Temple of Jawnz?

[Monitor]

I was just reading some random article about leather jackets out of sheer boredom and have yet again stumbled upon claims such as, and I quote 'If you could only own 1 leather piece in your life, it should be a Temple of Jawnz' so could anyone kindly explain to me what the hell exactly is Temple of Jawnz and why is it being referred to as the best leather jacket manufacturer in the world that 'nobody has heard of', pretty much everywhere? I was just looking at the photos of the supposed Temple of Jawnz jackets - the company doesn't seem to have a website of any sort - and to be quite honest, what I'm seeing here is ranging from barely wearable to stuff that's downright horrible, which in itself wouldn't be an issue of any sort if said garments weren't in Schott price range, or above.

So, has anyone handled those TOJ jackets? Are they really that good - or good at all? Most I've seen seem to be Perfecto rip-offs but looking at the way these jackets fit, I doubt they were being made with riding in mind.

Don't get this the wrong way, I'm not saying that Temple of Jawnz jackets suck, I am genuinely interested in the brand as to me personally these jackets look... well, plain bad.

 

[Bat_Fastard]

http://johncoppidge.tumblr.com/

That's their website.

The entire appeal of ToJ was MTM leather jackets at an affordable price(relatively to other options of course). However, over time, the orders continuously backed up, the demand kept rising and the supply couldn't keep up.

They won't be doing MTM anymore.

http://johncoppidge.tumblr.com/post/80993301456/updates

 

[andyfalzon]

...and to be quite honest, what I'm seeing here is ranging from barely wearable to stuff that's downright horrible...

Ha ha ha. Your eyes don't fool you. The designs, leathers and materials they used aren't anything special at all but their miraculous sales numbers can be mainly attributed to their success in grasping the vibe of the modern leather fashion followers (who are far more than the vintage leather jacket fans).

Also, their prices weren't affordable at all in terms of what is considered affordable around here, but their jackets were sold a fraction of what the big houses sold theirs, so if you wanted to look like this:

they were really competitive.

 

[Grayland]

I looked at TOJ and found some very nice looking jackets. I remember them being in the $700 range and seemed well made. Maybe a little fashion forward, but nothing like the pic above. I thought they were fairly conservative looking actually, although they offered various colors.

http://www.styleforum.net/t/340426/...-jawnz-mdr-medium-whiskey-calf-jacket-size-50

 

[Superfluous]

TOJ is very popular on StyleForum. I have no firsthand experience with their jackets. I have read that the workmanship is good but the leather is not on a par with the manufacturers commonly patronized by TFL members. One of TOJ's selling points was broad customization -- not sure if that still applies.

 

[Bat_Fastard]

Ha ha ha. Your eyes don't fool you. The designs, leathers and materials they used aren't anything special at all but their miraculous sales numbers can be mainly attributed to their success in grasping the vibe of the modern leather fashion followers (who are far more than the vintage leather jacket fans).

Also, their prices weren't affordable at all in terms of what is considered affordable around here, but their jackets were sold a fraction of what the big houses sold theirs, so if you wanted to look like this:

they were really competitive.

I don't know any ToJ jacket that looks like that, they're more minimalist.

ToJ's pricing is close to Aero in the $800-900 range.

 

[Monitor]

So wait, if I am reading this right, they are now a... restaurant?

Anyway, line-up on the page Bat_Fastard kindly provided (thanks!) doesn't look bad in itself but neither does it look any better than any other $100 made in Pakistan fashion-forward mall Schott/Lewis leathers knock off, so what exactly is the source of all this praise, not to mention the comparatively insane price tag? I'm thinking it perhaps has more to do with the obscurity of the company rather than something else else, kind of elitism of being in on something few else know of. Kind of like being able to afford an Aero or LW, in a way...

Andy, that is exactly how I notice all TOJ jackets seem to fit members of the Styleforum, which is, was Superfluous said, where most praise for the brand seems to be originating from. But what you said, it is probably about the way TOJ looks on a person. I guess some people - or rather, judging by most wearers of TOJ jackets, very young people - want their clothes to fit them exactly so, without having to pay the insane amount of money for the right brand (or insanely small amount of money for a no-brand) and hey, it's not like they're going to wear the same jacket two years in a row, anyway, right?

 

[Grayland]

At one time, TOJ was pretty much made to measure - or at least that is the way I remember it. For about $700 (at the time), that wasn't a bad price for a MTM jacket. I think they were quite a few rungs above mall jacket territory. Many of the younger guys on SF love the Rick Owen leather jackets with strangely long sleeves (as per your pic above), but most of the TOJ jackets I saw weren't like that. As I mentioned earlier, I found them pretty conservative considering the age group they were marketing to. Take a look at the TOJ gallery I linked below. I don't think you'll see many TOJ jackets looking much like the picture Andy posted.

http://toj-gallery.com/main.php

 

[lomaxbernie]

TOJ is still taking MTM orders, but they have said that they will stop at some point in the future. This has caused a significant increase in orders, which have exponentially added to the already extensive wait list (I think its almost 50 weeks at this point).

