An example of Vanson's new Comp Weight when (almost) Fully Broken In

[JMax]

Here you go…

 

[El Marro]

Here’s a shot of my Octagon Chopper (shameless copy of @JMax) that was made last year.

An absolutely beautiful hide, this photo captures the color pretty closely.

 

[Kubatu]

Here's a pic of what I associate with the old comp weight...This jacket was extremely sturdy and stiff (could stand up on its own). Also extremely grainy. If all my jackets had leather like this, I would be a happy man.

In contrast, here's a CHP I used to own that I think used their more recent hide. IMO, still a very nice looking jacket. But as you can see, the leather is dramatically subdued compared to the latter examples. This jacket was heavy, but very soft and was not able to stand up on its own.

 

[JMax]

The real “issue” with CW is the variance per batch. Old CW, new, whatever. Some batches look like your awesome top example, but some of the old stuff does look like your second example. And others were totally different. IMO, all are awesome and need wear to shine. And all are awesome for riding. No question there.

 

[Monitor]

All the "older" ones I've handled were ranging from nice to best-leather-I've-ever-handled. The new Mod. A I downright disliked. Again, wasn't bad, leather was good, nice, serviceable but it just couldn't have been any less what I wanted. Again, what I want isn't what Vanson's about. But anyway, some examples of what I consider "old CW". Even this racing jacket, it's significantly different than the new jacket I had even tho it's technically new-ish jacket.

And @JMax , before you ask; No, I don't know what kind of madness came over me to sell this Cheyenne. It's that one thing I've done in my life I won't ever understand.

Did I tell you that I asked the person to whom I sold the jacket, if they'd be willing to sell it back? Needless to say, they replied with "You crazy? No freaking way.".

 

[Salmosalar]

All the "older" ones I've handled were ranging from nice to best-leather-I've-ever-handled. The new Mod. A I downright disliked. Again, wasn't bad, leather was good, nice, serviceable but it just couldn't have been any less what I wanted. Again, what I want isn't what Vanson's about. But anyway, some examples of what I consider "old CW". Even this racing jacket, it's significantly different than the new jacket I had even tho it's technically new-ish jacket.

And @JMax , before you ask; No, I don't know what kind of madness came over me to sell this Cheyenne. It's that one thing I've done in my life I won't ever understand.

Did I tell you that I asked the person to whom I sold the jacket, if they'd be willing to sell it back? Needless to say, they replied with "You crazy? No freaking way.".

This is an older CW Mercury if it helps - the leather is really thick and grainy but also v soft

 

[JMax]

All the "older" ones I've handled were ranging from nice to best-leather-I've-ever-handled. The new Mod. A I downright disliked. Again, wasn't bad, leather was good, nice, serviceable but it just couldn't have been any less what I wanted. Again, what I want isn't what Vanson's about. But anyway, some examples of what I consider "old CW". Even this racing jacket, it's significantly different than the new jacket I had even tho it's technically new-ish jacket.

And @JMax , before you ask; No, I don't know what kind of madness came over me to sell this Cheyenne. It's that one thing I've done in my life I won't ever understand.

Did I tell you that I asked the person to whom I sold the jacket, if they'd be willing to sell it back? Needless to say, they replied with "You crazy? No freaking way.".

Yeah, that Cheyenne is special. Can’t blame the buyer. I think mine could eventually look like that. Maybe. It’s the main reason I keep it. And I think about asking for my Eagleson back all the time. Buyer will likely tell me to bug off too.

 

[JMax]

This is an older CW Mercury if it helps - the leather is really thick and grainy but also v soft

That’s nice. My current old E is like this. I love it. My other old Es were not. They were the more typical CW. I loved them too.

 

[TREEMAN]

Early 2016 CW

 

[Justhandguns]

I wish they still make jackets with Octagon leathers. Sounds like they are still experimenting with the new black CompW at the moment.

 

[Edward]

Here you go…

View attachment 368809 View attachment 368810 View attachment 368811 View attachment 368812

Thanks, that looks great! Very reminiscent of the cherry FQHH I've seen in Aero, a shade or two lighter than the cordovan. The brass is an especially good combination with it. I'm a big fan of these red-tones, go with either black or brown boots. (Don't tell my wife that, though, or I'll lose my excuse to buy more oxblood boots... ).

