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What jacket(s) are you wearing at the moment?

Lord Flashheart

Lord Flashheart

Well-Known Member
B-Man2 said:
The facts are that you are never going to get a GW quality type of jacket for a 5 Star price. It’s never going to happen. So accept that fact and choose a maker that fits your requirements and your pocket book.
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Spot on Burt. Shawn has worked with feedback here to improve the 5 Star offer (and I don't have one of his jackets). Other makers have put in the miles in the past to upgrade their jackets. Gary at ELC wrote the book (literally - well, one of them anyway). And taking the Rolex/Seiko watch comparison @coolhandluke made both will serve you very well and tell the time. The rest is preference and budget. Some here favour wonky stitching on their GW because that's more authentic to a high volume mass produced wartime jacket. If 5 Star offered that should we gripe about quality? I don't think so.

If you've a jacket you like wearing and fancy posting a pice here do so. This shouldn't be about marking your homework unless you really want that, it's your jacket, you earned the cash to pay for it and if you like it - great. At this time of year I find myself wearing my ELC 55J14 a lot because it fits me well and does what I need just right. I don't enjoy my Dave Sheeley Navy repro's any the less.
 
flyincowboy

flyincowboy

Well-Known Member
B-Man2 said:
Just wanted to respond to some of the talking points being discussed in this thread, regarding 5 Star jackets as compared to BK and other well known makers jackets.
I think that a couple of talking points need to be considered here.
5 Star leather has been in the A2 manufacturing business for less than 5 years if my memory is correct. During this time that company has made some really great improvements in the quality and accuracy of their products. They went from manufacturing one or two different contract A2’s that were in need of revision, to a line up of various A2’s as well as Shearling jackets and cloth jackets, that while not always 100% accurate, are good jackets for the money. Shawn has worked closely with this forum to tweak and change those areas of his jackets based on several suggestions given to him by members of this forum, and he continues to maintain off line communications with several people here in an effort to better his products .
What I see happening here is that some members continue to make comparisons of his jackets with makers who have been at it a lot longer than 5 Star, have already undergone much of the product research and developmental changes that 5 Star is still dealing with and have overlooked some of the advances that 5 Star has made.
If some of you had been around here back in the 2008 -2009 time frame you would have seen the top tier makers going thru similar evolutions with their jackets. Just look at ELC jackets of that period and compare them to ELC jackets made today. There’s a difference in quality and authenticity. Same holds true with BK jackets or DuBow jackets.
So that’s one thing that needs to be considered before trying to compare 5 Star with BK or any other makers.
The other thing that seems to occur is that many people here want a Good Wear quality jacket, for a 5 Star price. You can challenge this if you’d like, but we’ve seen it time and time again. 5 Star has been criticized for its lack of quality hardware, lack of quality leather, lack of quality zippers, lack of quality fleece etc etc etc.
The facts are that you are never going to get a GW quality type of jacket for a 5 Star price. It’s never going to happen. So accept that fact and choose a maker that fits your requirements and your pocket book.
Lastly .. there’s the financial aspect of this hobby . Not all of us are fortunate enough to be able to plop down $1,500 US for what is essentially a casual knock around jacket? If you don’t think this is an accurate assessment then tell us this …… when was the last time you spent $1500 U.S. on a dress suit to wear to work or a semi formal function ?
So what it comes down to is personal choice and personal finances. Buy what works best for you and let’s all realize that we all can’t afford to wear Good Wears. Those of us who can, should be more accepting of those who can’t , or those of us who can, but choose not to spend that kind of money on a casual jacket should not be criticized for buying a less costly jacket. And let’s not be critical of those same people who are happy with their purchase and want to show it off and praise their jacket. Just my 2 cents
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Absolutely Burt i agree... you can make the same comparison with japanese trucks at first they were just copies and now they are the most reliables and used by most armies in the world. When you buy such " cheap jacket" it will be only noticiable by" jackets afficinados" most of the time the only comment you will get is "Cool jacket " Nice leather " and the average joe is NOT able to see if your leather jacket is 100% accurate. If some one want the reel deal buy and original one not a brand new copy. When we manufacture a leather article in the workshop we try to do our best, we show all our knowledge and our skills so that the customer is satisfied and happy with his acquisition and order. The 5 star team will do the same in shorts times.AT AFFORDABLE PRICES And to me it worth respect.
 
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newagegeezer

newagegeezer

Well-Known Member
Totally agree, when I used to ride the bikes on an everday ride I wore my no-name, unknown maker A2 as it was expendable (it has a man-made fibre lining, for God's sake. I was never going to spend the money to have it replaced with a correct one). If going to a show I might wear an original and when driving my jeep to Dday commemorations I would wear one of my originals, that felt the correct thing to do. Although owning many flying jackets for over 60 years I'm very much a novice with the repro jackets as to which is more "correct" as I have never bought one except a BR ANJ34A and so really don't care about the subtle differences, but realise many do and that is all part of their experience with this as a "hobby" which should be fine with everyone. As others above have said, as with any product, buy what one can afford and just enjoy it, and be grateful that there are now many makers to choose from.
 
CK90

CK90

Well-Known Member
Ever conscious that we’re drifting from the thread title, it’s still important and valuable to have discussions like this, I think, particularly for any newer members.

I love spending time on this forum, members from all over the world, different situations, different backgrounds yet all sharing a passion.

Personally, I make no bones about it I am a big Good Wear supporter. Why? Because I think J.C makes the best jackets in the world, he is the gent of all gents and he’s a good portion of the reason I’ve developed such a passion for these jackets, their history, the culture. If J.C wasn’t the gent he is would I be so fond of Good Wear? Very unlikely, regardless of how good the jackets are.

