Leather samples/jacket holdup - EDIT: Samples Received!

Dre · Post by **Dre** » Thu May 26, 2005 11:21 pm

I ordered some leather samples to decide what to get my jacket in, however this was over 3 or 4 weeks ago since they sent them and they still have not arrived. I wonder if anyone else has had similar problems? possibly due to losing it in the mail, customs/quarantine restrictions and processes and whatnot.

Ive emailed gemma and i think she might be sending some more. not sure if im being too impatient or if there is actually a problem like lost mail?

Post by **Michaelson** » Fri May 27, 2005 9:53 am

It's more than likely just lost in the mail. These samples don't go through customs, per se, as they're not merchandise, but just pieces of leather. I've had more than one sample package get lost in the mail in the travels from Wested to my door, but soon or later, they get there. Be patient. You'll receive your samples. Regards! Michaelson

Merrick · Post by **Merrick** » Sat May 28, 2005 4:09 am

Australian customs are just trying to work out how much to charge you duties...

Dre · Post by **Dre** » Sat May 28, 2005 6:30 am

duties? unlikely...im not buying the product =P no cost...no tax?

which is why when i get my jacket ill get them to label it as a gift

Andy Inna · Post by **Andy Inna** » Sat May 28, 2005 12:06 pm

Wested has promised to send me samples on 3 separate occasions, but none ever arrived.

antiquity collector · Post by **antiquity collector** » Sat May 28, 2005 5:02 pm

They sent me samples which after 5 weeks never arrived. They then sent a 2nd batch which showed up in a week. Then 3 days later the 1st set arrived. Blame it on the mail system.

AC

Dre · Post by **Dre** » Sat May 28, 2005 8:39 pm

oh ok, well they've sent a 2nd lot out. hopefully at least one of them shows up =)

thanks for the input

Merrick · Post by **Merrick** » Sat May 28, 2005 10:19 pm

Dre wrote:duties? unlikely...im not buying the product =P no cost...no tax?

which is why when i get my jacket ill get them to label it as a gift

Good idea, I was kidding about the duties on the samples though

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Mon May 30, 2005 7:11 am

Gotta say, the need for samples just never arose for me... I think the leathers, and the descriptions you can find on COW, are pretty self-explanatory. You want butter soft, you take lamb. You want a standard leather jacket, you take cow. You want something more exotic, you take goat or horse.

Dre · Post by **Dre** » Mon May 30, 2005 8:14 am

Rob: The pictures vary greatly - and perhaps the samples give a better example of what the batch i might get will be compared to what other people say?

plus nothing would compare to actually feeling the leather. or just seeing how soft/stiff the goat is or thickness and whatnot.

AND testing wether shinyness of goat goes away after beating it around a bit or rubbing alcohol on it. I just cant decide on the leather from all the talk as alot of people seem to say contridictory things and alot of the answers for different leathers never seem definintive.

Im leaning heavily towards lamb now as it's the original from the movie, supposedly looks the closest to movies and would feel good to wear. However, it sounds like it isnt strong but i just want to know HOW strong...which is also something i'll test when getting the samples. and i want to know how thin the lamb is - if it's paper thin i definetely dont want it .Cow sounds too thick/too unlike the movie jacket in drape, as with horse.

goat sounds like the other option but might not look/feel good enough due to shine and stiffness.

samples are essential for me to make my mind up.

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Mon May 30, 2005 8:40 am

This is another good reason for organizing or attending a summit. The best sample of a jacket is to see it on another GearHead. I recently saw a cowhide US Wings jacket on someone and it changed my opinion of cowhide. I have seen goat Westeds I thought were lambskin until I touched them. I don't know if this is possible in yoour area, but you really do learn a lot.

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Mon May 30, 2005 8:46 am

I asked for samples last year, before ordering my goatskin Indy from Wested... I waited about a month, and when they didn't show up, I grew impatient, and just ordered what I thought was best for my needs, from what people had posted here. It took about 7 weeks to get my brand new custom Wested, and get this....

