How Long will a wested last?

[Heyjude7]

Hello Fellow COW members..its been a while since i have written a post .. very busy inbetween changing duty stations but i had a question to ask everyone... HOw long will a wested last? how old is the oldest wested out there? does distressing take a few years off a wested? which leather last the longest? and how harmful is acetone? ... ok maybe a few questions... im just interested in this issue because i have had my wested goat since may and it looks brand new.. i caught it on a nail and it had a scratch .. one rainstorm later the scratch was gone.. i dunno.. maybe its made of the same symboite that spiderman's black suit is made from..
thanks ladies and gents
Jude

[Strider]

How long will a Wested last? How old is the oldest Wested out there?

Here's a thread where someone posted pics of their 8 year old Wested:
viewtopic.php?t=17616

I'm sure that Michaelson has a Wested or two that's at least that old, and with proper care, a Wested will last you a very long time, I imagine.

Does distressing take a few years off a Wested? Which leather lasts the longest?

The only leather which I could see distressing taking years of wear out of is a lambskin, as it's not quite as sturdy as the other leather. However, with proper care and maintenance, I'm sure all the leathers will last a long, long time. I mean, look at the 8 year old Wested in that thread. He treated that jacket like an INDY JACKET..and it's still around 8 years later.

How harmful is acetone?

Acetone isn't so much harmful as it is permanent. Whatever distressing you do with acetone is going to be a part of that jacket forever, so it's best to tread with caution in that area. Sandpaper, however, can be fixed with brown Pecard dressing if you go a tad too far (this is the voice of experience speaking).

I have had my Wested goat since May

Goat is some hard wearing stuff, I've owned one at one point, and can attest to it. I don't think you have too much to worry about with that leather, unless you really get dragged behind a truck...on gravel...in a sandstorm...and even then, I think it would make it through. Don't worry about little scratches, that's part of naturally distressing the jacket, and lots of those will come over the years.

[BendingOak]

I don't know how long the oldest West is flowting around here at COW. I have a leather jacket that is in it's mid twenties. there is no reason any of the Wested shouldn't last at least this long. Now after stating that, if you distressing any jacket ( it has to age it a little). I don't think you have to baby any of the Wested jackets but you can't abuse them either.

[Heyjude7]

thanks for the info gents.. i would like to see some pics of some old worn in jackets

[Michaelson]

I traded for one that my eldest daughter now owns backin 1995 or so, and she still wears it. It's a lambskin, and has been on many archaeological digs and related work. I only treat it for her about once a year or so, but otherwise it just keeps going and going, so there's a report of one that's entering it's 12th year in constant use.

Regards! Michaelson