BK price increases again?

thor · Mar 31, 2014

Does anyone own A-2's by ELC, GW and BK? They'd be the best source for comparison between the Big 3 repro A-2 makers ( I left out Aero since their A-2 jackets have always been a notch slightly below ELC and GW while BK has considerably raised their stake in the authentic repro A-2 market).

bretron · Mar 31, 2014

Andrew...

Dr H · Mar 31, 2014

I have owned A-1s from all three, but not A-2s.

zhz · Mar 31, 2014

How do you think the A1 made by these 3? Especially the ELC and BK?

Dr H said:
I have owned A-1s from all three, but not A-2s.

Foster · Mar 31, 2014

thor said:
Does anyone own A-2's by ELC, GW and BK? They'd be the best source for comparison between the Big 3 repro A-2 makers ( I left out Aero since their A-2 jackets have always been a notch slightly below ELC and GW while BK has considerably raised their stake in the authentic repro A-2 market).

I have A2's from GW and ELC, but not BK.

Sloan1874 · Mar 31, 2014

I've only seen, at most, two being worn on this site, and I think one was piped in from the VLJ.

Smithy · Mar 31, 2014

Sloan1874 said:
I've only seen, at most, two being worn on this site, and I think one was piped in from the VLJ.

Before your time here but there were quite a few posted when BK first started. Forum/Google search should show thread(s).

Dickie Teenie · Mar 31, 2014

Soon I'll have a BK to post here though it won't be an A2.

Sloan1874 · Mar 31, 2014

Smithy said:
Before your time here but there were quite a few posted when BK first started. Forum/Google search should show thread(s).

Andrew has/had one, didn't he?

Smithy · Mar 31, 2014

Sloan1874 said:
Andrew has/had one, didn't he?

I'm not entirely sure. He's had most A-2 repros that's for sure.

There was quite a sizeable thread back about 4 or so years ago which had a lot of photos of newly bought jackets by members here. Although they were the first generation BK jackets so probably some changes between then and now.

Sloan1874 · Mar 31, 2014

Actually, the sentence "Andrew has/had one, didn't he?" could be applied to any decent A-2 repro.

Dr H · Mar 31, 2014

zhz said:
How do you think the A1 made by these 3? Especially the ELC and BK?

All of my A-1 jackets have been capeskin. I've owned/sold (and posted here and on VLJF) many ELC A-1 jackets (2-piece sleeve), more GW A-1 jackets (3-piece sleeve) and a BK A-1 (3-piece sleeve).

John Chapman has been refining his A-1 for many years - I've owned over half a dozen from the second that he produced (which was great capeskin) to one of the latest. His pattern has become more trim in the torso over the years, with a deeper collar knit. I'm not so sold on John's latest capeskin as it's quite heavily grained, although the weight feels well. The tailoring is top notch as you'd expect, the sleeves are quite wide in the upper arms, but this A-1 was originally based on a modified 1930s A-2 pattern.

The ELC pattern was originally produced in horsehide, but revised in capeskin and this is the version that is now offered. The stock capeskin is pliable and comfortable, but wears well. My present ELC is a 0.50cal, which I prefer - the treated capeskin is harder wearing and it is worn pretty regularly as I have no fears of it tearing. It's a comfortable pattern to wear, with slender forearms - if you get the sizing right then it feels like a leather sweater.
The pattern is based on a Gordon & Ferguson original in Gary's possession - it's reputedly a stitch perfect replica, but when I examine the two images alongside each other (either on the ELC website or in Gary's book), I see differences. To my eye, the ELC pattern has been 'modernised' for contemporary taste - the torso is longer, the skirt shallower, the collar knit shallower.

The BK patterns are based on several different jackets - the stock jacket is on the image in Suit Up (with a 3-piece sleeve and snaps to the waistband) and the level of research associated with its development was very impressive. I have a modified version of this jacket (3-piece sleeve, buttons to waistband, deeper, folded collar knit); BK also offer a naval 37J1 in capeskin with a varsity-type collar. The capeskin is very impressive (and the best of the three in my opinion) - the irregular grain and colour are an excellent match for period photos.

mihai · Mar 31, 2014

1 contract A2 and 1 USN jacket from BK were on my wanted jackets list. However due to this price increase, they will get lower priority. I hesitated ordering from BK due to the delivery issues others had. It may be the most extraordinary product ever but what happened put me off. I had in the past a "not entirely" successful experience with a maker and I wouldn't stand getting in the same situation again.
This pricing change actually made my choice easier. In a way I feel relieved.

zhz · Mar 31, 2014

I think there are more on VLJ, seems the people there loves BK more than we do.

Sloan1874 said:
I've only seen, at most, two being worn on this site, and I think one was piped in from the VLJ.

zhz · Mar 31, 2014

Thats very helpful. Thanks Dr H. I think I know which A1 I will go for when I have spare money to spend.

Dr H said:
All of my A-1 jackets have been capeskin. I've owned/sold (and posted here and on VLJF) many ELC A-1 jackets (2-piece sleeve), more GW A-1 jackets (3-piece sleeve) and a BK A-1 (3-piece sleeve).

