budget B-10 help

[dinomartino1]

Looking for a lower priced B-10 which is going to be worn with old bikes so is gonna get dirty so I want something cheap.
Spearhead $229
At the front $199
Does anybody have one from either company, any opinions on sizing, on which one is better.

 

[Gijoe]

A wear may Spearhead B-10 since 2 Years in cold weather. A very good Jacket !!!! The Waist is bit too wide . But at the front says also "our Jackets made for modern People"

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

I have several items from At The Front (ATF) and they're all wearing well. I don't own the B-10 though. I own a set of the early WW2 Herringbone Twill utilities, two pair of Khaki pants, and a 1943 combat jacket. Oh, when you read about the sizing by ATF owner, he's been right so far.

Hope this helps.

 

[JanSolo]

Pike Brothers from Germany make a VERY nice B-10 with real mouton collar, talon zipper and many more period correct details. The outer shell fabric is very close to an original wartime jacket's fabric.
Currently they are sold out but a new batch will soon be in stock.

Check them out here:

http://www.pikebrothersshop.com/epa...ObjectPath=/Shops/61700288/Products/P01020224

http://www.pikebrothersshop.com/epages/61700288.sf/en_US/?ObjectPath=/Shops/61700288/Categories

 

[Fly Boy]

I find it strange that some companies charge so much for them, considering that they were intended as budget jackets in the first place.

 

[Edward]

I find it strange that some companies charge so much for them, considering that they were intended as budget jackets in the first place.

I know where you are coming from: I have an instinctive aversion myself to paying out the sort of money for a nylon or other textile jacket that would buy a very nice leather. Thing is, though, when you think about what goes into producing these things.... What we're really buying is less the material, more the labour, skill and expertise that goes into replicating a seventy-odd year old military spec design in whichever contract permutation. Purely as a garment, it's not hard to find jackets that are, objectively, as good as some of those produced by our favourite makers at a lower price. However, what folks like us are prepared to pay for with premium jackets are the designs, construction approaches, etc - everything that is missing from contemporary mass production, and can only now be found as specialist, niche products. Of course, economies of scale also come into it: given enough demand, there's no reason why, say, the Gap couldn't produce a good quality A2 for much less. Thee simply isn't the market for that... Give that it is these factors to do with manufacturing the jackets of whatever type, and the designs, then it stands to reason that a cloth jacket can end up almost as expensive as a leather option. Of course, there is also the law of diminishing returns (as with any consumer durable). The detail level on the best B10 on the market may be only a few less obvious steps up from an "entry-level" hobbyist B10, yet the former can be twice the price - a more significant price jump than perhaps to the latter from something in the mall. There will always be folks, though, to whom those seemingly minor difference really matter, and who will consider it worth it.

I agree that the B10 specifically was meant to be a low-cost, issue garment - as was the A2 before it. They did have economies of scale on their side, thugh - the modern day repros will simply never sell to that number of people. I might myself eventually buy a B10. I too would be looking for a cheaper repro that I know would still be a serviceable garment, but then I'm not trying to put together the very most accurate uniform repro I can, but rather adapting a military style for civilian usage.

 

[JanSolo]

Thanks Edward, that was very well put!

 

[tempesh]

Just had to buy one without any intention last saturday. I like it a LOT.

 

[Worf]

I know Aero makes a B-10 that looks "tasty". ATF makes one my size but Spearhead does not. Anyone know if the Aero's are "custom made" meaning a loooooong wait given the current state of affairs, or could I order one and get it in short order?

Worf

 

[Foster]

I have one of the At The Front B10 jackets and I have mixed thoughts about it. I think it is too large (size 44) and looks like I am wearing a green pillow. Others tell me it looks good, but they are viewing it from a modern perspective. The interior is soft and comfortable, but the lining is thicker than original material. It is an economical option I would not worry about getting soiled or tattered, but I do intend to upgrade it to an Eastman eventually.

 

[Edward]

I know Aero makes a B-10 that looks "tasty". ATF makes one my size but Spearhead does not. Anyone know if the Aero's are "custom made" meaning a loooooong wait given the current state of affairs, or could I order one and get it in short order?

Worf

You'd have to ask them.... They also carry the Pike Bros B10 which they presumably do keep in stock, if that offers the size you need.

 

[Worf]

You'd have to ask them.... They also carry the Pike Bros B10 which they presumably do keep in stock, if that offers the size you need.

I already asked Holly over a week ago. She responded that she'd have to measure and ask but I don't expect an answer this year with all that she's shoveling through at the moment. She's probably a million emails from folks wanting to know if their jackets are real or something else. I looked into the Pike Bros B10 BUT they only go up to a size 48 and I'd need at least a 50 to be "comfortable". Eastman and GW are out of my budget and also only go up to 48 I believe so... it's either Aero or ATF.

Worf

 

[Foster]

I believe the ATF B10 is oversized. My size 44 fits like a 46 or maybe even larger. I nearly exchanged it for a smaller size Medium but I was concerned I would lose in sleeve length. In my opinion they patterned it to fit over t-shirt, shirt, and sweater and maybe more.

 

[Worf]

I believe the ATF B10 is oversized. My size 44 fits like a 46 or maybe even larger. I nearly exchanged it for a smaller size Medium but I was concerned I would lose in sleeve length. In my opinion they patterned it to fit over t-shirt, shirt, and sweater and maybe more.

Yeah I've heard ATF's run "large". Just would like to know about Aero's. If they run large as well, I can manage a Size 50, particularly with their close cut Alpaca lining. A fluffier lining would/could be problematic.

Worf

 

[FAFOO68]

Hello,
I bought a Pike Brothers B10 on their German site and it's oversized, my S size is in fact a M.
You can check the measurements of the jacket on a PDF file "additional product information : download".
For example, the XXL is rather a 50 than a 48 : Pit to pit 78 cm, Sleeve lenght 70 cm and Body Lenght 74 cm.
They ship worldwide, but comparing to an Eastman it's quite heavier but it is very warm.
Hope that helps.
Cheers,
F68

 

[Flash]

Hi! About a month ago I bought an ATF B-10. Size 44 is larger in body but for my purposes is perfect. The price is low, looks quite well and I am not worried much to get it dirty. Some pictures is here in other thread.

 

[Doctor Damage]

So what's the current thinking on this topic? I notice that ATF has discontinued their B10s.

 

[Foster]

The lower cost B-10's now seem to be the ones sold by Spearhead (barrylyndon28) on eBay for $229. I've not seen one in person to comment on its appearance etc.

 

[Edward]

http://www.sofmilitary.co.uk/b10-flying-jacket-product,15285

I saw these in person at Goodwood in September. Worth considering if the Pike Bros is out of reach. Not the accuracy level of the ELC, but at a third of the price. My impression was that it would be grand for kicking about in if you're not looking for a museum quality repro to do living history type stuff.

 

[Edward]

The lower cost B-10's now seem to be the ones sold by Spearhead (barrylyndon28) on eBay for $229. I've not seen one in person to comment on its appearance etc.

Not seen one of these either, though I do have the Travis Bickle versio of his Tanker; quite a good repro of the one in the film, and a reasonably good garment, especially for the money (around gbp50). I did have my eye on his B15A, but not seen one up for sale in a long time.