Tensaw Jacket - By Tom Beckbe
Tom Beckbe:
Let me start with saying I love my Barbour and Filson. Those are two of my favorite companies, and their clothing has been with me on some of the most memorable occasions of my life. There is, however, a new kid on the block, and his name is Tom Beckbe.
“Tom Beckbe’s roots can be traced to the rolling red clay hills and hardwood bottoms of Alabama. Borrowing from the native Choctaw itumbi ikbi, European settlers called the big river flowing south towards the coast Tombecbé. The river's name evolved alongside a local aversion to hard consonant sounds, becoming simply Tombigbee. We grew up making trips to a secluded parcel near the Tombigbee River. Those were times to connect with the outdoors and to gather with family. We fished in the heat of summer, mindful of autumn’s harvest and the cooler weather of the hunting season to follow. We honor that legacy of time in the field with each product we design.”
So what is so special about Tom Beckbe? Their staple product is the Tensaw Jacket. The Tensaw Jacket is a Waxed Cotton jacket that is advertised for upland game hunting and yet, can be worn to dinner downtown. At first glance it's an overpriced Barbour, right? Yes, they are more expensive than the average Barbour, but that extra cost is worth it.
Tom Beckbe offers two options for their jackets. The Tensaw and the Tensaw ES(early season). The Tensaw is a waxed cotton jacket for weather under 50 degrees. Its fabric is much like the Tin Cloth Jacket by Filson. It is tough when mucking through briars in search of a Bob White. It is waxed, and thus repels water when it rains. The inside cotton liner has a smokey shade of orange. In my opinion it resembles the feeling of putting on a well-made down jacket, unlike my Beaufort Barbour, where your layers or skin are directly against the waxed cloth.
Another specific feature I like is the corduroy collar. The company labels it as The Stand Up Collar, and that it does. I am not sure if a fine wire is inside the cloth or what, but it does, indeed, stand up for those windy days.
What really made me consider buying a Tom Beckbe Tensaw was the sizes. I am 6’3 or 6’4, depending on what the nurse tells me each year during my annual physical, and companies like L.L. Bean and Lands End tend to fit me well. Likewise, the Tom Beckbe Tensaw fits my tall frame quite well.
Tom Beckbe has mastered their advertising market, as well. From Garden & Gun and South Eastern Wildlife Expo, they know who would buy such a staple product. I first saw them in a magazine and then “in person” at Grady Ervin, and knew immediately that I wanted one. My Barbour is not exactly the best fitting item for my frame. As stated above, I am a tall guy, and as a result, have sewn a portion of the arms of an older waxed jacket to extend the length of the arms of my current one. (I know someone out there is going to go onto Barbour’s site and inform me that they also have jackets for taller folks. Their website has a plethora of outerwear. It's almost too many to sort through.) I also want to mention that Tom Beckbe’s customer service is impeccable. They can help you find the perfect size jacket and answer questions remarkably fast.
All in all, I am stoked to have The Tensaw added to my collection and look forward to the Fall for oyster roasts, quail hunts, and time well spent outdoors…..and be on the lookout for my write-up on Barbour, which is coming out soon. They still have a permanent residence in my closet, and in my life.~