Pity about the collar not holding on just as well, but I can see how that would be tricky. I recall about ten years ago when Ken came back to Aero he stopped the snap on/ off collars as he wasn't happy they really worked. I'm coming to the view myself that what I really need is a separate bike jacket with a fixed mouton collar for my Johnny Thunders days (though I think technically Thunders wore a Schott with a snap-on collar!). Always another detail to add a point of difference between jackets, which is how I justify adding to my wardrobe!

Here’s a shot of my Octagon Chopper (shameless copy of @JMax) that was made last year.
View attachment 368816
An absolutely beautiful hide, this photo captures the color pretty closely.

Very nice indeed!

 

[JMax]

Thanks, that looks great! Very reminiscent of the cherry FQHH I've seen in Aero, a shade or two lighter than the cordovan. The brass is an especially good combination with it. I'm a big fan of these red-tones, go with either black or brown boots. (Don't tell my wife that, though, or I'll lose my excuse to buy more oxblood boots... ).

Pity about the collar not holding on just as well, but I can see how that would be tricky. I recall about ten years ago when Ken came back to Aero he stopped the snap on/ off collars as he wasn't happy they really worked. I'm coming to the view myself that what I really need is a separate bike jacket with a fixed mouton collar for my Johnny Thunders days (though I think technically Thunders wore a Schott with a snap-on collar!). Always another detail to add a point of difference between jackets, which is how I justify adding to my wardrobe!




Very nice indeed!

I will post some pictures with this Octagon and cordovan CXL (JL) side by side.

 

[mendelboaz]

Great idea for a thread. @OP would it be possible to take some more close-up pictures of the leather on your Chopper, in clear daylight and a higher-res camera?

I think one of the most important factors at play here is the actual wear put into a Vanson. Believe me, I've been trying for 3 years on my brand-new Enfield, and it's only just starting to feel nice and soft in the sleeves... That said, I have 16 other jackets and I don't ride. I do try to wear this bad boy sitting around the house every night, but still.

Truly breaking in a Vanson, that takes hard work. I think, regardless of which batch of comp. weight was used, if you put in the right amount of work and wear, you'll be rewarded with a wonderfully thick, soft and grainy hide. That's not to say certain batches were a lot nicer than others, but almost any new Vanson is ugly to look at out of the box. It'll take half a lifetime to go from this...

...to this:

Now, I have no idea whatsoever if my Enfield will turn out this beautiful. All I know is, I'm gonna keep wearing this one and put in as much wear as I can during this lifetime. Talk to you in 10 years.

 

[El Marro]

I wish they still make jackets with Octagon leathers. Sounds like they are still experimenting with the new black CompW at the moment.

They still do, at least they were doing so last year when they made my Chopper. Best way to find out is to ask them directly of course. I know they have been having a hard time sourcing all of their leathers and it could be they are out of Octagon at this time.

 

[Dionysus]

Beautiful jacket, unfortunately, it is a jacket from the 90s because of the brown undertone (now is grey undertone)and buckles.

 

[mendelboaz]

Beautiful jacket, unfortunately, it is a jacket from the 90s because of the brown undertone (now is grey undertone)and buckles.

I'm well aware, I'm lucky enough to own a vintage C2 and model E that share similar brown undertones, and include the older hardware. However, besides the brownish patina, this is still a gorgeous jacket (I can almost imagine what that fully broken-in hide feels like), and to me it would be foolish to believe that the comp. weight Vanson currently uses wouldn't be able to reach that level of nice-ness after 30 or so years of wear. I understand why people write of some of the current comp. weight batches as lackluster, flat and inferior to the old stuff (I even agree for the most part), but who knows what those hides will look like after 30 years of wear?



If you'll allow me to throw around a cheesy phrase that isn't meant to be taken too seriously:

It's not the hide that counts, it's what you do with it.

 

[jglf]

The only thing I worry about is the “plasticky” coating they have. Not sure how that’s going to age after years of wear, but mine looked fine after a year.

 

[dubpynchon]

That's an endgame jacket right there. I'd have bone crunching surgery to fit into that (I'm guessing it'd be too small for me).

 

[JMax]

@Edward

Here you go…

 

[Schambach]

I'd love to see more of the "oxblood" comp weight they use on the Union Garage V7. It's less reddish than I'd expect for oxblood, but damn, it's beautiful stuff. Some pictures in this old thread: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...-nyc-armored-leather-motorcycle-jacket.91820/