B3 Who Makes The Best

[CryptoDave]

I Know this is a matter of opinion, and is a loaded question, but I'm going to ask any way.

Who in your opinion and why, makes the best B3?

Thanks in advance for all of your responses.

Dave

 

[Roughwear]

For accuracy and value for money IMO it is Eastman.

 

[John Lever]

For accuracy and value for money IMO it is Eastman.

Agree. RMNZ also make great B-3's but the range is small and they are very expensive over £1000.

 

[CryptoDave]

Great thanks to both for responding.

 

[Silver Surfer]

agreed. eastman, hands down. the rw red skin and perry. the 50 cal is worth looking at as well.

 

[Anonymous]

why is Eastman's best?
what is the difference?

 

[John Lever]

why is Eastman's best?
what is the difference?

They have the pattern just right, great sleeve shape, cuffs and collar look spot on. There is a trend away now from the very papery skins of a few years ago that weren't so popular. The special maker jackets are as good as the Few but at half the price.
The only down side [for me] is the Crown zip.
I expect Gary to up spec. the house 1943 jacket to include the warhorse trim.
If you Kerpel these jackets they look like originals.

 

[bseal]

In the near future probably the army of one in Seattle.

 

[John Lever]

In the near future probably the army of one in Seattle.

Eh ?

 

[Persimmon]

In the near future probably the army of one in Seattle.

Eh ?

Goodwear ...

 

[John Lever]

In the near future probably the army of one in Seattle.

Eh ?

Goodwear ...

JC has told me he has no interest in making heavy shearlings.

 

[mindful]

Eastman without a doubt imo

 

[Jeff M]

JC has told me he has no interest in making heavy shearlings.

Thank goodness!
John seems busy enough with his current designs. No need to sidetrack him !

 

[Dr H]

Thank goodness!

That could be heard echoing in the workshops of Aero and ELC...

 

[havocpaul]

The way some folk always bring it round again to GW (even when they don't even make that type of jacket!) reminds me of those Heineken ads! Back to original post I agree with John, Eastman make the best B-3 and if you can source their early ones with the awsome sheepskin and talon zip then you'll be hard pressed to tell one from an original B-3 IMO.

 

[Dr H]

Guilty as charged Paul
But still hold the view

 

[Marv]

I do like the look of the .50 Cal B3 moreso than the standard version but have never owned one as of yet.

 

[handworn]

I've tried to get in touch with him about the B6 he was going to introduce, some time back, and had no answer either on phone or email. Has anyone talked with him lately (or heard whether he still plans to make fleece jackets)?

In the near future probably the army of one in Seattle.

 

[Roughwear]

Early ELC B-3s are as has been said among the very best produced. I sold Paul a sweet early jacket some months back which IMO is better than their current house jacket.

 

[derleicaman]

I purchased the test D-1 John had made about two years ago. At the time, he was planning on going into production with fleece jackets once he had obtained some better shearling. The color on the D-1 fleece was a little too white, otherwise it is a great jacket. This spring I purchased the ELC B3 John had up for sale on his web site. Absolutely fantastic jacket. Hoping for some really cold weather to wear it in. John said he never had much occasion to wear it in Seattle, so he sold it on. Reasonable to assume he purchased the ELC to model his own production B3 on, but then again, maybe not. ELC does a fantastic job with their shearling jackets, so maybe John just figured it wasn't worth the effort to compete with them.

I've tried to get in touch with him about the B6 he was going to introduce, some time back, and had no answer either on phone or email. Has anyone talked with him lately (or heard whether he still plans to make fleece jackets)?

In the near future probably the army of one in Seattle.