ELC and Bill Kelso roughwear 27752 comparison

[Showerfan]

Thanks, all! So much great info, this forum rules. I am looking forward to nailing down the fit, first and foremost. ELC is sending me a 46 to try on, though I’ll bet I need a 48, since I have a 46-inch chest. Go figure. Once I get the right fit in the body, I’ll order an extra long to fit my 6’4”, 200 lbs frame.

I’ve still not gotten much of a response from Andy regarding the BK (I actually ordered an ARCO 18775 from them), whereas ELC is the only company that has been consistent with comms. I’ve also had orders in with Aero and SB since early March with little to no email responses and def no phone calls. WFH much?

I guess that’s what the extra money buys you — actual, consistent customer service. I’m happy to pay a few hundred pounds extra for that piece of mind and reputation. They’re even trying to find me a patch for the 753rd bomber squadron, from the 458th bomb group (heavy), Eighth Army.

 

[Brettafett]

You're doing it the right way with ELC, try on a jacket and then get the std fit right, then add length if needed. This has worked for me on most occasions.

Hang in with BK, jackets are worth it.
I found I went up a size with BK jackets, ie my ELC RWs were always 40 long (I tried a 42 a couple of times, came in a touch roomy)... BKs are 42 long and perfecto!

Funny enough, almost every original WW2 A-2 I have tried (ok, not many but a handful, owned one), 42s fit best...

Getting the ELC first would be ideal, then you have the measurements at hand for the BK.

Try Sean Collins for the patch, he does a great job!
Also Jim Buchanan at http://www.jbmilart.com (was passed on to me recently)

 

[ausreenactor]

Give Ties a shout for your patch! Forum 'love' AND a first class patch!

 

[mulceber]

Hang in with BK, jackets are worth it.

Definitely. That said, some follow up emails wouldn't hurt. Patient but persistent wins out. When I'm having trouble getting a response from Andy, I'll typically email him once a week or once every two weeks. I don't think it's ever taken more than a couple weeks of that to get a response. And, if it helps, my experience has been that he'll contact me about sizing when they're about ready to start on the jacket, even though I specified a size in the order form.

 

[Showerfan]

That does help. I’ll try him again (for the third or fourth time) and I’m sure he’ll get back to me before he starts. One thing I’ve said before but I’ll say again: I cannot understand how this lockdown could possibly slow email or phone communications. It’s like email is all we can do right now! But his products seem amazing so... that’s most of what matters.

 

[ausreenactor]

One of the factors we included during the delivery of promotion and communications courses is the lack of awareness on the situation at the other end of the radio call. The other callsign could be dealing with an emergency, failing technology or random tasks.

Good things come to those who wait...

 

[Lord Flashheart]

I do find the customer service thing a bit curious but I've borne in mind the consistent advice here that it really is worth the wait and to bear with the lack of of comms ...

 

[Ep_1979]

Re-upping this thread as I have both ELC RW and a BK ARCO on order. Do you think the ELC knits have been improved by now?

also, what do those of you who know think about the Warhorse vs the Liberty hides?

I love the BK Arco 18775 too, would love to see some pictures when you have it. Do you know why BK label it as an Arco not Aero?

 

[Brettafett]

Aero Leather clothing Ltd.... Even John of Goodwear had to 'Acme' his Aeros...

 

[Ep_1979]

Aero Leather clothing Ltd.... Even John of Goodwear had to 'Acme' his Aeros...

Thanks, I thought that might be the case...

 

[Grant]

Such a shame, because John Chapman, Bill Kelso, Diamond Dave all make much more accurate Aero Leather Clothing Co repros than Aero Scotland.

 

[Showerfan]

Plus Aero is closed.

Does Diamond Dave still make jackets? John Chapman has like a four-year wait list. So that only leaves BK — if they ever open up again, I hope they make the one I ordered. But who knows.

At the end of the day, maybe Eastman and Shawn Ali will be the only viable repro jacket makers left outside of Japan, where they only make little tiny reproductions.

 

[B-Man2]

Plus Aero is closed.

Does Diamond Dave still make jackets? John Chapman has like a four-year wait list. So that only leaves BK — if they ever open up again, I hope they make the one I ordered. But who knows.

At the end of the day, maybe Eastman and Shawn Ali will be the only viable repro jacket makers left outside of Japan, where they only make little tiny reproductions.

Diamond Dave is still around and I believe if he sees this, he will respond to your question.

 

[Brettafett]

I know its a pain, this communication issue and its not just them, some have had same with GW and ELC, especially lately... but BK is still open and doing business (at least up until 2 weeks ago when I received an email reply).
BK jackets as good as any GW or ELC, but still at a 'reasonable' price. Worth the hassle.
Don't forget Platons Dubow, I understand you're after RWs, but Platon's jacket is also right up there for a proverbial song in comparison.

Personally, I don't understand the communication thing myself. Why its o hard for these companies. ELC is generally pretty good.

 

[mulceber]

Yeah, Dave’s apparently devoted himself to making masks. I suspect he’ll be up and running soon. And BK just added a line of masks to their website, so it seems like they’re still active. Greece was pretty swift, decisive, and effective in reacting to COVID, so that means BK will probably be open for business again before a lot of others.

 

[Showerfan]

BK jackets as good as any GW or ELC, but still at a 'reasonable' price. Worth the hassle.
Don't forget Platons Dubow, I understand you're after RWs, but Platon's jacket is also right up there for a proverbial song in comparison.

I mean, I did pay the man, so I’m not really going anywhere. I guess. I am actually the most stoked to get the BK jacket out of the now four orders I’ve got in, just because they look the best of all non-shinki A-2 repros I’ve seen. And I’m not small enough to fit into any of the RMC/Buzz Rickson jackets anyway.

I’m not looking for aRW from someone else, I’ve already ordered that from ELC. I’ve got an ARCO 18775 on order from BK, and a 15142 from Aero. I would love to get a Dubow from Platon, but I don’t think they do long sizes.

Eastman is the best at comms, they pick up the phone when I call (fantastic business practice!) and write back every time I email. DHL says my RW from them will arrive here in Berlin on Thursday, exactly one week after I ordered it. That’s service.

 

[mulceber]

So who’s the fourth order with? I think you’ll be pleased with your choices. They’ve all got some fantastic leather options, particularly Liberty and Warhorse.

 

[Showerfan]

Yeah I’m hoping to compare the hides myself, as I hear so many opinions. Some say aero’s Vicenza is the best out there, and others say that about warhorse. To me the look of the liberty is great — almost Shinki. Guess I’ll find out. And at the same time I’ll find a contract that fits me well, and then I’ll be done.

The fourth order I have in is not an A-2, but a moto jacket from SimmonsBilt. Their comms are so erratic I want to cancel. But if they can’t even answer emails or the telephone, how could I get my money back?

 

[mulceber]

And at the same time I’ll find a contract that fits me well, and then I’ll be done.

Yes, I remember when I thought that way too. That said, after a while, the A-2 bug fades and grows easier to resist. That’s when you discover shearling.

 

[Showerfan]

That should be right in time for winter! I don’t want to hijack this thread, but I really do like the Aero B3 better than anything else.