lost worlds

[les_garten]

One of the most exciting things I've done was to go to Galashiels to pick up my jacket and get a tour. When we were kids in PA, we often had field trips to places like Corning, US Steel, etc. to see how things were made. I love that. But I can also see why a one-man shop would not have time for such things...

Seeing how things are made and who makes them is a wonderful thing. It gives you more internal acceptance of the higher price tags for such items. That's probably one of the real shames of 21st century America - the loss of these things.

As for "Brooklynites", yeah, I got a whole side of my wife's family that are Brooklyn Sicilians. Mother of God, they are their own race! And honestly, I find them humorous and entertaining. Thank goodness for the differences that make us all people.

I understand those that think Stu's a tough pill to swallow, but I'm the kind of guy that enjoys a challenge. I don't know what makes someone who/what they are, but I also love that some people are huggie - touchy-feelie and some sock you in the nose.
Guess it was my upbringing, and the combination of today's overly-sensitive types that makes me appreciate a guy that just spills flow of conscientiousness rants

Let me tell you where you'll notice the difference and you may not enjoy it.

I just sent a 5 year old Langlitz back to them to have altered. I should have done it right after I got it, but didn't. They were as nice as can be, had me shoot different pictures and some video. I sent it in, a few weeks later it came back home perfect.

Other than paying the shipping there, didn't cost me a dime, and you couldn't deal with a nicer and more pleasant bunch of people, who in my opinion make a far superior and USABLE product. They make you want to drop in, which they Love, and get more stuff from them. Which I am going to do. There may be lots of Police Departments who wear Lost Worlds, but I don't know any. There are Langlitz...

Call Stuart and tell him you have an issue, and then conference me in on the call. I Love this kind of stuff!

Been there, done, that, don't have the T-shirt, and sold that $2700 jacket for a loss.

Now I may sound harsh, I'm not, I'm just stating my experience. If you don't own or have owned an LW or dealt with Stuart, you aren't a player here. You're a guy who watches Baseball but doesn't play.

Like I said above, I would buy another Goat jacket from here.

I would Love a Trojan if I could get a USABLE and WEARABLE one.

Lost Worlds make an awesome jackets, very high quality. Just the material he uses has some issues.

Just a few to mention that everyone should research:

The strange stretch marks on their Horse

The finish that rubs off the Horse and turns black underneath

The strange Plastic Finish on the Horse, not oily, like plastic

The overall thickness of the Light and Heavy Horse

The fact that it doesn't really crease and wear in like any other Leather I've seen.

It nevers stops squeaking like a MoFo

Stiff as a freaking Board seemingly Forever

The Goat I have is nothing like the horse and it is really nice and supple like you would want Goat to be. I am obviously one of the Pansies that Stuart refers to in such prolific prose.

Here's the J24 I had: http://www.turbonet.biz/Ebay/LW/International.html

 

[les_garten]

As with seriously heavy denim, LW's heavy weight HH is something I find easier to admire from a distance than get involved with. I don't mind a bit of a battle with a jacket or pair of jeans but I hate the feeling that I'm the one on the losing end.

I had Aero make me quite a few FQHH jackets which are pretty Heavy and take some break in. I have a Few A-2's in FQHH, once they broke in, they were like Butta though. The Langlitz medium Cow Jackets are extremely heavyweight jackets, but they break in and don't feel like heavy plastic. The LW's I am convinced will always feel this way. They won't "form" to you, at least that has been my experience.

If he changed his Horse, he would be more successful in the end. Making a product that makes you insult potential buyers in your marketing is a strategy that is unorthodox, but seems to work for him.

I would get a Trojan in a New York minute if if was a different Leather. Ain't no issues with his work, it's the material. That Jacket could be real nice in Goat, but I would prefer a Horse or Cow jacket. I still got it in the back of my brainstem stirring around.

It would also be nice if you could go in and get measured like LL will do. Although Stuart knows what questions to ask, he got my Jackets right in the sizing.

 

[Superfluous]

If you don't own or have owned an LW or dealt with Stuart, you aren't a player here. You're a guy who watches Baseball but doesn't play.

There are so many appropriately acerbic responses to the foregoing, but I am going to abstain and, instead, bite my tongue and take the high road.

 

[les_garten]

There are so many appropriately acerbic responses to the foregoing, but I am going to abstain and, instead, bite my tongue and take the high road.

