Real McCoy New Zealand A-2s

[Brettafett]

Hi all,
Was wondering if anyone can comment on RMNZ's A-2s.
Do you/ have you owned one? Have fit pics...? How do they compare to GW, ELC, BK and Aero, etc... in your opinion
I know their service and communication is top notch and they are in the same price league as GW.

Its interesting cause some guys I've spoken too have sold their RMNZs, ELCs, Aeros and others for GW... no surprise there.
Yet there are also guys who have sold their GWs for RMNZs and BKs, and still other guys have sold everything for an Aero.
Pretty subjective as we all know. So I'd like some specific comments on RMNZ if you've owned one, please.
Thanks in advance and compliments for the season.

 

[Gancho]

For me the fit is more important than to have an authetic A2. So Real McCoy and Buzz Rickson or The Few are not a choice for me, because they do not offer my size. An ELC was never an option, because I have to keep the jacket if it does not fit.

I' m very happy with my Aero, but I dreaming of a GW.

 

[thor]

I ordered a RMNZ A-2 once. I'm 6' 1" and weigh 210 and found the size 46 that I'd ordered way too snug and short for my taste so I returned it. I felt the sleeves were a tad narrow (and I'm no Arnold Schwarzenegger in the biceps department!). Also the HH leather was very shiny (which might have worn off after a while).
It was a quality garment just not what I felt comfortable with.

 

[handymike]

Here in America the RM jackets run $2500.
That's $1k more than a GW!!!
I tried on both their A-2 and A-1 models.
In regards to fit I preferred the A-1. I needed to size up 1 size from my normal for a good fit.

 

[Blackadder]

I posted my the Few A-2 around a month ago. The Few and RMNZ are the same. I do not own a Goodwear so I cannot compare.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...act-37-3891P-H-L-B-Corp-by-The-Few&highlight=
I agree that the fit is a very important factor. The Few is for the Japanese market, hence fit me perfectly whilst the BK is a bit long and big. Thor is absolutely correct about the sleeves, so be mindful if you buy off the rack. I size down on my Aero therefore it is very tight. The Few is selling at USD 1700 now in Japan off the rack but I bought mine on Yahoo auction Japan so I paid much less. It is brand new as you can see and I am very happy with it. The sizes of my the Few, BK and Aero are 36, 36 and 34 repectively.
As opposed to Thor, I had to sell my Lost World A-2 because it was too big and long. Compared to the BK, Aero and LW, the Few is a bit light weight but the leather and the craftsmanship is exceptional. Although I do not own a victory horse BK nor an Eastman, I have seen and tried them on in addition to Real McCoy, Toys McCoy and Buzz Rickson A-2s. IMO, the Few is the best amongst the Japanese brands (save Rainbow Country) and others (save Goodwear) but it is lighter than the American and European and is catered to Japanese market in terms of size and fit.

 

[oldcolts]

I have a Real McCoy New Zeeland Rough Wear size 50. It is great and cant see how anybody could make the quality any better. I am 6ft 1 in. and 236 lb. I think it fits me very well. Sleeves and shoulders all fit well. When zipped, it is slightly snug but feels like that is what an A2 should be. I still have plenty of arm movement and room in the back..

 

[Blackadder]

Here in America the RM jackets run $2500.
That's $1k more than a GW!!!
I tried on both their A-2 and A-1 models.
In regards to fit I preferred the A-1. I needed to size up 1 size from my normal for a good fit.

If I am not mistaken, RM is not the same as RMNZ. Sizing up is an option or simply custom order. It costs slightly more than Goodwear. My next target is Rainbow Country though.

 

[handymike]

I didn't know the two were different.
Thanks for the info. I have no experience with RMNZ, then.

 

[bretron]

Real McCoy used to be one company in JP then the company split (I think the family decided to part with it or something... Anyway...). Now you got Real McCoy Japan and Real McCoy New Zeland, which is sold to the JP market under the name The Few because of the copyright issues with the two companies.

I owned a RMNZ Dubow for a short time and found the quality and relative accuracy to be totally on point. However, unless going for a second-hand one, I'd opt in a split second for a GW.

 

[Blackadder]

RM went into financial trouble in or around 2001 and its distributor went in to save it. The founder stayed on for a while then started Toys McCoy. The liaison in New Zealand took over the leather making workshop along with some workers and started the Few/RMNZ. Another former member started Rainbow Country. Because of various trademark issues, RMNZ is sold in Japan under the name the Few. RM kept the name along with Buco hence Toys McCoy is only making Beck repros now.

 

[bretron]

Ahh yes, plus Toys McCoy not to be confused with RMJ's Joe McCoy line

 

[Smithy]

I wonder if they are still based in Christchurch. IIRC their premises copped a fair bit of damage in the 2011 earthquake and they had to stop production for a time. I'd imagine they might be still down there but then again they wouldn't have been the first company to relocate to Auckland or Welly after the big shake.

 

[handymike]

Thanks for all the info, but Now I'm confused...
I'll stick with GW.

 

[Blackadder]

I wonder if they are still based in Christchurch. IIRC their premises copped a fair bit of damage in the 2011 earthquake and they had to stop production for a time. I'd imagine they might be still down there but then again they wouldn't have been the first company to relocate to Auckland or Welly after the big shake.

I think they are still there. A friend of a friend visited their workshop last month and posted some pictures on facebook.

 

[ButteMT61]

Thanks for all the info, but Now I'm confused...
I'll stick with GW.

Yeah, it's easy. Good Wear was Good Wear and still is Good Wear. Likely gonna be Good Wear next year too. And I know the guy that makes 'em isn't changing anytime soon. I'm simple like that.

 

[Blackadder]

If I still live in the States, I guess Goodwear would be my first choice too. As I am living in Asia, my first pick is either the Few or Rainbow Country.