My last A-2 (hopefully) - Good Wear

[CBI]

looks great

 

[B-Man2]

Cheers Burt and great idea. I suggested a lightweight leather John did the rest to be honest…but having only had a couple of originals I will bow down to you guys experience, for sure this stuff isn’t as rigid as some leathers I’ve handled
Burt I really hope to keep this one as it’s a nice contract and very comfy and as I’ve eluded to I think I should have tried darker seal sometime ago..sadly I will probably be looking to sell on the RW as I don’t have the luxury of much space and definitely as nice a russet as it is, i think I have finally concluded seal is for me

What size is your RW ?
I have friends who come to me occasionally looking for A2’s so maybe I can help you move it on.

 

[blackrat2]

It’s a 44 Burt
I have been in contact with someone
on here a little while ago and am sending them some measurements but for sure if that doesn’t work out will message you on WhatsApp and or post it up

 

[Mr. Mike]

Thanks a lot for sharing this great review @blackrat2. Not only a stunning jacket for sure but always a pleasure to follow the résumé someone else dedication for details. And yet again glad tidings that John can do it all (while this might be the less surprising part for sure ;o)). Looking forward to some more photos for comparison review like proposed by Burt.
Have great lifetime-fun with this treasure jacket made for you!

 

[Sideslip]

I try not to visit this thread too often as I am only 7-8 months in my wait for my turn in the queue. I had in mind an A-2 and have a GW m422 which was off his sale page last year which fits me well, but does not quite close up to the top although it does to the "regulation" 3/4 close. It is tempting to eventually order perhaps a 55J14 to my measurements instead of an A-2 (I have a second hand Dubow). The problem is, I then see the A-2's showing up on this thread and oscillate back. I am nearly 50 and am somewhat bemused at how I can still be relatively indecisive about such a choice!

 

[Mr. Mike]

I try not to visit this thread too often as I am only 7-8 months in my wait for my turn in the queue. I had in mind an A-2 and have a GW m422 which was off his sale page last year which fits me well, but does not quite close up to the top although it does to the "regulation" 3/4 close. It is tempting to eventually order perhaps a 55J14 to my measurements instead of an A-2 (I have a second hand Dubow). The problem is, I then see the A-2's showing up on this thread and oscillate back. I am nearly 50 and am somewhat bemused at how I can still be relatively indecisive about such a choice!

There is only one solution: go for all of them

 

[blackrat2]

Sadly sideslip I hit 50 in November, what’s the saying “I used to be indecisive but now I am not to sure”

 

[Sideslip]

There is only one solution: go for all of them

I would then need to sell a few to pay for the divorce because of the jacket collection !

 

[Brettafett]

Typically we have a mini heatwave here in the UK..hopefully only for a couple more days!!
Newly arrived from Mr C a new Aero (acme) 16160
This was something John worked with for me and I am stoked…I asked John if he would take the Combat Clone in a slightly different direction, wanted the usual wonky stitching and some kick ass grainy leather but asked if he would use a lightweight or more pliable leather for me..also wanted it to have a couple other little “faults” to make it appear more like a factory made garment, such as slightly mismatched pocket positions

John was a legend, this must be a weird thing to ask for but as we have seen on originals and as Burt has posted before, these “flaws” appear on originals and yet when we buy from top tier makers we expect perfection..well John has made this jacket with these “flaws”
The leather is a dark seal Horween which he wet and then dried before sewing the jacket together, no artificial wear has been applied I will do this from normal wear
The “hype” around this Horween is really worth it in my opinion and arguably that of others that have jackets coming through made of it, butter soft and lots of character
Johns attention to detail is as usual beyond question, such as the Triple marked Talon and other Nos parts that he uses
I will post up a couple of quick pics
All I can say is I think Seal suits me better!, when I showed it to my partner straight away she says “that’s better than the other one!!”, that being the RW in russet
If your in the queue currently it’s well worth speaking to John about what leather would best suit what contract, his Italian and the Shinki are both stunning leather so not only do you need to ponder a contract but also what leather to use!!

Awesome jacket! Love the combo...
May I ask though, dark seal or Horween seal? Did you compare samples between the seal and dark seal Horween?
Mid brown knit?
Mid brown thread?
Thanks

 

[Nickb123]

About one week into the queue, and have decided trying to decide now is useless.