I guess my point was, if you have never been exposed to one(LW Jacket) or talked to the guy, you really don't have a perspective. When you've talked to the guy and have wasted $2800 on a jacket, you do have a perspective. So my Baseball analogy stands as stated.

You want to wing a Fastball at me, I'll catch it. You a T-Baller or a Major-Leaguer?

 

[tropicalbob]

Peacoat posted "What?? King County considers itself more "City" than Queen County? I don't think so. The City is Manhattan (New York County), and nowhere else counts. I realize NYPD has jurisdiction in both boroughs--Brooklyn and Queens, but still . . . . "


"Nowhere else counts"...the people in Brooklyn feel that way about Manhattan...and everywhere else. Call it pride or attitude or whatever, but Brooklynites are practically jingoistic in their love for Brooklyn. I don't know if there has ever been a more rabid fanbase then the local love for the fabled Brooklyn Dodgers. The team, the players and Ebbets Field have taken on an almost mythical quality over the years.

Having said that, count me in among the fans of LW. They make a great jacket!

I had a good laugh reading this, as you're absolutely right. I grew up right across the harbor over in Elizabeth but lived in Bay Ridge for many years, and I must say it was probably my favorite out of all the places I've lived. I lived in the 5-story building right on the corner of Bayridge Ave. and Shore Rd. with a view all the way from the bridge to Manhattan (for $225 a month), and everyone in my building knew everyone else and helped each other out. What really amazed me was the number of folks who referred to Manhattan as "the city" and had been there maybe once or twice in their lives. I miss it.

 

[tropicalbob]

I guess my point was, if you have never been exposed to one(LW Jacket) or talked to the guy, you really don't have a perspective. When you've talked to the guy and have wasted $2800 on a jacket, you do have a perspective. So my Baseball analogy stands as stated.

You want to wing a Fastball at me, I'll catch it. You a T-Baller or a Major-Leaguer?

I'm not sure I understand your point. I assume you did your research and saw the comments here about Stu's horsehide, and, from your own comments, it's plain that you got exactly what you asked for. So what's the beef?

 

[casechopper]

The heavy horse is extremely stiff and stays that way for a log tine through a lot of use. I think if you are just wearing a jacket casually you will have a very long road to breaking in a LW heavy horsehide jacket. If you spend a good amount of time wearing your jacket in the rain and outdoor elements then you have a better chance of actually finishing breaking in the jacket. I commute by scooter daily and rain hasn't ever stopped me. Still, my Lost Worlds national racer jacket has a way to go to truely be considered broken in after more than 60 wears. The sleeves have softened considerably, the waist, back and pockets have softened a good bit as well but the chest panels are still as stiff as cardboard. I think another year of regular wear will loosen it up to clise to fully broke in. I don't know that I'd ever fully break it in if I didn't ride.

 

[les_garten]

I'm not sure I understand your point. I assume you did your research and saw the comments here about Stu's horsehide, and, from your own comments, it's plain that you got exactly what you asked for. So what's the beef?

This Post from a page back.

""""Why does the maker of the worlds best leathers get picked on thru this forum so the subject of the leathers gets lost? And why does some dufus think he s shortchanged because Stu will not give tours of his factory? Do you like people watching you working? geeeeeeeeeez""""

I could not let that question go without an answer that comes from my own experience and personal ownership, not from only reading forums and replying with "2nd or 5th hand" knowledge. It was a question after all. He asked, I answered. Nobody is picking on LW, they are just pointing out a few things.

I also wanted to point out that nothing really prepares you for the Leather he makes his moto jackets with or his A-2s with for that matter. No previous Jacket ownership is like this stuff. It's not so much how heavy it is(ounce weight). It's the "plastic like coating/finish" and the stiffness that just doesn't go away which is the issue.

I have a well worn A-2 that should be limp as butter like my other FQHH jackets, but's it still very stiff and not forming to my body much, despite a lot of wear by me and a previos owner.

If you take my observations and others and apply them to the statements that Stuart makes on his website about how tough a dn resiliant his jackets are, you'll see that he and I say the same thing. He's using customer complaints as Ad copy with his spin on it.

Get it?

 

[Superfluous]

I guess my point was, if you have never been exposed to one(LW Jacket) or talked to the guy, you really don't have a perspective. When you've talked to the guy and have wasted $2800 on a jacket, you do have a perspective. So my Baseball analogy stands as stated.

