Advice needed for first top-tier G-1 leather jacket purchase

[BernieH]

I did buy an Eastman in the end. No issues with the knits and they will repair them if the fail. Apparently they have changed the way they are made.

 

[Harris HTM]

View attachment 744398 I did buy an Eastman in the end. No issues with the knits and they will repair them if the fail. Apparently they have changed the way they are made.

Lovely! Nice boots as well!

 

[WolfofStateSt]

View attachment 744398 I did buy an Eastman in the end. No issues with the knits and they will repair them if the fail. Apparently they have changed the way they are made.

Jacket looks great. Probably would have went for the same, Real McCoys is nice but their prices are getting a little too much for me—when you can buy an Eastman and get same the quality for less.

My G-1 is a vintage Monarch from the 50’s I picked up on eBay for like $400. It’s got that lived in charm that makes it extra cool in my opinion.

I think Eastman was definitely the way to go, hands down. For A2 flight jackets though, (or even B3s) I would still hike out the money for a Real McCoys if you can afford them—I just like their patterns better for those jackets—better than any other brands. Eastman does make a beautiful B3 though.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

I agree

I agree! I don't think my anxiety could handle the unknown and potential disappointment from a Jacket by post. Especially with the cost involved and reliability of the postal service.

I say this when literally all my nice jackets came from the post lol. Real McCoys is great about returns though (customs and shipping not so much). I really really do my research for measurements.

Last jacket I tried on in person was an Alpha Industries MA-1 bomber jacket of all things. There is also a Schott outlet nearby which is cool.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

Zombie-ing this just to say that my RC M422A uses a goatskin that is so damn thick, it's warmer than my heavy horsehide stuff. It's an oven. I have no idea where they are sourcing these animals- goatskin is not supposed to be this thick. I have a pic somewhere of it literally standing up on it's own like some Aero FQHH plated armor piece...

Also, anybody have any experience with the Bill Kelso G-1? Specifically, I'm interested in the quality/thickness of the goatskin used...

Ok maybe there is a difference than between Eastman and RC? Idk. Think my Monarch is goatskin too. Way more wrinkly than my horsehide A2

 

[Bender]

Ok maybe there is a difference than between Eastman and RC? Idk. Think my Monarch is goatskin too. Way more wrinkly than my horsehide A2

Could be. Or maybe RC is small enough that there is a massive variation in hides from one small run to the next. I mean, I'd never even seen goatskin like this before this jacket... it's bananas. Easily 3mm, I want to say even 4mm thick in some places. An absolute ****** tank. I got it back in early July and I am still breaking it in and hoping the bi-swing gussets relax a bit...

 

[Harris HTM]

3mm, I want to say even 4mm

You mean oz???

 

[Bender]

You mean oz???

No, like measuring the hide with my calipers. It's insane.

 

[Harris HTM]

No, like measuring the hide with my calipers. It's insane.

Wow, this is thicker than any of my belts. I'd love to see a photo of the seam of the armpit gusset to the main body, this is where 4 different layers of leather come together, this must be 1.5cm thick!

 

[Bender]

Wow, this is thicker than any of my belts. I'd love to see a photo of the seam of the armpit gusset to the main body, this is where 4 different layers of leather come together, this must be 1.5cm thick!

Looks like 3 different layers? And yes, appears a bit less than 1 cm, adjusting for liner, as I can't pinch a section of it out like the front or rear panel. Feels like a cable, but disappears when it's on, thankfully doesn't rub or anything.

 

[Harris HTM]

Looks like 3 different layers? And yes, appears a bit less than 1 cm, adjusting for liner, as I can't pinch a section of it out like the front or rear panel. Feels like a cable, but disappears when it's on, thankfully doesn't rub or anything.

View attachment 744609

Here (see blue line on the photo) it must be four layers but it really does not matter, this is insane! How is it weightwise?

 

[Bender]

Here (see blue line on the photo) it must be four layers but it really does not matter, this is insane! How is it weightwise?
View attachment 744610

Like horsehide... I picked it up in Japan (General Garden) on the same trip that picked up a Shinki HH Type II from the Flat Head... easily heavier than that jacket, even adjusting for the collar weight. It's literally one of my heaviest jackets, horsehide or no.

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

Could be. Or maybe RC is small enough that there is a massive variation in hides from one small run to the next. I mean, I'd never even seen goatskin like this before this jacket... it's bananas. Easily 3mm, I want to say even 4mm thick in some places. An absolute ****** tank. I got it back in early July and I am still breaking it in and hoping the bi-swing gussets relax a bit...

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This is so beautiful. How does it drape? Do you have any fit pics?