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Bill Kelso timeline of leather, with a little wear thrown in...

Dr H

Well-Known Member
Shakespeare put it all very succinctly 400 years or so ago...

Much ado about nothing.

From what I know buying a GW isn't like buying a book off of Amazon, you put in your order, wait for your turn to come up and then he personally discusses with you what you want. As Tibor said, in all fairness to JC he doesn't have everything he can offer on the website. Should he put everything he can offer up on the website you can probably argue yes, but at the same time considering there's a 2 or more year waiting time this probably isn't efficacious due to how things can change over this length of time.

Good, old Shakey got it right though, storm in a teacup.

All true, but I could have sworn old Shakey was talking about This Ole House...
 

Persimmon

Well-Known Member
I always understood the codes to John's leathers indicate the source, LHJ - Japan, LHI - India (goatskin), LHA - America (Horween).

I may be wrong and if so please enlighten me, I'd also appreciate it if someone could assist me in removing the pencil that's tightly wedged up Ole's ass.

Japan. India. America.
Let me get my Wikipedia notes out to check that these are actually real countries.

And leave that pencil alone in Ole‘s rear.
If it came out I may well want to sharpen it to a very fine point and be ever so tempted to stick it, less than gentle, back in.
 

Skip

Well-Known Member
On a hot day like this... Is this the sign you were thinking of B-Man2?

Ilikewherethisthreadisgoing.jpg
 

Skip

Well-Known Member
Following photos are what BK's Duke looks like when worn. Obviously it aint me in it but aside from a more female cut, the waist is tapered in more, its quite a nice looking jacket. Never really been one for biker jackets but this looks classy, not quite biker or maybe its because its not black.

DSC_0281.jpg


DSC_0282.jpg


DSC_0283.jpg
 

B-Man2

Well-Known Member
On a hot day like this... Is this the sign you were thinking of B-Man2?

Not the one but ..it works...........
This is the one I was referring to......
I have to give the credit to Roughwear he likes to use it. Actually pretty damn funny:D
Copyofhijack.jpg


BTW ...That's a killer BK jacket for women... I like !!
 

Skip

Well-Known Member
Thanks gents, the lady's not too bad either ;):cool:.

I knew the one you meant B-man, just thought some humour was required. I'm getting off topic here myself, but imagine givin' that a go on your skateboard:eek:
 

Dr H

Well-Known Member
A further thought.

I worked closely with Patton while BK were developing their patterns for their Type A-1 variants and that was an enjoyable process. I no longer have the jacket that I posted (sold during another wardrobe cull), but I was very happy with the way it worked out.

The question was posed earlier why do we not hear more about BK jackets/see them reviewed. This thread exemplifies the issue and possibly offers an explanation. A well meaning post to demonstrate how well the BK hides have aged soon degenerates into an individual taking a pop at other another well respected manufacturer’s hides/business practices.

If you’re an owner of a BK jacket, it removes some of the enjoyment of owning/wearing/reviewing the product if this nonsense happens practically every time the jackets are mentioned whether on VLJF or FL.
 

Pilot

Well-Known Member
A further thought.

I worked closely with Patton while BK were developing their patterns for their Type A-1 variants and that was an enjoyable process. I no longer have the jacket that I posted (sold during another wardrobe cull), but I was very happy with the way it worked out.

The question was posed earlier why do we not hear more about BK jackets/see them reviewed. This thread exemplifies the issue and possibly offers an explanation. A well meaning post to demonstrate how well the BK hides have aged soon degenerates into an individual taking a pop at other another well respected manufacturer’s hides/business practices.

If you’re an owner of a BK jacket, it removes some of the enjoyment of owning/wearing/reviewing the product if this nonsense happens practically every time the jackets are mentioned whether on VLJF or FL.
Well written...
Will order my first BK as soon as all sizing etc is cleared with them.
 

Persimmon

Well-Known Member
A further thought.

I worked closely with Patton while BK were developing their patterns for their Type A-1 variants and that was an enjoyable process. I no longer have the jacket that I posted (sold during another wardrobe cull), but I was very happy with the way it worked out.

As I recall that was a great jacket to look at.
One of those jackets we let go sometimes and look back a while later and say why did I do that.

Ian, was that General Patton ?
 

Dr H

Well-Known Member
As I recall that was a great jacket to look at.
One of those jackets we let go sometimes and look back a while later and say why did I do that.

Ian, was that General Patton ?

It was shortly after he was relieved of his command, Alan. He was at a loose end, gardening and dog walking had lost its appeal, looking for something to do...

Platon was marginally easier to work with, though less formally dressed (no jodhpurs, etc.)

The Type A-1 was very well put together with quality parts, very comfortable design, and a really good looking version of the early design with buttons rather than waistband snaps, single loop fastening to collar and slightly sharper looking collar design that laid flat properly.
 

Skip

Well-Known Member
Thanks Dr H, Hit the nail right on the head.

That jacket the liberty HH in russet? Keep eyeing the ANJ3 in that colour.

Certainly is Cav, although if you read my first post on that jacket it was soon after it was released, the next hide after Victory, so 2015 hide. I haven't been in touch with BK since then, but I'm sure they've been developing Liberty hides further if their logical progression of HH history is anything to go by. Earloffunk I think has a newer Liberty and its a lot less 'loud' according to him, and the one on my wife's Duke is quite stiff, its close to 2mm in thickness and takes a bit to wear in, But buttery smooth and tough as nails.
 

Earloffunk

Well-Known Member
Yep, mine is from 2016 (I think, but I would not bet on it...). It is very nice to break in and comfy to wear. No stiffness whatsoever.
 

M3Cavalry

Member
Thanks guys. Debating whether an ANJ3 would look odd in russet. Certainly yours in the dark seal looks great.

I may have missed something, so pardon my ignorance. Is this Ole guy related in any way to BK, or just a random poster taking shots at John Chapman?
 

Dr H

Well-Known Member
I've had several vintage AN-J-3 jackets (three presumably issued examples - lacking the maker's labels as always - in seal goatskin and a civilian one by McGregor Sportswear/Doniger in russet capeskin).

Either looks fine - if you're going for goatskin then I'd certainly aim for darker tones, but the russet capeskin looked good in the lighter/warmer colour (it simply didn't suit me any longer - as I get older I'm gravitating towards darker brown jackets).

As to Ole? Who knows? I have my suspicions as it fits an MO, but nothing more than that.

Good luck with the jacket.
 
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