While I agree that there is no substitute for first hand experience, I have no idea how your baseball analogy corresponds to that principle. Rather, your baseball reference appeared to suggest that, in order to be in the "major league" of leather jacket collecting/appreciation, one must have owned a LW jacket at some point; and in the absence of a LW jacket, you are strictly a "minor leaguer." I respectfully disagree with that perspective.

You want to wing a Fastball at me, I'll catch it. You a T-Baller or a Major-Leaguer?

I am not sure why you feel compelled to post in such an aggressive and confrontational manner. Within this wonderful TFL community, we all play in the exact same league -- a league where one does not need to purchase an expensive jacket to prove their worth -- a league where one does not even need to own a jacket to be deserving of membership -- a league forged by a genuine admiration of outerwear -- a league where mutual respect reigns supreme -- that is the league I play in.

 

[les_garten]

While I agree that there is no substitute for first hand experience, I have no idea how your baseball analogy corresponds to that principle. Rather, your baseball reference appeared to suggest that, in order to be in the "major league" of leather jacket collecting/appreciation, one must have owned a LW jacket at some point; and in the absence of a LW jacket, you are strictly a "minor leaguer." I respectfully disagree with that perspective.



I am not sure why you feel compelled to post in such an aggressive and confrontational manner. Within this wonderful TFL community, we all play in the exact same league -- a league where one does not need to purchase an expensive jacket to prove their worth -- a league where one does not even need to own a jacket to be deserving of membership -- a league forged by a genuine admiration of outerwear -- a league where mutual respect reigns supreme -- that is the league I play in.

First, you're a Cab...

Happy?

You're the one who said you had an acerbic remark. I said let her fly, and had you, maybe I could have cleared up your misinterpretation of what I said, because you didn't receive it as I intended.

My Major-Minor-T Ball comment was for anybody who had not handled a LW jacket and asks "why we are picking on Stuart who makes the finest Leathers in the Universe". (Previous page by Mr. Crabb)

If you don't have first hand experience, you can't judge these jackets from pictures. That's the Baseball analogy. Kinda like experts in Baseball who have never played the game. I kinda thought that analogy worked, but it fell flat for you apparently.

If you've never swung a bat, how could you be an expert on it kind of thing from watching TV? If you've never worn a LW, you may think you know them from Stuarts ad copy and the pix, but you don't. If you've never driven a car, you can't be a driver from watching a Chevrolet commercial. You have to drive one. It's the same thing with these Jackets. You have to get one in your hands. And then read what others have critiqued about them, compare THAT info to his ad copy, and you'll see that people who criticise the Jackets and Stuart tell the same story, just different perspectives.

I would pay attention to the owners, not the sellers, or the Tire kickers...

That was my point...

p.s. I did include a cool JB pic for ya though. That has to count for sumthin'

 

[navetsea]

yes people can judge a jacket from picture alone, we are not blind, we can see if the leather drapes or not, or what's the meaning if a jacket can stand on its own, the whole online shopping is based on that.

 

[tmitchell59]

I've got LW jackets. I've always curious what people think LW jackets should look like? I've got a 4+ ounce Test that I bought new. I've worn it a good deal the last couple of years. I would not say it look or feels new. Broken in? What does that mean? I've got other, had other HH jackets with much stiffer leather.

I just sold this Roadmaster as too big for me. It is probably the 3 ounce. Not stiff or uncomfortable.

 

[les_garten]

I've got LW jackets. I've always curious what people think LW jackets should look like? I've got a 4+ ounce Test that I bought new. I've worn it a good deal the last couple of years. I would not say it look or feels new. Broken in? What does that mean? I've got other, had other HH jackets with much stiffer leather.

I just sold this Roadmaster as too big for me. It is probably the 3 ounce. Not stiff or uncomfortable.

That's a great looking jacket, thanx for showing it.

Here's how Stuart lists the Leather on that Jacket as well as the rest of hist Moto Jackets

"Heavyweight 4.0+oz. Chrome-Tanned Horsehide Leather"

Do you think yours is made from that Leather? Or something lighter?

To me, a Broken in Jacket has no "Plankiness" left and it has form fitted to my body. The Leather overall relaxes. My A-2 still does not do that. All my other Jackets do this in Heavy Horse, Medium Horse, Heavy Cow, wharever.

