One more, always one more...

[Bfd70]

None, Stu takes care of the sales, jacket design, website, QC. He is also part owner of a tannery and deals with finding the hides, getting the leather to his spec, sourcing hardware, etc.
The LW "vision"/brand is his.
He has been working with the same pattern maker/cutter/machinist since the early 90s (94 i think), his name is Fausto he is also in his 60s.
It is a two man opperation, front of house is Stuart, jacket making is Fausto.
Every LW jacket made since then has been entirely made by Fausto. They make between 300 and 400 jackets a year i think. That number was slightly bigger a few years back when they used to wholesale to Japan.

It's interresting to hear Stuart talk about Fausto, you can hear he respects his work immensly, to him Fausto is the Michelangelo of jacket making.
He told me "My guy is the best in the world" many times, and he firmly believes it.

Basically Stu is obsessed with making the best leather jackets in the world.
To achieve that he found the best machinist in the world and is doing his best to privide him with what he is convinced are the best materials in the world. You can hear that's his number one goal in life.

Honestly that makes me want a LW.

 

[Canuck Panda]

Since now this has become somewhat a LW thread, Anyone has a LW deerskin leathertog in green or blue, please post some photos!

 

[Carlos840]

Since now this has become somewhat a LW thread, Anyone has a LW deerskin leathertog in green or blue, please post some photos!

Not deer but moose, similar leather but thicker, more grain and matter finish. Colour is "evergreen" rather than "pine".
Not available anymore unfortunately, but it gives a good idea of what the deer is like.
Super soft and spongy, great drape, not great in the wet.

Edit: if op minds the derail let me know and i'll delete this post.

 

[Kuro]

I don't mind. We are all here to share experiences!

 

[Canuck Panda]

@Carlos840 That's one bad ass leather jacket!

I am not a fan of new LW prices, but I would break my own spending cap for his moose.

I would again recommand OP @Kuro to consider the deer family (deer/elk/moose) for your D pocket J100 project, regardless of maker. I have an American Elk jacket now, and I like it better than my horsehides on most days. It's thicker 4.5oz, softer, molds to the body better (even at 1.5 time thicker than horsehide) and takes on water like a champ. And Don't worry they come in black too. I just went with the least expensive option at the time which was a very rustic brown.

 

[Coriu]

I'm happy for all who are pleased with LW jackets. Doubt I will ever own one. I'm just a listless, anomic, unshaven, sandaled slacker/slob. Oh...and I like to talk to other "men" on fairy forums. Forgive me, all. I couldn't resist. For those not aware, some apparently think we are geeks for talking to each other about leather jackets. I personally think it is really cool and appreciate the camaraderie. Never take me too seriously. I like to kid around. And seriously, LW has produced some lovely jackets, no doubt.

 

[El Marro]

For those not aware, some apparently think we are geeks for talking to each other about leather jackets. I personally think it is really cool and appreciate the camaraderie.

I think we are geeks for talking to each other about leather jackets and I also think it is really cool and appreciate the camaraderie.
I agree wholeheartedly with your point about not taking oneself too seriously. For me that is one of the few tangible bits of wisdom that has come with age.

 

[red devil]

Seems like I am late to the party, too late to add anything lol

@Carlos840 That's one bad ass leather jacket!

I am not a fan of new LW prices, but I would break my own spending cap for his moose.

I would again recommand OP @Kuro to consider the deer family (deer/elk/moose) for your D pocket J100 project, regardless of maker. I have an American Elk jacket now, and I like it better than my horsehides on most days. It's thicker 4.5oz, softer, molds to the body better (even at 1.5 time thicker than horsehide) and takes on water like a champ. And Don't worry they come in black too. I just went with the least expensive option at the time which was a very rustic brown.

View attachment 348235

Not a leathertogs but this this what blue looked liked on the J24

And speaking of moose, this one was made with the last batch of blue and green (there was not enough if either colour to make a jacket, so I asked if there was enough to make a two-tone)

@Kuro , to keep it a minimum on topic, the deer family of skins, has a really nice feel to it, very unique. I can't think of anything softer, while still having a certain presence. You can find it in all thicknesses, but I would recommend kleeping at least as light middle weight, and preferably going for unprinted.

Thedi has some really nice deer, JL will source it, as many other makers.

 

[Kuro]

@Kuro , to keep it a minimum on topic, the deer family of skins, has a really nice feel to it, very unique. I can't think of anything softer, while still having a certain presence. You can find it in all thicknesses, but I would recommend kleeping at least as light middle weight, and preferably going for unprinted.

