How many new jackets do you have coming (and how many potential ones)?

[Cornelius]

"Little Parts. Big Difference." Nice tag line there, YKK

 

[ton312]

To each their own) I'd never buy any historical original jacket with zipper changed from damaged original to modern YKK. I value period correctness and originality and have just supposed that this not expensive jacket might deserve original zipper because of the leather which looks quite interesting to my taste, interesting enough to warrant a little fuss. Once again - to each their own, no problem)
Anyway, nice purchase, congrats Ton! Well done!)

I hear you. I value functionality in the current period in which I live over paying homage to one in the past. Although one could argue that buying vintage pieces at all is doing precisely that.
I do get it though. Lots of boorish comments often thrown at YKK. Imho it’s a kind of snobbish nonsense. I do understand not appreciating the appearance of a large zipper as some don’t but for me that is the last place I want to hassle with a jacket.

 

[Lebowski]

I hear you. I value functionality in the current period in which I live over paying homage to one in the past. Although one could argue that buying vintage pieces at all is doing precisely that.
I do get it though. Lots of boorish comments often thrown at YKK. Imho it’s a kind of snobbish nonsense. I do understand not appreciating the appearance of a large zipper as some don’t but for me that is the last place I want to hassle with a jacket.

Large? Well, yes may be. But install YKK on any good vintage american original? No, thanks.

 

[ton312]

Large? Well, yes may be. But install YKK on any good vintage american original? No, thanks.

I must’ve missed your posts about restoring vintage jackets...I’d love to see some pictures of what you have chosen to do.
I’ve actually had the opposite experience with YKK. After having a #10 installed on this HH Goodgal the functionality vastly improved and I can use this shearling lined jacket as it was intended, for hard wear in winter months. As far as the appearance goes...to my eye it’s just fine and fits the jacket more suitably than the tiny original that was better suited for pockets. Personally I suspect the Herc will look no less “ruined” than what you see below.

 

[Monitor]

Lots of boorish comments often thrown at YKK. Imho it’s a kind of snobbish nonsense. I do understand not appreciating the appearance of a large zipper as some don’t but for me that is the last place I want to hassle with a jacket.

It's exactly that.

And haven't we established that YKK makes LITERALLY the same looking and operating zipper as any other brand of the old? What's there to dislike?

 

[roadking04]

I am with Ton on this one. A #10 on a heavy leather jacket is a must for me. A number 5 zipper on a heavy duty, industrial strength, dinosaur hide, utility jacket like this Goodgal would look silly and out of place.

On a side note, I wonder what jacket would win in a steel cage match, Goodgal vs. TRD. lol. 2 jackets enter, 1 jacket leaves.

 

[ton312]

It's exactly that.

And haven't we established that YKK makes LITERALLY the same looking and operating zipper as any other brand of the old? What's there to dislike?

99% of all zippers are YKK. Either rebranded or stamped YKK. It’s essentially a monopoly.

 

[Lebowski]

99% of all zippers are YKK. Either rebranded or stamped YKK. It’s essentially a monopoly.

Yep, and that's the reason I dislike, don't like monopolies at all. Your main thought about mighty main zippers for heavy leathers is reasonable I should admit, yet still will prefer #10s from big old good triple: Crown, Conmar, Talon. Esp. for old good originals. Not YKK, no way. O'k, I suppose there's enough arguing, once again - to each their own. I understand that some things which are very important for some people might have no sense for some other people, that's quite common practice and that's O'k. Just told my personal point about zippers for old originals. No problem if there are people who don't care about that.

 

[Lebowski]

I must’ve missed your posts about restoring vintage jackets...I’d love to see some pictures of what you have chosen to do.
I’ve actually had the opposite experience with YKK. After having a #10 installed on this HH Goodgal the functionality vastly improved and I can use this shearling lined jacket as it was intended, for hard wear in winter months. As far as the appearance goes...to my eye it’s just fine and fits the jacket more suitably than the tiny original that was better suited for pockets. Personally I suspect the Herc will look no less “ruined” than what you see below.
View attachment 245244

This jacket is badass cool!

 

[Mich486]

And haven't we established that YKK makes LITERALLY the same looking and operating zipper as any other brand of the old? What's there to dislike?

But I think this is exactly the point.

Unless you are really bothered by those three letters only visible with a magnifying glass then YKK can look the same as any talon/conmar/you name it repro. Repro zips for repro jackets. The only really debatable point imho is the size of the zip.

 

[JMax]

I don’t want to speak for Lebowski, but I think his point is more directed at true vintage jackets. I see his point, though I prefer I solid zipper I don’t have to worry about. I wear my jackets “hard”. I want a hard zipper. The old Crowns fit this bill in my book, limited my experience may be. The old 10 Talons too. But the 10 YKKs are definitely fire and forget. I like that. Reasonably priced too.