I am not wealthy, I am a regular guy working a regular job. Splashing thousands of pounds/dollars on a jacket is not insignificant to me but it is worth it. So is the wait. Might not be the case for everyone, value is subjective to all of us. I don’t drive a flash car, don’t really drink certainly don’t gamble. So people might have a real laugh at me spending big on jackets but I’m sure I will have a good laugh right back at some of their spending.

When someone posts an image on this thread of a no name maker, an old Avirex, a 5 Star, an E.L.C etc. etc. do I get any less excited? NO!!!

The very essence of these jackets is the spirit they are worn in, the gents on here wearing them, smiles on faces living their daily lives and enjoying themselves. Enjoying this passion we all share.

Regardless who the maker is, let’s face it gents, anyone looking in from the outside at us here on the forum would have a really good laugh at the lot of us, in fact even WWII veterans would have a real chuckle… “well damn, you fella’s really like those old jackets we wore back then don’t you?”…

Let’s just enjoy all of it gents, life is short.
 
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A2wander

A2wander

Well-Known Member
CK90 said:
Ever conscious that we’re drifting from the thread title, it’s still important and valuable to have discussions like this, I think, particularly for any newer members.

I love spending time on this forum, members from all over the world, different situations, different backgrounds yet all sharing a passion.

Personally, I make no bones about it I am a big Good Wear supporter. Why? Because I think J.C makes the best jackets in the world, he is the gent of all gents and he’s a good portion of the reason I’ve developed such a passion for these jackets, their history, the culture. If J.C wasn’t the gent he is would I be so fond of Good Wear? Very unlikely, regardless of how good the jackets are.

I am not wealthy, I am a regular guy working a regular job. Splashing thousands of pounds/dollars on a jacket is not insignificant to me but it is worth it. So is the wait. Might not be the case for everyone, value is subjective to all of us. I don’t drive a flash car, don’t really drink certainly don’t gamble. So people might have a real laugh at me spending big on jackets but I’ll bet I will have a good laugh right back at some of their spending.

When someone posts an image on this thread of a no name maker, an old Avirex, a 5 Star, an E.L.C etc. etc. do I get any less excited? NO!!!

The very essence of these jackets is the spirit they are worn in, the gents on here wearing them, smiles on faces living their daily lives and enjoying themselves. Enjoying this passion we all share.

Regardless who the maker is, let’s face it gents, anyone looking in from the outside at us here on the forum would have a really good laugh at the lot of us, in fact even WWII veterans would have a real chuckle… “well damn, you fella’s really like these old jackets we wore back then don’t you?”…

Let’s just enjoy all of it gents, life is short.
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Nice words, let us all just enjoy ourselves of all the great pictures we are posting together…
 
LV426

LV426

Well-Known Member
CK90 said:
Ever conscious that we’re drifting from the thread title, it’s still important and valuable to have discussions like this, I think, particularly for any newer members.

I love spending time on this forum, members from all over the world, different situations, different backgrounds yet all sharing a passion.

Personally, I make no bones about it I am a big Good Wear supporter. Why? Because I think J.C makes the best jackets in the world, he is the gent of all gents and he’s a good portion of the reason I’ve developed such a passion for these jackets, their history, the culture. If J.C wasn’t the gent he is would I be so fond of Good Wear? Very unlikely, regardless of how good the jackets are.

I am not wealthy, I am a regular guy working a regular job. Splashing thousands of pounds/dollars on a jacket is not insignificant to me but it is worth it. So is the wait. Might not be the case for everyone, value is subjective to all of us. I don’t drive a flash car, don’t really drink certainly don’t gamble. So people might have a real laugh at me spending big on jackets but I’ll bet I will have a good laugh right back at some of their spending.

When someone posts an image on this thread of a no name maker, an old Avirex, a 5 Star, an E.L.C etc. etc. do I get any less excited? NO!!!

The very essence of these jackets is the spirit they are worn in, the gents on here wearing them, smiles on faces living their daily lives and enjoying themselves. Enjoying this passion we all share.

Regardless who the maker is, let’s face it gents, anyone looking in from the outside at us here on the forum would have a really good laugh at the lot of us, in fact even WWII veterans would have a real chuckle… “well damn, you fella’s really like these old jackets we wore back then don’t you?”…

Let’s just enjoy all of it gents, life is short.
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Wise words CK ;)
 
mulceber

mulceber

Moderator
Newly-arrived: Gizemo first-pattern Tanker, wearing it with my Tanker boots:
IMG_3237.jpeg
 
petermack09

petermack09

Well-Known Member
A Gibson and Barnes A2 I've had for years,haven't worn it much but it's well made and didn't cost much.heavy pigment meant I put it to one side and went in search of something else,but it's a great jacket to wear and not worry about it getting damaged.fits much larger than a 40,,brilliant knits.
 

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A2wander

A2wander

Well-Known Member
petermack09 said:
A Gibson and Barnes A2 I've had for years,haven't worn it much but it's well made and didn't cost much.heavy pigment meant I put it to one side and went in search of something else,but it's a great jacket to wear and not worry about it getting damaged.fits much larger than a 40,,brilliant knits.
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Whauww,still in new condition.., I saw the brand in a few YouTube videos of them a couple of years ago. Nice to see that A2 here in this forum. Looks even better than in their videos
 
petermack09

petermack09

Well-Known Member
That's where I saw them years ago, bought this and loved the fit but not the horsehide, I already had a goat cooper and preferred that.But this is a really well made jacket,I might hold on to it or stick it in the classifieds at a bargain price.i forgot I had it :)I might even had try to sell this here many years ago.
 
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