Is the Buco J-24 overrated?

[ton312]

RMC lost my respect and admiration when they decided to slap the Buco name on Fanny packs and bowling shirts.

This type of exploitation weakens credibility. And while it’s not necessarily indicative of anything they do, I’ve never seen one that looks as good as the original American made jacket, regardless of how it’s put together or the materials used. The only Buco knock off that comes close is LW’s. But that’s a story for another thread. Im not trying to come off as a hater but I think the brand does in fact suffer from being IG famous, made so largely by an audience who doesn’t really know what they are looking at or talking about.

 

[Quan_love_leather]

No issues so far with the zipper on mine. I’d read a lot of folks had issues with them so I applied graphite to mine as soon as I bought it.

As for whether or not these jackets overrated, the look is so nice and the quality of the leather is just amazing! I don’t think they’re overrated but it definitely ***** that you need to baby the hardware.

I definitely agree about the look.
As for the stitching, maybe I was just unlucky. But the zipper… honestly, I have to say it’s pretty disappointing.

I own two Schotts from 1994 and I worry far less about their zippers than I do about the Buco, which is kind of crazy when you think about it… haizz.

 

[Kenan]

RMC lost my respect and admiration when they decided to slap the Buco name on Fanny packs and bowling shirts.
View attachment 787836
This type of exploitation weakens credibility. And while it’s not necessarily indicative of anything they do, I’ve never seen one that looks as good as the original American made jacket, regardless of how it’s put together or the materials used. The only Buco knock off that comes close is LW’s. But that’s a story for another thread. Im not trying to come off as a hater but I think the brand does in fact suffer from being IG famous, made so largely by an audience who doesn’t really know what they are looking at or talking about.

Heeeey, I have that bag and I love it xD

Also, what’s wrong with being IG famous? IMO there’s plenty of cool stuff and genuinely awesome people to discover on Instagram. And let's be honest, if a brand gets popular because people like the products, the craftsmanship, and the history behind them, that's not exactly a crime.

Sure, some people might not know what they're looking at, but that's true in literally every hobby. Popularity alone doesn't make something good or bad.

Don't become that grumpy old guy yelling at the clouds because younger people discovered something through Instagram instead of a forum in 2007. ;P

 

[ton312]

Heeeey, I have that bag and I love it xD

Also, what’s wrong with being IG famous? IMO there’s plenty of cool stuff and genuinely awesome people to discover on Instagram. And let's be honest, if a brand gets popular because people like the products, the craftsmanship, and the history behind them, that's not exactly a crime.

Sure, some people might not know what they're looking at, but that's true in literally every hobby. Popularity alone doesn't make something good or bad.

Don't become that grumpy old guy yelling at the clouds because younger people discovered something through Instagram instead of a forum in 2007. ;P

Oh don’t get me wrong it’s a perfectly lovely purse… I just don’t recall Buco ever making fanny packs in the 50’s. I’m not mad about it but I do think it reeks of poser and I can’t see how anyone with any knowledge of the now long defunct Buco name could possibly see it in any other way.

I did find a very nice fellow in Japan who is currently making me this type 2:

So I’m certainly not against the platform or made in Japan at all. But label whoring is a bad look IMO and that’s kind of where I see RMC at this point.

 

[ton312]

I mean…..make it make sense.

 

[Kenan]

Oh don’t get me wrong it’s a perfectly lovely purse… I just don’t recall Buco ever making fanny packs in the 50’s. I’m not mad about it but I do think it reeks of poser and I can’t see how anyone with any knowledge of the now long defunct Buco name could possibly see it in any other way.

I did find a very nice fellow in Japan who is currently making me this type 2:
View attachment 792540 View attachment 792539
So I’m certainly not against the platform or made in Japan at all. But label whoring is a bad look IMO and that’s kind of where I see RMC at this point.

The funny thing is that the bag doesn’t make me look like a 1950s biker any more than that suede jacket with a leather collar makes someone a 1950s ranch hand.

