- hand painted Biltwell helmet auction for Semper Fi Fund. (on Memorial Day)... more details to come. BOOM!
A HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS MUCH MORE THAN A MACHINE
Our american journey continues...
Milwaukee last June - Broken down while attempting tor ride a 80 Harley-Davidson across the county; the story started. A motorcycle brought us together and started a bond; a bond that’s led us to create a very special knife. The NOMAD Knife and Tool - Black Bear Brand collaboration knife and hatchet... is a curation of excellence and gives a special tribute to the Harley-Davidson machine that brought this union of makers together.
The material used in these pieces… only in Milwaukee; the home of Harley-Davidson is this story possible. We’ve produced our handles from salvaged Harley-Davidson parts bins.
“Right place, right time and a lot of luck… found in a late warehouse that was getting cleaned out. A friend and antique shop owner who has access to lots of industrial surplus stumbled upon a stack of parts bins. It wasn’t until we got them home and unloaded them that I noticed the Harley stencil painted on the middle board on one side.” - Bryan Jerabek; Nomad Knife & Tool
A Harley-Davidson motorcycle is much more than a machine:
it’s the places you go.
it’s the things you see.
its the people you meet.
its a journey.
its an adventure.
COLLECTION RELEASING JUNE 1
Celebrating the WWII Pilot Patch Art
Coming in April - the celebration of WWII Pilot Patch Art in our BOMBER ART project.
- Paintings, art exhibition, prints
- Limited edition made in the USA Black Bear Brand shirts
- Hand painted helmets auctioned with proceeds going to Veterans foundation
more details coming soon...
High quality - USA - Rugged...
the Black Bear Brand x Wesco x Horween Leather Co. collaboration collection
photo: Tim O'Keefe
Black Bear Brand and Wesco form a perfect pair. This collaboration celebrates an enduring legacy. Wesco has been producing high-quality, hand-crafted leather boots for 100 years. Their facility is a testament to the company’s original methods. These boots are a tough, yet refined product of a man’s labor. The quality of product is unsurpassed. A hard-working spirit is alive here. The love of manufacturing has endured the test of time, and the craft of making has proven its resilience.
Black Bear Brand is a revival of tough and traditional craftsmanship. We’ve pursued this engagement with Wesco because the men and women who work there personify excellence.
• Horween USA Leather
• All of these are Made 100% in the USA
• HAND MADE to order, not mass produced
• 100 years of experience into these boots
• ALL High Quality materials; Full leather, no cloth, no cork, no fake stitching, every method of our crafting serves a purpose
• No shortcuts taken in the manufacturing process, every skive, every stitch, every nail is done with passion and pride
• Can have new soles put on them, or be completely be rebuilt depending on how worn they are
• They get better looking with every wear
photos: Chad Lyons / Tim O'Keefe / Bradley Wentzel... (thank you so much for your contribution in what we're creating)
Sarah Grace - West Sussex England
a Motorcycle Artist... a perfectionist that's detail obsessive.
...Growing up in the north of England just outside Manchester; it’s a long way from the scenery of West Sussex and the surrounding areas - Think planes, pollution, an industrial based and bustling city with strong accents and even stronger tea.
West Sussex to me, where I call home now - is very green, slower paced, cleaner air and a completely different environment to what I grew up in.
The cities in the South of England are full of such beautiful places, galleries, architectural beauty and heritage.
Brighton, London and Oxford being my favourite cities to spend my spare time, all with a unique vibe, pubs you never want to leave, music, Art and different people you meet along the way that all inspire me in so many different ways.
Black Bear Brand certainly brings a feel of heritage, style, quality and a brand that certainly has a strong and established identity in what they’re achieving, making and known for.
Although based far from England in Seattle, USA… Their clothing feels right at home here - Clothing that is instantly recognised for it’s sheer quality, uniqueness and style.
Something I’m ultimately trying to achieve with my drawings - Bringing that feel of quality, hard work and understanding to a persons prize possession, their motorcycle.
