Vanson C2 vs Schott 618hh

[Highwayman64]

Looking to pickup my first leather jacket this week and it’s between the Vanson C2 and the Schott 618hh. On one hand, I really like the brass hardware and larger pockets on the Vanson. However, I’m not a huge fan of the two piece back panel and the larger sleeves.

On the other, I really like the horsehide but I’m not sure the Schott is worth the extra money.

I don’t ride although I may in the future.

Does the Vanson competition weight hide age well? It seems like it may be a corrected grain. Does having a two piece back panel make a difference in longevity?

Help me decide!

 

[Zoro]

Both should be good choices. CW ages well but there's always been talks about some batches being more legendary than others, as well as many considering the current batch being "meh" (I've no experience here, though).

On the two piece back panel making a difference in longevity, I would worry if that was a common failure point with jackets getting ripped in between the two pieces, but that is something I've never seen (in general, not just regarding C2). A one piece back is more aesthetically pleasing (subjectively) and a cheaper option than a one piece back (objectively), but not necessarily less durable in practice.

Personally, I rather the brass hardware and the option of completely removing the belt, so I would take the Vanson. Plus it's cheaper.

 

[Highwayman64]

Both should be good choices. CW ages well but there's always been talks about some batches being more legendary than others, as well as many considering the current batch being "meh" (I've no experience here, though).

On the two piece back panel making a difference in longevity, I would worry if that was a common failure point with jackets getting ripped in between the two pieces, but that is something I've never seen (in general, not just regarding C2). A one piece back is more aesthetically pleasing (subjectively) and a cheaper option than a one piece back (objectively), but not necessarily less durable in practice.

Personally, I rather the brass hardware and the option of completely removing the belt, so I would take the Vanson. Plus it's cheaper.

The brass hardware is cool as hell. I’m sure Vanson knows what they’re doing since they make jackets for racing teams and such.

 

[TartuWolf]

I'd go for Vanson without a second thought.

 

[Highwayman64]

I'd go for Vanson without a second thought.

Why would you choose Vanson over Schott?

 

[newtojackets]

Vintage vansons looks much better than new ones imo. As mentioned above, from what I've seen, the new comp weight is quiet unimpressive to look at

 

[01flhr]

Both companies make excellent jackets. For me, it would come down to if i ride or not, schott makes riding style jackets, vanson makes riding jackets.

 

[Peter Mackin]

What sways it for me is that the schott is much more comfortable, but the main thing is the zip.The vanson zipper frays like crazy. I own schotts over 30years old with not a problem. Plus the competition weight is a gamble ,

 

[Highwayman64]

What sways it for me is that the schott is much more comfortable, but the main thing is the zip.The vanson zipper frays like crazy. I own schotts over 30years old with not a problem. Plus the competition weight is a gamble ,

Interesting. I hadn’t considered that issue with the hardware. I know Vanson would repair it but I’d rather not deal with that issue

 

[Guppy]

I love the Vanson C2. I don't generally like jackets with center seam back panels, but it doesn't bother me at all. The C2 fit, build quality, and thick leather are excellent, and it aged great. Pre-2017 comp weight produced by their old supplier is hard to beat.

 

[Highwayman64]

I love the Vanson C2. I don't generally like jackets with center seam back panels, but it doesn't bother me at all. The C2 fit, build quality, and thick leather are excellent, and it aged great. Pre-2017 comp weight produced by their old supplier is hard to beat.

Do you know who their current supplier is? Has the CW hide changed?

 

[Aloysius]

Can't go wrong with either of them but don't get caught up in the "split back panel = bad" fixation. You can get tons of cheap jackets with a single back panel. At most, it's meaningless, at worst it actually doesn't offer as contoured a fit as a two piece.

 

[Bfd70]

All the talk about degrees of comp weight are comparing great from really good.

I would order both and try them both on. They don’t fit the same just because they look similar. Both are winners. Fit should be the only determining factor.

 

[torfjord]

Do you know who their current supplier is? Has the CW hide changed?

For both the Schott and Vanson options, I’d look at the used market. Especially for Vanson. The new CW is corrected and sanded, the older CW is the nicest leather I’ve ever seen.
And since both models are quite common, you can easily find them used for a lot less than they cost new (especially big difference for Schott).

 

[Highwayman64]

For both the Schott and Vanson options, I’d look at the used market. Especially for Vanson. The new CW is corrected and sanded, the older CW is the nicest leather I’ve ever seen.
And since both models are quite common, you can easily find them used for a lot less than they cost new (especially big difference for Schott).

I’ve been looking for a 618 for a bit but haven’t had any luck in my size. I suppose I could do a WTB in the classifieds

 

[Guppy]

Do you know who their current supplier is? Has the CW hide changed?

I don't believe Vanson make the supplier of their leathers public knowledge, generally speaking. What is known is that there was a fire in 2017 at the tannery that produced CW and Octagon, and they closed operations rather than rebuild.

I believe that Vanson tried to find a new supplier that could meet the spec, but I don't know that they have succeeded. What they were producing shortly after the fire was different, didn't feel as thick or stiff, and generally didn't feel as good. Vanson, trying to stand behind their product, denied that there was a difference, but it was pretty obviously not the same stuff. You can only point to natural variation between hides and batches so much.

I don't buy or handle new Vansons every year, so I have no idea what they are using these days, if they found different supplier or just worked with their new supplier until they got it dialed in better, or if it's the same stuff as it has been since post-fire. But probably others on the forum may be able to speak to that question better than I can.

 

[Monitor]

Vanson makes a better jacket. That said, this being your first leather jacket, why might mean nothing to you. I've had dozens of jackets by both makers and it certainly means nothing to me. Besides, Schott makes an absolutely brilliant jacket so you really can't go wrong here. It's just that nobody makes a better jacket than Vanson.

Both jackets will age alike. Both are corrected grain cowhide of similar properties and it will take about a decade for both to begin showing actual aging.

My advice is that you pick up a jacket that looks better to you. It actually really is simple as that.

 

[Bfd70]

10/18

 

[Bfd70]

Dudsbydel is doing C2s in upgraded leathers

 

[Highwayman64]

Dudsbydel is doing C2s in upgraded leathers

Your C2 looks great. I did see his but he didn’t have my size. I would prefer a struck through black and not a tea core leather. Maybe I’ll just get a vintage 618 and use the savings on a pair of Nicks engineers