Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Aero FQHH concern

Witchtrip

One of the Regulars
Messages
118
Location
NJ
Hey guys,
I have a question that I've wanted to get some opinions on. I took delivery of my first FQHH Aero premier HWM in July. I've worn it as much as possible this summer indoors trying to break it in a little and it's probably seen no more than 5 hours of wear.

Curiously, at certain angles the black FQHH looks like the dye has absorbed into the leather (or slightly rubbed off) and has an uneven "grey" appearance. On the sleeves and yoke, there's actually a slight nap (like suede - I can smooth the leather by rubbing it with my hand one direction and then "bring it up" by running a finger or 2 in the opposite direction. See pics)

I've also noticed wear/color change appearing around the cuffs, shoulders, front of collar, which is fine, but I've barely worn this thing. I expect the color to wear off in high use spots, but has anyone else experienced any of these aspects with black FQHH?

I understand hides are all variable/organic things, but I'm concerned this hide perhaps wasn't tanned properly(?) as all the FQHH leather samples I received have a very smooth, glossy finish that seems like the leather is "sealed". My jacket is less glossy and is has a rougher quality. I chose FQHH for its reputation of being bullet/weather resistant, but I don't have enough experience to know if mine is part of the variable aspect. I trust Aero would not accept sub standard hides for their jackets...

I welcome all thoughts and pics if you have experienced anything similar.

Thanks!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_6150.JPG
    IMG_6150.JPG
    510 KB · Views: 1,016
  • IMG_6151.JPG
    IMG_6151.JPG
    514.6 KB · Views: 973
  • IMG_6152.JPG
    IMG_6152.JPG
    851.7 KB · Views: 1,007
  • IMG_6154.JPG
    IMG_6154.JPG
    594.5 KB · Views: 976

Peacoat

*
Bartender
Messages
6,448
Location
South of Nashville
I don't have one and have no way to compare them, but I wonder if this could be a brown hide with a black overdye? Perhaps some Loungers with this type of hide will chime in.
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,078
Location
London, UK
I've only owned brown and Cordovan in the FQHH, so can't comment directly on the black. This seems unusual in a short space of time, unless it was one of those 'teacore' hides that are designed to age fast. The three stripes I see in some shots - are they just shadow on the leather or are they actually present on the hide? They seem unusual.

I'd drop Holly a line and send your photos, see what she comes up with.
 

Witchtrip

One of the Regulars
Messages
118
Location
NJ
The lines are raised by drawing them - the arms and yoke have this suede-like quality that I'm not very happy about. I'll talk to Carrie. I wanted some opinions here before I mentioned anything. Thanks guys!
 

Witchtrip

One of the Regulars
Messages
118
Location
NJ
Those lines are very odd...I've never seen anything like that. I'd certainly br reaching out to Aero about that. I'm sure they'll make it right.

Thanks Ton, the lines are made by drawing them. I could write words out - the sleeves and back have this suede-like aspect that I don't care for and am deeply concerned about how it will age. I do not want a sueded "grey" black leather jacket ;)
 
Messages
17,494
Location
Chicago
Thanks Ton, the lines are made by drawing them. I could write words out - the sleeves and back have this suede-like aspect that I don't care for and am deeply concerned about how it will age. I do not want a sueded "grey" black leather jacket ;)
Yeah a CXL jacket should never have a rough out texture...very odd indeed.
 

Worf

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,206
Location
Troy, New York, USA
Never seen anything like that. I've one black FQHH and it's been worn regularly the last 2 years and nothing has developed like that. Let Carrie know I'm sure they'll jump right on it. She's great at communication.

Worf
 

Witchtrip

One of the Regulars
Messages
118
Location
NJ
Whew, thanks guys. I've already written her.

A couple of members have PMed me and have helped tremendously.

Yeah, all the samples I received of FQHH were these glossy, juicy, smooth colors - really beautiful. No nap at all. From the beginning I was disappointed that my jacket wasn't as shiny as the samples, but I know there are variables, etc... One thing is certain, I do not want a grey suede jacket in a year. ;)
 
Last edited:

OceanBreeze

One of the Regulars
Messages
123
Location
Los Angeles
Sorry to hear that you are having problems. Unfortunately ordering from a reputable company doesn't guarantee that there will be no problems. As I believe I mentioned in another thread, I ordered a leather sofa from a highly reputable manufacturer and it began fading in only 6 months.