They cover most of the classic designs. Here are a few examples:

Moto
http://johncoppidge.tumblr.com/moto2011

A-2
http://johncoppidge.tumblr.com/a2bomber2011

Collared Moto
http://johncoppidge.tumblr.com/collaredmoto

CWU-45/P
http://johncoppidge.tumblr.com/cwu45pflightjacket2011

Double Rider
http://johncoppidge.tumblr.com/doublerider

You'll notice on every page there are a handful of customization options (leather type, zippers, etc.). You can see a variety of all of the different combinations in the gallery page:

http://toj-gallery.com/main.php

Generally speaking, the appeal of TOJ is the customization and the fit. The big factor being the fit, in that most of the crowd which TOJ caters to are young and (I'm not sure how else to put it) skinny fashion-forward folks. It's difficult to buy off the rack and get the slim fit that they are looking for. I've been doing a considerable amount of research trying to determine if TOJ is for me or not. If I could get the A-2 in FQHH, then I probably would have went with TOJ. I'm not sure why they don't offer it on either of the bomber styles. But I'm now trying to decipher whether TOJ is hyped because of the fashion crowd it caters to, or if the leathers are actually that nice. My frame is large enough to where I don't have to worry about MTM (although I had to size down to a 38T in G&B to get a good, slim fit). I've heard about how great TOJ's lamb is, and how hefty the calf feels. But I think most of that talk is coming from people that don't have much experience with leather in general, so I'm not sure how much confidence to put into that. I would love to hear an opinion of someone who has owned a TOJ and an Aero, or even a Schott.

 

[Bat_Fastard]

So wait, if I am reading this right, they are now a... restaurant?

Anyway, line-up on the page Bat_Fastard kindly provided (thanks!) doesn't look bad in itself but neither does it look any better than any other $100 made in Pakistan fashion-forward mall Schott/Lewis leathers knock off, so what exactly is the source of all this praise, not to mention the comparatively insane price tag? I'm thinking it perhaps has more to do with the obscurity of the company rather than something else else, kind of elitism of being in on something few else know of. Kind of like being able to afford an Aero or LW, in a way...

Andy, that is exactly how I notice all TOJ jackets seem to fit members of the Styleforum, which is, was Superfluous said, where most praise for the brand seems to be originating from. But what you said, it is probably about the way TOJ looks on a person. I guess some people - or rather, judging by most wearers of TOJ jackets, very young people - want their clothes to fit them exactly so, without having to pay the insane amount of money for the right brand (or insanely small amount of money for a no-brand) and hey, it's not like they're going to wear the same jacket two years in a row, anyway, right?

TOJ is still taking MTM orders, but they have said that they will stop at some point in the future. This has caused a significant increase in orders, which have exponentially added to the already extensive wait list (I think its almost 50 weeks at this point).

They cover most of the classic designs. Here are a few examples:

Moto
http://johncoppidge.tumblr.com/moto2011

A-2
http://johncoppidge.tumblr.com/a2bomber2011

Collared Moto
http://johncoppidge.tumblr.com/collaredmoto

CWU-45/P
http://johncoppidge.tumblr.com/cwu45pflightjacket2011

Double Rider
http://johncoppidge.tumblr.com/doublerider

You'll notice on every page there are a handful of customization options (leather type, zippers, etc.). You can see a variety of all of the different combinations in the gallery page:

http://toj-gallery.com/main.php

Generally speaking, the appeal of TOJ is the customization and the fit. The big factor being the fit, in that most of the crowd which TOJ caters to are young and (I'm not sure how else to put it) skinny fashion-forward folks. It's difficult to buy off the rack and get the slim fit that they are looking for. I've been doing a considerable amount of research trying to determine if TOJ is for me or not. If I could get the A-2 in FQHH, then I probably would have went with TOJ. I'm not sure why they don't offer it on either of the bomber styles. But I'm now trying to decipher whether TOJ is hyped because of the fashion crowd it caters to, or if the leathers are actually that nice. My frame is large enough to where I don't have to worry about MTM (although I had to size down to a 38T in G&B to get a good, slim fit). I've heard about how great TOJ's lamb is, and how hefty the calf feels. But I think most of that talk is coming from people that don't have much experience with leather in general, so I'm not sure how much confidence to put into that. I would love to hear an opinion of someone who has owned a TOJ and an Aero, or even a Schott.

You guys nailed it 100%! It's definitely about the MTM fit for the skinny guy(but not with materials that would fall apart in a year, ex: Zara). I'd fall into the same crowd, young and skinny, and I have trouble finding a proper fitting jacket OTR.

My plan was to go ToJ, but I wasn't patient enough to wait an entire year for an MTM leather jacket. I ended up going with a custom Sportster from US Authentic....fingers crossed, I hope it fits!

