So who are the Aero Fanboys ( and girls)

[bretron]

Got a warm place in my heart for anything local and hand crafted in small batches. BUT money talks... And I don't have hardly more than a nickel of disposable income to spare so I'm pretty much willing to try anything out that seems like the craftsmanship far outweighs the price tag. When JC's jackets were around $1K, a GW was a no brainer. $15 hundo is all but out of reach for me now (though I honestly think they're still underpriced by about $200). Guys like Mark Fisher and Diamond Dave are my next in line. However, a Bill Kelso wins hands down in the quality-to-price ratio, when you can get one on their ridiculous sales (at 40+% off).

 

[Dr H]

Got a warm place in my heart for anything local and hand crafted in small batches. BUT money talks... And I don't have hardly more than a nickel of disposable income to spare so I'm pretty much willing to try anything out that seems like the craftsmanship far outweighs the price tag. When JC's jackets were around $1K, a GW was a no brainer. $15 hundo is all but out of reach for me now (though I honestly think they're still underpriced by about $200). Guys like Mark Fisher and Diamond Dave are my next in line. However, a Bill Kelso wins hands down in the quality-to-price ratio, when you can get one on their ridiculous sales (at 40+% off).

No, not a fanboy - I don't like Aero jackets.

 

[Otter]

If you don't have the secret ring/decoder and know the correct handshake then you are not "in".

 

[Monitor]

 

[handymike]

^^^I'm soooo not "in", but they've always responded promptly to my emails ;-)
So has Carrie.

 

[Plumbline]

Am I mistaken or have two posts on this thread dissapeared !

Bartender ????

 

[Monitor]

Yep, so are Schitzo's. That ain't right as the man should be entitled to his opinion, but whatever...

 

[wdw]

Am I mistaken or have two posts on this thread dissapeared !

I've been away a few hours. Have I missed some controversy? It does seem a bit calm, right enough.

 

[AdeeC]

To me it is all about customer loyalty. I have bought two Aero jackets with a minimum of fuss and total satisfaction. If I want another jacket, they provide a wide choice of styles and prices are competative for the high end of the market. I also own several Schott's and a few vintage jackets. I contacted Lost Worlds once to buy one of their sale jackets but did not get a reply. If someone else offered something I wanted that Aero did not I would buy from them with no qualms also. I know there are other good makers around but why change your hairdresser, plumber or cobbler when you know they are good and do great work?

 

[Fanch]

I saw this thread this morning but have been up to my neck in alligators until now. I also wanted to think about this apparent mean spirited thread and how I might respond.

IMO wdw seemed to sum up my perspective, although I live almost 4500 miles from Aero. Worf too, although Worf is in NY, almost halfway from Dallas to Galashiels.

My initial two Aero jackets were purchased several years ago through Mark Moye before everything went south with him, and I will say no more about that other than to say that both jackets were sized way too big for me and are now gone. Over the course of buying my next five Aero jackets, I communicated with Holly, Denny, and Ken by e-mail and talked on the phone with Lydia, Rachel, and Christine. All were friendly and helpful to the max, and over the course of time, I came to regard each of them as friends. So, if I appear a bit put out from time to time when I see those folks disparaged and abused, it is because I am fiercely loyal to my friends if nothing else. Disagreement is one thing but placing a bullseye on one of my friends is quite another matter.

I have no financial agreement with anyone to disclose, nor do I have any kind of affiliation. The term "fanboy" is insulting in the context in which it is used. However, if anyone wants to consider me "biased" since I like the people with Aero with whom I have communicated, then so be it. I have also bought a couple of G&B jackets and met a number of fine people there as well as I passed through San Diego and visited their factory. Same thing as I visited the Filson factory in Seattle. So I would ask the FL member who opened this can of worms why not provide equal consideration for the other manufacturers and not specifically pick on one entity.

 

[saucerfiend]

I'm a GoodWear guy 90% of the time. Own a "FEW" B-2 and one vintage halfbelt. Will get an Eastman Irvin at some point. I'd like a repro halfbelt. But again, JC will get the nod.


Brian

 

[Feraud]

Am I mistaken or have two posts on this thread dissapeared !

Bartender ????

Yep, so are Schitzo's. That ain't right as the man should be entitled to his opinion, but whatever...

A coupe of posts were removed at the moderator's discretion.
This tread is contentious. I've already received a complaint about the tone of the thread and I'm just allowing it to stay open. We generally spot troll fodder and agenda pushing posts.

I urge everyone to tread lightly in your replies and feel free to NOT call others out. Bullying behavior will not be tolerated.

 

[ProteinNerd]

While I don't consider myself a "fanboy" of Aero, they are definitely my first choice for a new jacket.