A piece of mechanical Art in itself, which takes you on a journey to new adventures, new roads, new experiences and the bold feeling of freedom. The detailing I try to add in every single commission is 99% of the time recognised immediately by the owner - there’s nothing more pleasing than a client commenting on the little things most people would miss that i’ve added in their drawing - but when you’re looking at a photograph of a clients bike in all its entirety and so closely; for the quirks and individualities each motorcycle has, why would you want to miss any of that out? It’s what I’m hoping will make my work known for and in the long run, respected for as well.
Quality, quirks and detail is something I always look out for in products. Whether that be the feel of a real leather jacket, the detailing on a handcrafted piece of furniture, or the intricate artwork an Artist has taken the time to achieve on a beer bottle label. People who look for these things can find it in many, many places.
It has been a pleasure to be asked to be a part of the Black Bear Brand journey, and I must say, everyone should invest in their iconic tweed jacket.
I haven’t worn such a beautifully crafted item of clothing for a long time. ‘
Sarah Grace - The Darkest Line (photos by: Lucy Scovell)
stories of the connection, the feeling... (the Black Bear Brand shirt-jacket)
"Maybe only my grandpas pocketknife with its worn down blades and burnished handles or my old mans tools that send me back with every use to a simpler time and evoke in me such an emotional connectedness as does this jacket. It has earned its place amongst those revered items that took several generations to season. Already coveted by my sons like the items from my past it boasts a patina that tells the stories of its life. I've been caught of guard by my affinity for it."- Kelley Runion (Detroit)
It started while standing outside the Harley-Davidson museum…
While standing outside the Harley-Davidson museum a guy walked up; said hi and asked about my boots… “what kind of boots are those”? - Craig
I proudly stated we make them and dove into the story of Black Bear Band designing these boot with Wesco and Horween leather. (The day earlier Chad Lyons emailed me a picture of that exact moment).
I responded to the email and we started chatting; it turns out Craig is a very talented calligrapher, illustrator, and sign painter… and works at the H-D museum. We got on and had a lot of similar interests…
A month after we met I was exploring what to do for our watch-cap tag and thought of Craig. Soon to following we had our tag!
The TAG design: "It is honor to have the opportunity to work with Black Bear Brand as they forge new relationships between quality and excellence. There are still American manufactures that have a solid past and continue taking pride in the quality products they make. The integrity of Dehen's wool knitting techniques are built on nearly 100 years of experience. The tag on the Wool Knit Watch Cap, made exclusively for Black Bear Brand, was designed by hand and was drawn by hand using pencil and paper. The "by hand" element of the tag was important to Josh, as he is one who values the personal connection to what he and Black Bear support. This value is seen in all the products they offer. Working with Josh on this project is rewarding, encouraging, and elevating. I like all three colors, but I have always favored black...for everything. The olive drab is pretty cool too." - Craig Kalbas
Back Bear Brand's signature design taken to its extreme.
Seamlessly styled as either a tailored jacket or a ruggedly refined shirt, this uniquely versatile piece was crafted with a beautiful Harris Tweed wool outer and features two chest pockets, leather reinforced snaps throughout, an interior Harris Tweed pocket at the left chest, a fully-lined body, fully-lined sleeves, double button cuffs, a straight fit.
Harris Tweed “From Sheep to Finished Fabric.
Across the waters from Scotland, beyond the Isle of Skye lies the barren, rocky island of Harris. One hundred and fifty years ago, the people of this island created a unique cloth, a tweed woven entirely by hand that was to become world famous known simply as it still is today as Harris Tweed.
Black Bear Brand's classically styled, incredibly tough wax-canvas signature design 100% constructed in Seattle Wash.
We couldn't be more proud to present the 3rd collection of our Black Bear Brand wax-canvas “shirt” Jackets.
