OliverTwist
New in Town
- Messages
- 49
- Location
- San Francisco, CA
I'm new to custom flight jackets, but a friend of mine who resides in Italy sent me a text several weeks ago with pictures of a motorcycle jacket that he had made by Diamond Dave and mentioned that he came recommended via this forum. I visited his website and decided on a combat finish horsehide Aero model W535ac21996 repro and I eagerly pulled the trigger on it last night.
As I woke up this morning and excitedly began searching the forum for photos of similar flight jackets and comments re. construction, fit, etc., I began to dig up lots of critical posts about custom leather jackets that Dave had made for numerous people on the board; issues related to fit, incorrect measurements, sloppy detailing, etc.
I also got hip to Goodwear. I'm flipping through their website right now and I'm admittedly somewhat overwhelmed by all of the different models and styles of WWII-era A2s available. I'm concerned about my purchase with Dave. I'm not sure whether to see it through or to apologize for jumping the gun and transition to Goodwear instead. I take it that the cost difference for a horsehide jacket is roughly $500 between both makers. That's not a deal-breaker for me.
While I'm typically compulsive about detail, I'm not entirely versed in old military stock flight jackets. I am after a genuine-looking reproduction however, and I am definitely a stickler when it comes to fit.
I'm really on the fence with how to proceed -- I've submitted payment for Dave's jacket and I've chatted with him briefly over Facebook due to our mutual connection, however I've yet to send over any measurements or sizing info. Nothing has gone into production as of yet. I'm also not entirely confident in the combat finish. I really like the russet color but I think I'm leaning more towards the finish on the GW horsehides. I don't even know where to begin with those though...
I'd really appreciate some feedback. My initial reaction was to give Dave a chance as I have read that he's come a long way and he admittedly did a beautiful job with my friend's Buco motorcycle jacket, but my gut tells me to go with the GW as the apparent benchmark in quality; at least from what I've gathered on this forum. I also want to be diplomatic about whatever decision I make, so as not to hurt anyone's feelings.
Could you please offer your input and suggestions?
Thank you so much!
The jacket in question: http://www.diamondclothingco.com/#!acme-leather-depot-a-2/c5ro
As I woke up this morning and excitedly began searching the forum for photos of similar flight jackets and comments re. construction, fit, etc., I began to dig up lots of critical posts about custom leather jackets that Dave had made for numerous people on the board; issues related to fit, incorrect measurements, sloppy detailing, etc.
I also got hip to Goodwear. I'm flipping through their website right now and I'm admittedly somewhat overwhelmed by all of the different models and styles of WWII-era A2s available. I'm concerned about my purchase with Dave. I'm not sure whether to see it through or to apologize for jumping the gun and transition to Goodwear instead. I take it that the cost difference for a horsehide jacket is roughly $500 between both makers. That's not a deal-breaker for me.
While I'm typically compulsive about detail, I'm not entirely versed in old military stock flight jackets. I am after a genuine-looking reproduction however, and I am definitely a stickler when it comes to fit.
I'm really on the fence with how to proceed -- I've submitted payment for Dave's jacket and I've chatted with him briefly over Facebook due to our mutual connection, however I've yet to send over any measurements or sizing info. Nothing has gone into production as of yet. I'm also not entirely confident in the combat finish. I really like the russet color but I think I'm leaning more towards the finish on the GW horsehides. I don't even know where to begin with those though...
I'd really appreciate some feedback. My initial reaction was to give Dave a chance as I have read that he's come a long way and he admittedly did a beautiful job with my friend's Buco motorcycle jacket, but my gut tells me to go with the GW as the apparent benchmark in quality; at least from what I've gathered on this forum. I also want to be diplomatic about whatever decision I make, so as not to hurt anyone's feelings.
Could you please offer your input and suggestions?
Thank you so much!
The jacket in question: http://www.diamondclothingco.com/#!acme-leather-depot-a-2/c5ro