2 days later, I get my samples.

It was post marked correctly, so it was DEFINATELY the mail system.
So, don't fret, you'll get them if it is your "destiny".

'Blues

antiquity collector · Mon May 30, 2005 11:14 am

I ordered my 1st jacket with lamb without seeing samples because it was the film leather. It still is a great jacket after almost 10 years. Only a tear on one pocket which snagged on something which I could send back to Peter to fix. Lamb is a tough leather as long as you don't run by nails or rose bushes.

I ordered samples before ordering my 2nd because of all the new leathers and the appearance of the new Authentic color. I wanted to see how the color varied from leather to leather.

I went with goat on the 2nd just to have something a little heavier for trips to NY in winter (although the Lamb never failed me there).

On my next one I'm going with another lamb. It breaks in a bit easier for softness. It's actually so soft right out of the box as where you have to beat on the goat to soften it up. But they're almost identical.

I'd highly recommend Lamb as your 1st way to go. You will NOT regret it.

AC

Dre · Post by **Dre** » Tue May 31, 2005 7:06 am

thanks antiquity collector ill keep it in mind =)

so according to this particular thread...goat is pretty close to lamb (at least after a while). still cant decide =P

but i will definetely wait for the samples...even if it does take a while. id prefer to make the most informed decision or else none at all

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Tue May 31, 2005 7:47 am

Dre, personally I don't think swatches of leather are going to answer all your questions, particularly the feel and drape of the jacket (they just won't give the full feel), but they should help with the colour and the grain of the leather, if nothing else. Do note, however, that if you're going for dark brown or authentic brown, they're essentially the same colour across all the leathers.

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Tue May 31, 2005 8:31 am

Indeed. The "authentic brown" is "authentic brown" whether goat or lamb. The goat might be just a wee bit of a hint slightly darker, but I think that has more to do with the texture and overall look of goat that what the dye job has done to the different leathers.

In the end, whatever you decide on; I'm 100% sure you'll be 100% happy with it... Plus, you'll probably want two jackets soon enough anyway and then you can get the one you didn't pick the first time.

Let us know, I for one am always keen to know.

Regards,
Swindiana

Dre · Post by **Dre** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 12:07 am

it's been over a month and a half since they sent the samples...think it's safe to assume ill never get them? or might they still be on their way?
they sent a 2nd lot out a few weeks ago.

Im very weary about ordering my jacket without having ALL the info on different leathers.

Im leaning towards lamb, but it really depends how thin it is. is it really really thin? I saw what looked to me like it could have been lamb the other day and it was *extremely* thin...too thin.

And on the other side, how thin is goat? I think if goat was the right thickness (not to thin, but then not *very* thick) and the shin went away, and it was comfortable enough, then i'd choose goat?

Bjones · Post by **Bjones** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 5:38 pm

Better to just wait for the samples. What one guys calls thin or thick may be different than what you have in mind. But relatively speaking, the lamb will probably be lighter (and maybe thinner) than goat. From there you have cow hide and horsehide. If you are set on a Wested, I'm sure you will be happy with whatever you decide. I chose the horsehide (well, because its horsehide!) knowing it would be pretty thick and heavy. It was moreso than I had expected but still fell in love instantly. Every batch will differ some. I would (if I were you) chose based on category: light, medium, heavy, heaviest. Figure out what you need from your garment. I wanted durability so that's what I went with.

Dre · Post by **Dre** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 11:33 pm

Bjones wrote:Better to just wait for the samples. What one guys calls thin or thick may be different than what you have in mind. But relatively speaking, the lamb will probably be lighter (and maybe thinner) than goat. From there you have cow hide and horsehide. If you are set on a Wested, I'm sure you will be happy with whatever you decide. I chose the horsehide (well, because its horsehide!) knowing it would be pretty thick and heavy. It was moreso than I had expected but still fell in love instantly. Every batch will differ some. I would (if I were you) chose based on category: light, medium, heavy, heaviest. Figure out what you need from your garment. I wanted durability so that's what I went with.

i chose a ToD authentic brown goatskin when i ordered last week. thanks for your advice =) I was thinking hard about lamb...but then if i got lamb i know i'd worry alot about ripping it or damaging it in some way, so i went with goat for durability and similarity to the look (drape?) of lamb.
Hope it's finished soon! i cant wait!

