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Chinese leather jackets

Astrobrainsurgeon

New in Town
Messages
14
So I've been eyeing a black type 3 jacket of some sort for a while, and I decided to go with a custom sized Ray Kwok because it would cheaper than the "established" brands. That and I also just like to branch out of the mainstream.

I hit up the guy on Instagram DMs (Alaska Outfitters Alex or something to that effect). I sent him pics and measurements of other jackets I have that fit well, and he suggested some size modifications to the jacket pattern.

I ordered the default leather (a teacore maryam horsehide) and liner (Bemberg). Six weeks later it has arrived.
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So, the leather smells nice and I think has a nice grain to it. It's not as thick as either my Aero or my Vanson, but it is a nice medium weight leather. It's fairly stiff right now but I assume it'll break in and drape better with time. Stitching seems nice - I don't see any obvious problems and the hardware feels satisfying to use. I don't think the stitching or hardware is any worse than my Aero or Vanson.

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Fit is good. I would follow the suggestion of whatever Alex recommends. I would have actually preferred a slightly shorter torso, but I did send pics of jackets that fit this length so that's on me. I also had a bunch of size modifications done so the pattern is not exactly the standard short and boxy type 3.

I paid roughly a couple hundred dollars less than I would have for an Aero or Vanson, so it's not exactly a screaming deal or anything, but I do think the quality is quite nice and is almost certainly much better than the AliExpress specials. Whether or not that's worth it is up to each person to decide. I am personally pleased with this acquisition.
 

JonS1967

Practically Family
Messages
796
Location
San Diego
So I've been eyeing a black type 3 jacket of some sort for a while, and I decided to go with a custom sized Ray Kwok because it would cheaper than the "established" brands. That and I also just like to branch out of the mainstream.

I hit up the guy on Instagram DMs (Alaska Outfitters Alex or something to that effect). I sent him pics and measurements of other jackets I have that fit well, and he suggested some size modifications to the jacket pattern.

I ordered the default leather (a teacore maryam horsehide) and liner (Bemberg). Six weeks later it has arrived. View attachment 812096 View attachment 812097 View attachment 812098 View attachment 812099 View attachment 812100 View attachment 812101
So, the leather smells nice and I think has a nice grain to it. It's not as thick as either my Aero or my Vanson, but it is a nice medium weight leather. It's fairly stiff right now but I assume it'll break in and drape better with time. Stitching seems nice - I don't see any obvious problems and the hardware feels satisfying to use. I don't think the stitching or hardware is any worse than my Aero or Vanson.

View attachment 812102 View attachment 812103 View attachment 812104 View attachment 812105
Fit is good. I would follow the suggestion of whatever Alex recommends. I would have actually preferred a slightly shorter torso, but I did send pics of jackets that fit this length so that's on me. I also had a bunch of size modifications done so the pattern is not exactly the standard short and boxy type 3.

I paid roughly a couple hundred dollars less than I would have for an Aero or Vanson, so it's not exactly a screaming deal or anything, but I do think the quality is quite nice and is almost certainly much better than the AliExpress specials. Whether or not that's worth it is up to each person to decide. I am personally pleased with this acquisition.
Nice jacket, great fit (IMO). Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
 

MadCat

One of the Regulars
Messages
251
So I've been eyeing a black type 3 jacket of some sort for a while, and I decided to go with a custom sized Ray Kwok because it would cheaper than the "established" brands. That and I also just like to branch out of the mainstream.

I hit up the guy on Instagram DMs (Alaska Outfitters Alex or something to that effect). I sent him pics and measurements of other jackets I have that fit well, and he suggested some size modifications to the jacket pattern.

I ordered the default leather (a teacore maryam horsehide) and liner (Bemberg). Six weeks later it has arrived. View attachment 812096 View attachment 812097 View attachment 812098 View attachment 812099 View attachment 812100 View attachment 812101
So, the leather smells nice and I think has a nice grain to it. It's not as thick as either my Aero or my Vanson, but it is a nice medium weight leather. It's fairly stiff right now but I assume it'll break in and drape better with time. Stitching seems nice - I don't see any obvious problems and the hardware feels satisfying to use. I don't think the stitching or hardware is any worse than my Aero or Vanson.

View attachment 812102 View attachment 812103 View attachment 812104 View attachment 812105
Fit is good. I would follow the suggestion of whatever Alex recommends. I would have actually preferred a slightly shorter torso, but I did send pics of jackets that fit this length so that's on me. I also had a bunch of size modifications done so the pattern is not exactly the standard short and boxy type 3.

