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+--- Thread: Vanson Leathers (/showthread.php?tid=14109)
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Vanson Leathers - Novice_imp - 03-29-2019
My teenage son and I just returned from a trip to Vanson Leathers in Fall River, MA from central Ohio. We drove. Sorry, but we had only a couple of days and a round trip of over 24 hours on the road eliminated the CB1100 as a viable option for the two of us, so we loaded up the Civic instead.
I’ve been wanting to make the trip for years. They have a solid reputation and when you pick up one of their jackets, the quality is immediately apparent. Plus, there’s plenty of info about some heavy hitters who’ve had “gnarly get offs” at speeds I only achieve during takeoff listed on their website to further illustrate how good their stuff is. They make the real deal, no doubt about it. That being said, I wanted to at least try things on before I spent the money.
Since I had never been to Fall River, I decided to call and see if I could get hotel and restaurant recommendations. When I called, Kim Van Der Sleesen, sales manager and wife of President Mike Van Der Sleesen, answered. I told her what I was planning to do and she ask me for my email address. She then sent me a very nice email with a link to use to drive there, a corporate discount code for the Hampton Inn, restaurant recommendations, and a link to a nearby attraction. A week before I planned to be there, I noticed they were having a spring sale. In an effort to be somewhat thrifty, I sent Kim an email asking if I could get a raincheck on the sale prices. She assured me that they would give me the best price they could and probably honor the spring sale discount. I then picked out the style of jacket, MK2 CSRX Sportrider, and pants, MK2 Sportrider, I was interested in from their website, made a list of some additional items, packed up, and headed east with my son.
Upon arrival, the yellow door at the back of the big old building let us know we were at the right place. We went in and were immediately greeted as we entered a large warehouse type of room surrounded by racing suits that make up a museum collection. I couldn’t help but immediately feel if you’re into motorcycling, this is a special place. One of the things that struck me looking at some of the suits that had clearly been involved in serious get offs, was how well they had held together. Even the small letters remained firmly attached to whatever leather the pavement had left.
We then went over to the room that constitutes the retail store. We were surrounded by jackets and pants. They have so many styles to choose from that if you can’t find something that moves you, you probably don’t have a pulse. My salesperson was awesome and answered my questions, some of which required asking the people who make the items to find the answers. Since I had already narrowed my choice to the sportrider, a timeless Vanson classic in my opinion, I moved to the try on phase. I tried on several sizes and began to narrow it down. They even have an ancient UJM sitting in front of the typical dressing room mirrors to help give you the full effect. After trying on several sizes, I found the size that was a close fit, but still a little tight in certain places. That’s when I found out about oddities. They will slightly alter a standard item for an additional 15% without it becoming a full custom item and incurring the additional expense if that’s not what you’re going for. After discussing the fit with a pattern maker, you can see her in the Moto Pickers at Vanson Leathers YouTube video on the Vanson website taking measurements, whose expertise was immediately apparent, I was all set. Then Kim took us on a tour and what a tour it was.
We took a ride up in a freight elevator to the manufacturing floor and Kim discussed some of the company’s history regarding the move from Boston to Fall River. She started our tour by showing us where the leather was cut. It is either cut using a pattern by hand, the fasted method, or by a special computer controlled machine that is slower, but used specifically for oddities like my jacket. We then got to see every step in the manufacturing process and the tools for each one. I really enjoyed seeing the old dies, which are still used to stamp specific shapes, in addition to a newer machine that uses a water jet to cut out shapes. We saw the printouts that go with each jacket detailing the steps needed specifically for that jacket and found out there’s a lot of steps. We saw the baskets that contain the parts for each jacket and the conveyor belt that transports them to specific people along the line to complete a specific step, all controlled by software written by her husband. We saw how carefully the leather sheets are inspected for range flaws like scars and how each piece is marked for the assembly process. I found it interesting that the graphics and patches are sewn on while the jacket is still in pieces and as the jacket is completed, it moves from the ladies to the men simply because it becomes so much heavier. They even have a special machine to stamp “Vanson” on the metal rings used in some of their jackets. I can really appreciate that level of attention to detail.
