Nowak Jacket Owners Thread

Castor Dioscuri · Post by **Castor Dioscuri** » Fri May 23, 2008 7:18 am

Though there is a Nowak announcement thread, I thought I'd give us Nowak owners our own thread to show off our jacket in!

Since I'm probably the first stateside Cow to post pictures of my Nowak, I thought I'd share some details of it! Even though I may not be the biggest fan of distressing, I am VERY impressed with the overall quality of this jacket!

It's just that though the distressing may look good on film, in person and up close it just looks very cartoony and reminds me of what you would find in a wax meseum. I've just never been a fan of distressing in general though, so you should bear that in mind.

Since there already was a picture of someone with this jacket on, I thought you guys might like to see what this jacket looks like by itself. Though it looks dark here, the jacket is considerably lighter in person, and is closer to a light-rusty-orange color.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t167 ... /Nowak.jpg

And here is a comparison between a Nowak (without Pecards) and a Wested Novapelle (with Pecards). By the way, those specs on that Wested are completely custom, guesstimated by yours truly. Spooky how accurate my pocket measurements were, give or take a couple millimeters!

Oh, and those specs are still available to anyone that wants them!

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t167 ... Wested.jpg

The feel of Nowak's jacket is soft, velvety, and almost chalky, much like Wested's Novapelle. It's certainly sturdy, and more than a little heavy. Personally, I just like this jacket so much, I'll probably be getting another one down the road sans distressing!

If anyone else wants more info on my jacket or more pics, feel free to ask!

Marv · Post by **Marv** » Fri May 23, 2008 9:46 am

Nice jackets, I do prefer the Wested version best....do you happen to have any pics of the Wested before the pecards was applied, if not how dark was the Wested before the pecards compared the the Nowak.

Demaroth · Post by **Demaroth** » Fri May 23, 2008 10:00 am

Slightly OT, but this is going to be the longest week to ten-day wait of my life. hehe I'll edit this post and take pics as soon as I get my jacket.

- John

Castor Dioscuri · Post by **Castor Dioscuri** » Fri May 23, 2008 10:58 am

Marv wrote:Nice jackets, I do prefer the Wested version best....do you happen to have any pics of the Wested before the pecards was applied, if not how dark was the Wested before the pecards compared the the Nowak.

viewtopic.php?t=25792

Hairyloft · Post by **Hairyloft** » Fri May 23, 2008 11:21 am

I've just received my Novak Jacket (I will try and post pics later) and could not be happier with the quality, feel and fit is pure quality. as to the weathering I like it and it does look just like the jacket in the film as far as I can see (good enough for me!). I went for the Harrison Ford size, I'm 6ft and 42 jacket (sized at 44 by Tony but fits me perfectly!).

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Fri May 23, 2008 11:51 am

.......almost there...........package will be here in under 2 hours........grrrppp......still holding my breath........

castor, that's a nice jacket. the distressing is always something that i wanted but never had the heart to do myself. i like it very much. congrats!

tony called me at midnight last night to relay my tracking number....which was funny because the package was already in the city. you gotta love the guys customer service and extremely polite nature. if i read my credit card statement correctly, he only charged me $25 for 2 day priority shipping. on a a package that heavy, it should have costed 3 times as much.

i've got a big smile on my face as by days end, i'm walking outta here wearing a tony nowak original

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Fri May 23, 2008 1:44 pm

just got it and i'm wearing it........words just can't explain it.......

one thing about SCREEN ACCURACEY per my discussion with mr. nowak last night.

these jackets appear to be SCREEN ACCURATE from what the eyes see, but internally they ARE NOT. these jackets are built for real world conditions and are reinforced on the inside and on the corners of the pockets, etc.....these jackets are meant to take the abuse of a real adventurer (unlike me of course).

mr. nowak said the jackets he made for the movie was constructed to look good on screen....if they were destroyed, then the next one would be put on ford's/the stuntman's back. these jackets are for us fans and are made to last as long as have an inkling of adventure left in us

i'm happy with mine, i'm happy with mr. nowak's services, and i want to give a big thank you for kryptonian1 for giving me the heads up on this as well as castor who gave me a tonne of specs of the thing. thanks for the help boys.

