Bill Kelso 37j1 Authenticity check

[DamonCyclee]

Picked this up recently, not sure if legit ?

Capeskin feel super airy, almost like Kudu. Super light, not what I am use to, not sure if real capeskin.

Jacket, aviation, leather 37JI (various) - Bill Kelso Mfg.

The 37J1 jacket, exquisitely crafted from capeskin leather, was introduced by the United States Navy’s Bureau of Aeronautics in July 1927—emerging almost simultaneously with the U.S. Army Air Corps’ adoption of the iconic Type A-1. Its service life, though brief at approximately three years...

billkelsomfg.com

Any other place to check tags?

From what I can read on here, this maybe made in Pakistan but unknown?

 

[Bennarion]

It looks like this jacket is made of sheepskin, so it's lightweight. I can't say about the originality. You can ask the official manufacturer.

I think your jacket is from Bill Kelso.

 

[Bennarion]

Here's a similar jacket
https://www.store-unclesam.com/?pid=178157530

 

[Canuck Panda]

It does look legit. You can ask BK to authenticate it, [email protected]

I have the same leathertog tag (silk/rayon base) in my BK leathertog. It would be a lot of trouble to copy BK, I just don't see the financial gains.

 

[Herrvallmo]

Hard to see anyone making clones of BK but stranger things has happened out here, but I wouldn't stress about that personally

 

[DamonCyclee]

Hard to see anyone making clones of BK but stranger things has happened out here, but I wouldn't stress about that personally

I've seen China even target 1 to 1 repo of iron heart jeans

 

[Herrvallmo]

I've seen China even target 1 to 1 repo of iron heart jeans

Ironheart is a much bigger company in the "workware-space" than Bill Kelso, also an Asian brand vs European.
I could see people copying Real McCoy, Freewheelers and similar Japanese brands, but Bill Kelso seems like a stretch in my eyes at least(if they wanted to sell their copies, why copy a rather niche brand very few knows about outside TFL/SF and so on?).

But in the end it's all how you feel mate, like I said I wouldn't stress it at all, but we are all different

 

[Canuck Panda]

BK is selling nylon jackets made by RTWB (滨海环球). I only found out after I bought one from RTWB on Taobao. And I believe I paid slightly more than if I were to buy it from BK... Very confusing... BK jackets are really good but the way he does his business is not the most assuring...

 

[Herrvallmo]

BK is selling nylon jackets made by RTWB (滨海环球). I only found out after I bought one from RTWB on Taobao. And I believe I paid slightly more than if I were to buy it from BK... Very confusing... BK jackets are really good but the way he does his business is not the most assuring...

^ this

I'm really interested in many of BK's designs, especially their Archive-line but the murkiness of the company has been a major factor for me not pulling the trigger as they still charge a premium price for their jackets.

Even though I would love a Ralph Pughs or Bilt Block repro jacket, unless they become more transparent about their business I would rather spend my money somewhere else were I know where the jackets are made and the company being forward were they get their leather and knowing they won't use some third world factory that don't care about their workers and so on.

 

[cbez]

No one is faking bill kelso

 

[Canuck Panda]

I have one BK Archive line jacket (The Peters Repro). The leather is from Victoria SRL, same tannery as Vicenza. I also have a BK leathertog repro, the leather is Badalassi Lux, same as the one Aero uses. I do not have an issue with BK's jackets, in fact I am quite fond of them. My main concern is still the way he conducts his business. My BK Peters repro was ordered on 1/20/22 and it was shipped on 8/9/22 (6.5months). This was my first BK jacket. I was over the moon with it, and he gave me a return custom discount for the second jacket. The wait was too long for me. I ordered the second jacket Leathertog repro on 10/19/22, and it was shipped on 4/18/24 (18 months). Not the longest I've waited for a jacket, but I rather not wait this long. The delay seemed way off compared to the first jacket. I got a feeling that he (BK) takes care of the first time customers more than return customers. The BK Leathertog is the best leathertog jacket I have, compared to three other fancy ones. But the wait time was too long for me to recommend to anyone else. Right now I also have a Wingman on order, and I often question my decision, not about the jacket, but when will I get it.
Archive line Peters repro,

BK Leathertog (First one on the left)

 

[Herrvallmo]

I have one BK Archive line jacket (The Peters Repro). The leather is from Victoria SRL, same tannery as Vicenza. I also have a BK leathertog repro, the leather is Badalassi Lux, same as the one Aero uses. I do not have an issue with BK's jackets, in fact I am quite fond of them. My main concern is still the way he conducts his business. My BK Peters repro was ordered on 1/20/22 and it was shipped on 8/9/22 (6.5months). This was my first BK jacket. I was over the moon with it, and he gave me a return custom discount for the second jacket. The wait was too long for me. I ordered the second jacket Leathertog repro on 10/19/22, and it was shipped on 4/18/24 (18 months). Not the longest I've waited for a jacket, but I rather not wait this long. The delay seemed way off compared to the first jacket. I got a feeling that he (BK) takes care of the first time customers more than return customers. The BK Leathertog is the best leathertog jacket I have, compared to three other fancy ones. But the wait time was too long for me to recommend to anyone else. Right now I also have a Wingman on order, and I often question my decision, not about the jacket, but when will I get it.
Archive line Peters repro,
View attachment 675789
BK Leathertog (First one on the left)
View attachment 675790

Thanks for the(as always very thorough) answer Panda! very much appreciated

Also that Peter's repro really looks awesome in brown, very nice!(really really like my Peter's by Fields, so a brown one would be awesome to mix it up )


Cheers!

 

[Canuck Panda]

BK takes full payment up front, and can take long time to deliver. This is why I cannot recommend. Nothing to do about the jacket but full payment up front and more than one year delivery is no no for me right now.

I am ok with up to 1/2 in deposit and rest of payment upon delivery. This is more fair for everyone involved in the deal imo. Full payment upfront is too one sided.

 

[Herrvallmo]

BK takes full payment up front, and can take long time to deliver. This is why I cannot recommend. Nothing to do about the jacket but full payment up front and more than one year delivery is no no for me right now.

I am ok with up to 1/2 in deposit and rest of payment upon delivery. This is more fair for everyone involved in the deal imo. Full payment upfront is too one sided.

Paying full and waiting over a year is a big no-go in my book as well, I have no problems waiting for something nice but a year + is crazy(especially when they claim 4-12 weeks delivery lol).