Someone else's dirty work (predistressing)

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:49 pm

Why predistress your jacket when you can get one that was predistressed by someone else? Many folks know that I generally prefer to let my gear distress naturally just by wearing it. I own a Wested goatskin which I've had for three years. It's wrinkled and broken in very nicely, but still looks "new" since I treat it with Pecards twice a year. That said, I don't baby that jacket in the least.

I always thought it would be cool to have one Indy jacket that looked like it had been through countless adventures and back, but I'd never be one to artificially distress my own jacket. I just can't bring myself to do it. Well, it just so happened that Rick5150 had an authentic lamb Wested which he predistressed himself, but had shrunk a bit much for him because he, uh, has a habit of shrinking jackets.

The measurements looked right and the price was even better, so he was kind enough to send the jacket my way.

Just to get the specs out of the way, this is how it was ordered back in 2003:

Size: 38/Slim
Leather: Authentic Lambskin
Lining: Cotton
Hardware: Brass “D: rings, Brass Zip (RH pull)
Sleeve length: 24-¼” 11 ½” circumference maximum
Back info: Tapered back panel and standard 24” length
Inside Pocket: Unlined w/nylon zipper

Extras:

Gussets
Adjust front to prevent the “ride-up”

I really like how this jacket feels and looks. He did a great job distressing it. The only thing I'm a little uncertain on is the sleeve length. In the front comparison pic, the left side shows the sleeve length as it is. The right side shows the sleeves shortened a little. I like it both ways for different reasons, though opinions on this would be appreciated. The pictures were taken next to natural window light. On with the pics! (And for reference, the fedora is a vintage Dobbs that Steve brought back to life, pre-AB.

)

Front with jacket open. Regular sleeve length on left, shortened sleeves and drowsy expression on right.

Zipped.

Back (unzipped in front).

From the side with gusset visible.

If I could get a good outside shot, you'd be able to see a lot more of the subtlties.

indy89 · Post by **indy89** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:13 pm

That jacket looks good, bink. Also, nice hat!

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 11:03 pm

that looks like a very well loved jacket. good catch!

McFly · Post by **McFly** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 11:41 pm

Hey! Trader Joe's!

Oh... nice jacket... *mumble* Peter... *mumble* Michaelson *mumble* hahaa... do you remember when... *mumble* very ToD *mumble* ...VP... *mumble* definitely shorter.

So basically... the answer to your question is: oblique.

Hope that helped.

In Christ,
Shane

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 11:46 pm

IndyMcFly wrote:Hey! Trader Joe's!

Glad you noticed the jacket, McFly!

It does look like a well loved jacket, which is one of the things I love about it.

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 12:38 am

Sure is looking good, Bink! Congratulations, I'm envious!

Technonut · Post by **Technonut** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 12:56 am

Very nice.... Looks good on you.

Personally, I like the looks of the longer sleeves..

Nice lid too....

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 1:07 am

I really like the job he did on the back...simple, understated. Fits you well, too. Good choice, Bink!

McFly · Post by **McFly** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 1:36 am

Glad to be of service, Bink!

I agree with Curly - the back does look good. But I think the shorter sleeves... I think they look less stretched.

In Christ,
Shane

Jorenz · Post by **Jorenz** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 2:28 am

Hey Bink, When I cross my eyes and look at the first pic (side by side)you look 3D.

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 2:57 am

That looks great, (darn I should have snapped that one up!).

One bad ##### beat up looking jacket.

I like the the shorter sleeves.

djd · Post by **djd** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 4:59 am

Looks good. I like it!

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 8:13 am

Well, put MY vote in for the longer sleeves.

Sure, the short one's look great when your arms are at your side, but bend your arms or reach out like you're going to be reaching for the wheel of your car, and those cuffs will be a good 4 inches above your wrist.

Long is the way to go, Bink.

Regards! Michaelson

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 8:29 am

NICE jacket!

I'd go for the longer sleeves too. My goat is about the same sleeve length on me -jacket open, though zipped all the way up they ride up a bit from the jacket being tighter over the shoulders.