I paid roughly a couple hundred dollars less than I would have for an Aero or Vanson, so it's not exactly a screaming deal or anything, but I do think the quality is quite nice and is almost certainly much better than the AliExpress specials. Whether or not that's worth it is up to each person to decide. I am personally pleased with this acquisition.
Looks good. Ray Kwok quality is outstanding. I have a deck jacket from them and it’s wonderful.
 

Oldanalogbonniefrump

New in Town
Messages
23
There surely must be a bunch of high end makers in China- I remember being struck by how everyone was wearing a leather (or imitation leather) jacket there, on one of my first evenings living there.
Been to China a number of times. I can say that there are a number (in less popular cities) of folks that just make things out of leather fast and furious (road side stall type things). I needed a belt --we pulled off into some alley selling vegetables. Guy sized me up, cut a nice big long fat piece of leather and clipped a buckle on. He was doing the same with satchels, hand bags. I had a few leather jackets I was happy with--so haven't gone around China wondering if someone would make me one but next trip.....there I go (this isn't exactly a reply to the person above me so much as a "if you got here by google"-more thoughts on Chinese leather.
 

l0fielectronic

Practically Family
Messages
823
Location
UK
So I've been eyeing a black type 3 jacket of some sort for a while, and I decided to go with a custom sized Ray Kwok because it would cheaper than the "established" brands. That and I also just like to branch out of the mainstream.

I hit up the guy on Instagram DMs (Alaska Outfitters Alex or something to that effect). I sent him pics and measurements of other jackets I have that fit well, and he suggested some size modifications to the jacket pattern.

I ordered the default leather (a teacore maryam horsehide) and liner (Bemberg). Six weeks later it has arrived. View attachment 812096 View attachment 812097 View attachment 812098 View attachment 812099 View attachment 812100 View attachment 812101
So, the leather smells nice and I think has a nice grain to it. It's not as thick as either my Aero or my Vanson, but it is a nice medium weight leather. It's fairly stiff right now but I assume it'll break in and drape better with time. Stitching seems nice - I don't see any obvious problems and the hardware feels satisfying to use. I don't think the stitching or hardware is any worse than my Aero or Vanson.

View attachment 812102 View attachment 812103 View attachment 812104 View attachment 812105
Fit is good. I would follow the suggestion of whatever Alex recommends. I would have actually preferred a slightly shorter torso, but I did send pics of jackets that fit this length so that's on me. I also had a bunch of size modifications done so the pattern is not exactly the standard short and boxy type 3.

I paid roughly a couple hundred dollars less than I would have for an Aero or Vanson, so it's not exactly a screaming deal or anything, but I do think the quality is quite nice and is almost certainly much better than the AliExpress specials. Whether or not that's worth it is up to each person to decide. I am personally pleased with this acquisition.

Looks a great fit. I can see some pattern/construction bits that would probably bug me but it will only look better with age. Am confused why there is a Harris Tweed patch on the, cotton looking, lining?

As you say the price on these has crept closer to the 'known' makers and for me its now too close for me to gamble on something I know I will likely be just slightly disappointed with.
 

Bigrip

New in Town
Messages
7
I ordered the Break House J-24 in size 4XL, with the sleeves and body both customized to be 4 cm longer.


I really like the look of the jacket, and one of the things I particularly appreciate about Break House is the option to customize the measurements. This allowed me to adjust the jacket to better suit my height and proportions.


I also went for a custom purple lining, which should give the jacket a nice individual touch and make it a little different from the standard version.


I’ll let you know how it turns out and will share some photos and my impressions once the jacket arrives.
 

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JonS1967

Practically Family
Messages
796
Location
San Diego
I ordered the Break House J-24 in size 4XL, with the sleeves and body both customized to be 4 cm longer.


I really like the look of the jacket, and one of the things I particularly appreciate about Break House is the option to customize the measurements. This allowed me to adjust the jacket to better suit my height and proportions.


I also went for a custom purple lining, which should give the jacket a nice individual touch and make it a little different from the standard version.


I’ll let you know how it turns out and will share some photos and my impressions once the jacket arrives.
It’s interesting to know they offer some customization. I was interested in their 1940s California Single Sport Jacket but I wanted a different chest pocket zipper. When I emailed to inquire, they said they don’t do that sort of customization.
 

Astrobrainsurgeon

New in Town
Messages
14
Looks a great fit. I can see some pattern/construction bits that would probably bug me but it will only look better with age. Am confused why there is a Harris Tweed patch on the, cotton looking, lining?

As you say the price on these has crept closer to the 'known' makers and for me its now too close for me to gamble on something I know I will likely be just slightly disappointed with.
The hand warmer pockets are lined with Harris Tweed wool, so I guess that's technically enough to put the patch on hahaha
 

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