Show your shearling

[Canuck Panda]

It's cracked lacquer (I think?), so yeah the exposed parts is the actual flesh side of the shearling. At least to my understanding of how B3's are finished.

Both the (new) B3's have these cracks so I assume it's "normal". I haven't owned a lacquer-finished shearling so far, so my knwodledgt of how to care for slather jackets is kinda not very useful with these

I have some "scratch" marks on my almost 30 years old repro B3. The flesh is showing through but not as much as what you've got in the photo.

The outside shell of the B3 is the rough out side of the leather right, and they finished it with a paint lacquer finish to seal it, I assume to lengthen the longevity of the rough out side and also provide a bit more water resistance. While the rough out side is very sturdy on its own, and even more so with the lacquer finish, I would personally prefer the least amount of flesh showing through. I understand some may want the "worn" look, so the maker would dilute the lacquer to achieve that look. That is ok. It will be mostly aesthetic and is up to the wearer. Most sheepskin have a chrome base tannage now so even with a bit of water seeping through the cracks as long as they are air dried properly and not stuffed in a ball somewhere it will be just fine. It's really about the aesthetic and how "aged" or worn in you want your B3 to look at this point.

 

[Team_Feisar]

I have some "scratch" marks on my almost 30 years old repro B3. The flesh is showing through but not as much as what you've got in the photo.
View attachment 653856

The outside shell of the B3 is the rough out side of the leather right, and they finished it with a paint lacquer finish to seal it, I assume to lengthen the longevity of the rough out side and also provide a bit more water resistance. While the rough out side is very sturdy on its own, and even more so with the lacquer finish, I would personally prefer the least amount of flesh showing through. I understand some may want the "worn" look, so the maker would dilute the lacquer to achieve that look. That is ok. It will be mostly aesthetic and is up to the wearer. Most sheepskin have a chrome base tannage now so even with a bit of water seeping through the cracks as long as they are air dried properly and not stuffed in a ball somewhere it will be just fine. It's really about the aesthetic and how "aged" or worn in you want your B3 to look at this point.

Thanks for the explanation!
I kinda think it has sth to do with Eastmans' "papery" finish (time worn? Broken grain?) as I've now had the weird situation of having 2 completely new Eastman b3's at home and both have the same cracks in the finish.
The big one I photographed is covered by the collar anyway so I don't think it'll be much of a problem with getting wet anyway.

Do you have recommendations for what speocifc products to use for caring for the exposed suede? Personally I dig the marmorized look it gives but I'd like to keep it at cracks, not flaking off.

So far I basically have zero products for leather jacket care besides a can of "Nilfett" (no idea how that translates :/) I got with my Aero.

Sorry for needling you with questions!

 

[Canuck Panda]

Thanks for the explanation!
I kinda think it has sth to do with Eastmans' "papery" finish (time worn? Broken grain?) as I've now had the weird situation of having 2 completely new Eastman b3's at home and both have the same cracks in the finish.
The big one I photographed is covered by the collar anyway so I don't think it'll be much of a problem with getting wet anyway.

Do you have recommendations for what speocifc products to use for caring for the exposed suede? Personally I dig the marmorized look it gives but I'd like to keep it at cracks, not flaking off.

So far I basically have zero products for leather jacket care besides a can of "Nilfett" (no idea how that translates :/) I got with my Aero.

Sorry for needling you with questions!

For now I wouldn't worry about it and just wear. And if it gets wet just air dry it on a hanger properly before wearing it again. I've watched some episodes of the Master of the air show, and the Eastman jackets looked very worn in. I don't have a good detailed photo but I will assume the multiple slithers of the flesh showing through is creating that worn look. So it's more of an aesthetic thing. As long as the coating isn't coming off like a whole slab then I wouldn't be alarmed, and I don't think it would, coming off in big slabs. It should look super grainy in short time, which is really a play on the flesh side with a different lacquer. Just air dry it well on a hanger whenever it gets soaked and you'll be fine.

 

[Bennarion]

Replacement B-3 arrived, cuffs now perfect and comfortable to wear

A quesrikn for the more experienced owners of these types of jackets: are cracks like that in the top coat "normal" and just a part of the look?

View attachment 653789

It is considered normal for this type of leather. But I couldn't come to terms with it.

 

[MrProper]

It is considered normal for this type of leather. But I couldn't come to terms with it.

Mine don't have a cracking top coat. Everything is soft. Maybe it hardens and cracks in 50 years
But yes, I think that's just part of the Eastman look. But I like the look.

 

[MrProper]

The jacket has the potential to become my favourite. And that despite the action back lol.

 

[Team_Feisar]

It is considered normal for this type of leather. But I couldn't come to terms with it.

Yeah, this I where I am too after sleeping on it. It's a shame as the look and fit is basically perfect but i can't deal with how damaged it already looks in places. Even if it's intended.

 

[Bennarion]

There will be more cracks over time. If this is bothering you, you should think carefully about whether you need this jacket or not

 

[Bennarion]

Take a look here
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/thoughts-on-my-new-eastman-rough-wear-b3-jacket.101876/

 

[newtojackets]

Looking at buying a B-3. The RMC ones look incredible (I will likely search for a used one). Are there any other brands I should look out for?

The main things I am looking for are it to be fairly slim (at least slimmer than the classic oversized and super thick armed sheepskins) and the appearance of the contrasting leather (usually horsehide) on the shoulder and waist pocket

I'm looking for something whihc looks like this and has a similar fit to this. Are there any at a cheaper price than RMC?

 

[John Lever]

The lightest thinnest most flexible are from Toys McCoy's

 

[MrProper]

Looking at buying a B-3. The RMC ones look incredible (I will likely search for a used one). Are there any other brands I should look out for?

The main things I am looking for are it to be fairly slim (at least slimmer than the classic oversized and super thick armed sheepskins) and the appearance of the contrasting leather (usually horsehide) on the shoulder and waist pocket

I'm looking for something whihc looks like this and has a similar fit to this. Are there any at a cheaper price than RMC? View attachment 654205

5K EUR?




Everything is probably cheaper than the RMC
Have a look at Aero. You can influence the fit there.

 

[newtojackets]

5K EUR?


View attachment 654208

Everything is probably cheaper than the RMC
Have a look at Aero. You can influence the fit there.

Definitely not paying that haha. It seems you can quite easily get a used RMC B-3 for under 1000 Euros from japan, which is roughly similar to na Aero

Mainly trying to see if there are any other brands I should be looking out for on the used market (but aero is a good suggestion!)

 

[MrProper]

I think the white B-3 is kind of cool.

And, although it's a 5*, this one looks pretty good too.

 

[newtojackets]

I think the white B-3 is kind of cool.
View attachment 654209


And, although it's a 5*, this one looks pretty good too.
View attachment 654210

Agreed, the white ones look great. How do your 5* shearlings stack up against your Aeros?

 

[MrProper]

Agreed, the white ones look great. How do your 5* shearlings stack up against your Aeros?

Well, I still have all the Aero shearlings, but no more 5* (apart from one waistcoat)

But I would say that the shearlings from 5* were better than the leather jackets. If they have improved a bit and made the leather a bit thicker, then they would be very good to buy.
My experience with 5* was some time ago and I don't know what they are like now. They probably know better at the VLJF.