At some point we’re all just buying nice clothes and accessories because we enjoy them. Your “Type II” isn’t exactly a museum-accurate Type II either, but that’s okay because it looks cool.

The difference is I’ve made peace with that. ;D

 

[ton312]

The funny thing is that the bag doesn’t make me look like a 1950s biker any more than that suede jacket with a leather collar makes someone a 1950s ranch hand.

At some point we’re all just buying nice clothes and accessories because we enjoy them. Your “Type II” isn’t exactly a museum-accurate Type II either, but that’s okay because it looks cool.

The difference is I’ve made peace with that. ;D

Type 2 was a typ-o. It’s actually a Levi’s type 3 and the maker has used the original Levi’s pattern. But anyway. I think you see my point and I understand you have a vested interest in not acknowledging it. It’s OK. I’m not mad. I’m just say’n. People are of course free to do whatever they want.

 

[Kenan]

I mean…..make it make sense.
View attachment 792545

Make it make sense?

Easy. People buy things they enjoy. McCoys is doing pretty well it seems. I personally dig that ashtray even if I don’t smoke anymore

Type 2 was a typ-o. It’s actually a Levi’s type 3 and the maker has used the original Levi’s pattern. But anyway. I think you see my point and I understand you have a vested interest in not acknowledging it. It’s OK. I’m not mad. I’m just say’n. People are of course free to do whatever they want.

I actually do acknowledge it.

I understand that Buco never made bags, bucket hats, sweatshirts, ashtrays, etc., and that you don’t like brands extending a historic label into products that never existed under the original company.

Where we disagree is that you see that and think “poser,” whereas I just see a company making products people enjoy.

So I guess I understand your point perfectly. I just don’t find it nearly as offensive as you do.

Same observation, different emotional response.

 

[ton312]

Make it make sense?

Easy. People buy things they enjoy. McCoys is doing pretty well it seems. I personally dig that ashtray even if I don’t smoke anymore

I actually do acknowledge it.

I understand that Buco never made bags, bucket hats, sweatshirts, ashtrays, etc., and that you don’t like brands extending a historic label into products that never existed under the original company.

Where we disagree is that you see that and think “poser,” whereas I just see a company making products people enjoy.

So I guess I understand your point perfectly. I just don’t find it nearly as offensive as you do.

Same observation, different emotional response.

 

[newtojackets]

View attachment 787321

Interesting, what exactly did you modify?

Studded belt loops and the collar latch. Anything else?

Also that collar latch looks very cool, how did you add that?

 

[Quan_love_leather]

Interesting, what exactly did you modify?

Studded belt loops and the collar latch. Anything else?

Also that collar latch looks very cool, how did you add that?

For the collar latch, I just had the tailor open up the stitching there, insert the latch, and stitch it back up.
I actually modified quite a lot on this jacket: removed the belt loops, tapered the sleeves, took in the waist (this jacket had an odd bulge around the D-pocket area), added a chest pocket, and replaced the main zipper with a YKK one.
Basically, I reworked it to look more like a J-24.

 

[newtojackets]

For the collar latch, I just had the tailor open up the stitching there, insert the latch, and stitch it back up.
I actually modified quite a lot on this jacket: removed the belt loops, tapered the sleeves, took in the waist (this jacket had an odd bulge around the D-pocket area), added a chest pocket, and replaced the main zipper with a YKK one.
Basically, I reworked it to look more like a J-24. View attachment 801249 View attachment 801250

Indeed, sounds like you essentially made a new jacket. Must have been a good tailor

 

[Quan_love_leather]

Indeed, sounds like you essentially made a new jacket. Must have been a good tailor

Yeah, exactly. There’s a really good tailor near me. He’s already worked on two of my Schotts and one Buco.

The impressive part is that when he repaired my Buco, he actually followed the original stitch holes one by one instead of just making new holes. That’s what really earned my respect.

 

[photo2u]

Nice work. Old school tailoring. Love what he did to the arms. One thing I would mention next time is to test the stitch length.