Wrightknife · Post by **Wrightknife** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 10:44 am

Dre, you have chosen...wisely.

You ordered the same exact jacket specs as I did. Let me tell you that you won't be disappointed. The goat is not too thick and mine is very soft and was when it arrived. I have been wadding it up and sitting on it and rubbing it to help break it in and reduce the shine. I have never seen a nicer garment than these jackets.

Good Luck,

Bjones · Post by **Bjones** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 11:59 am

Dre wrote: i chose a ToD authentic brown goatskin when i ordered last week. thanks for your advice =) I was thinking hard about lamb...but then if i got lamb i know i'd worry alot about ripping it or damaging it in some way, so i went with goat for durability and similarity to the look (drape?) of lamb.
Hope it's finished soon! i cant wait!

Glad to be of help. Goat was my second choice when the HH situation was at its darkest hour, and if you are looking for durability and have some of the drape, goat seems like the best choice

Dre · Post by **Dre** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 5:49 am

heh wouldnt you know it...i got the leather samples today!
at a glance i'd say the lamb looks nicer...finer grain and feels softer. if it wasnt for durability i'd change my order to lamb...but i assume goat is much more durable than lamb.

lamb doesnt seem *that* weak, but im sure after a few years there might be a situation where it would likely rip

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 6:54 am

Yeah, but if you are anything like Indiana Tone, nothings going to be tough enough!

KT

Dre · Post by **Dre** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 7:11 am

Kt Templar wrote:Yeah, but if you are anything like Indiana Tone, nothings going to be tough enough!

KT

well im not going to get myself dragged behind any trucks or anything.
But i might go bushwalking one day and i wouldnt want my jacket to be ruined by a random twig or branch or something. as much as i love lamb...goat'll ahve to do =P

maybe somewhere down the line ill get lamb for situations where i wont find myself near anything sharp

Dre · Post by **Dre** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 2:47 am

Indiana_Tone wrote:
Kt Templar wrote:Yeah, but if you are anything like Indiana Tone, nothings going to be tough enough!
KT
Hey, I've switched to medium sandpaper! The jackets have a much better chance now.

Dre wrote: well im not going to get myself dragged behind any trucks or anything.
But i might go bushwalking one day and i wouldnt want my jacket to be ruined by a random twig or branch or something. as much as i love lamb...goat'll ahve to do =P

maybe somewhere down the line ill get lamb for situations where i wont find myself near anything sharp
Dre, sounds like the perfect choice for you in going with the goat. I had the exact same concerns when signing up and am still very wishy-washy when it comes to hides but only because I like them all. I think the HH is probably the "toughest" jacket to be had; goat looks great and has the resilience to withstand scrapes and brushes in everyday use; yet oddly enough, I'm a huge fan of the lamb and very glad I got this one first. The finish and drape is just INDY. Since your concerns seem to be with accurate color and longevity of the jacket overall, goat is a great decision! I would like to attest (as most lamb-owners have) that lamb is not paper thin and doesn't tear or scrape as easily as you'd think. There have been a few times I brushed it against something and expected to see this huge gash or scrape mark that "ruined" the lamb. No marks. The lamb holds up very well.
I think if it says Wested on it, you'll love it no matter what.

yep i think Goat seems the best choice for me. though the drape/how it hangs is also important - i'd like to have some screen accuracy with the look, but it sounds like goat should have a similar drape to lamb? I do love the lamb, but yeah...i'd worry far too much. maybe down the line ill go and buy a lamb as well

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 11:36 am

IMO the goat drapes very well.

