Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Bill Kelso Westfall in Black Liberty HH

zhz

Practically Family
Messages
890
Location
China, London and Coventry UK
I received this jacket last week. I ordered it in black liberty HH, I've been told the black HH is lighter than the seal and russet, but when I got the jacket, I feel it is actually heavier, but the leather itself is soft and smooth. I added a inside pocket, and asked for a Hercules style cuff and diamond zip for the chest pocket.

I did a hot water treatment to the sleeve, after the leather dried, it becomes very stiff, but after one day wear, it getting soft, and shows lots grain.

照片 24-03-2015 21 32 47.jpg
照片 24-03-2015 21 33 01.jpg
照片 24-03-2015 21 33 31.jpg
照片 24-03-2015 21 33 58.jpg
照片 24-03-2015 21 34 18.jpg
照片 28-03-2015 12 35 43.jpg
照片 30-03-2015 11 32 34.jpg
 

bretron

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,519
Location
NW
Looks like a perfect fit. Congrats.

What are your thoughts on the width of the cuffs? Based on your last picture, it would appear they are as generously cut as those on my Aeronaut.
 

pawineguy

One Too Many
Messages
1,974
Location
Bucks County, PA
Looks like a perfect fit. Congrats.

What are your thoughts on the width of the cuffs? Based on your last picture, it would appear they are as generously cut as those on my Aeronaut.

Same question, and can you use the second button on the cuff or is it purely decorative?
 

bretron

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,519
Location
NW
BK's response when I brought this up was that the cuffs were industry standard. But my measurements and experience spoke differently (1" wider than on every other button cuffed jacket I currently own)
 

zhz

Practically Family
Messages
890
Location
China, London and Coventry UK
yes, the cuff and sleeves are wide. I can use the second button on the cuff, but it doesnt feels good when I do so because of the creases.

It doesnt bother me too much at the moment, because I am wearing a thick swearer/hoody under it. So the wide sleeve is actually a good thing for now. But yes, if I only wear a t-shirt as in the last photo, it doesnt look right, although the feel is ok.
 

zhz

Practically Family
Messages
890
Location
China, London and Coventry UK
BK's response when I brought this up was that the cuffs were industry standard. But my measurements and experience spoke differently (1" wider than on every other button cuffed jacket I currently own)

True, BK makes cuff and sleeve wider than other makers. No idea why.
I actually know this, but I forgot to ask them slim down the sleeve.
 

zhz

Practically Family
Messages
890
Location
China, London and Coventry UK
BK's response when I brought this up was that the cuffs were industry standard. But my measurements and experience spoke differently (1" wider than on every other button cuffed jacket I currently own)

Do you still have the BK jacket? By any chance you can post some fit pictures or you Aeronaut?
 

navetsea

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,851
Location
East Java
great looking jacket, that half exposed silver main zipper looks cool. Probably the sleeve's cuff was designed to pack a pair of concealed wrist mounted derringer :)
 

Superfluous

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,995
Location
Missing in action
Congrats ZHZ!

BK's response when I brought this up was that the cuffs were industry standard. But my measurements and experience spoke differently (1" wider than on every other button cuffed jacket I currently own)

I had the identical experience. Both the Aeronaut and modified Westfall that I ordered from BK came with unusually wide sleeves/cuffs -- at least one inch wider than any other button cuffed sleeve on my other jackets. When I inquired of Andy, he told me that BK's cuffs were the correct width. Andy further stated: "we observe lately a tendency towards skinny sleeves to which we can only reply with this video. Please watch here:http://www.mademan.com/deevolution-of-man-skinny-jeans/." The linked video denigrates skinny jeans, as distinct from appropriately sized jacket sleeves; in other words, the linked video is inapposite. Moreover, Andy's reference to the video was plainly intended to disparage those who prefer a sleeve width narrower than that found on ZHZ's jacket.
 

zhz

Practically Family
Messages
890
Location
China, London and Coventry UK
For the record, I prefer the narrow sleeve as well. And I've emailed Andy few times regard the sleeve width etc, and he said BK made the sleeve based on the original jacket.
For this jacket, as i asked for their original Hercules style sleeves, from the photo I've seen, this jacket has a narrow sleeve than Westfall, so I didnt/forgot to ask them to narrow the sleeve.
 

A-1

One Too Many
Messages
1,095
Location
Germany
I seem to be the only person not to mind the sleeve width. But then my sleeves are quite short. Maybe that's the difference.

