Eastman Kelso turnaround?

[carl1000]

So I am looking to order an A2 very soon. I have not decided yet on either maker, but I'm just wondering what their wait times are lately. I am in the states. Thanks for any info!

 

[Carlos840]

Eastman turnaround is 3 to 4 weeks.
Bill Kelso, when i ordered one a while back i was told 6 weeks, ended up waiting 6 months and receiving a jacket that wasn't right and that i sent back for a full refund.

Personally i have had a good experience with Eastman and would recommend them.

Bill Keslo on the other hand promised me a lot of things, did none of them, and were a nightmare to deal with. Add the way they advertise themselves and talk down to people (just have a look through their faceboo page) and you really end up with a horrible company to deal with. I would never order from them again or recommend them to anyone.

 

[Seb Lucas]

I'd personally contact both companies and get the info from them. If you have any reason to doubt their word then I wouldn't buy from them in the first place.

 

[zhz]

I own 4 jackets from BK, one from ELC, I'd say I like both, but maybe I would recommend BK because you can do full customisation.

Speaking of waiting time, I think BK may take longer, they are on holiday during most August, also, they don't have any seal Liberty now, it may take ages for them to get it. What I know is they have russet, black liberty in stock and maybe russet badalassi?

My first BK jacket took 4 weeks to arrive, second one took 4 months, third and forth one took 3,4 weeks.

Seems like I am the only one on this forum with positive feeling with BK. I know they have lots problems, but in the end, they make great jackets.

 

[Edward]

Depends what you want too. Kelso will take longer, no doubt, though they will offer some level of variation from standard if that's what you want. Eastman are the quickest of the high end A2 people, as they do everything to the set pattern, and often have stuff in stock. Also worth looking at the Aero sale pages, as sometimes they have deals on trainee A2 jackets (at a significant saving). Aero weren't historically regarded as being as accurate, but Ken has reviewed all the patterns since 2012 and they have upped their spec significantly. I've bought a trainee jacket from Aero in the past, and it was as good as the 'full fat' article to me. Between the two companies mentioned in the OP, I'd choose ELC. I've dealt with both, though I only ended up buying from Eastman. I contacted BK about one of their house A2s when they were selling off stock to shift production to the contract models. I enquired as to whether I should opt for a 44 or a 42 with my measurements, and got back an email trying to sell me a "labelled a 40, but it fits like a 42". Between that and their approach to marketing (which included, at the time, trumpeting how superior their new hides were to the stuff they had been using, including in the jackets I was looking at) put me off. YMMV, of course. ELC were a pleasure to deal with. I ordered a sale B2 cap, going by my usual hat size. When it arrived, it was definitely too small, so I gave them a phone call. They were very helpful, and more than happy for me to send it back for a replacement in my correct size (the hat sizing system they use for those seems to be about a size 'small' compared to average fedora sizes, even allowing for them being made to US specs). Certainly wouldn't hesistate to deal with ELC again. As you're in the US, HPA might have the ELC you want in stock, though I believe going direct is still an option.

 

[Otter]

Ditto on the B2 cap size, exactly the same happened to me.

 

[HPA Rep]

So I am looking to order an A2 very soon. I have not decided yet on either maker, but I'm just wondering what their wait times are lately. I am in the states. Thanks for any info!

Please do tell which Eastman A-2 you are interested in. We have just about all sizes in stock right now for most A-2's, including the new HLB A-2, so turnaround from NJ to TN is two business days via UPS Ground, and it's cheaper from us since we're in the USA.

 

[Plumbline]

Haven't had any issue with either TBH ..... BK M422a took about 4 weeks (2 years ago) - great jacket, Eastman Roughwear A-2 took about 4 days ( stock item 3 years ago) - again great jacket. Current BK Westfall on order is waiting on leather and they're shut for holidays in Aug .... I expect it around Oct.

HPA are your guys for a quick turnaround Eastman in the USA, Insurrection are the guys for quick turnaround Aero in the USA ..... all the rest you pretty much have to go direct on.

Quickest way to get a leather jacket is 2nd hand via Ebay etc .... even from the USA to the UK these seldom take more than 2 weeks ..... sizing can be an issue and the principles of Caveat Emptor apply ..... but it's my purchase route of choice on the basis of price and delivery ( Forum Classifieds and Ebay ... most jackets hardly worn, some NEVER worn ... and even when they are it just mean some other poor bugger has done the break in for you )

If the jacket doesn't work out I flip it ..... even when it does it usually gets flipped for something else eventually .... there's no such thing as a keeper ( as John Lever once famously said)

 

[Dumb&dumber]

both great...
No issues with both, have 2 A-2 from BK and 3 IRVIN´s and one A-2 from ELC...all super, very happy with both.

 

[Dumb&dumber]

May add,... Aero Irvin in process...all super! perfect in all respect....can´t wait to receive my pre-war Aero Irvin.