 

[Sloan1874]

If I could get the A-2 in FQHH, then I probably would have went with TOJ. I'm not sure why they don't offer it on either of the bomber styles.

I think you'll be hard-pressed to get an A-2 in FQHH. It's not a hide that lends itself to the style, which was a sort of 'summer weight' jacket. Aero, GW, ELC etc tend to be mid-weight horse, goat or steer, so that they can get the drape of the original - though I have a bison A-2, which is heavier than a standard A-2 (more a Scottish summer weight jacket), but even then it's nowhere near as unyielding as FQHH.

 

[lomaxbernie]

I think you'll be hard-pressed to get an A-2 in FQHH. It's not a hide that lends itself to the style, which was a sort of 'summer weight' jacket. Aero, GW, ELC etc tend to be mid-weight horse, goat or steer, so that they can get the drape of the original - though I have a bison A-2, which is heavier than a standard A-2 (more a Scottish summer weight jacket), but even then it's nowhere near as unyielding as FQHH.

TOJ made the A-2 with FQHH in the past, which is why I was confused as to why they don't offer it anymore. You can see a some pictures here:

http://www.styleforum.net/t/273109/toj-fqhh-bomber-jacket

and here:

http://blackandtannedny.wordpress.c...wnz-toj2-2-bomber-in-front-quarter-horsehide/

 

[zhz]

Come on, that is not A2 at all!!! Just something looks like A2...

TOJ made the A-2 with FQHH in the past, which is why I was confused as to why they don't offer it anymore. You can see a some pictures here:

http://www.styleforum.net/t/273109/toj-fqhh-bomber-jacket

and here:

http://blackandtannedny.wordpress.c...wnz-toj2-2-bomber-in-front-quarter-horsehide/

 

[lomaxbernie]

Come on, that is not A2 at all!!! Just something looks like A2...

My concern was never authenticity, so you may be right about that. But saying "A-2" is easier than "collared bomber jacket with two large front pockets."

 

[Otter]

My concern was never authenticity, so you may be right about that. But saying "A-2" is easier than "collared bomber jacket with two large front pockets."

Looks nice leather, but split backs and handwarmer pockets do not an A-2 make. 50's civi Bomber jacket.

 

[thor]

Probably the closest to a FQHH A-2 that's readily available today is the heavy duty russet HH used by Lost Worlds. The jacket doesn't drape, it slowly conforms and molds to your shape and movements until it fits like a suit of leather armor. Really amazing hide!

 

[Smithy]

Probably the closest to a FQHH A-2 that's readily available today is the heavy duty russet HH used by Lost Worlds. The jacket doesn't drape, it slowly conforms and molds to your shape and movements until it fits like a suit of leather armor. Really amazing hide!

Thor, Aero have made a few A-2s out of FQHH. I can specifically remember a German member here who had it done. Not my cup of tea as it goes against the idea of what the original was meant to be - a lightweight, supple leather windbreaker - but that German fella was completely enamoured with his. Each to his own I suppose.

 

[thor]

Yes Smithy, you're right; I remember the posts re the Aero FQHH A-2 (it looked fantastic!). But I thought Aero no longer entertained the notion of constructing an A-2 from FQHH?
I agree that a nice 2.5-3.0 oz mid-weight HH is ideal for an A-2. But when the Zombie Apocalypse starts, I think I'll grab my bullet-proof LW A-2. LOL!

 

[lomaxbernie]

Yes Smithy, you're right; I remember the posts re the Aero FQHH A-2 (it looked fantastic!). But I thought Aero no longer entertained the notion of constructing an A-2 from FQHH?
I agree that a nice 2.5-3.0 oz mid-weight HH is ideal for an A-2. But when the Zombie Apocalypse starts, I think I'll grab my bullet-proof LW A-2. LOL!

I think you might be referring to Cole's Aero A-2:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...n-FQHH-after-5-Month&highlight=aero+fqhh+cole

There are several pics throughout that thread. Personally I think it's fantastic, the depth of color is what made me look at FQHH. But, again, I'm not concerned with authenticity so I can see how some might not care for the FQHH A-2.

 

[js0930]

As someone who has a jacket (quilted double rider in oxblood calf) on order from TOJ/John Coppidge, I would explain it in a slightly different way. If you want a slim-fitting jacket with high armholes in a classic design with a more fashion friendly cut, TOJ has almost no competition at their price point. Styleforum is sourcing a custom Vanson currently that would be somewhat equivalent, but this market is pretty thin. TOJ started out making a varsity (see pic below) and has done well because there is almost no competition in their market, which is 20-30 somethings with just enough money to afford an $800 jacket, but not enough to step up to something more expensive.

And honestly, as a slim size 36, I'm wary of buying from the makers most praised on this forum as most of their jackets look big through the middle and the upper arms and I don't want to look like I'm wearing my dad's jacket.