Off Topic: Shearling coats

jeff · Post by **jeff** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 4:43 pm

My apologies if this should be in another forum - if so, could a mod move it?

So I love my rought and tumble Wested horsehide indy jacket. But this last winter here in Kansas taught me that I need something even warmer at times, with 3 months of below freezing weather during the early morning.

So what better excuse to get something I've always wanted, a shearling coat!

Just as with the Indy offerings, there are countless military-style shearling coats at Flightsuits, US Wings, etc. However being new to and never having owned a shearling jacket I have a few questions:

1) how rough and tumble are these? Can I work on the farm wearing one, or is sheep leather fragile like lamb can be? I don't want a fashion jacket, I want something that I can USE.

2) I *presume* that the natural exterior of sheep skin leather (which is the inside of the sheep, right?) would be suede-like unless finished somehow with a grain? How is this done? Is it pressed/embossed Or do they remove or sand down the leather to smooth it out before applying a finish? If so does this weaken the leather?

Really, I'm clueless about how this is all done, so thanks for any help and guidance,

jeff

FLATHEAD · Post by **FLATHEAD** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 1:30 pm

1) how rough and tumble are these? Can I work on the farm wearing one, or is sheep leather fragile like lamb can be? I don't want a fashion jacket, I want something that I can USE.

Shearling jackets are not really "rough and tumble". They can tear very
easily if you catch then on something sharp. They are not tanned like
regular leather jackets, and they don't have the same tensile strength as
regular leather jackets made from goatskin, cowhide or horsehide.

Just think about our very own Indy jacket. Which one do people say to
get if you want to really take it on real adventures? Goat, or horse!
You might like the lambskin versions, but they are more for "fashion"
than they are for working in. Why? Because they tear much more
easily than the others. So, sheepskin/shearling jackets are the same hide,
so they tear just as easily.

2) I *presume* that the natural exterior of sheep skin leather (which is the inside of the sheep, right?) would be suede-like unless finished somehow with a grain? How is this done? Is it pressed/embossed Or do they remove or sand down the leather to smooth it out before applying a finish? If so does this weaken the leather?

Depends on what jacket you get. If you get a cheesy mall jacket, with
a "distressed" finish, then yes, it will look "suede". Most shearling jackets
you get today are not made like the WWII style B-3 and B-6 jackets.

The military repros will have an acrylic finish on the outer surface of
the hide, which is made to repel water, gas and other contaminates.

These jackets are very expensive (between $800.00 and $1500.00
dollars, depending on what repro company you buy from) and they
are VERY well constructed. The B-3 is made with horsehide sections that
cover the outer portions of the arms to protect the sleeves from getting
caught on things and tearing them up.

Cheesy imitation jackets don't have either this finish or the horsehide
portions on the sleeves, so they are basically fashion pieces.

You can get a cheapo shearling jacket off of ebay for about $100.00
or you can get either a good repro, or even an actual WWII jacket (If
you are a size 36, 38 or 40, as most larger sizes are extremely rare, and
will sell for HUGE bucks) if you can find it for anywhere between $300.00 and $500.00.

But for a "rough and tumble" jacket, shearling is not really what you
want.

To keep you warm, and to do light duties, then yes, a shearling jacket
will fit your bill.

Your other option is to get a "faux" shearling, or "wool pile" jacket.
These are made either with fake, polyester shearling looking stuff, or
"wool pile" which is sheared sheeps wool woven into a cloth to look like
shearling.

These jackets, like the "Flying Tigers" jacket sold at LL Bean are
goatskin lined versions, which will keep you warm, and also have
your "rough and tumble" qualities you are looking for, for around
$300.00 to $350.00 dollar range. Less if you get them now when they
are on sale.

Flathead

Bjones · Post by **Bjones** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 1:43 pm

Another option, albeit expensive, is look into one of the Aero jackets. They have a few options with front quarter horsehide and shearling interiors. Expensive, but it would definately stand the test.

jeff · Post by **jeff** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 1:54 pm

Thank you both! Very, very useful information.

I just love this place (even if I do lurk 99% of the time)

.

jeff