Something new at Good Wear?

[Superfluous]

HELP!

I just saw this on the GW sale page.

http://www.goodwearleather.com/pages/sale_himelracer_0001.html

It is in stock, no wait. It is exactly my size (I think). He takes credit cards.

Everyone, please tell me that I just bought an expensive jacket and can't afford another. Interest rates on credit cards are ridiculous. It's a biker jacket and I don't ride. I don't look good in black. It has too many zippers. Shinki isn't such great leather as everyone says. The teacore horsehide slowly wears to a brown shade and I already have a brown jacket. Is it a Good Wear, or a Himel, and why can't they make up their minds? The chest zipper is reproduction, and not NOS. I need a lighter jacket for California.

Is there some 24 hour help/hotline I can call?

 

[jonesy86]

There are a few options for a black Cossack style jacket.

• Aero Leather Aeromarine
• Bill Kelso Cossack and Aeronaut A-1
• Good Wear Cossack (I'm sure JC would build you a black one)
• Mister Freedom Campus Jacket in black lambskin
• Mister Freedom Kingsman Jacket
• Simmons Bilt
• Thedi x Thurston Utility Jacket

Very cool. Thanks for all the info. I already spoke to Carrie about trying on a Thedi. Their stock XL is pretty close to my fit numbers, i like the look, but cowhide may be heavier than I am looking for. I sent an inquiry to BK to see if he can do the new Cossack Slim Fit in "capeskin victory" black instead of seal. Otherwise I will try and figure out how heavy his horsehide liberty (teacore) is. I'm afraid JC is in another league than I am. Very curious about the Mister Freedom, they do an Italian veg tanned lamb leather in black, so I'm going to look into that further. Not sure what to think about it being unlined. Just bought an Aero and want to try another maker. I just noticed that SB does their "Simmons Bilt" in black goatskin that might be just the right weight. Plus the price is right. I kinda feel a bit of loyalty to Aero from the old AL scandal, but maybe it's time to get over it.

Wow, I think I have officially become a leather jacket junkie.

 

[Graemsay]

Glad to help.

I'm pretty certain that Aero, Bill Kelso, Simmons Bilt and Thedi could build any of their jackets from any of their leathers, so finding something that works shouldn't be an issue.

The Mister Freedom Campus jacket is an off-the-peg piece, so you wouldn't get any choice beyond the size you buy.

I quite like the idea of an unlined jacket. It should wear cooler, which is good for a climate like Melbourne's (or the Bay Area), as it should extend the wearing season. Plus I always wear holes in linings.

I've heard unlined jackets are harder to get on and off, due to the grabby nature of the inner face of the leather. Perhaps something like Aero's Goat Suede, which has the top grain on the inside, would work well.

Yeah, you're a jacket junkie now. There goes all your savings!

 

[SpeedRcrX]

Otherwise I will try and figure out how heavy his horsehide liberty (teacore) is.

It’s lighter than Vicenza and Shinki HH

 

[ButteMT61]

It’s lighter than Vicenza and Shinki HH

@SpeedRcrX - I think you own(ed) both Shinki and Vicienza - how would you compare them, weight-wise and thickness-wise?
I really like both characteristics of the Shinki, so I want to stay in that range...

 

[Superfluous]

I think you own(ed) both Shinki and Vicienza - how would you compare them, weight-wise and thickness-wise? I really like both characteristics of the Shinki, so I want to stay in that range...

I too owned both. They are similar in weight. That said, the Vicenza is slightly more rigid and does not drape as well as the Shinki. I read here that newer Vicenza drapes better (my prior two Vicenza jackets were from the earlier batches of Vicenza). Therefore, I prefer the Shinki over the Vicenza, but the Vicenza is my second favorite HH.

Caveat: FH uses a more rigid Shinki HH.

 

[devilish]

I have both at the moment. Older GW Shinki and a Shackleton in Vincenza from Aero that’s about two years old now. I was surprised by how thick and rigid the Vincenza is. I don’t wear it until Autumn/Winter roles around but I expect it will break in. To the point where it will be fairly close to the Shinki? It is a lovely leather and has a wonderful chestnut hue to it. Especially after giving it a warmish wash in the machine.