I don't know how many Jackets you have and from how many other manufacturers, but how would you assess their leather to other companies you have had experience with?

Is LW leather like anybody elses you've seen?

 

[les_garten]

yes people can judge a jacket from picture alone, we are not blind, we can see if the leather drapes or not, or what's the meaning if a jacket can stand on its own, the whole online shopping is based on that.

That's called shopping and "maybe" getting what you want. You can't tell anything about Leather from a Photo.

 

[Monitor]

The WD jacket that I've had was waaay over anything I've ever handled. Nothing was even close. If you told me it was made from 8oz leather, I would've believed you. If LW truly makes stuff from 4oz leather, that would've barely make for half the weight that WD was made of.

All this stuff is subjective. And hilarious. Heavy jacket is heavy only until one that's heavier comes along. Then the one before immediately becomes "lightweight".

 

[tmitchell59]

Is LW leather like anybody elses you've seen?

LW leather is not like any other leather I have owned. Each of the Jackets I've owned have been of different weight, different years. There are subtle differences in each jacket.

My Test LW jacket is the 4+ ounce. I bought it new and do feel like it has broken in and conformed to my shape. I have heard here from others who have jackets heavier in weight than my LW Test. I've got vintage Steerhide Jackets are as stiff as anything I have encountered.

LW is the first jacket I grab for any kind of wet weather. I have many contemporary jackets I would not wear in the rain.

I've had heavy stiff Horween and Heavy weight Cowhide, so LW is not alone in making heavy stiff leather.

 

[ButteMT61]

Where can I get Xanax and roughly five minutes of my life back?

 

[les_garten]

The WD jacket that I've had was waaay over anything I've ever handled. Nothing was even close. If you told me it was made from 8oz leather, I would've believed you. If LW truly makes stuff from 4oz leather, that would've barely make for half the weight that WD was made of.

All this stuff is subjective. And hilarious. Heavy jacket is heavy only until one that's heavier comes along. Then the one before immediately becomes "lightweight".

It's not the weight of the Jacket that is the issue with LW. My Langlitz Jackets weigh the same and the Leather is about the same ounce weight. It's the "nature" of the leather.

 

[Pdxgeo]

I think chrome tanning generally produces less "character", at least in the short term, than veg tanned stuff.

That said I just spent aome time on LW website and to be fair, I do dig the leather jackets but there is some serious douchebaggery going on. When a dude starts going on about the brainwashing of political correctness (i.e. im an asshole and it is my god given right) I'm out.

 

[2wheelgrplr]

Some thoughts on my one and only Lost Worlds jacket:

I bought it from a store so didn't deal with Stu directly. The jacket is a Lost Worlds Buco Rider, don't know the exact weight, but it's a heavy-weight horsehide. I bought it in the winter of 2012-13. I haven't worn it every day, but have put in some respectable mileage on it. It's heavy but not overly stiff like my Vanson jackets when new (I LOVE Vanson btw!). It's now nicely broken in and fits me well and comfortably, but not to the point of being super-creased & showing lots of patina. It has a few scuffs from some tumbles I encountered while riding over rough terrain. Each time the jacket and the armoured shirt I was wearing underneath protected me well.

The jacket is very practical and the features work well - pockets all hold stuff well, the pocket-inner is thick & sturdy; zippers zip well; throat latch works to keep things, well, latched up; sturdy side-buckles can tighten waist if need be; full-action back makes things comfortable reaching out to the handlebars; rayon lining is comfortable pulling jacket over everything from bare skin, t-shirts, above-mentioned armoured shirts, fleece jackets, etc. Fit is roomy without being overly baggy (don't quote me but I heard newer cafe-style jackets are slimmer fitting than mine). The leather itself, however, does not seem to be as eye-catching as other heavy-weight leathers out there, be it Vanson comp weight or Aero FQHH, etc. - being a bit nitpicky now ...

Anyways, a few pics. I've shared these in other threads before, but thought they might be relevant here ...

Lost Worlds in a lost world - April 2014, riding to a far corner of the Himalayas, borderland of Bhutan & Arunachal (India).

Hanging out with the locals, cafe at the end of the road (dirt trail actually), eastern Himalayas:

With bros from my MC club, scenic Central Bhutan.

... and here's how the jacket looked when relatively new (early summer 2013), top of Bear Mountain, NY State, with my '06 Bonneville that I regret letting go of ...