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Five Star Leather Jackets

DamonCyclee

Familiar Face
Messages
92
Thanks!

Soaked in warm water for 20min, rolled it up in a towel to get most of the water out, tumble dry with towels for 10min, wore it around the house for an hour, let it dry on a hanger overnight.

I should probably condition it with something, huh

i'm out of loop, but does this method help make the leather softer?

I got a jacket with horween latigo, and it's so stiff, more stiff than horsehide CXL. Trying to break it in, but slightly giving up and want to cheat a bit !
 

KBlake

One Too Many
Messages
1,866
Be aware of shady measuring techniques.
 

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MrProper

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,375
Location
Europe
Be aware of shady measuring techniques.
Unfortunately, this has happened to me more than once that the measuring tape is positioned so that the desired value is displayed. Since I know this, I pay close attention to the pictures and let measure better again in case of doubt.
However, it is fair to say that the dimensions quite often fit to the mm and if there are deviations, these are often within the tolerance of other manufacturers. Sometimes, however, also clearly over and that is then annoying.
 

KBlake

One Too Many
Messages
1,866
Unfortunately, this has happened to me more than once that the measuring tape is positioned so that the desired value is displayed. Since I know this, I pay close attention to the pictures and let measure better again in case of doubt.
However, it is fair to say that the dimensions quite often fit to the mm and if there are deviations, these are often within the tolerance of other manufacturers. Sometimes, however, also clearly over and that is then annoying.
A half inch difference in length is too much and he’s clearly folding the fabric at the top over and pinching it to get the right measurement, which is shady/dishonest. I just want other buyers to be aware of this and inspect the photos closely before giving the to proceed.
 

MrProper

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,375
Location
Europe
A half inch difference in length is too much and he’s clearly folding the fabric at the top over and pinching it to get the right measurement, which is shady/dishonest. I just want other buyers to be aware of this and inspect the photos closely before giving the to proceed.
Half an inch is the tolerable deviation for other manufacturers. Nevertheless, it's annoying when they try to hide it.
 

JB1

Familiar Face
Messages
58
A half inch difference in length is too much and he’s clearly folding the fabric at the top over and pinching it to get the right measurement, which is shady/dishonest. I just want other buyers to be aware of this and inspect the photos closely before giving the to proceed.
Sorry I agree that looks intentional. I can understand it being within .5 tolerance, but to me its unethical if it was folded to make it seem shorter for the picture.
Im becoming a lot more content with my few off the rack jackets.
 
Messages
17,512
Location
Chicago
I had this issue with sleeve diameter being too bulbous. It's frustrating. 5 Star does quite a bit all things considered and 1/2" is within most makers of custom jackets range of acceptability. Ultimately, you get what you pay for with them.
 

KBlake

One Too Many
Messages
1,866
I had this issue with sleeve diameter being too bulbous. It's frustrating. 5 Star does quite a bit all things considered and 1/2" is within most makers of custom jackets range of acceptability. Ultimately, you get what you pay for with them.
Yeah .5” is apparently within standards but purposefully folding it for the photo is deceptive. I’m still happy with the jacket I just don’t like that tactic.
 

Rugby

One of the Regulars
Messages
264
I had this issue with sleeve diameter being too bulbous. It's frustrating. 5 Star does quite a bit all things considered and 1/2" is within most makers of custom jackets range of acceptability. Ultimately, you get what you pay for with them.
Speaking of 5* sleeves, besides the bulbousness, they don't have arm curve. They're straight as a board. And measurement wise, I had to have my jacket altered to the measurements I sent them. But for $410 the jacket is pretty good and has had a lot of use.
 
Messages
17,512
Location
Chicago
Speaking of 5* sleeves, besides the bulbousness, they don't have arm curve. They're straight as a board. And measurement wise, I had to have my jacket altered to the measurements I sent them. But for $410 the jacket is pretty good and has had a lot of use.
The sleeve construction is a huge problem. They are built like an afterthought, as if sewn into a vest. This works fine with the military jackets but it’s disastrous on anything else. No curvature or rotation whatsoever. It’s a 2-D construction method.
 

MrProper

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,375
Location
Europe
The sleeve construction is a huge problem. They are built like an afterthought, as if sewn into a vest. This works fine with the military jackets but it’s disastrous on anything else. No curvature or rotation whatsoever. It’s a 2-D construction method.
5* can make slightly curved sleeves. But you have to request this explicitly. I had done this with my Café Racer.
But I assume that this is not the expertise of 5* and in favor of price and speed always the stovepipes come to the jackets. At least the pattern does not seem to me optimally proportioned. But in any case, the result has become better than with stovepipes.
.
B69F75A3-D224-45F6-8896-65C506FCE58E.jpeg
 
Messages
17,512
Location
Chicago
5* can make slightly curved sleeves. But you have to request this explicitly. I had done this with my Café Racer.
But I assume that this is not the expertise of 5* and in favor of price and speed always the stovepipes come to the jackets. At least the pattern does not seem to me optimally proportioned. But in any case, the result has become better than with stovepipes.
.
View attachment 496201
This is one of those learning curve things. Should be applied to all their civilian jacket patterns. I think a lot of the complaining about the sleeves would likely vanish if there were some degree of learning but it does seem that each time, one must start completely from scratch.
 

MrProper

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,375
Location
Europe
This is one of those learning curve things. Should be applied to all their civilian jacket patterns. I think a lot of the complaining about the sleeves would likely vanish if there were some degree of learning but it does seem that each time, one must start completely from scratch.
Yes, it seems so. Very sad.
That's why the 5* journey is over for me. At least until I think of something that I can maybe only get there at a reasonable price (e.g. jacket for the kids, special shearlings). On the other hand... 5* is not that cheap anymore, as soon as you want the new leather or shearling.
In any case, it was very interesting and I learned a lot.
 

Rugby

One of the Regulars
Messages
264
Yes, it seems so. Very sad.
That's why the 5* journey is over for me. At least until I think of something that I can maybe only get there at a reasonable price (e.g. jacket for the kids, special shearlings). On the other hand... 5* is not that cheap anymore, as soon as you want the new leather or shearling.
In any case, it was very interesting and I learned a lot.
Yes the price for a heavy B3 has been bumped up quite a bit. I recommended it to a friend who's moved to Minnesota and it would have cost him >$800 with the various upcharges. So I think he went with cockpit USA.
 

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