TheMechanic · Post by **TheMechanic** » Fri May 23, 2008 2:58 pm

Please post pictures!

Stefan Hills · Post by **Stefan Hills** » Fri May 23, 2008 5:24 pm

Hi All,

Just got my Tony Nowak Indy Jacket #777/777 aswell just before lunch.
This jacket is amazing. The fit is prefect, the sleeve length is great, the color is wonderful, I love the distressing,the folder with paperwork and jacket pillow is a nice touch aswell.

Eventhough th movie is getting mixed reviews,I love the fact that after a draught of 19 years, Indy is becomming a household name again,
and I was able to lay my hands on a screen accurate jacket (as far as I am concerned).

I have owned 4 Wested's, 2 GB's, 1 Wings, and this jacket in my opinion, and it is only my opinion, not trying to bash the other venders here, but the Nowak Indy is in a league all its own. The construction is on par with my GB Expo Goat, but Nowak's stiching is far far neater.
Tony, did everything he promised, and gave me product that I will treasure, it is bitter sweet but the jackt quest is done for me, must move on to the Fedora and Bull Whip next hee hee.

Pictures will follow soon,
Kind regards,
Stefan

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Fri May 23, 2008 5:28 pm

Stefan Hills wrote:Hi All,

Just got my Tony Nowak Indy Jacket #777/777 aswell just before lunch.
This jacket is amazing. The fit is prefect, the sleeve length is great, the color is wonderful, I love the distressing,the folder with paperwork and jacket pillow is a nice touch aswell.

Eventhough th movie is getting mixed reviews,I love the fact that after a draught of 19 years, Indy is becomming a household name again,
and I was able to lay my hands on a screen accurate jacket (as far as I am concerned).

I have owned 4 Wested's, 2 GB's, 1 Wings, and this jacket in my opinion, and it is only my opinion, not trying to bash the other venders here, but the Nowak Indy is in a league all its own. The construction is on par with my GB Expo Goat, but Nowak's stiching is far far neater.
Tony, did everything he promised, and gave me product that I will treasure, it is bitter sweet but the jackt quest is done for me, must move on to the Fedora and Bull Whip next hee hee.

Pictures will follow soon,
Kind regards,
Stefan

congrats! so you got the last one?....well not really me thinks, i think mr. nowak is jumping across the numbering board just to ensure that no one gauges how many are left. i received mine today, ordered it right after kryptonian1's post a week and some ago and i'm no. 125/777

i agree 100% with your take and yes, i think i've found my holy grail of leather jackets.

cheers,

G

KrYpToNiAn1 · Post by **KrYpToNiAn1** » Fri May 23, 2008 6:14 pm

You can pick your number. I got 766... so having 777 bought up, has no bearing on how many are left.

s.

Chewie Louie · Post by **Chewie Louie** » Fri May 23, 2008 6:17 pm

Someone should order #522

Mannie Bothans · Post by **Mannie Bothans** » Fri May 23, 2008 6:41 pm

Castor Dioscuri wrote: I may not be the biggest fan of distressing, It's just that though the distressing may look good on film, in person and up close it just looks very cartoony and reminds me of what you would find in a wax meseum. I've just never been a fan of distressing in general though, so you should bear that in mind. Personally, I just like this jacket so much, I'll probably be getting another one down the road sans distressing!

Tony said the distressing should fade a bit over 4 - 5 weeks. You might try wearing it in the rain. Just don't send it to the cleaners because they will rob the leather of its oils (or so says Tony every time I've talked to him).

2-1B · Post by **2-1B** » Fri May 23, 2008 8:35 pm

Chewie Louie wrote:Someone should order #522

Hah....that's pretty good.

Demaroth · Post by **Demaroth** » Fri May 23, 2008 9:18 pm

2-1B wrote:
Chewie Louie wrote:Someone should order #522
Hah....that's pretty good.

