Real McCoy's steerhide question

[greenc]

Hi everyone,

Hope the weekend is shaping up nicely for you all.

I have experience with just a single Real McCoy's horsehide jacket so I have no real basis of comparison between that and steer hide, which is why I'm turning to you all.

In your collective experience...

- Can steer hide be as stiff as horsehide?
- Does the thickness of the hide affect the stiffness?
- Speaking to Real McCoy's specifically, what are your thoughts on the steer hide pieces you've seen and/or handled?
- Finally, does anyone have any experience with this older model steer hide J100?

Thanks very much, looking forward to speaking with you soon. Take care.

Chris

 

[Bennarion]

Steerhide leather is always softer than horsehide, regardless of thickness

 

[Marc mndt]

Steerhide leather is always softer than horsehide, regardless of thickness

That's not true. Hermann Oak Heritage 1881 steerhide for example is much stiffer and firmer than Aero's Jerky horsehide. It all depends on the way the hides are tanned.

 

[Bennarion]

Maybe so. But I meant if you compare the skin inside the RM brand

 

[Monitor]

- Can steer hide be as stiff as horsehide?

Tanning determines leather stiffness. Animal species is irrelevant. Bovine leather is generally thicker than horsehide.

- Does the thickness of the hide affect the stiffness?

To an extent. 0.9mm leather can be made to be cardboard stiff and hold shape better than soft 2mm leather.
Obviously though, the thicker the leather, the grater stiffness can be achieved (see "boiled" leather).

- Finally, does anyone have any experience with this older model steer hide J100?

All RMC jackets are of a very high quality and standard. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[ton312]

A Buco label in a Bates knock off. It’s a super cool jacket but it’s a straight up Bates rip off. Unless I missed the brightly colored two tone Buco CR that never existed?

 

[greenc]

A Buco label in a Bates knock off. It’s a super cool jacket but it’s a straight up Bates rip off. Unless I missed the brightly colored two tone Buco CR that never existed?

Thank you everyone, I appreciate the thoughts.

@ton312 it does indeed have a Bates flair to it, but I dig that - I'm not fussy when it comes to repros or knock-offs. I bought a blue Bates CR but had to sell it because the proportions were just off for me - fit in the shoulders but was probably 2-inches too short in the chest and at least 2-inches short in the sleeves.

Seller definitely got the measurements wrong and my guess is that it was a custom piece from the outset.

My horsehide RMC shows really nice creasing in the arms and chest, so I'm wondering if softer steer hide will also hold shape like that.

I know Vanson has its competition weight, which is apparently quite substantial, but I've never handled it.

Is Vanson's C2 steer hide or cow hide? I ask because it seems soft, but perhaps will still hold a crease from wear? That's the type of visual companion I'm trying to make between horsehide and steer/cow hides.

 

[ton312]

Thank you everyone, I appreciate the thoughts.

@ton312 it does indeed have a Bates flair to it, but I dig that - I'm not fussy when it comes to repros or knock-offs. I bought a blue Bates CR but had to sell it because the proportions were just off for me - fit in the shoulders but was probably 2-inches too short in the chest and at least 2-inches short in the sleeves.

Seller definitely got the measurements wrong and my guess is that it was a custom piece from the outset.

My horsehide RMC shows really nice creasing in the arms and chest, so I'm wondering if softer steer hide will also hold shape like that.

I know Vanson has its competition weight, which is apparently quite substantial, but I've never handled it.

Is Vanson's C2 steer hide or cow hide? I ask because it seems soft, but perhaps will still hold a crease from wear? That's the type of visual companion I'm trying to make between horsehide and steer/cow hides.

I didn’t intend to come off as a dick. I actually love the jacket but I think the Buco label is out of place. As for steer/cow vs HH…I’ve almost always found bovine hides to be far more substantial. This steer from Aero:

And for comparisons sake, new comp weight cow from Vanson:

The Aero weighed around 8lbs and the Vanson is just under 6. Both extremely heavy and stiff as a board when new. A new Vanson is literal cardboard. It’s the stiffest leather out of the box I’ve ever encountered.