There’s a YouTube video worth watching titled VANSON LEATHERS – WORLDS FINEST GEAR that shows a lot of the things Kim showed us in person and took the time to explain. In the video at 5:05 you meet Brenda. Brenda made sure my son had a Vanson oval and stamped the Vanson logo on a piece of scrap leather my son had requested for a souvenir. Awesome!
As we were being shown around, we came to a room where they keep the labels that are sewn in the jackets. Kim asked if we were familiar with the band Rush. I certainly am, but so is my son. She then told us how one of the band members rode and they made jackets for both the band and for them to sell while on tour. She then gave my son two different jacket labels from tours the band had done. That rocked!
We saw the shipping area where Kim explained how they had recently completed a large order for Supreme, a brand my son was familiar with as a high dollar fashion brand, and how they had to keep everything organized to send to places like Paris, NY, LA, and London. Although not a high dollar fashion type of kid, he thought it was really cool Vanson made jackets for them.
We saw the room where suits are washed and restored. Kim explained the process as we stared at an old suit being brought back to life. She further explained how damaged suits are sometimes repaired by removing and replacing entire sections.
At one of the stations we saw a very intricate custom logo. It was art in every sense of the word. Kim explained how they thin the leather so it doesn’t stack up or become too thick when requiring multiple layers. I noticed the back had an adhesive layer to help keep it attached to the jacket and then I understood how the graphics and letters on the suits involved in traumatic events had miraculously remained attached, they’re both sewn and glued. Clearly nothing is going to accidentally fall off something they make.
We then went back to the lower level behind the retail area where Kim showed us the computer used to design the multicolor custom suits. Nearby I noticed a rack of state police jackets. Kim explained how they make a coat for each academy graduate. She also pointed out a Powerade jacket they had made for the movie Talladega Nights and a Rush tour jacket among the jackets on display.
Although my purchase was a moderate one from a company who does work for professional racers, high fashion companies, movie stars, and music artist, I never felt that made a difference in the way I was treated.
Their website lists the top ten reasons to own a Vanson and it’s no joke. The #1 reason is Pride of ownership. Now I understand why. As we were getting ready to leave, my son and I both agreed that in a perfect world we would buy two jackets, one to use and one to put in a case on display.
I was so impressed with my experience, that I felt the need to take the time to write this and do my part to help emphasize the fact that Vanson Leathers is a spectacular company!
Customer for life.
RE: Vanson Leathers - Frulk_imp - 03-29-2019
Thanks Novice. A very informative and entertaining read.
RE: Vanson Leathers - LongRanger_imp - 03-29-2019
Wow, absolutely fabulous! Thank you!
RE: Vanson Leathers - DAC - 03-29-2019
Very nice write up. It's always great to hear stories about artisans who practice their craft in an authentic way that still earns them a fine living.
RE: Vanson Leathers - the Ferret - 03-29-2019
So you decided on the Vanson. Cool. You won't regret it. Great write up on a legend of the motorcycle scene for many years.
So were you able to carry your jacket out or are they making one amd mailing it to you?
RE: Vanson Leathers - Novice_imp - 03-29-2019
Thank you. They are going to make it and mail it to me.
RE: Vanson Leathers - GoldOxide_imp - 03-29-2019
A very well written and passionate read Novice. Thank you. The blacksmith and the artist reflect it in their art.
RE: Vanson Leathers - Cormanus - 03-29-2019
Great write up, Novice. Thanks for taking the trouble. You should send it to Vanson.
RE: Vanson Leathers - Houtman_imp - 03-29-2019
Thank you for that great write up about Vanson . We should do things like that more often , normally people only write to complain about a company or service.
RE: Vanson Leathers - Novice_imp - 03-30-2019
Thank you! I did send it to Vanson. I went there not knowing what to expect and was so impressed that I felt I should share my experience.