Seamlessly styled as either a tailored jacket or a ruggedly refined shirt, this uniquely versatile piece was crafted with a tough wax-canvas fabric and features two chest pockets, leather reinforced snaps throughout, an interior pocket at the left chest, a fully-lined body, fully-lined sleeves, double button cuffs, a straight fit.
Black Bear Brand, Wesco, and Horween Leather Co.
Available for pre-order! Black Bear Brand and Wesco form a perfect pair. This collaboration celebrates an enduring legacy. Wesco has been producing high-quality, hand-crafted leather boots for 100 years. Their facility is a testament to the company’s original methods. These boots are a tough, yet refined product of a man’s labor. The quality of product is unsurpassed. A hard-working spirit is alive here. The love of manufacturing has endured the test of time, and the craft of making has proven its resilience.
If your in Seattle Nov. 2nd... join us for the galley show of the photography from the Our American Journey adventure.
Chad Lyons photography from "Our American Journey"...
6pm on November 2, 2017 at:
CALLUS
323 1st Ave S
Seattle, WA 98104
.... the 1937 Harley-Davidson from the Our American Journey will be there.
.... for you drinkers, Jameson Whiskey will have a tasting.
Please join us!
Black Bear Brand, Wesco, and Horween Leather Co.
Here’s a sneak preview behind the making of 2 styles from the collection. Photos by: Chad Lyons
Black Bear Brand and Wesco form a perfect pair. This collaboration celebrates an enduring legacy. Wesco has been producing high-quality, hand-crafted leather boots for 100 years. Their facility is a testament to the company’s original methods. These boots are a tough, yet refined product of a man’s labor. The quality of product is unsurpassed. A hard-working spirit is alive here. The love of manufacturing has endured the test of time, and the craft of making has proven its resilience.
The boots will be made to order! Collection details coming in the next week.
Pre-order on Nov. 3.
Resurrecting Black Bear Brand has fueled my interest in history and started a life altering journey. This adventure is a timeless, ageless appeal for freedom... connecting with people, places, and experiences.
The history of Harley-Davidson and my 69 year old panhead is where my love with H-D began. The dive into the world of these machines, the people, the places... has set me on a journey. Here's a taste of the story that's coming soon.
-------------------------------------
The start
- Explore, dive-in, get exposed, be vulnerable… curiosity.
- A connection with Harley-Davidson was born.
A Building Connection
- Participate; really dive-in, learn, get out there… don’t pause!
- Passion is an insatiable thing; it connects people; its infectious.
Participation
- Exposed, vulnerable, learning, scars, growth… connections.
- Life altering experiences start happening at an amazing pace… at every turn its clearer that this is just the beginning.
Story coming soon.
The Black Bear Brand Journey.
Our 1937 Harley Davidson story: the bike build, The Race Of Gentlemen in NJ, the ambitious adventure of trying to ride an 80 year old “race” bike across the county.
Here's a taste of us crossing Iowa. Life is lived in the process... not the destination.
The complete story is coming soon....
(cinematographer: Ian Beaudoux)
Here's a taste of our journey; the Sunday at The Race of Gentlemen 2017.
The complete story of our journey is coming soon...
Black Bear Brand's 1937 Harley Davidson journey.
• The bike build...
• The Race Of Gentlemen in NJ...
• The ambitious adventure of trying to ride an 80 year old “race” bike across the county... more to come.
A Harley-Davidson motorcycle is more than a machine, its a point of connection, it brings strangers together and builds amazing friendships.
We made it... this wasn't the beginning of the story and certainly not the end!
We arrive in NJ…
We check in and go through the bike inspection… the TROG folks love the bike, ask us to get the bike on display with the other bikes.
With only kicking the bike over and really running it for the first time the night before we roll it out of the van to an audience of on lookers, we’re on display to…
Cinematographer: Ian Beaudoux
Art is the foundation of almost everything in my life. The meaning behind our paint scheme was very important to me.