Dre · Post by **Dre** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 9:38 am

does the goat actually drape like the lamb/like the jacket in the movies? or at least very similarly? with a bit of wear

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 1:48 pm

Well, the goat isn't gonna drape exactly like the lighter lamb, but it drapes very well. IMO it drapes pretty similar to what is seen on screen. The more you wear the jacket the better it looks. Besides, if Indy was real his jacket would likely have been goatskin or horsehide.

Indiana Williams · Post by **Indiana Williams** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 2:44 pm

J_Weaver wrote: Besides, if Indy was real his jacket would likely have been goatskin or horsehide.

whats wrong with the lamb,is the goat or horse better?

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 3:13 pm

Well, nothing is wrong with the lamb, its just that its not as tough as the goat or horse. Lambskin is a lighter softer leather. The goat and horse are strong leathers, it lakes quite a bit to scratch and scrape them. Also flight jackets of the era were usually goat or horse.

Indiana Williams · Post by **Indiana Williams** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 6:09 pm

so when i finally get around to getting my wested it would be better to get a goatskin jacket instead of lamb?

whipwarrior · Post by **whipwarrior** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 7:11 pm

I've just been thinking: if Wested had made all of the Raiders jackets in horsehide, maybe it wouldn't have taken five or six of them to film the truck dragging scene.

Indiana Williams · Post by **Indiana Williams** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 5:35 pm

how do you go about getting leather samples from wested?

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 5:46 pm

All you have to do is ask

Drop Gemma an email with the colours and skins you want to know about and they will cut a bit from an offcut for you. As long as you don't go mad I think they will try to accomodate.

I have a feeling they send samples out by the cheapest post possible as they must get so many requests it doesn't pay to send every one by airmail. Maybe that's why we see people having to wait so long for theirs to turn up.

KT

Indiana Williams · Post by **Indiana Williams** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 5:51 pm

Kt Templar wrote:All you have to do is ask

Drop Gemma an email with the colours and skins you want to know about and they will cut a bit from an offcut for you. As long as you don't go mad I think they will try to accomodate.

I have a feeling they send samples out by the cheapest post possible as they must get so many requests it doesn't pay to send every one by airmail. Maybe that's why we see people having to wait so long for theirs to turn up.

KT

Gemma

is that a person or a company?(forgive my ignorence.

)how would i contact them?

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 5:59 pm

Yes, Gemma is the secretary at Wested. Just use the email contact at wested.com if you head it with her name it might help a little. Never hurts to ask nicely.

KT

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 6:08 pm

Jpevh wrote:so when i finally get around to getting my wested it would be better to get a goatskin jacket instead of lamb?

Well, it really depends on what you plan to do while wearing your jacket. If your looking for a jacket to wear around town then the lamb is fine. However, if you plan on doing a lot of hiking in your jacket then I'd say get the goat. The goat is tough, I've had mine over a lot of tough terrain and its only beginning to show some minor wear.

Indiana Williams · Post by **Indiana Williams** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 6:10 pm

Thanks KT, i will contact Gemma for a couple of samples.

Indiana Williams · Post by **Indiana Williams** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 6:24 pm

J_Weaver wrote:
Jpevh wrote:so when i finally get around to getting my wested it would be better to get a goatskin jacket instead of lamb?
Well, it really depends on what you plan to do while wearing your jacket. If your looking for a jacket to wear around town then the lamb is fine. However, if you plan on doing a lot of hiking in your jacket then I'd say get the goat. The goat is tough, I've had mine over a lot of tough terrain and its only beginning to show some minor wear.

well, i plan on wearing my jacket everywhere

.i think ill get a sample of lamb and goat so i can see which one i like better.

Indiana · Post by **Indiana** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 6:28 pm

When I was at Wested, I got to feel, and hold each of the different types of leather jackets. THe cow is very heavy, while goat weighs only a little more than lamb. sure, it might have been lamb in the movies, but goat is very durable, and weighs only a little more. I went with goat, and I love it.