The only notable difference between say Aero’s FQHH, was that the hide felt thinner (far from thin though, by any means).
The last new FQHH I had was this jacket. Somewhat crisp feeling midnight blue.

All this to say I don’t think you’ll notice an appreciable difference in the RMC against their HH. Quality tannage on a quality hide will always produce a good result, regardless of the beast which bore it. I have no doubt the blue CR will develop beautifully. I also had what I would call the inspiration for that jacket, it was cowhide and absolutely killer. I regret selling it.

 

[greenc]

I didn’t intend to come off as a dick. I actually love the jacket but I think the Buco label is out of place. As for steer/cow vs HH…I’ve almost always found bovine hides to be far more substantial. This steer from Aero:
View attachment 641339 View attachment 641338
And for comparisons sake, new comp weight cow from Vanson:
View attachment 641341
View attachment 641340
The Aero weighed around 8lbs and the Vanson is just under 6. Both extremely heavy and stiff as a board when new. A new Vanson is literal cardboard. It’s the stiffest leather out of the box I’ve ever encountered.

The only notable difference between say Aero’s FQHH, was that the hide felt thinner (far from thin though, by any means).
The last new FQHH I had was this jacket. Somewhat crisp feeling midnight blue.
View attachment 641343
All this to say I don’t think you’ll notice an appreciable difference in the RMC against their HH. Quality tannage on a quality hide will always produce a good result, regardless of the beast which bore it. I have no doubt the blue CR will develop beautifully. I also had what I would call the inspiration for that jacket, it was cowhide and absolutely killer. I regret selling it.
View attachment 641347
View attachment 641346

@ton312 don't give it a second thought, I thought your first message was fine, absolutely no worries - I was only trying to say that repros were good with me. All's well.

As for the photos, those are some beautiful jackets - I do love me some dark blue leather and I'd enjoy seeing photos of it as it really breaks in.

My only experience with cow hide is in a few vintage pieces that had been well worn but well taken care of so they were soft in the drape and weren't really about to show any new creases.

I think horsehide can be gorgeous but sometimes the hides are too smooth and don't have enough character - but that's just luck of the draw with whatever batches the manufacturer happens to have sourced at the time, I suppose.

As for you Bates, they did some very cool things in the 1960s and that jacket looks like it was meant for business even standing still. Glad you got to own that one for a bit, hopefully the new owner is wearing it all the time.

Take it easy and thank you again for the thoughts and photos, I appreciate it. Enjoy the weekend.

Chris

 

[ton312]

@ton312 don't give it a second thought, I thought your first message was fine, absolutely no worries - I was only trying to say that repros were good with me. All's well.

As for the photos, those are some beautiful jackets - I do love me some dark blue leather and I'd enjoy seeing photos of it as it really breaks in.

My only experience with cow hide is in a few vintage pieces that had been well worn but well taken care of so they were soft in the drape and weren't really about to show any new creases.

I think horsehide can be gorgeous but sometimes the hides are too smooth and don't have enough character - but that's just luck of the draw with whatever batches the manufacturer happens to have sourced at the time, I suppose.

As for you Bates, they did some very cool things in the 1960s and that jacket looks like it was meant for business even standing still. Glad you got to own that one for a bit, hopefully the new owner is wearing it all the time.

Take it easy and thank you again for the thoughts and photos, I appreciate it. Enjoy the weekend.

Chris

I think if this Bates repro fits you should grab it! It’s a superb design, the colors are great. I’d be interested in your review. RMC had a number of these “back in the day” around 12 years ago. I always admired them. Haven’t seen one posted here ever, so it would be cool to see. I can’t imagine the jacket would be anything other than spectacular, as these were made under the old ownership.

 

[Aloysius]

I can’t imagine the jacket would be anything other than spectacular, as these were made under the old ownership.

Ha I thought I was the only person who preferred the old ownership, stricter repro RMC stuff.

 

[ton312]

Ha I thought I was the only person who preferred the old ownership, stricter repro RMC stuff.

Just wait for the fall release of Buco labeled tighty whities! Rumor has it they have a racing stripe too.