Well, I hope my Aero in black vincenza doesn't have any issues. I suspect that they are quite rare.
 

tmitchell59

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,730
Location
Illinois
I owned this Aero Hercules in Black FQHH. It was as you thought it should look like, more shiney finish in deep black, smooth to the touch, no nape. Certainly worth asking about.

CZzBmtwQTI2ZJ2WaQxqYyWcIopT-UlW7g-fK_qIg2OH9pENCARNiFMXFB8SAGShuA9OFQTu5NXtA3eTTEvj7kf7A_OOuYPX9XNe-HC4DH43aC_JT6Ll2yX47Xg51Ppl7PPwI_sByeEOeu14nJkJ_CFgkHF-mMCJCzfSVog8qGhHHJlggW7Ts9TLFzqk1k_XQUoOeq0lIAb9OqnO48Jg21hrbETQAEBtJGLPnXzUsMmRIthRgpNvTyKNEjMtVDRkxNXfJbwSyjUNZjWgNOHvPtwd-_87R_2xQMMukxd5NTZe6pqBaF-urLjXDwsca4KKl9AKGKVe1LwPoA6D-9K0ibvugUctPSvlOtpuQUnMqv4Z7dbVWDfBJwKN4ZiCBaWSUfjND0UsXGv9JMrGUhF-OTF7vo0Ns6s7_WaHK-8_BTrfDTqL9J9YOiuXrrDkdxf9mD9vQreLc2_sA1B0flpjybE1Cu5uTGfcy2fMf9WTTqPeagfnasMEL3VD5Y2HenLuG_coeHneZiM4tlEmxBw87Mbeks2jCmNJmsfiLb3EVO7iz0UQcskbPZc36HJlpw3_FaUL3RlPplUs1WwMuM9n8JB0sLbpoYSXy40ND63Ngv6duyprV=w982-h652-no
 

Witchtrip

One of the Regulars
Messages
118
Location
NJ
Yes, it's pretty disappointing when things develop issues, but I'm confident we'll be able to sort it out. I'm just happy that I splurged and ordered a vicenza board racer as well, so I have something to wear this fall. The vicenza BR is beyond description - it's a superlative jacket & hide!
 

cuchulain

Familiar Face
Messages
95
The ability to draw on that horse hide like suede is definitely not normal and I wouldn't accept it. I'm sure Aero will take care of you. That said I can't wait for the shine to wear off my jacket, it's driving me nuts.
 

AeroFan_07

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,703
Location
Iowa
Right after seeing your photos, I went and grabbed my also very newly purchased J106 made of FQHH, and it has just a little bit of "feel" or nap to it, however no color differential the way I see yours is developing. I agree something is odd/off about that. I cannot make "lines" with my fingers on the sleeves/shoulders/back of my J106.

That said, all the Horsehide Aero's I've witnessed so far had a little bit of a "nap" or "hand" feel that's a little like microscopic hair on the leather itself. It's not present on any Steer/Cow/Goat jacket I've owned. Is that just a normal "feel" for HH?
 

frussell

One Too Many
Messages
1,409
Location
California Desert
To the OP, your photos make this look a lot like "oil pull" leather. The matte texture/sheen, and the ability to raise marks like that are characteristics of that type of leather, sometimes referred to as "oil pull-up leather." I've never seen Chromexcel FQHH do that, even when broken in. Hope you get what you need. Frank
 

Sloan1874

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,425
Location
Glasgow
Aero's oil pull is brown, no other colour. I would definitely get in touch with Holly or Denny with your concerns. It could be, and this does happen, that what you have there is a jacket made using a rogue batch of quick-wear leather. Horween do make leathers where the top-coat is looser than normal, speeding up the patina process.
 

Fonzie

One Too Many
Messages
1,574
Location
Australia
I have a pull-up leather from Aero and the effect is the same as in your jacket when I rub my finger in it. Mine is brown though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Forum statistics

Threads
109,129
Messages
3,074,680
Members
54,104
Latest member
joejosephlo
Top