John Chapman has been refining his A-1 for many years - I've owned over half a dozen from the second that he produced (which was great capeskin) to one of the latest. His pattern has become more trim in the torso over the years, with a deeper collar knit. I'm not so sold on John's latest capeskin as it's quite heavily grained, although the weight feels well. The tailoring is top notch as you'd expect, the sleeves are quite wide in the upper arms, but this A-1 was originally based on a modified 1930s A-2 pattern.

The ELC pattern was originally produced in horsehide, but revised in capeskin and this is the version that is now offered. The stock capeskin is pliable and comfortable, but wears well. My present ELC is a 0.50cal, which I prefer - the treated capeskin is harder wearing and it is worn pretty regularly as I have no fears of it tearing. It's a comfortable pattern to wear, with slender forearms - if you get the sizing right then it feels like a leather sweater.
The pattern is based on a Gordon & Ferguson original in Gary's possession - it's reputedly a stitch perfect replica, but when I examine the two images alongside each other (either on the ELC website or in Gary's book), I see differences. To my eye, the ELC pattern has been 'modernised' for contemporary taste - the torso is longer, the skirt shallower, the collar knit shallower.

The BK patterns are based on several different jackets - the stock jacket is on the image in Suit Up (with a 3-piece sleeve and snaps to the waistband) and the level of research associated with its development was very impressive. I have a modified version of this jacket (3-piece sleeve, buttons to waistband, deeper, folded collar knit); BK also offer a naval 37J1 in capeskin with a varsity-type collar. The capeskin is very impressive (and the best of the three in my opinion) - the irregular grain and colour are an excellent match for period photos.

thor · Mar 31, 2014

Dr H said:
All of my A-1 jackets have been capeskin. I've owned/sold (and posted here and on VLJF) many ELC A-1 jackets (2-piece sleeve), more GW A-1 jackets (3-piece sleeve) and a BK A-1 (3-piece sleeve).

John Chapman has been refining his A-1 for many years - I've owned over half a dozen from the second that he produced (which was great capeskin) to one of the latest. His pattern has become more trim in the torso over the years, with a deeper collar knit. I'm not so sold on John's latest capeskin as it's quite heavily grained, although the weight feels well. The tailoring is top notch as you'd expect, the sleeves are quite wide in the upper arms, but this A-1 was originally based on a modified 1930s A-2 pattern.

The ELC pattern was originally produced in horsehide, but revised in capeskin and this is the version that is now offered. The stock capeskin is pliable and comfortable, but wears well. My present ELC is a 0.50cal, which I prefer - the treated capeskin is harder wearing and it is worn pretty regularly as I have no fears of it tearing. It's a comfortable pattern to wear, with slender forearms - if you get the sizing right then it feels like a leather sweater.
The pattern is based on a Gordon & Ferguson original in Gary's possession - it's reputedly a stitch perfect replica, but when I examine the two images alongside each other (either on the ELC website or in Gary's book), I see differences. To my eye, the ELC pattern has been 'modernised' for contemporary taste - the torso is longer, the skirt shallower, the collar knit shallower.

The BK patterns are based on several different jackets - the stock jacket is on the image in Suit Up (with a 3-piece sleeve and snaps to the waistband) and the level of research associated with its development was very impressive. I have a modified version of this jacket (3-piece sleeve, buttons to waistband, deeper, folded collar knit); BK also offer a naval 37J1 in capeskin with a varsity-type collar. The capeskin is very impressive (and the best of the three in my opinion) - the irregular grain and colour are an excellent match for period photos.

GREAT write up Dr. H! We need more of these type of "apple to apple" (A-2 to A-2 or A-1 to A-1) comparisons between Manufacturer X, Y and Z.

Fanch · Apr 1, 2014

Great write up Dr. H. This is exactly what the FL or any forum should be about. :thumb:

Edward · Apr 1, 2014

zhz said:
I think there are more on VLJ, seems the people there loves BK more than we do.

I can't view the VLJ forum because I'm not a member there, but the impression I get second hand is that they are very much more focussed on the military stuff, whereas the trend here in recent years seems to have been more towards civilian jackets. If that's the case, it would make a lot of sense ofr BK to push their military jackets a lot harder there.

thor · Apr 1, 2014

According to the BK Facebook page, they now officially offer free shipping for UK customers.

Sloan1874 · Apr 1, 2014

Doesn't surprise me, as ELC do the same already, so I can't imagine BK wanting to add £40(!) to postage in the UK if they're hoping to compete with them.

BK price increases again?

One Too Many

Call Me a Cab

Call Me a Cab

Practically Family

One of the Regulars

I'll Lock Up

I'll Lock Up

A-List Customer

I'll Lock Up

I'll Lock Up

I'll Lock Up

Call Me a Cab

A-List Customer

Practically Family

Practically Family

One Too Many

I'll Lock Up

One Too Many

I'll Lock Up

Similar threads

Log in

Forum statistics