What's the reference to?

- John

GoneSolo · Post by **GoneSolo** » Fri May 23, 2008 9:33 pm

May 22nd

Demaroth · Post by **Demaroth** » Fri May 23, 2008 9:46 pm

GoneSolo wrote:May 22nd

OMG.

- John

Chewie Louie · Post by **Chewie Louie** » Fri May 23, 2008 11:58 pm

Ok, picture time. This first picture of my TN was taken indoors with flash. This is the Harrison Ford size 44 with 26 sleeves.

This second pic was also taken indoors without the flash. The jacket on the left is my Wested ROTLA Special lambskin. It is a size 40 off the rack.

Picture number 3 was taken outside in direct sunlight.

Picture number 4 back of jacket outside.

Picture number 5 Close-up on the leather.

Picture number 6 The pocket.

So which jacket do I like better? I love them both. The Wested being lambskin is much lighter and I will be able to wear it more often in South Florida. Plus it just looks great on. If fits great and has that classic Raiders look, somewhat fitted and snug. The Nowak really is built like a tank. Very rugged with the stitches being nice and tight. Feels heavy and will be perfect for colder climates. The distressing looks gorgeous IMO. The customization of the inside may not be to everyone's liking, but I'm sure you'll have the option of telling Tony what you want it to say. Also, as I've stated previously, the openings at the end of the sleeves are HUGE. And finally, they both still smell great! Ahhhh

KrYpToNiAn1 · Post by **KrYpToNiAn1** » Sat May 24, 2008 2:13 am

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuartjmur ... 5219393246

s.

CM · Post by CM » Sat May 24, 2008 6:19 am

The Nowak jacket looks pretty good. My Expo looks even better. In those close up shots, the seams and finish of my expo look better. Maybe I'm wrong.

Indiana Strones · Post by **Indiana Strones** » Sat May 24, 2008 7:11 am

I personally don't like very much all those scratches on the sleeves...

Chewie Louie · Post by **Chewie Louie** » Sat May 24, 2008 9:20 am

CM wrote:The Nowak jacket looks pretty good. My Expo looks even better. In those close up shots, the seams and finish of my expo look better. Maybe I'm wrong.

No, not maybe.

Hey, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Honestly, I don't recall ever holding a better made jacket in my hand. They're both nice jackets; however, TN's has the added lure of being the maker of the jacket for CS.

Indiana Strones wrote:I personally don't like very much all those scratches on the sleeves...

Personally, I love them. However, they are not very deep at all, and according to a previous post by Mannie Bothans, Tony says the distressing should fade over time. We'll see.

Nebraska Brad · Post by **Nebraska Brad** » Sat May 24, 2008 10:49 am

Just got # 112/777 yesterday. Tony shipped FedEx overnight and phoned and emailed me when it was shipping. The guy has excellent customer service and should prove to be a great addition to our vendor list. Tony suggested that I keep with Ford's specs and he was dead on as the jacket is a great fit. I am just over a 42 jacket size and he was right with his suggestion. The fit is very similar to my US Wings LE in medium. The construction is fantastic! Everything even, stitching is perfect and VERY tough. The distressing may be a little strange but it is not severe and will fade and blend in no time IMHO. When I get some time I will post comparison pics of it with the US Wings LE.

-Nebraska

bobjones · Post by **bobjones** » Sat May 24, 2008 11:50 am

Maybe I missed it, but what is Tony's long-term plan? Will he continue to make CS jackets beyond the base number of 777, and join the ongoing vendors?

Or is this is more of a one-off? If so, is that because his contract doesn't allow more to be made, or he doesn't want to make more than that (I would guess maybe us COW nitpickers are more than he bargained for

) ?

Chewie Louie · Post by **Chewie Louie** » Sat May 24, 2008 12:15 pm

Nebraska Brad wrote:When I get some time I will post comparison pics of it with the US Wings LE.
-Nebraska

I'd really like to see that, as I'm sure others will too.

bobjones wrote:Maybe I missed it, but what is Tony's long-term plan? Will he continue to make CS jackets beyond the base number of 777, and join the ongoing vendors?

