Talk me out of buying this Buco?

[bigmanbigtruck]

At this point, I think you've been well talked out of it lol

 

[tmitchell59]

This is a jacket worth looking for, they do show up. That sleeve repair will be expensive, with doubtful results. I have a similar jacket in similar condition for display.

I had to take the arms off a Ralphs-Pugh jacket and it makes a great vest.

 

[Jon Crow]

All I can add is an echo chamber. But I would look at it like this: it’s 700 dollars. And other original bucos depending on all the usual factors, age, style, condition, are 500-3-4,000 sometimes more. But let’s say you can find a decent to good one for 1,200 or a repro that’s awesome for 1-2,00. You’re going to spend 700 which seems like savings until you’re another 500-700 in repair costs and that’s if it can be saved. It might be another 500-700 and it isn’t even wearable! So that’s like 1,200-1,400 which is no savings at all. Either hold out until you get lucky and find a low cost listing somewhere, save your money for a few months or a year, when you can afford a really nice one; or save and get a really nice repro. Sometimes savings are no savings at all. Save you up front just find out the true costs down the road.

Danny, that would need that much restoration there wouldn't be much left at the end, so more repro than original, good points though, I've seen good Buco on yahoo Japan, sometimes you have to ask yourself, are they asking this price or getting this price

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

Thank you all very much for your insights.

I did indeed pass on the Buco, instead opting for a couple pair of Samurai jeans. So now I have $3-400 US to shop around with on eBay or TFL classifieds (I'll probably look to buy a Vanson with it. I tried a few on today in Tokyo for the first time and boy are they nice!).

An original Buco crosszip will remain a grail jacket for me. Glad to know the J-81 is out there, since I do love steerhide (I'm one of those who find it to be distinct from cowhide).

Thanks again gentlemen, I appreciate that the Fedora Lounge jacket community is just as supportive as the hat community.

Arigato gozaimasu!!

 

[Monitor]

I did indeed pass on the Buco, instead opting for a couple pair of Samurai jeans.

But that's an even worse waste of money! Don't do it. Expensive jeans are all massive scam.

 

[Jon Crow]

But that's an even worse waste of money! Don't do it. Expensive jeans are all massive scam.

Those samurai here in Madrid 18oz cotton are 273 euros too rich for my blood presently

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

But that's an even worse waste of money! Don't do it. Expensive jeans are all massive scam.

You and I have totally different tastes and values. I'm fine with that, but I hope you can be as well. I tend to disagree with you at least half the time. Your take on the A-2 is one example, and now your take on Samurai jeans. I like these jeans a lot and $200 new is okay imo. You obviously disagree. I can live with that.

 

[Will Zach]

But that's an even worse waste of money! Don't do it. Expensive jeans are all massive scam.

I agree. My value meter lights up all RED when I see super-expensive jeans. Barely used for 50% off is a better deal, but still not great.

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

Those samurai here in Madrid 18oz cotton are 273 euros too rich for my blood presently

I got two 17oz for $200 US each. I love the pattern and the slub, but $200 is my limit for new jeans.

I also looked at Iron Heart but didn't like them. Different strokes for different folks, as we say in English.

BTW, I LOVE Madrid and can't wait to go back one day. A really beautiful town.

 

[Jon Crow]

I agree. My value meter lights up all RED when I see super-expensive jeans. Barely used for 50% off is a better deal, but still not great.

I guess that's why places like vinted does so well, but not for everybody

 

[Jon Crow]

I got two 17oz for $200 US each. I love the pattern and the slub, but $200 is my limit for new jeans.

I also looked at Iron Heart but didn't like them. Different strokes for different folks, as we say in English.

BTW, I LOVE Madrid and can't wait to go back one day. A really beautiful town.

200 bucks is better than 273 euros I think, BTW Madrid now, topping 17c not bad for February I like it better than the cold wet coast of N.Ireland and N . England where I was raised haha still lovely places though

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

I agree. My value meter lights up all RED when I see super-expensive jeans. Barely used for 50% off is a better deal, but still not great.

I absolutly agree if you know what you're looking at. I did not until this trip. Now I know Iron Heart from Samurai from a few others and I prefer Samurai.

From what I've seen, Samurai on eBay are often $150-200 used. Plus it's damn hard to find them long enough. Easier to just buy a couple of pairs while I'm here and have done with it. In the US, my home base is Alabama: the highest end store we have is a Brooks Brothers .

If these jeans don't perform up to a $200 level, I won't buy anymore. I am also perfectly happy with my $26 Wranglers from Walmart.

 

[Jon Crow]

I absolutly agree if you know what you're looking at. I did not until this trip. Now I know Iron Heart from Samurai from a few others and I prefer Samurai.

From what I've seen, Samurai on eBay are often $150-200 used. Plus it's damn hard to find them long enough. Easier to just buy a couple of pairs while I'm here and have done with it. In the US, my home base is Alabama: the highest end store we have is a Brooks Brothers .

If these jeans don't perform up to a $200 level, I won't buy anymore. I am also perfectly happy with my $26 Wranglers from Walmart.