 

[Mich486]

I get that if one wants a totally original vintage in all its parts, also the zip needs to fit the bill. But at some point there was a suggestion to use a RiRi #8 or Talon #10 which aren’t period accurate either for ton’s jacket and it isn’t clear to me what is the advantage they offer over a YKK similarly styled. Anyway, nice problems to have!

 

[JMax]

I get that if one wants a totally original vintage in all its parts, also the zip needs to fit the bill. But at some point there was a suggestion to use a RiRi #8 or Talon #10 which aren’t period accurate either for ton’s jacket and it isn’t clear to me what is the advantage they offer over a YKK similarly styled. Anyway, nice problems to have!

So true...only we can “argue” about these kind of things. We are all in good places.

 

[ton312]

I get that if one wants a totally original vintage in all its parts, also the zip needs to fit the bill. But at some point there was a suggestion to use a RiRi #8 or Talon #10 which aren’t period accurate either for ton’s jacket and it isn’t clear to me what is the advantage they offer over a YKK similarly styled. Anyway, nice problems to have!

Bingo! I’ve got the #10 Talon on my Bates. I’d be happy to use this zip too but in my experience they are exceedingly difficult to find.

 

[navetsea]

YKK looks great to me.

that and "the metal injection series" looks like smaller crown, but I don't see these on local supplier, I don't know if you can buy any of these in small order

 

[Edward]

"I need your boots your clothes and your motorcycle...."

"You forgot to say please..."

Fun film, I remember seeing it in the cinema. I'm stil lhoping for a directors' cut that takes out the irritating should-be-eight-but-claimed-to-be-ten-but-seems-fifteen-year-old. Oh... and that awful Axl Rose caterwauling. Gret fun aside from those! (I'm one of those people who prefers the first and third films, ultimately).

Ton, if you feel so much sceptic about #5's (sorry, don't agree with you if we're speaking about NOS originals, not repros), then possibly original NOS #10 Talon or #10 Conmar might be quite a good choice too. Or at least famous Riri #8. I'd go for #10 Talon or Conmar then, it's qoing to be quite a bit less pricey than Riri) Up to you if course, but not YKK anyway! When any historical original goes with modern YKK it looks awful and to me that ruins the whole jacket.

I don't get this obsesion so many have with comically over-sized zipson jackets. Seriously. zip up, then put yet gloves on. Simples. Other than that, YKK are perfectly good for me on the proviso that they are sewn in well as a replacement (though agreed - on an actual vintage piece, I'd look first for an NOS) without extra stitchholes everywhere, and they use an appropriate puller. The biggest issue I have with YKKs is when vbrand cut corners by using the very modern looking pullers. It's an instant giveaway, andit does hurt the look.

YKK looks great to me.

That's exactly it - you have to have the right puller shape. So many who use these don't bother...

To each their own) I'd never buy any historical original jacket with zipper changed from damaged original to modern YKK. I value period correctness and originality and have just supposed that this not expensive jacket might deserve original zipper because of the leather which looks quite interesting to my taste, interesting enough to warrant a little fuss. Once again - to each their own, no problem)
Anyway, nice purchase, congrats Ton! Well done!)

I tend to agree with an original; repro, different - though again, my issue is less with YKKs (which are generally fantastic zips) and more with the companies that choose to use the 'wrong' puller shape for the jacket.

 

[dark wood]

just ordered this jacket with different details.
View attachment 244018

I love this jacket...no belt, antique brass. A version of this Aero D pocket will likely be my next jacket too, but in tumbled black cxl. What are your different details?

 

[Lebowski]

Bingo! I’ve got the #10 Talon on my Bates. I’d be happy to use this zip too but in my experience they are exceedingly difficult to find.
View attachment 245287

Here you are:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-Vtg-Ja...290294?hash=item4b62bfe4b6:g:ZZsAAOSwFMdaXhRB
https://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-Vtg-NO...462390?hash=item4b61450cb6:g:bFEAAOSwkCZcpLeF
https://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-Vtg-NO...946968?hash=item4b62c9e9d8:g:2d4AAOSwOyJX1~gv
etc.

 

[ton312]

Here you are:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-Vtg-Ja...290294?hash=item4b62bfe4b6:g:ZZsAAOSwFMdaXhRB
https://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-Vtg-NO...462390?hash=item4b61450cb6:g:bFEAAOSwkCZcpLeF
https://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-Vtg-NO...946968?hash=item4b62c9e9d8:g:2d4AAOSwOyJX1~gv
etc.

LOL. I have the first one in my watch list! The two way is a non starter as the jacket is short.
To me though I can either use the Talon or YKK but neither one is better or worse than the other. Dena stocks antique brass YKK... the whole process including shipping time is like 4 days so...that’s more than likely what I’ll do.

 

[MrProper]

I love this jacket...no belt, antique brass. A version of this Aero D pocket will likely be my next jacket too, but in tumbled black cxl. What are your different details?

blackened brown Vicenza, olive cotton drill lining, brass hardware, some alterations to my size.
The rest like in the picture