Or is this is more of a one-off? If so, is that because his contract doesn't allow more to be made, or he can wants to make that many (I would guess maybe us COW nitpickers are more than he bargained for ) ?

I emailed him with this question before my jacket arrived. He responded only with my FedEx tracking number. No further comment. Read whatever you like into that.

Nebraska Brad · Post by **Nebraska Brad** » Sat May 24, 2008 12:18 pm

bobjones wrote:Maybe I missed it, but what is Tony's long-term plan? Will he continue to make CS jackets beyond the base number of 777, and join the ongoing vendors?

Or is this is more of a one-off? If so, is that because his contract doesn't allow more to be made, or he can wants to make that many (I would guess maybe us COW nitpickers are more than he bargained for ) ?

I don't know about his contract

but I did get the feeling in our conversations that he was not only quite surprised at our "loyalty" to Indiana Jones but very proud to be able to give us a jacket that was as it appears on screen

-Nebraska

TheMechanic · Post by **TheMechanic** » Sat May 24, 2008 12:23 pm

Great looking jacket. I really like the look of the pockets in that close up. perfect stitching and great colored leather. Love the lighter brown.

Hopefully by the time I'm able to afford one he'll still be offering them.

Treadwell · Post by **Treadwell** » Sat May 24, 2008 4:52 pm

Are those sleeve scratches a result of Tony's additional weathering? Because it seems to be present mostly on the sleeves, instead of everywhere like it would be if the leather came that way.

Doctor_Jones · Post by **Doctor_Jones** » Sat May 24, 2008 5:12 pm

Nice jacket. Love the inside text of the jack.
Peter, you should make something like that too!
I love my Wested... want to have another one. My third... maybe next winter. :lol: In the summer I can't wear it. too hot!

TheMechanic · Post by **TheMechanic** » Sat May 24, 2008 5:15 pm

I believe the distressing is done after the jacket is made. In other words, the leather doesn't come that way.

Mannie Bothans · Post by **Mannie Bothans** » Sat May 24, 2008 7:12 pm

TheMechanic wrote:I believe the distressing is done after the jacket is made. In other words, the leather doesn't come that way.

Tony also said some of the distressing is actually a result of the stitiching proces.

Oh and he didn't say the distresing would fade completely, he just said it would tone down a bit after a few weks of normal wear.

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Sun May 25, 2008 4:06 am

nothin like mating an AB with a TN.....unless it's an HJ and a wested

no. 125/777 folks............

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Sun May 25, 2008 4:39 am

Cool beans G! Looks like a great fit.

One question, are the straps held in place by some hidden means, they look really short? I've had straps that short that would always slip even with cowhide.

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Sun May 25, 2008 4:41 am

the straps are held in there quite tight. i'll have to double check if its more than a friction fit but it seems that the straps are quite thick and thats why they just 'stick' there.

cheers,

G

CM · Post by CM » Sun May 25, 2008 5:37 am

Looks great IG... that's one #### of a jacket.

What is the lining like? Is it nylon and shiny or cotton?

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Sun May 25, 2008 11:17 am

it's not shiny nylon.....kind of looks like cotton, but i don't think it is.

ANZAC_1915 · Post by **ANZAC_1915** » Sun May 25, 2008 11:47 am

So do all TN's have the weird sleeve distressing?

Also, the strap attachment on the side looks less strong than the Wested box?

Right now these are the two things holding me back.

Holt · Post by **Holt** » Sun May 25, 2008 12:11 pm

any pictures of how that jacket looks zipped?

bests
Holt

bobjones · Post by **bobjones** » Sun May 25, 2008 12:30 pm

Indy G, that jacket is gorgeous, with a great fit as well. When you get a chance, can you post a picture from the side, and as the other poster asked, zipped as well? TIA.

One thing that strikes me though, the jacket does seem a bit lighter in color than in the movie...is it just me?