I've got a DD Buco which I do love but as his range is limited (not into A-2's), I'm not looking at any more of his right now.

I tried to buy from BK and while Andy was very nice, it was just too much hard work to place the order, samples not available, then they were changing the leather type, then the factory was on holidays.

I've owned 2 x AL and while the workmanship was great, the fit wasn't quite right and I've sold them on, and that's really the crux for me. The Thurston / Aero partnership with the fit jacket means I KNOW that the next jacket I get will be exactly as I want it.... you just can't beat that imo, fit is THE most important thing and I know Carrie and Wade will nail it, or the jacket will get remade, no questions.

I'd love to try Johnsons at some stage as I hear nothing but great things about them but there aren't a lot of jacket styles left that I need.

So ! guess you could count me as a fan, but not a "fanboy".

 

[Peacoat]

I have leather jackets by Aero, Good Wear, Eastman, Fox Creek, Johnson Leathers, Vanson, Schott, and Taylor Sportswear along with assorted motorcycle jackets and G-1s, both original and repro. Currently I have three Aeros, down from four, and two by Johson Leathers.

Although I enjoy all of my leather, I will have to say I am only a fanboy of the U S Navy peacoat. PC.

 

[pawineguy]

Ok, I'll bite, although I have to agree with Worf that this is some serious baiting and has certainly been triggered by the recent Horween CXL thread. I own numerous jackets from Aero, as well as Schott, Vanson (2) and Thedi. I am sure I'm on the short list of "fanboys" and will explain my position the best that I can:

1. I like Aero jackets, obviously, but don't know anyone there, have had no contact with them and probably never will.
2. I have more loyalty to Carrie and Wade at Thurston, as that is actually who I buy my jackets from and who have always taken good care of me.
3. I'm the guy who will be the only person in the room to defend the rich, and point out that they have the same right to their mega-millions as the poor have to their meager possessions, so therefore:
4. Just because Aero is the dominant jacket maker discussed on this board, has lots of fans and their own presence here, to me that doesn't mean that when people spread bad information about them or a supplier it should be allowed to stand without someone responding. What I have taken issue with recently is:
A. Someone posts innuendo or a falsehood. (and not just "I think that pattern looks off", or "that pocket is too big")
B. Someone attempts to correct the record.
C. They are accused of being a "fan boy" and of overreacting
5. People (at least a couple) were not happy with me using the word slander in the other thread. Maybe that word was too strong, but to me when the message is "company X is lying about their leather", that's a pretty big step beyond "I like the grain better on BK's leather"
6. Just because someone is a fan of a certain company doesn't make their information less accurate than someone who prefers someone else's jackets, especially when the subject is objective and not subjective.

 

[Big J]

A coupe of posts were removed at the moderator's discretion.
This tread is contentious. I've already received a complaint about the tone of the thread and I'm just allowing it to stay open. We generally spot troll fodder and agenda pushing posts.

I urge everyone to tread lightly in your replies and feel free to NOT call others out. Bullying behavior will not be tolerated.

Well, can't say that I'm too impressed with that.
I'm an adult, as long as comments aren't breaking the law, I don't need them edited to protect me from being offended.
Received a complaint, you say? Would that be from Aero by any chance? Because that wouldn't be sinister at all, would it?

 

[Fanch]

On the other hand perhaps we should all read the RULES OF THE HOUSE again.

 

[Big J]

On the other hand perhaps we should all read the RULES OF THE HOUSE again.

Yeah, ok

 

[Seb Lucas]

I'm not sure I get the point of this thread. We can tell who likes what brand by the comments and reviews. Does it really matter? Everyone knows who the vendors are who post, there's been no attempt to be secretive there. And we all know who the Aero enthusiasts are. Aero appear to be a company of great integrity with a range of solid products. What else is there to say?

 

[Feraud]

Well, can't say that I'm too impressed with that.
I'm an adult, as long as comments aren't breaking the law, I don't need them edited to protect me from being offended.
Received a complaint, you say? Would that be from Aero by any chance? Because that wouldn't be sinister at all, would it?

You don't have to be impressed with a moderator's decision to delete posts. We mods have been doing this long enough to see where contentious posts go.

I'm not sure what law you are referring to but when you post at the Fedora Lounge you abide by our rules. These rules were enacted after years of experience dealing with member interactions. Posts can and will be edited or deleted at moderator discretion. We also have a fair policy of refunding any dues paid if one wishes to revoke their membership.

Fanch is correct in noting a re-reading of house rules may be in order.
Have a look-
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...rt-and-protect-all-our-great-members-in-here)

Considering you joined this forum in April of 2014, I'll suggest you're not experienced in Fedora Lounge history to venture guesses as to who is complaining and what their motivations are.

I'm still debating the validity of the topic of this thread...