Thedi has some really nice deer, JL will source it, as many other makers.

Thank you for the advice. I am looking forward to some free time to discuss some potentials with JL.

 

[Kuro]

Actually just got off the phone with JL, to get their email address to start a discussion, as I had used their webpage to contact them previously. At this point I thought I should just jump.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Not a LW fan here. Don't care for the heavy finish or propensity of the hide to often display stretch marks. The prickish insulting Stu ramblings and insecure faux macho just adds to the distaste.

 

[Canuck Panda]

Seems like I am late to the party, too late to add anything lol



Not a leathertogs but this this what blue looked liked on the J24

And speaking of moose, this one was made with the last batch of blue and green (there was not enough if either colour to make a jacket, so I asked if there was enough to make a two-tone)

@Kuro , to keep it a minimum on topic, the deer family of skins, has a really nice feel to it, very unique. I can't think of anything softer, while still having a certain presence. You can find it in all thicknesses, but I would recommend kleeping at least as light middle weight, and preferably going for unprinted.

Thedi has some really nice deer, JL will source it, as many other makers.

Two tone Trojan in moose! Very nice!

Actually just got off the phone with JL, to get their email address to start a discussion, as I had used their webpage to contact them previously. At this point I thought I should just jump.

From what I read here, JL has two different cafe racer fits. The M200 and the N200? Maybe other members can chime in on what the difference are.

 

[Coriu]

There is also no mention of Stuart anywhere on the website.
It just says "our jackets", "our tannery", "our workshop"

And yes, without Fausto there would be no leather jackets, but without Stuart there would be no Lost Worlds.
Not every craftsman wants his face on the internet...

Does Stuart have any family that is interested in the business, or will LW likely fade away when he and/or Fausto pass on?

 

[Carlos840]

Does Stuart have any family that is interested in the business, or will LW likely fade away when he and/or Fausto pass on?

According to this interview there is no one to take over after Stuart and Fausto call it quits:

http://www.keikari.com/english/an-interview-with-stuart-clurman-from-lost-worlds-inc/

I wonder if he will end up selling the company at some point, or just keep it going untill they can't keep going anymore and LW will just end like so many other leather jacket makers have.

 

[Coriu]

According to this interview there is no one to take over after Stuart and Fausto call it quits:

http://www.keikari.com/english/an-interview-with-stuart-clurman-from-lost-worlds-inc/

I wonder if he will end up selling the company at some point, or just keep it going untill they can't keep going anymore and LW will just end like so many other leather jacket makers have.

Hard to imagine, but 50 years from now, LW may be one of these "obscure" brands collectors chase after. It will be interesting to see if younger people in 2071 want to wear a 1950's halfbelt. Older stuff is always cool, but there seems to a point where a certain style simply becomes "too old."

 

[Kuro]

So, I have been trying to keep my search to within the US, for I don't know reasons. With that being said, I am still in the very early stages with JL, seeing where this goes, they have some blue deerskin, but they say it is 3oz to 3.25oz and may be heavier than I might be looking for, but waiting for some more information etc.

That being said, I am chewing on the other two brands that I have been suggested to look at by other members, and well, I am considering Field Leathers of course, but I just looked at Thedi, again as suggested...

And I just lost all restraint.

Look at this unlined deerskin:

https://thedi-leathers.com/product/canvas-jacket-cct-b1260/

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/my-thedi-leathers-olive-deer-skin-project.104120/

And unlined HH:

https://thedi-leathers.com/product/cct-1260-unline/

Anyways, I sent an email to Thedi...

 

[red devil]

So, I have been trying to keep my search to within the US, for I don't know reasons. With that being said, I am still in the very early stages with JL, seeing where this goes, they have some blue deerskin, but they say it is 3oz to 3.25oz and may be heavier than I might be looking for, but waiting for some more information etc.

That being said, I am chewing on the other two brands that I have been suggested to look at by other members, and well, I am considering Field Leathers of course, but I just looked at Thedi, again as suggested...

And I just lost all restraint.

Look at this unlined deerskin:

https://thedi-leathers.com/product/canvas-jacket-cct-b1260/

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/my-thedi-leathers-olive-deer-skin-project.104120/

And unlined HH:

https://thedi-leathers.com/product/cct-1260-unline/

Anyways, I sent an email to Thedi...

You can't go wrong with Thedi

 

[handymike]

Thedi is fantastic!

 

[Kuro]

Does anyone know if Thedi accepts custom work, like my D-pocket idea? Or does he only make his jacket designs, no changes?

 

[handymike]

He might be open to it, but only he can answer you.