Veg-tan kip leather Js03 Tenjin Works: wax before wear or not?

[Schumie]

Hi guys,

My jacket (JS03 kip leather) ordered from Tenjin Works has finally made it to Amsterdam. I am very pleased about the end result but still figuring out what my next step will be. The communcation and the order process through Instagram was very good. It's a size 46 with sleeves and body length of a 44. Maybe a 44 for the entire jacket was also a good option but this combination gives me some room to breath and still wearable with just a shirt.

I am looking forward to see how the jacket will develop in the coming months/years. Right now the jacket looks really pale and it needs some wear to really make it feel my own. Here is my problem. Since I live in the Netherlands it will propably rain alot in the coming months and if its going to be the same as last year it will rain every day for the coming six months. The guys from Tenjin Works gave me the advice to wax it before wear with a wax they provided and that is what I am planning to do. Rain spots will be visible ont he jacket and the wax will help a little bit with this.

I've been searching the forum and there are several topics about veg-tan jackets, but not so much about kip leather. I've read the suggestion to soak the jacket to make it one big water stain. Also to let it dry in the sun afterwards. I was wondering if there are people with some expericence about the way to handle jackets like this, especially with the kip leather which already is a 'fatty' skin.

I know the jacket eventually will develop in its own way and that is perfectly fine. Stained or not. I'm just seeking some advice what to avoid doing with a jacket like this.

Thanks in advance!

 

[cbez]

Wax it if they say to wax it.

I don't wear my light natural leathers on rainy days. But if I did I think I'd have to just go all out. Either keep it as a dry weather jacket or full downpour soak it.

 

[Schumie]

Thank you, that sounds like the sensible thing to do

 

[Bennarion]

Give yourself time to think. Wear a jacket in sunny weather for now. In the sun, the leather will acquire a caramel color

 

[TartuWolf]

Wow, double back pleats huh? Like an Aero Dustbowl, interesting. Waxing should darken the leather by itself, but it might prevent the sun from doing the tanning that is usually desirable with these kind of leathers. But if you live in NL and plan to ACTUALLY wear it then I'd say don't worry about it, wax the f out of it and then wear the same f out of it without worrying about stains, otherwise you'll be too stressed to wear it. Need a special kind of mindset to make this kind of jacket work.

 

[Canuck Panda]

With the natural hides you just gotta go with it and let it do its thing. There will be days where I’ve questioned about the spots and all the other stains, but eventually they will sort themselves out with just wearing it in all kinds of weather. Waxing is a huge job and will change the way it looks. You can always wax it later when the patina has reached your desire shades to slow down and preserve the color. Great jacket congrats. Depending on the weather it can take a year or more to get to the dark honey no visible stains stage, be prepared.

 

[Schumie]

Wow, double back pleats huh? Like an Aero Dustbowl, interesting. Waxing should darken the leather by itself, but it might prevent the sun from doing the tanning that is usually desirable with these kind of leathers. But if you live in NL and plan to ACTUALLY wear it then I'd say don't worry about it, wax the f out of it and then wear the same f out of it without worrying about stains, otherwise you'll be too stressed to wear it. Need a special kind of mindset to make this kind of jacket work.

Haha, let’s fucking go. Not worrying about is is a big plus

 

[Schumie]

With the natural hides you just gotta go with it and let it do its thing. There will be days where I’ve questioned about the spots and all the other stains, but eventually they will sort themselves out with just wearing it in all kinds of weather. Waxing is a huge job and will change the way it looks. You can always wax it later when the patina has reached your desire shades to slow down and preserve the color. Great jacket congrats. Depending on the weather it can take a year or more to get to the dark honey no visible stains stage, be prepared.

Thank you, I saw your post about soaking and drying veg tanned jackets in another thread, very informative. I do not want to slow down the tanning process when waxed.

 

[cbez]

mine also started out a pinkish flesh color. This is just sun, bick 4, brushing, and some neutral leather balm. But I would not stomp through puddles in them, because it would look like shit imo..

 

[Schumie]

Wow, such a beautiful colour

 

[Canuck Panda]

mine also started out a pinkish flesh color. This is just sun, bick 4, brushing, and some neutral leather balm. But I would not stomp through puddles in them, because it would look like shit imo..
View attachment 653845

This is the shade (right) I want my natural leather to look like. Dark honey, cognac...

 

[cbez]

This is the shade (right) I want my natural leather to look like. Dark honey, cognac...

they had an intermediate phase that was a little too orange for my taste, but either time or the leather balm brought out more of the brown tones.