How durable is the Wested lambskin?

afrayedknot · Post by **afrayedknot** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 4:05 pm

The Wested lambskin seems to be the choice for many Wested customers, but its durability still seems to be a matter of varied opinions. I'm curious to see where lambskin owners stand.

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 4:08 pm

It's good for every day use but who of us will use it like Indy did?

IndigoJuliet · Post by **IndigoJuliet** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 4:21 pm

I am happy with my Jacket and the price compared to any other leather jacket in the UK is great.

Why do we always seem to bash Wested.?

Weston · Post by **Weston** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 12:34 am

As I've said before, the lambskin is suprisingly tough. I voted for "will survive most outdoor adventures". Unless you expect to be mauled by a bear or shot out of a volcano, it's going to hold up just fine. Even Indy's wouldn't stop a bullet, so there are limits, but in 10 years, I haven't reached them. Although my mother-in-law's cat did put it to the test once.

Weston

afrayedknot · Post by **afrayedknot** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 5:39 pm

I am putting my trust in the members of COW and making a decision to purchase my first Indy jacket in lambskin. I pray that I will be satisfied with this jacket and not feel a need to purchase multiple jackets, but from what I've read on this forum, that may be an impossible task.

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 7:52 pm

Impossible?

Yes....that's the word...

Regards! Michaelson

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 10:45 pm

I told myself that also. I have two Wested raiders jackets. One lamb and one cow hide.

Cigarro · Post by **Cigarro** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:53 am

i suppose it depends on your application and lifestyle.
i wear my wested lamb in the summer months for everyday wear ie: office and around town... i don't worry about it at all. i think it would be a very unusual circumstance that i would tear it on anything....knock on wood.
but if you are out tearing around the bush, hunting, fishing and flying (or digging up relics) on a regular basis...i would probably look for a tougher hide. the lamb would hold up for a while but probably would not be the best long term solution as far as durability... or the most practical in all climates
just my .02

uncle ogs · Post by **uncle ogs** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 8:48 am

I was surprised how tough it is. I tried to age my Wested lambskin with fine sandpaper and it was real drag so i stepped upto a medium grain and even that did'nt "damage" the leather as much as i thought it would. I have an axcellent us wings flying jacket that i love which is in heavy grade leather It is a fantastic jacket but not as smart lookin in terms of hide as the Wested. The Wested lambskin provides a great looking finish which i think is tougher than most give it credit for. I would'nt rule out lambskin just because your worried it will fall apart if you wear it outside.

HANSOLOJONES · Post by **HANSOLOJONES** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 10:28 am

Please Delete.

afrayedknot · Post by **afrayedknot** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 3:08 pm

Thanks for the peace of mind! Here's what was said about lambskin in another thread:

The reason that most leathers don’t “age” is because of modern tanning and dyeing techniques. Most though can be artificially aged and the jacket will maintain it’s structural integrity. Lamb ages quickly because it is generally a weak leather. The top layer just starts to wear off. Some here say that it will hold up. And it might, but not as well as other leathers. I would hate for you to get the jacket just the way you want it and have it give out on you.

Do any of you agree? Can this be prevented by regular Pecard's treatments?

afrayedknot · Post by **afrayedknot** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:48 pm

Just to be clear, I'm not overly concerned about screen accuracy. I would just like an Indy jacket that would be good for everyday wear as well as on mission trips to countries such as Africa, South America, and Moldova, and I'd like it to develop some character over time. And, so far, it looks like lambskin meets the criteria.

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 5:48 pm

If you are in doubt, his current goat is almost as thin as lamb but much stronger.

It's even better than the old stuff cos it drapes much more like the lamb.

Argonaut · Post by **Argonaut** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:14 pm

My first jacket was lamb, but if I get another it'd be goat. Lamb is great and it feels really great, but if I was gonna take a jacket adventuring I'd buy a goatskin. They seem like the best combination of screen-accuracy and durability.

VP · Post by VP » Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:25 pm

Kt Templar wrote:It's even better than the old stuff cos it drapes much more like the lamb.

Does the new authentic brown goat distress as well as the lamb?

starks_6 · Post by **starks_6** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:32 pm

VP wrote:
Kt Templar wrote:It's even better than the old stuff cos it drapes much more like the lamb.
Does the new authentic brown goat distress as well as the lamb?

Im curious also...so what people are saying is the goat considered the best choice these days?? strong and still has the SA look to it??

Can anyone throw up photos of them wearing the goat and maybe a few other hides for reference in the differing appearances??

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:52 pm

VP wrote:
Kt Templar wrote:It's even better than the old stuff cos it drapes much more like the lamb.
Does the new authentic brown goat distress as well as the lamb?

People who've bought one will have to chime in on that one. It seems to have much of the inherant goat toughness. This is what it looks like new:

If you are in the right frame of mind, goat can distress very well.

RockBottom · Post by **RockBottom** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 7:08 pm

Kt Templar wrote:
If you are in the right frame of mind, goat can distress very well.

Wait a minute--your jacket reflects your frame of mind? That could explain why mine looks old and tired.

I recently added a goat to my stable (just before a quick trip to London, actually) specifically because it doesn't distress much. So I use it when I need something a slight bit dressier.

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 7:15 pm

RockBottom wrote:
Kt Templar wrote:
If you are in the right frame of mind, goat can distress very well.
Wait a minute--your jacket reflects your frame of mind? That could explain why mine looks old and tired.

Just like psychic paper.

afrayedknot · Post by **afrayedknot** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 7:46 pm

I would get goat if I thought it would distress (naturally) as well as the lamb. However, this doesn't seem to be the case.

Argonaut · Post by **Argonaut** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:39 pm

I don't know from experience, but I'm sure goat would distress over time, much like Indiana Jones' jacket supposedly would have. You don't want it to distress as fast as a lamb.