Zhz, I really like your black leather jacket. If they had black when I ordered mine, I guess I would've chosen black instead of the the russet. However, I'm very happy with my decision as well.
 

pawineguy

One Too Many
Messages
1,974
Location
Bucks County, PA
For the record, I prefer the narrow sleeve as well. And I've emailed Andy few times regard the sleeve width etc, and he said BK made the sleeve based on the original jacket.
For this jacket, as i asked for their original Hercules style sleeves, from the photo I've seen, this jacket has a narrow sleeve than Westfall, so I didnt/forgot to ask them to narrow the sleeve.

It's a nice looking jacket regardless, and I hope you can enjoy it for many years. I have a late 40s Hercules jacket and the cuff width is 5.5". The mistake that I think some manufacturers make is that they build off of a single "original" jacket, and that becomes their absolute. There is no single "Original" Hercules, it was made in many different styles, and evolved over the years. (BK makes two jackets that they sell as Hercules, for example) Aero also makes one, and the one I own is different then all three of those, and has no buttons or straps on the cuffs.
 

Sloan1874

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,425
Location
Glasgow
Congrats ZHZ!



I had the identical experience. Both the Aeronaut and modified Westfall that I ordered from BK came with unusually wide sleeves/cuffs -- at least one inch wider than any other button cuffed sleeve on my other jackets. When I inquired of Andy, he told me that BK's cuffs were the correct width. Andy further stated: "we observe lately a tendency towards skinny sleeves to which we can only reply with this video. Please watch here:http://www.mademan.com/deevolution-of-man-skinny-jeans/." The linked video denigrates skinny jeans, as distinct from appropriately sized jacket sleeves; in other words, the linked video is inapposite. Moreover, Andy's reference to the video was plainly intended to disparage those who prefer a sleeve width narrower than that found on ZHZ's jacket.

Sounds like a bit of a Lost Worlds gambit: liking sleeves that fit makes you less of a man. I think the most Lounge-friendly term I can muster for that view is: balderdash.
If zhz is happy with it, fine, his money, his call. But to denigrate any one for questioning the fit of a jacket they've shelled out a lot of dosh for is just, to use another nice Lounge-esque term, not on and a very poor show.
 

zhz

Practically Family
Messages
890
Location
China, London and Coventry UK
It's a nice looking jacket regardless, and I hope you can enjoy it for many years. I have a late 40s Hercules jacket and the cuff width is 5.5". The mistake that I think some manufacturers make is that they build off of a single "original" jacket, and that becomes their absolute. There is no single "Original" Hercules, it was made in many different styles, and evolved over the years. (BK makes two jackets that they sell as Hercules, for example) Aero also makes one, and the one I own is different then all three of those, and has no buttons or straps on the cuffs.

I dont think this is the case. From what I know, they are not making jacket based on one model. BK makes Westfall based on one origina jacket, and the original Hercules based on another one. I believe Aero makes their based on the original they have.
 

SpeedRcrX

One Too Many
Messages
1,116
Location
France
I don't think my Californian has wide cuffs like that.

Anyway, you have a beautiful jacket the Liberty HH looks great in black and the fit is spot on.
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,078
Location
London, UK
There's obviously no single standard when it comes ot civilian wear. I'm not clear whether Andy F is claiming that his sleeves are an accurate reproduction of one specific jacket, or that all narrow sleeves are 'period incorrect'. [huh]

Or these...

Oh, that takes me back! I was a fifteen year old metalhead. And mine were studded.

I had the identical experience. Both the Aeronaut and modified Westfall that I ordered from BK came with unusually wide sleeves/cuffs -- at least one inch wider than any other button cuffed sleeve on my other jackets. When I inquired of Andy, he told me that BK's cuffs were the correct width. Andy further stated: "we observe lately a tendency towards skinny sleeves to which we can only reply with this video. Please watch here:http://www.mademan.com/deevolution-of-man-skinny-jeans/." The linked video denigrates skinny jeans, as distinct from appropriately sized jacket sleeves; in other words, the linked video is inapposite. Moreover, Andy's reference to the video was plainly intended to disparage those who prefer a sleeve width narrower than that found on ZHZ's jacket.

Slaon's right on the money here: absolutely sounds like Andy's adopted the Lost worlds school of "If you don't like the way we do it, it's because you're unmanly". Pretty funny, really..... (though it doesn't exactly encourage me to buy from them...).
 

Forum statistics

Threads
109,144
Messages
3,075,065
Members
54,124
Latest member
usedxPielt
Top