 

[Fanch]

Maybe each of us is seeing a different part of the elephant. Both of my Vicenza Sheenes are more supple than my Shinki GW/Himel Ventura, although the difference is marginal. I have a seal jerky HH Mulligan that is more stiff than my Vicenza and Shinki.

 

[SpeedRcrX]

@SpeedRcrX - I think you own(ed) both Shinki and Vicienza - how would you compare them, weight-wise and thickness-wise?
I really like both characteristics of the Shinki, so I want to stay in that range...

I have the same experience and thoughts as @Superfluous on these two leathers.

 

[jonesy86]

Anyone want to discuss Yak Leather?

NINE LIVES YAK HIDE & SASHIKO LEATHER JACKET - BLACK YAK HIDE
$2,150.00

 

[jonesy86]

No seriously I have only experienced Vincenza and I find it just glorious. The other day I tried on a Japanese black leather jacket that I thought was Shinki. Turned out it was "from a tiny tannery in Himeji, the tanning capital of Japan". Seemed pretty nice, but way out of my budget.

 

[Insomnia]

I too owned both. They are similar in weight. That said, the Vicenza is slightly more rigid and does not drape as well as the Shinki. I read here that newer Vicenza drapes better (my prior two Vicenza jackets were from the earlier batches of Vicenza). Therefore, I prefer the Shinki over the Vicenza, but the Vicenza is my second favorite HH.

I own jackets of both leathers. I have Vicenza jackets of the early batch, the mid 2016 batch (my favorite) and the current batch. I like the 2016 batch because the grainy examples where first solid but mold to the body in no time and get softer. The current batch has a very soft hand and drapes very well. My RMC Shinki (J100) is much more rigid than the current batch of Vicenza.

 

[jonesy86]

Do any quality makers use lamb hide. I know that BK has Capeskin. From what I have read, most lamb hide or lamb skin jackets are junk fashion mall stuff.

 

[Big J]

Jonesy86, I've lived here nearly two decades, and although Himeji is only about an hours drive from me, I've never once heard anyone call it 'the tanning capital of Japan', in fact, until I read your post, I was unaware of ANY tanning happening in Himeji, despite having gone their many times.
The Shinki tannery is about two and a half to three hours drive away from me, and they offer factory tours. I keep meaning to get over there. But even with the international fame that Shinki enjoys, I've never met a Japanese who knew the brand.
Funnily enough, one of Japan's greatest prog-rock bands was called 'Shinki, Speed and Glue', and music aficionados have mused over the 'cryptic meaning' of 'Shinki' for decades. I don't have the heart to tell them it's a type of leather.

 

[jonesy86]

Big J
I think there is a bit of smoke and mirrors going on. You know, good old fashioned snake oil. The emperor's new cloths et al. It was an Iron Heart Horsehide jacket that seemed like pretty nice leather to me, but what the heck to i Know.
Cheers
Jonesy86

 

[handymike]

These guys are making some very cool "Lewis Leathers- inspired" jackets out of sheep:
http://addict-clothes.com/products/leather-jacket/

 

[ButteMT61]

Thanks a ton guys/gals. I have liked the photos of the really grainy Vicenza and that got me in that lane - plus the colors.
Just don't want a lifeless hide that's smooth. I like my leather to look like a natural product, and that means grain and whatever other imperfections it comes with. I guess once I get to the model, I'll get some samples from Carrie to look at.

 

[Insomnia]

@ButteMT61

But be aware if you ask for grainy hides you may get something like this

 

[ButteMT61]

@ButteMT61

But be aware if you ask for grainy hides you may get something like this

Can you feel me smacking you from here?

 

[Monitor]

These guys are making some very cool "Lewis Leathers- inspired" jackets out of sheep:
http://addict-clothes.com/products/leather-jacket/

Why do imported knockoffs cost more than the originals?