HPA ELC Werber A-2 Relaunched

[MikeyB-17]

I’ve had two ELC house A-2’s, and had no complaints with the knits-in fact I’d say they felt more ‘authentic’ than knits I’ve had on other makers’ A-2’s, if that makes sense. In terms of longevity, yeah, the ones on my ‘97 jacket eventually wore out, but only after a decent long time. I still think they take the p*ss on the prices though.

 

[ShanghaiJack]

Ordered mine, hopefully it will arrive next week.

 

[ausreenactor]

Ordered mine, hopefully it will arrive next week.

Hells yeah! Pics ASAP..... you know the drill...

 

[jeremiah]

OK, so I was probably the only one and misread a few posts here. Apologies.

sorry. ELC knits are shit.
If you have not had issues you have not truly worn your jacket enough.

 

[Grant]

I abuse my Eastman jackets tons and knits are holding up just fine. To each his own I guess.

 

[ausreenactor]

My car is on 313,000 km and is immaculate. I have friends that have interiors in new cars that look like homeless people live in them. Spatial awareness and appreciation of quality items has served me well so far...

 

[Micawber]

Different batches of knits? Different environments? Different opinions on what is considered wear / use / abuse. There are a lot of variables aren't there. I know which side of the fence I'm on.

 

[foster]

Different batches of knits? Different environments? Different opinions on what is considered wear / use / abuse. There are a lot of variables aren't there. I know which side of the fence I'm on.

There are numerous variables in the production of a knit cuff which can influence its longevity, long before one ever adds the variables of how the customer treats the knits.

Does the input yarn have the proper amount of twist? Too much or too little twist will affect the durability of the knit.
What diameter is the knitting machine? What gauge needles are used? What is the needle density of the machine? Is there a missing or worn-out part on the machine that scraped or damaged the yarn during or before the knitting process?

Out of curiosity, how do members here handle their knit cuffs? When removing my jacket, I pull gently on the cuff, until I can then secure my grip on the leather sleeve end when I pull my arm out. If you pull on the knit regularly, and not on the leather, your knits will not likely hold up well over time.

 

[Grant]

Here's my old ELC Werber. Been used and abused but the original knits holding up quite well.

 

[Silver Surfer]

ditto, same condition as my old '97? Werber, except for a couple tiny moth nips. insidious little fuckers.

 

[33-1729]

Here's my old ELC Werber. Been used and abused but the original knits holding up quite well.

View attachment 43870

I'm surprised how different that looks to mine below (2009 production). Mine is lighter than shown in the picture, but the leather and resultant wear appear quite different (a different tannery perhaps?).

 

[Grant]

Yes, definitely different hides used and different dye process; but both sets of knits look like they've held up well. Yours looks amazing.

 

[jeremiah]

While my ELC knits are bad I still love the jacket and would still recommend an ELC made A2 any day of the week.
But for my ELC monarch you tell me if my knits have gone to shit or not.

meanwhile my BK jackets which I wear far more often and have abused even more still look great.

 

[ausreenactor]

Look like they have been wet/dry dozens of times.....

 

[jeremiah]

Except they had not. Even if they had, good wool can be reshaped with right temp water and slow drying. My BK arco on the other hand have and they do not look like the ELC ones in the slightest.

 

[mulceber]

Yeah, my ELC knits are not quite as far gone as yours, Jeremiah, but they’re similar. Gorgeous leather, btw.

 

[ausreenactor]

Except they had not. Even if they had, good wool can be reshaped with right temp water and slow drying. My BK arco on the other hand have and they do not look like the ELC ones in the slightest.

Synthetic content would do that...

 

[ausreenactor]

Buy a new HLB and see if it was a one off...

 

[jeremiah]

Buy a new HLB and see if it was a one off...

Ha. I’ll never buy another ELC because of this issue. One day I’ll replace the knits myself.

 

[SuinBruin]

Not all ELCs have those knit issues obviously, but those that do just look weird. Short, stubby knits that are wider than the sleeve end?