How about shortening one of them to please everyone?

Regards,
Swindiana

Dr.Seuss · Post by **Dr.Seuss** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 9:30 am

Michaelson wrote:Well, put MY vote in for the longer sleeves. Long is the way to go, Bink.

Longer is better. (From someone with a chronic case of short sleeves.)

Sincerely,

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 9:38 am

Dr.Seuss wrote: (From someone with a chronic case of short sleeves.)

Sincerely,

We're members of the same lodge, my friend.

Regards! Michaelson

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 10:57 am

Thanks for the compliments, guys. My goatskin Wested has shorter sleeves, so I may leave these longer for the variety. The sleeve length when I raise my arms, etc., is likely the reason I'll leave them. Even so, all I'd need to do is roll the sleeves in a little if I wanted to shorten them. No need to go to a tailor since they stay put just fine for me.

VP · Post by VP » Wed Jun 27, 2007 12:47 pm

IndyMcFly wrote:Oh... nice jacket... *mumble* Peter... *mumble* Michaelson *mumble* hahaa... do you remember when... *mumble* very ToD *mumble* ...VP... *mumble* definitely shorter.

So I now have the same member status as Peter and Michaelson?

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 12:54 pm

VP wrote:
IndyMcFly wrote:Oh... nice jacket... *mumble* Peter... *mumble* Michaelson *mumble* hahaa... do you remember when... *mumble* very ToD *mumble* ...VP... *mumble* definitely shorter.
So I now have the same member status as Peter and Michaelson?

No, he just put you on the same, uh, list. 8-[

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 1:17 pm

...I have a feeling it's not a good list either, VP!

Regards! Michaelson

Dr.Seuss · Post by **Dr.Seuss** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 2:26 pm

Far better than being placed on the "short sleeve list."

Michaelson, nice having you as a comrade at arms (long arms, that is).

Sincerely,

McFly · Post by **McFly** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 5:30 pm

Michaelson wrote:...I have a feeling it's not a good list either, VP!

Regards! Michaelson

He was mentioned right after "ToD" so take that as you will.

I voted for short sleeves cuz (that thar's gruduate spellin') the sleeves on my Auth. Lamb are short like that. Actually probably a little longer but closer to that than the long sleeves.

In Christ,
Shane

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 3:39 am

Yeah, monkey arms checking in. Too short can't be fixed...too long can be wrinkled with time (or other tricks) or even tailored. So far I've never had a jacket with sleeves too long, though.

IndianaGuybrush · Post by **IndianaGuybrush** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 6:58 am

I've got freakishly long arms for my body size too, or at least thats what I have to conclude based on the availability of pre-fab jackets in my size. I also go for length on the sleeves. Remember, it's easier to take some away than it is to add some on.

Besides, if you look at the films the long sleeve look is more SA.

The jacket looks great Bink. I'm a big fan of natural distressing but I definitely see the merit of having one of each. A well distressed jacket just has an edge over one that still looks shiny and new. You lucked out buddy, heck of a nice catch.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 12:37 pm

Rick5150 did an outstanding job on his predistressing of this jacket. I've seen a number of jackets that look like someone took sandpaper to them, but this is one of the best jobs I've seen. I have a vintage horsehide jacket from the '40s which is naturally distressed from years of wear, and Rick's job looks just as true in his artifical ageing of this jacket. There are a lot of subtleties which simply don't show on screen.

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 12:38 pm

Thing about rick5150 is most of HIS jackets come with REAL distressing jobs from him falling off that dang mountain he likes to climb.

Regards! Michaelson

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 12:40 pm

True. And this one was caught in a downpour, to boot! So I guess as far as distressing goes, his jackets are really 50/50 then, huh?

rick5150 · Post by **rick5150** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 2:41 pm

Michaelson wrote:Thing about rick5150 is most of HIS jackets come with REAL distressing jobs from him falling off that dang mountain he likes to climb.