Has anyone ever told John to just “surprise me?” Would that defeat the purpose of waiting?

Honestly, I’ve gone so far as to consider one of his Grizzlies. My gf loves the Grizzly, but like many here, despises the M-444 collar.

I showed her a pic and the response was “I don’t like that fur flap collar thing”. I told her she had a good eye.

Lol.

 

[leper-colony]

About one week into the queue, and have decided trying to decide now is useless.

Has anyone ever told John to just “surprise me?” Would that defeat the purpose of waiting?

Honestly, I’ve gone so far as to consider one of his Grizzlies. My gf loves the Grizzly, but like many here, despises the M-444 collar. Lol.

This is a great idea as it takes out all the worry and mind changing. I basically told him the same thing recently.

 

[Brettafett]

You have a handful of gem jackets Nock, you could probably roll the dice.
For me, waiting over a year Plus, and a looming cc bill to the gut, plus this 'may' be my last high end A-2, it HAS to be perfect.... And requires very careful consideration.

 

[blackrat2]

Hey Brettafett
So it’s just called seal Horween as far as I understand it, you’d have to ask John if there is a darker variant or indeed lighter variant in his other leathers
Yes to all your other questions, the lining colour is used in this Aero contract and by RW…

 

[Brettafett]

Thanks for that, its more the knit and thread colour. I love this combo.
It appears mid brown...

 

[blackrat2]

Yeah, mid brown cotton thread and knits

 

[ausreenactor]

Typically we have a mini heatwave here in the UK..hopefully only for a couple more days!!
Newly arrived from Mr C a new Aero (acme) 16160
This was something John worked with for me and I am stoked…I asked John if he would take the Combat Clone in a slightly different direction, wanted the usual wonky stitching and some kick ass grainy leather but asked if he would use a lightweight or more pliable leather for me..also wanted it to have a couple other little “faults” to make it appear more like a factory made garment, such as slightly mismatched pocket positions

John was a legend, this must be a weird thing to ask for but as we have seen on originals and as Burt has posted before, these “flaws” appear on originals and yet when we buy from top tier makers we expect perfection..well John has made this jacket with these “flaws”
The leather is a dark seal Horween which he wet and then dried before sewing the jacket together, no artificial wear has been applied I will do this from normal wear
The “hype” around this Horween is really worth it in my opinion and arguably that of others that have jackets coming through made of it, butter soft and lots of character
Johns attention to detail is as usual beyond question, such as the Triple marked Talon and other Nos parts that he uses
I will post up a couple of quick pics
All I can say is I think Seal suits me better!, when I showed it to my partner straight away she says “that’s better than the other one!!”, that being the RW in russet
If your in the queue currently it’s well worth speaking to John about what leather would best suit what contract, his Italian and the Shinki are both stunning leather so not only do you need to ponder a contract but also what leather to use!!
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Very nice Sir...

Enjoy it.

 

[Lord Flashheart]

Very nice Blackrat ... note to self - this is a temptation rich thread. I've not yet worn the Star I picked up in earnest. Been distracted by Navy jackets for some reason. I blame Hollywood.

 

[blackrat2]

Finally got to see maverick yesterday..enjoyed it
Thanks Couchy, gonna try and keep this one for sure!!

 

[Mr. Mike]

Gentlemen! Is there actually a best practice in place on how to apply for one of JC's Sales Items? Dropping a mail to John does not seem to work as things get sold right away long before the mail gets a chance to be read. The option to just send away the money asked with reference to the sales item does also not appear convincing as you'll never know whether someone else already did the same (not to mention it is cutting off any option to ask a question re the sales item in case needed for clarification).
Some of you were already amongst the fortunate ones, so what's the trick?
thanks a lot and have a great and sunny week all!

cheers
M

 

[Nickb123]

Gentlemen! Is there actually a best practice in place on how to apply for one of JC's Sales Items? Dropping a mail to John does not seem to work as things get sold right away long before the mail gets a chance to be read. The option to just send away the money asked with reference to the sales item does also not appear convincing as you'll never know whether someone else already did the same (not to mention it is cutting off any option to ask a question re the sales item in case needed for clarification).
Some of you were already amongst the fortunate ones, so what's the trick?
thanks a lot and have a great and sunny week all!

cheers
M

Just send an email but strike fast.