Repro Buyer's Guide

[stanier]

Agreed, Stanier - I think you and I are on the same page?

We certainly are Mulceber, but I'm not sure who else is!

If someone posts here looking for the best value A-2, as they have, my take away has been 80% plus talk of Platon's jacket with Five Star gaining ground. The build of Platon's jacket is reported as being up there with best makers and five star seems a little more vague or early doors but significantly cheaper. These seem like the undisputed bargains - who else is there? Same with some looking for usaaf kitbag as a fun item weekend's away. (Can't wait for those to return!) Seems hard to beat the value of SoF.

Picking over the latest Good wear versus a Maverickson Navy jacket would be a while other ball game and not my intent at all, for example.

Sometimes I think we inadvertently slip into taking ourselves too seriously. If a soul wants to ignore the advice here then fine! I'm sure the guys at ELC still sleep soundly at night regardless of this forums thoughts about their products and pricing!

 

[stanier]

Actually sorry to drone on about kit bags, but they are a great example of what I'm talking about. I'd seen the elc kitbag for some years and much as I liked them my common sense said too much money for what you get.

Then someone (I think it was Smithy) started a thread about kit bags and the SoF offering at a much more sensible price. Now I always thought of SoF as being the sort of company that sells army airforce crusher caps that make the wearer look like Colonel Gadaffi in 1975 after drinking Barocca. But after looking at the bag it seemed great and orderimg one confirmed it. Carl put me in touch with an extremely talented artist and now one of my most prized possessions is my kit bag that I hugy enjoy using at every opportunity. If it hadn't been for this forum pointing me at that bargain, I wouldn't have that pleasure and I'm very grateful to Smithy, or whoever it was!

 

[mulceber]

Not droning on at all. Funny story, but Smithy was the one who pointed me toward SoF for the kitbag too.

 

[stanier]

Not droning on at all. Funny story, but Smithy was the one who pointed me toward SoF for the kitbag too.

He's probably on commission...

 

[Spitfireace]

We certainly are Mulceber, but I'm not sure who else is!

If someone posts here looking for the best value A-2, as they have, my take away has been 80% plus talk of Platon's jacket with Five Star gaining ground. The build of Platon's jacket is reported as being up there with best makers and five star seems a little more vague or early doors but significantly cheaper. These seem like the undisputed bargains - who else is there? Same with some looking for usaaf kitbag as a fun item weekend's away. (Can't wait for those to return!) Seems hard to beat the value of SoF.

Picking over the latest Good wear versus a Maverickson Navy jacket would be a while other ball game and not my intent at all, for example.

Sometimes I think we inadvertently slip into taking ourselves too seriously. If a soul wants to ignore the advice here then fine! I'm sure the guys at ELC still sleep soundly at night regardless of this forums thoughts about their products and pricing!

lol

 

[ausreenactor]

Some of the SoF items are pretty ordinary like you say. The garrison/overseas caps are another.

Some might say that the price for a Society Brand, American Visor or Diamond crusher is over the top when compared to the cheaper versions. You get what you pay for..... That's what a free market guarantees.

 

[Smithy]

He's probably on commission...

I wish!

They are great bags and what got me when I got mine was how they're more accurate than the more expensive ones like the ELC version which costs 4 or 5 times more.

I still haven't stencilled mine although I've mocked up the templates for it.

 

[stanier]

Cant't believe you set us all off Smithy, and you haven't stenciled yours yet!

 

[Smithy]

Cant't believe you set us all off Smithy, and you haven't stenciled yours yet!

No excuse, I've been a lazy git

 

[bn1966]

I've got an ELC kit-bag funnily enough that I purchased a few years ago and don't begrudge the price I paid for what I got.

That said I'm all over Shawn's 'Helmet Bags' and should have one in my sticky paws within a week or so. Got some custom paintwork scheduled in for it too...

 

[mulceber]

I’ll add Shawn’s helmet bags to the list. Maybe the Bronson one as well.

 

[bellumbill]

Thanks for this! Hope its true Bronson starts making some larger sizes - I'd be in for a few different jackets if that were the case - and a C2 sweater - I have always loved those have a few in my collection - think they would be great to throw on in the fall.

Best,
Bill K.

 

[bn1966]

I like some of the Bronson nylon..missing a trick if they don't start catering to the mature Western frame...

 

[mulceber]

Unfortunately, I can't edit the original post anymore. I've added them below:

Nylon:
Bronson B-15C and L2B - at $100-130, these are both MUCH better deals than their Buzz Rickson equivalents ($450-550).

 

[Clark J]

I have a FS D-1 size XL on the way

 

[mulceber]

Any ETA on its arrival, Clark? I'm looking forward to seeing a customer review of this shearling.