Simmons Bilt
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@Gavin666 Debs at SB is usually brilliant IMO. Sometimes a little slow but they are uber busy...not just with IH work. I've only visited the shop and tried on when buying so can't help really.
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That jacket is sweet
Thanks for bringing this Topic page to my attention. Now I’ve gone down the rabbit hole. I really like the jacket I linked, but then I start thinking I’d want it a little shorter. And then I realize that if I did that, it would basically just end up like my Mister Freedom
Campus jacket that’s sitting in my closet and getting very little wear. So the search continues…https://simmonsbilt.com/collections/vintage-classics/products/statesman
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SB Tail Gunner in prairie leather. Love this jacket. Got an older brown Alexander's leather in horween with my tartan as the lining. Nice to have some Scottish gear
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@EdH thanks mate
@northsouthdenimguy thanks! You can never have too many if you ask me
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@Gavin666 said in Simmons Bilt:
So want to order a leather from these guys but their website is from the dark ages, they take over two weeks to answer an email, they don’t show all their leathers or linings so you can’t see what you are getting.
To some people websites and tech are not their natural habitat, nor should it be. Steve and Debs make amazing leather clothing, that's what they are good at.
Pick up the phone, they normally answer that......Or, go and visit them......
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@Giles Scotland is a little bit too far away and the phone line doesn’t work. Appreciate they do and that’s why I want one. A grand is a lot to spend on something without be able to compare all their different leathers and to speak to someone to make sure sizing is right
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I just spoke to Steve. Basically they are maxed out, and he makes a lot of the jackets himself, so he unplugged the phone about a year ago, because one or two calls a day could chew up 3 hours, and then his productivity plummets. So if you really want a Simmons Bilt (and you should) persevere with email.
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@Gavin666
Hi
I just thought I’d add my two pennies worth… I agree, Simmons Bilt’s website is a bit clunky, but as Giles said, thats not their strong-suit. The outstanding quality of their jackets and their desire to get the right fitting for you is their ace-in-the-pack.
Ive got a ‘Bobber’ made by them last year, and the process from first contact to the jacket arriving at my door took about six months, the first two of which was what seemed like an endless back and forth between myself and Debs concerning my choices.
During that time, I had many second thoughts, and slight changes of mind, all of which were discussed in detail with Debs, to really hone-in on my ‘dream jacket’. Believe me, Debs wants the right fitting for you just as much as you do!Debs is a saint, and it may sometimes seem like your getting nowhere, especially as they are often run off their feet with demands, maybe we’ve been spoilt by the amazing efficiency from the likes of Iron Heart… (who am I kidding… there IS NOBODY like Iron Heart)
But every email between myself and Debs ( there were probably about thirty) was responded to eventually, without a hint of “oh no, not you again” however finicky I was being.I had a pretty firm idea on which leather I wanted, but during these interchanges, I requested some samples… mainly darker leathers. Within two days, Debs had dispatched around fifteen different samples which was far beyond the three Id asked for. It was a little overwhelming, but having decided, and added to more seemingly awkward revisions on my part, I was ready to hit the big green ‘GO’ button.
Then came the wait, and I’ll admit, I almost lost my nerve at times… Id never had anything custom made before. Its not for the faint of heart, especially as you’re likely to pay at least a grand.
I terms of sizing, it obviously helps to have a jacket that fits you well as a reference.
I was going for something that would work either with layers or without, was heavy and rugged whilst still being wearable, not too dark and not to light in colour and not being too ostentatious whilst remaining striking. You know… the typical ridiculous wish-list you start to acquire when going down this particular rabbit hole.
When the Bobber finally arrived, I could not have been happier. Which is still true to this day. I shall keep and cherish this jacket for many many years to come and I recognise the the whole lengthy process was a vital part of it.
The measurements of the jacket are exact and equivalent to the final numbers that I gave to Debs and correspond to the final order sheet.
There you go… thats my tuppence worth, which after deductions is probably worth slightly less than 2p, but hopefully it helps paint a picture of the process. -
@NorvilleRogers Really appreciate your input and samples are on the way!
