I've known a guy for over 20 years who wears one daily and it looks great on him. It was old with a beautiful patina back when I met him, and it's even better now. As far as I know, it's the only leather jacket he has ever owned (or will own) and he's the type of legit guy who can't be bothered with the variety and jacket snobbery that many of us around here tend to fall prey to. It's the type of jacket that most of us strive to have -- decades of lived-in experience that tells a story, and yet he gives it no thought whatsoever. I've never told him this, but I envy it every time I see him.

 

[coolhandluke_7]

That does look amazing. I didn’t know this was an option as the site just says “Horween Horsehide- various”.

Horween certainly would be the most historically accurate, homegrown so to speak .

Yes, it is absolutely an option. It's my understanding that Horween is a little hit or miss as to the consistency and quality of the hide, so it's more of a pain for John to source since he's picky. Because of that, he doesn't advertise it quite as much as Italian or Shinki.

I believe that John's Horween would be semi-aniline that he hand dyes seal.

 

[marker2037]

Yes, it is absolutely an option. It's my understanding that Horween is a little hit or miss as to the consistency and quality of the hide, so it's more of a pain for John to source since he's picky. Because of that, he doesn't advertise it quite as much as Italian or Shinki.

I believe that John's Horween would be semi-aniline that he hand dyes seal.

Cool, that’s interesting. I do see a seal brown chrome tanned, semi-aniline horsehide on the options list, so that must be the Horween one you’re referring to.

 

[coolhandluke_7]

Cool, that’s interesting. I do see a seal brown chrome tanned, semi-aniline horsehide on the options list, so that must be the Horween one you’re referring to.

The Horween that John uses should be combination tanned IIRC.

 

[marker2037]

Well, I placed my order so we’ll see . Might as well, I’m enthralled with the idea of actually having a Good Wear A-2.

 

[coolhandluke_7]

Well, I placed my order so we’ll see . Might as well, I’m enthralled with the idea of actually having a Good Wear A-2.

Congrats! I know that you will be absolutely thrilled with the jacket when it arrives.