Can't beat a old pair of wranglers sometimes

 

[dannyk]

Danny, that would need that much restoration there wouldn't be much left at the end, so more repro than original, good points though, I've seen good Buco on yahoo Japan, sometimes you have to ask yourself, are they asking this price or getting this price

I may have exaggerated slightly haha. But my point being it would still be quite
Expensive to send it to a really good talented leather worker. It’s not super hard for those willing to learn how to change a zipper or add a patch or sew in a liner. But that’s so fragile and I would
Imagine would need so much work you’d have to send it to someone whos certainly charging a pretty penny. Then if you want period accurate stuff there’s another upcharge then you’re in really deep waters there with cost. Then to your last point yup at that point is it more a restored original or basically a brand new jacket?

You and I have totally different tastes and values. I'm fine with that, but I hope you can be as well. I tend to disagree with you at least half the time. Your take on the A-2 is one example, and now your take on Samurai jeans. I like these jeans a lot and $200 new is okay imo. You obviously disagree. I can live with that.

I agree with both of you haha. If you know your exact fit and a good heavy but not super heavy pair of really well made jeans are totally worth it. Take care of them and they can last forever. But just like in the leather world there’s undue hype and claims about denim and upcharging for this or that. There’s always some new color, dye method, slub or something that’s supposed to fade this way or that. Most of it doesn’t hold up. Most of it doesn’t make sense. Jeans are traditionally workwear and meant to be worn. I don’t care about the most super laser accurate stitching or how expertly crafted they are. Because no one notices; and the originals most are based off are not that pretty. Most were thrown together for work. They will charge 300+ dollars for stitching that’s so pretty but doesn’t usually last that long. It’s so pretty and accurate but not meant to last or be worn hard. Which is what denim is for. Or they fade too fast and look 50 years old in a few months. It’s really a minefield and not worth most of the hype at all.

But if you know what you want and you have the money who am I to judge? Most people don’t care at all about any of the stuff we do. Most people wouldn’t spend what we do on 99% of the stuff we do. It’s your choice, your style, your money. If you love it, love it and love it proudly! I don’t care what others do if it’s not hurting anyone. I respect your choices and style. Good for you! Just be aware for someone who has already stated they don’t have a ton of disposable income most of it’s hype, a lot won’t last , a lot of it is mythical and not real, merely hype. And I agree slightly used denim is where it’s at. grailed is great for that. You don’t want falling apart, super faded, dirty, ball sweat stained pants haha. But a few washes on a 300 dollar pair is now like 150 and that’s worth it to me. You can get some brands for way cheaper after a wash or two or worn a few times. My entire denim collection is made up of slightly worn jeans.

 

[Jon Crow]

I may have exaggerated slightly haha. But my point being it would still be quite
Expensive to send it to a really good talented leather worker. It’s not super hard for those willing to learn how to change a zipper or add a patch or sew in a liner. But that’s so fragile and I would
Imagine would need so much work you’d have to send it to someone whos certainly charging a pretty penny. Then if you want period accurate stuff there’s another upcharge then you’re in really deep waters there with cost. Then to your last point yup at that point is it more a restored original or basically a brand new jacket?

I agree with both of you haha. If you know your exact fit and a good heavy but not super heavy pair or really well made jeans are totally worth it. Take care of them and they can last forever. But just like in the leather world there’s undue hype and claims about denim and upcharging for this or that. There’s always some new color, dye method, slub or something that’s supposed to fade this way or that. Most of it doesn’t hold up. Most of it doesn’t make sense. Jeans are traditionally workwear and meant to be worn. I don’t care about the most super laser accurate stitching or how expertly crafted they are. Because no one notices the originals most are based off are not that pretty. Most were thrown together for work. They will charge 300+ dollars for stitching that’s so pretty but doesn’t usually last that long. It’s so pretty and accurate but not meant to last or be worn hard. Which is what denim is for. Or they fade too fast and look 50 years old in a few months. It’s really a minefield and not worth most of the hype at all.

But if you know what you want and you have the money who am I to judge? Most people don’t care at all about any of the stuff we do. Most people wouldn’t spend what we do on 99% of the stuff we do. It’s your choice, your style, your money. If you love it, love it and love it proudly! I don’t care what others do if it’s not hurting anyone. I respect your choices and style. Good for you! Just be aware for someone who has already stated they don’t have a ton of disposable income most of it’s hype, a lot won’t last , a lot of it is mythical and not really merely hype. And I agree slightly used denim is where it’s at. grailed is great for that. You don’t want falling apart, super faded, dirty, ball sweat stained pants haha. But a few washes on a 300 dollar pair is now like 150 and that worth it to me. You can get some brands for way cheaper after a wash or two or worn a few times. My entire denim collection is made up of slightly worn jeans.

Most of my denims are lightly used bargains, but levis, 1902 heritage, levis 201 both with suspenders buttons and back cinch belt, for example, I got my levis big E the same way, and a 80s levis jean jacket, I appreciate you guys love heavy selvedge denim, here in Madrid it's too heavy to get much use

 

[El Marro]

I got two 17oz for $200 US each. I love the pattern and the slub, but $200 is my limit for new jeans.

Mine as well. It’s funny how we all have these different ideas of what a given item of clothing is worth to us. I would not hesitate to drop $1000 or more on a leather jacket but anything over $200 for jeans just seems wrong to me.