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What To Expect From Horsehide (Appearance, Color, Handfeel, etc.)

glider

A-List Customer
Messages
389
Again, it's how the leather was tanned and where on the animal it came from. I saw that a few of the jackets shown were motorcycle coats. A real motorcycle coat has 2 purposes, to keep the wind out and to protect from abrasion should you go down. There isn't any other material that will slide on pavement without coming apart or melting, that's the reason bikers have always preferred leather. Even the styling of a motorcycle coat has a purpose. It has become stylish to wear a motorcycle coat so a lot of the ones you see that look like a motorcycle jacket really aren't.
 

Carlos840

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,944
Location
London
Again, it's how the leather was tanned and where on the animal it came from. I saw that a few of the jackets shown were motorcycle coats. A real motorcycle coat has 2 purposes, to keep the wind out and to protect from abrasion should you go down. There isn't any other material that will slide on pavement without coming apart or melting, that's the reason bikers have always preferred leather. Even the styling of a motorcycle coat has a purpose. It has become stylish to wear a motorcycle coat so a lot of the ones you see that look like a motorcycle jacket really aren't.

It feels like you are commenting on a different thread... What is going on here?
 

whorishconsumer

Familiar Face
Messages
53
Location
Brooklyn
No need to police the tangents of one's thought process.

The beef jerky is an exaggeration. I used it to emphasize the Japanese e.g. RM's use of certain materials like "veg tanned leather" and processes to speed up the aging. The general consensus of the experts is that the leather on original A-2s are chrome tanned. Even though veg tanned leather usually feels more rigid and drier, I don't think it will become a beef jerky if you take good care of it. Some people do like a heavily distressed leather jacket. Same can be said with jeans. Here are a few early samples of RM A-2 possibly from the 90s. They are are not shiniki HH.
https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/t786443328
https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/l663707926
https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/j642982892

Yes, exposure to sunlight is what causes the nylon to fade, this is often seen on the original MA-1, N-2 and N-3 etc nylon jackets. I am not an expert in how different type of nylon fades. On the original MA-1 etc jackets, the fading can turn into a red/orange hue. An example of how some Japanese are obsessed with the aging of clothes besides jeans.
Aging record of Buzz Rickon's L-2b.
http://blog-jkstyle.jugem.jp/?eid=1293
And sunburn not limited to bylon, here you see BR reproduced a G-1 with sunburn collar and how they explained the reason for the golden brown color mouton.
https://www.buzzricksons.jp/news/914/

I enjoy learning about the nuances of fetish, so thank you for this. I think I am much more short-term thinking in that I am attracted to most garments based upon their current condition, as opposed to forward-looking to their condition years from now. Not to say that I do not value the interesting wear on garments I have possessed for an extended period. But certainly it is hard for me to envision a day when my A2 will look as above (although I can hope). Similarly, while I love my Samurai, I can't imagine I'll achieve the washed-out glory sought by wearers of raw denim.
 
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AeroFan_07

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,736
Location
Iowa
As is very well known in this Outerwear Forum, @Carlos840 is indeed a subject matter expert. He backs up his knowledge with excellent photography of his extensive, growing collection of jackets. He has also done many hours of research into this whole topic as he has a lot of intrest in both learning and sharing this knowledge. He comments earlier about Steer/Cowhide verses Horsehide were to make a point - to a layman, it's quite difficult to tell the differance based off photos alone.

Here is a part of his knowledge and collection archive, that he has been kind enough to share with the world on FL: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/my-leather-jacket-database.93804/
 

Carlos840

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,944
Location
London
As is very well known in this Outerwear Forum, @Carlos840 is indeed a subject matter expert. He backs up his knowledge with excellent photography of his extensive, growing collection of jackets. He has also done many hours of research into this whole topic as he has a lot of intrest in both learning and sharing this knowledge. He comments earlier about Steer/Cowhide verses Horsehide were to make a point - to a layman, it's quite difficult to tell the differance based off photos alone.

Here is a part of his knowledge and collection archive, that he has been kind enough to share with the world on FL: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/my-leather-jacket-database.93804/

Please, don't call me an expert on a forum, if Stuart sees this he is going to ban me!
 

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