The Few - B-2

[donsom]

Just reading up on the FEW B-2 ... and jumped over to the site to check pricing.

http://www.thefewmfg.com/details.cgi?no ... GHT_JACKET

Lists as ¥210,000-(inc.tax) on the site ... or ... 210,000.00 JPY = $2,811.85 CAD (Canadian Dollars) using - http://www.xe.com - as the currency calculator.

Whaaaa.... am I missing something here ... why is it basically double the amout of most Aero, Eastman jackets??

 

[deeb7]

... why is it basically double the amout of most Aero, Eastman jackets??

The Few were never cheap ... but a lot of the difference is down to current exchange rates.

Anything priced in Yen is now going to be expensive, and at the moment, pricing in Sterling makes it seem a bargain.

Besides ... The Few's version is probably the best of the repro B-2's, and neither of the UK makers currently offer one.

 

[asiamiles]

The Few were never cheap ...

Yes, The Few are the most expensive of the high end makers and the B-2 is one of their most luxurious items. I don't know how many they made but it wouldn't surprise me if the production run on such a jacket was in single figures.

 

[deeb7]

Yes, The Few are the most expensive of the high end makers ...

Their pricing is generally higher than Buzz, but I see them at about the same level as Real McCoys ... and certainly lower than Toys.

 

[John Lever]

The Few were never cheap ...

Yes, The Few are the most expensive of the high end makers and the B-2 is one of their most luxurious items. I don't know how many they made but it wouldn't surprise me if the production run on such a jacket was in single figures.

I think that's why none of our domestic companies sell them.
As I said before I had to cancel my Few B-1 order, the price just got silly, over £1500 plus duty[£250] is madness these days. There might be one from Aero though if I can persuade them away from their usual ' way too busy at the moment ' response to 'where is my jacket?'
David I'm not sot so sure The Few is better than the BR. The materials are certainly heavier and it's beautifully made, but the Buzz is so comfortable to wear with its soft lining.
RM are still my favourite repro maker though and it's always worth a phone call to Paddy to see what's on sale as they do give discounts and shipping is included in the price.

 

[donsom]

So both RM and Aero will also produce these? Are they "call in and special order"? ... I don't see them listed on the site's.

 

[deeb7]

So both RM and Aero will also produce these? Are they "call in and special order"? ... I don't see them listed on the site's.

Real McCoy's NZ is The Few, and as John Lever says above ... Aero doesn't make one right now, but he's working on them.

 

[John Lever]

So both RM and Aero will also produce these? Are they "call in and special order"? ... I don't see them listed on the site's.

Real McCoy's NZ is The Few, and as John Lever says above ... Aero doesn't make one right now, but he's working on them.

Don't hold your breath. Aero have pointed out many times that military repro's aren't their main products. It's moto/utility jackets.

 

[donsom]

Thanks. Currency exchange or not .... I won't be buying anything in that price range from the Few unless the lottery is good to me.

Hopefully, the "few" jackets that they sell at those prices will be enough to keep them afloat.

 

[handworn]

Just while we're on the subject of B-2 jackets, what are originals worth, relatively speaking? I have a friend with an amazing one in a large size (tagged 48, or something like that, I think), in excellent condition, with provenance.

 

[zoomer]

Priceless. Originals are unheard of - to the point where you wouldn't even put pictures of them on the internet.

 

[jacketimp]

Just while we're on the subject of B-2 jackets, what are originals worth, relatively speaking? I have a friend with an amazing one in a large size (tagged 48, or something like that, I think), in excellent condition, with provenance.

you're lucky to have an amazing friend.......tell us more about his B2 with provenance.

 

[deeb7]

Priceless. Originals are unheard of - to the point where you wouldn't even put pictures of them on the internet.

The original that The Few copied came from eBay. I can't remember the price it sold for, but Bevan organised it.

Pictures were posted ... now probably buried in the old VLJ.

 

[handworn]

Why wouldn't you?

Priceless. Originals are unheard of - to the point where you wouldn't even put pictures of them on the internet.

 

[jacketimp]

Why wouldn't you?


so tell us more about your friend's sz48 B2......

maybe post some pix.....tell and share, please

 

[handworn]

I've only seen it the one time. He'd mentioned he'd picked up an early flight jacket, and from the vague description it sure sounded like your average B-3. I was of course astounded to see what it was, and more amazed to see the size tag. And more still to see the condition. My friend borrowed my canister of Pecard's to apply. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me.

He didn't tell me anything about the previous owner other than he'd been in the Air Corps both prewar and in the war. He just said the name was known and he needed to contact the family and get the details of the guy's service.

Anyone remember what the eBay one went for? My friend often deals in antiques and might want the working capital that the jacket would bring more than the jacket itself. But "how much" would be his first question. Either way, I'll see if I can get some pictures.

Just while we're on the subject of B-2 jackets, what are originals worth, relatively speaking? I have a friend with an amazing one in a large size (tagged 48, or something like that, I think), in excellent condition, with provenance.

you're lucky to have an amazing friend.......tell us more about his B2 with provenance.

 

[John Lever]

Photos courtesy of Bevan one our New Zealand correspondents -

Bevan's repro B-2 looks very similar to this I think.

 

[jacketimp]

I've only seen it the one time. He'd mentioned he'd picked up an early flight jacket, and from the vague description it sure sounded like your average B-3. I was of course astounded to see what it was, and more amazed to see the size tag. And more still to see the condition. My friend borrowed my canister of Pecard's to apply. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me.

He didn't tell me anything about the previous owner other than he'd been in the Air Corps both prewar and in the war. He just said the name was known and he needed to contact the family and get the details of the guy's service.

Anyone remember what the eBay one went for? My friend often deals in antiques and might want the working capital that the jacket would bring more than the jacket itself. But "how much" would be his first question. Either way, I'll see if I can get some pictures.

Just while we're on the subject of B-2 jackets, what are originals worth, relatively speaking? I have a friend with an amazing one in a large size (tagged 48, or something like that, I think), in excellent condition, with provenance.

you're lucky to have an amazing friend.......tell us more about his B2 with provenance.

sounds intriguing! keep us in the loooop..

 

[zoomer]

Why wouldn't you?

Priceless. Originals are unheard of - to the point where you wouldn't even put pictures of them on the internet.

I dunno really. Traditional collector mentality - keep your greatest treasures secret, just instinct, no "why" to it. Happily not everybody thinks this way.

 

[deeb7]

Bevan's repro B-2 looks very similar to this I think.

No, Bevan's B-2 still retains it's colour ... and the pocket.

But thanks for reposting those, I forgot to save them first time around.