Regards! Michaelson

Just for the record, I don't fall all the way off. In fact, I just bagged another one this weekend (Mt. Cabot) and I did not fall until the very top. Dead serious. Just when I saw the marker that marked the peak, I tripped over a root and went down to my knees. :evil:

binkmeisterRick wrote:Rick5150 did an outstanding job on his predistressing of this jacket. I've seen a number of jackets that look like someone took sandpaper to them, but this is one of the best jobs I've seen. I have a vintage horsehide jacket from the '40s which is naturally distressed from years of wear, and Rick's job looks just as true in his artifical ageing of this jacket. There are a lot of subtleties which simply don't show on screen.

Thank you for that. I never took sandpaper to that jacket for the record. I learned from my goatskin that might not be a great idea.

Especially for someone who uses shoe & boot oil on the jacket. The scuffed spots you get with sandpaper really darken and look awful when oiled.

Normally when I get a jacket, I wipe it with alcohol to kill the shine. A while later I will lightly acetone the seams. Not to remove all the color, but just to lighten them ever so slightly in certain spots. A short time later, I lightly wipe the jacket in key areas with acetone. Again, just removing a little bit of color. You can always remove more later.

Of course, all the while, it gets worn in between. It may get scratched up when I am bushwhacking a trail (or when I fall off mountains), or it may get wet. But that is three years or so of natural distressing as well as the artificial distressing. The natural distressing at the bottom of the back panel looks less realistic than the artificial distressing to me.

I had over 20 different jackets and have cut my collection down significantly, but still have a rotating stock of 10 at any given time. Get rid of a few to get a few more. (I am having a custom jacket made by Vanson Leathers that the House, M.D. fans will appreciate.)

To wait for each to distress naturally would take a lot longer than I figure I have left.. but I am glad you like it and it looks great on you. It is good to see it being worn again.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 2:44 pm

Thank YOU, Rick! I'm really enjoying this jacket!

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 2:46 pm

rick5150 wrote:Just for the record, I don't fall all the way off. In fact, I just bagged another one this weekend (Mt. Cabot) and I did not fall until the very top. Dead serious. Just when I saw the marker that marked the peak, I tripped over a root and went down to my knees. :evil:

See, he does it to the REST of his gear TOO!!

Regards! Michaelson

rick5150 · Post by **rick5150** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 3:01 pm

Not to mention my knees. NH is called the Granite State for a reason.

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 3:01 pm

Rick, wasn't it you who also stated sometime you'll bunch up the arms, at least bend at the elbow to make those nice wrinkles, then just wipe across the top of them w/ acetone? A simple trick, but a clever one.

Canyon · Post by **Canyon** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 3:15 pm

binkmeisterRick wrote:Thank YOU, Rick! I'm really enjoying this jacket!

And it looks so good on you as well.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 3:19 pm

Thanks, Canyon. I'm Rick5150 shrunk in the wash.

rick5150 · Post by **rick5150** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 4:40 pm

Indiana Jerry wrote:Rick, wasn't it you who also stated sometime you'll bunch up the arms, at least bend at the elbow to make those nice wrinkles, then just wipe across the top of them w/ acetone? A simple trick, but a clever one.

Yes, that is part of my distressing as well. You have a great memory. Of course, the problem is that it only works on jackets that allow you to bunch the sleeves up to the elbows. Most of the latest Indy jackets I have are too tight in the sleeve to allow this. I think you can see this effect quite clearly in bink's pictures - especially his right sleeve.

Then again, as the warmer weather comes, I push the sleeves up and wear the jacket that way. I like the look.

IndyTaz · Post by **IndyTaz** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 3:17 am

Wow!!! i love that look on you Bink....ahem, I mean from one guy to another looks great. Looks very natural. I like long sleeves too.

Acetone huh? Rick...do you oild or bootpolish them as well after the acetone treatments? I am thinking of doing that to my lamb. Have you written an in depth tutorial b4? Consider doing it now? LOL

Regards
TAZ

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 10:24 am

Uh, thanks, Taz. I think. 8-[

I think I'm going to stick with leaving the sleeves longer as it currently is. I like not having the cuff halfway up my arm when I raise my arms. I just wish it weren't in the 80's and 90's out... oh, heck, Harry did it, right?