Bill Kelso Leather Photo Review

[Canuck Panda]

Can we see closeups of your cap? Who made it?

Me? I'd take some photos for you when I get home. Just normal Harris Tweed 6 panel cap. Got them from one of those Harris Tweed shops online. Very durable caps. I have them in a few different shades. A Must have for wet cold winters.

 

[tweedydon]

Thank you--that's a great cap!

 

[Damon141]

Aero does not do skiving and uses thick threads and needles so won't be that accurate.

That’s probably wasn’t worded correctly.

I was just thinking it would be cool for Aero to have a deluxe line to compete with the higher end market, like Himel Bros which included all of the skiing, thin cotton thread, high stitch count and all that good stuff.
I just figured there is a market for precision made jackets, I assume it’s why people are obsessed with the Japanese brand jackets.

It would just be nice to see more western brands with that attention to detail.
Ofcourse keep their current production which are still very well made jackets especially with the prices and options.

 

[Canuck Panda]

Thank you--that's a great cap!

it’s eight panel not six panel my mistake.
I’ve gotten them quite long ago I honestly don’t remember from which one. I just googled Harris tweed caps and picked what looks to be the safest site. They’re all from UK. And were probably £35 to £50 if I remember correctly. The local hat shop in my city are selling similar ones for like two times or more the price. These were made from the heavier weight Harris Tweed and they’ve lasted a few winters already.

 

[Blackadder]

That’s probably wasn’t worded correctly.

I was just thinking it would be cool for Aero to have a deluxe line to compete with the higher end market, like Himel Bros which included all of the skiing, thin cotton thread, high stitch count and all that good stuff.
I just figured there is a market for precision made jackets, I assume it’s why people are obsessed with the Japanese brand jackets.

It would just be nice to see more western brands with that attention to detail.
Ofcourse keep their current production which are still very well made jackets especially with the prices and options.

Perhaps further explanation is required. The originals have high stitch counts. I posted photos of the stitching of my 60s Harley, 60s Buco and RM's Buco a while ago when Fellow Loungers were discussing skiving, stitch count vs strength. I remember Aero has said that they make jackets their way because it will last longer that customers would not have to worry about tearing open the seams. That their jackets would be stronger than the originals or jackets from current makers.

 

[tweedydon]

Great caps--thank you!!

 

[Canuck Panda]

I don’t know about seam strength between high or low stitch count, but I have to say thick seams can get uncomfortable during long wear. 1.2mm on the typical four fold edge is almost 5mm! some seams seems like cost cutting measures to me but others would seem that they serve a purpose. I think depending on patterns different seams would benefit from different sewing methods for maximum comfort to strength ratio. Sorry, didn’t wanna make things more complicated, but I’ve noticed that’s one of my major reason for letting go of a jacket, if the shoulder seams get uncomfortable it’s gotta go.

 

[Damon141]

I don’t know about seam strength between high or low stitch count, but I have to say thick seams can get uncomfortable during long wear. 1.2mm on the typical four fold edge is almost 5mm! some seams seems like cost cutting measures to me but others would seem that they serve a purpose. I think depending on patterns different seams would benefit from different sewing methods for maximum comfort to strength ratio. Sorry, didn’t wanna make things more complicated, but I’ve noticed that’s one of my major reason for letting go of a jacket, if the shoulder seams get uncomfortable it’s gotta go.

I can picture one of those really heavy 8lb horsehide jackets you have and imagine if there was a 5mm seam along the top of the shoulder or the shoulder/sleeve seam, the weight of the jacket would put so much pressure on the seam

 

[Canuck Panda]

I can picture one of those really heavy 8lb horsehide jackets you have and imagine if there was a 5mm seam along the top of the shoulder or the shoulder/sleeve seam, the weight of the jacket would put so much pressure on the seam

Super thick jackets are fun but they do get very heavy for daily use. It does become a work out. I also think of them as a cardio work out in the cooler months!

 

[Canuck Panda]

This post is a review.

The leather is seal Badalassi. Its the Nappa Lux shiny squeaky stuff.

I used the 20% discount coupon that came with my last Archive line jacket order. And in this box I also got another 20% off coupon if I order another jacket within the next 6 months.

This order took longer than usual. Not the longest I've waited for a jacket. But the wait time is about a year give or take.

NOS Talon zip is not my favorite, it jams sometimes, Conmatic would be the better option.

BK jackets are made in Greece (by Plato himself I assume). He is most likely a one man operation, that is my best guess now. I feel his jackets are on par with my Japanese jackets that's why I went back for this one. Would I recommend his brand, not really, because there are just too many bad reviews, even though it's always from the same handful of people. I feel the best business move is to approach those in a different manner. Would I go back for another jacket myself, most likely, jacket is solid. Do I like the current wait time, not really, but to be fair it's not longer than the industry standard either. 7'o clock below.

A good place to see his jackets is on his FB page, l saw this one before I made my order,

Thanks for reading.