History -
We choose the art-deco "eagle” design that was painted on all gas tanks in 1933. This design marked the beginning of graphic designs on Harley-Davidson motorcycles (with the exception of previously special order-only paint schemes). This styling decision was made in part to stimulate the low sales numbers caused by the Great Depression.
Going back to the beginning of graphic designs on Harley-Davidson to celebrate a love and romance with the old world.
I loved the 1933 tank design at first sight and I was stoked when I learned from Jeff Coffman how Harley-Davidson supplied graphics for factory ordered bikes in 1937. In the 30’s a customer was able to order their Harley-Davidson from the factory with any back dated graphic from the last 5 years….
Every part of re-building the 1937 Harley-Davidson has been an experience of a lifetime.
"We are not a simple translation of the past, we're creating from what in the past has influenced us….” - Josh Sirlin
Special note: This paint scheme and every crackpot idea I have is only that until I marry that idea with an amazing person that can help me bring it to life. This paint scheme and so much more has been brought to life by Ryan Arnold; Ryan is amazing human, a friend, a savant, and so much more. Thank you Ryan for being you.
Black Bear Brand is a Union of Makers in dedicated support of one another. We include artists, builders, musicians, riders, and creators of all kinds. The resurrection of Black Bear Brand is possible today because it is a curation of people who personify the genuine nature of what the brand was built on in the early 1900’s. Every project is a collaboration that we are intimately engaged in; working together to elevate quality with a pragmatic design approach and youthful curiosity. With each product and project the story grows.
When it came to the seat for the 1937 Flathead project I had something special in mind; I wanted to tie in Horween and a craftswoman I'd been wanting to work with.
I found two seat pans to cover; an original Bates pan for the race and an original Harley Davidson solo seat just for fun. I reached out to Horween to get some special leather and they scored us some old stock calfskin they still had from 1940.
I connected with "Ginger McCabe from New Church Moto in Oregon who’s artful touch combined with priceless 70 year old leather made the prefect seat for our bike. It's just too cool.
Fun twist; doing two seat couldn’t have been ended up better for the new part of the journey! After TROG I’ll be riding the bike across the county on the Harley Davidson solo seat!
“Our Union Of Makers approach… where materials, people and their stories drive the end product”
The foundation for our journey to resurrect and develop the new Black Bear Brand is our approach to manufacturing as a Union of Makers: designing, curating, uniting with the best, and making things together.
We're excited to introduce our 1st Black Bear Brand pants, shirts, jackets “work” collection.
We designed an exclusively Made In The USA collection with Williamson Dickies and their 1922 department. Through this curation comes an elevation of design and quality that is built from the unification of our two styles, passions, resources, love and romance of the old world of making things.
Behind the design… an exclusive tailored pant with the style based from the 1920’s work pant; exclusive tailored designed shirts; work wear material; metal buttons; Made in TX.
Black Bear Brand x Dickies 1922 Collaboration (Lincoln Green) - (Stone Grey) - (Navy)
Pant... tailored cut design combined with the traditional 65/35 Poly-Cotton tough material.
Black Bear Brand Inner Tag & Waist Band
Black Welt On Back Pockets with Dickies Guaranteed Tag
Black Inner Pockets
Metal Dickies Front Botton
Made in TX
Long Sleeve Shirt.... tailored cut design combined with traditional 65/35 Poly-Cotton tough material.
Black Side Gussets
Black Inner Button Placket with Dickies Guaranteed Tag
Black Neck Band
Two Button Chest Pockets
Made in Texas
Short Sleeve Shirt... tailored cut design combined with traditional 65/35 Poly-Cotton tough material.
Black Side Gussets
Black Inner Button Placket with Dickies Guaranteed Tag
Black Neck Band
Single Button Chest Pocket
Made in Texas
Chore Jacket... traditional chore/shop jacket design; 65/35 Poly-Cotton tough material.
Black Neck Band
Metal Dickies Bottons
Made in TX