Holt · Post by **Holt** » Sun May 25, 2008 12:43 pm

yeah it does...but look at the original raiders authentic brown jacket on screen.in real life it looks like chocolate and on screen it looks almost black....same with the TN jacket.

on screen it looks darker because of the stage lights and in life it looks lighter and browner.

bests
Holt

nicetrylaoche · Post by **nicetrylaoche** » Sun May 25, 2008 12:49 pm

Just out of curiosity, how soft is the leather? I've got a LE US Wings and I'm thinking it looks comparable to that jacket...I don't even have to ask if its sturdy...you can tell that by simply looking at it. GREAT looking jacket!
-Z

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Sun May 25, 2008 1:05 pm

ANZAC_1915 wrote:So do all TN's have the weird sleeve distressing?

Also, the strap attachment on the side looks less strong than the Wested box?

Right now these are the two things holding me back.

anzac, my friend......adjusting the straps is not really an issue with this jacket from what i can tell as it seems to be a 'cosmetic' strap. the straps are quite low on the jacket and they are in the d-rings pretty snug. it doesn't seem that the back action pleats function in the same manner as the wested.

my sleeves as you can see are more in line with kryptonian1's distressing. the two others i have seem have more on their jacket than mine.....i wouldn't mind some more but i guess they will slowly 'dull' out in a couple of weeks anyways. i'm sure you can request mr. nowak to ease up on that.

the leather is very strange. i think it was brushed....kind of like velvet. if i run my thumb across it, it changes shades......perhaps an outcome of the distressing? it is quite soft for cowhide. it is quite close to the texture of wested's novapelle but with more weight imo.

i'll try to snap some more pics when she gets some more mileage and the collar lays down/the jacket molds better.

cheers,

G

Drhenryindianajones · Post by **Drhenryindianajones** » Sun May 25, 2008 1:09 pm

im a personal fan of the wested but everyone is different on these i like to breake in and wear down my own jacket im not one for pre-distressing there both nice jackets

Nebraska Brad · Post by **Nebraska Brad** » Sun May 25, 2008 6:09 pm

ANZAC_1915 wrote:So do all TN's have the weird sleeve distressing?

Also, the strap attachment on the side looks less strong than the Wested box?

Right now these are the two things holding me back.

The distressing actually looks quite good and I think it will improve with time. I was a little put off by it at first but it passed.

The straps are attached just like US Wings does and they seem very strong.

-Nebraska

Chewie Louie · Post by **Chewie Louie** » Sun May 25, 2008 7:09 pm

The straps are very tight.

Treadwell · Post by **Treadwell** » Sun May 25, 2008 7:27 pm

Drhenryindianajones wrote:im a personal fan of the wested but everyone is different on these i like to breake in and wear down my own jacket im not one for pre-distressing there both nice jackets

From what folks have posted, it sounds like Tony is quite willing to satisfy specific requests, so I'm sure he'd be happy to refrain from adding additional weathering if asked.

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Sun May 25, 2008 7:32 pm

Check out what Wested's prototype to Bernie's straps looked like:

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Sun May 25, 2008 11:03 pm

KT, was that a request from bernie? peter never anchors his straps like that. that veg tanned lamb is also quite scary close to the weight of the TN cow IMO.

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Mon May 26, 2008 4:00 am

Indiana G wrote:KT, was that a request from bernie? peter never anchors his straps like that. that veg tanned lamb is also quite scary close to the weight of the TN cow IMO.

It was how the archive jacket straps were.

Looks like they made the loop for the D-Rings smaller and moved the anchor box closer to the edge of the jacket.

ANZAC_1915 · Post by **ANZAC_1915** » Mon May 26, 2008 10:39 am

Kt Templar wrote:
Indiana G wrote:KT, was that a request from bernie? peter never anchors his straps like that. that veg tanned lamb is also quite scary close to the weight of the TN cow IMO.
It was how the archive jacket straps were.

Looks like they made the loop for the D-Rings smaller and moved the anchor box closer to the edge of the jacket.

By archive, presumably the LC jacket?

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