Nowak Jacket Owners Thread

chagwa · Post by **chagwa** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:47 pm

Howdy folks!

New member here, I've been lurking here for the past month and thanks to KrYpToNiAn1's enthusiasm and pics of his Nowak Indy IV jacket; I couldn't resist to place an order with Tony on May 21 and received my jacket last Friday and couldn't be happier!

As far as sizing goes, after speaking with Tony and taking measurements from my favourite leather jacket that was labeled as a size 40, but actually had the same pit to pit measurements taken from Tony's screen accurate size 44, I ended up ordering the jacket in size 44 with a 24" sleeve and it's just roomy enough to wear a sweater under it in the winter months. From my own experience being 5'8 - 150 lbs wearing size 32 pants, I would think that someone with a true size 44 chest will most likely be busting out of this jacket if they decide to go go with the screen accurate size. My advice would be to order at least a full size bigger than your true chest size and to even consider going 2 full sizes bigger for a more modern fit.

BTW, Tony has been a pleasure to deal with and it's truly a blast to talk to him on the phone.

Cheers,

Chagwa
Proud owner of Nowak Indy IV jacket #667 (the neighbor of the beast)

TonyRush · Post by **TonyRush** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 12:26 am

Chagwa, congratulations! Let's see some PICS!

I ordered mine on May 27th, I believe so I'm anxiously awaiting for mine to arrive soon.

Tony

RNomura · Post by **RNomura** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 12:32 am

chagwa,

Howdy neighbor!

~Ron

owner of #666
with the blood red lining!

Mannie Bothans · Post by **Mannie Bothans** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 9:54 am

chagwa wrote: I ended up ordering the jacket in size 44 with a 24" sleeve and it's just roomy enough to wear a sweater under it in the winter months. From my own experience being 5'8 - 150 lbs wearing size 32 pants, I would think that someone with a true size 44 chest will most likely be busting out of this jacket if they decide to go go with the screen accurate size. My advice would be to order at least a full size bigger than your true chest size and to even consider going 2 full sizes bigger for a more modern fit.

As a person with a 44inch chest, I wholeheatedly concur.

Owner of #103 (with Harrison's specs).

bullit · Post by **bullit** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:47 am

Hi Guys,

Just recieved my LE #225/777 (as in UK we say dd/mm/yyyy, 22nd May).
Real soft leather, love the look and feel, but i don't know if the sleeves are too long? However after seeing the movie a couple of times (with family etc) i think the look of the sleeves is supposed to be longer and gathered. I'll post some pics soon as.

Nebraska Brad · Post by **Nebraska Brad** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 1:11 pm

I just placed an order with Tony for my second Nowak # 227 to correspond with my birthday. 1 size bigger, beefier zipper and black on black inscription.
I said I wasn't worried about getting it in a rush because I had another one I could wear. He assured my he would have it out soon. What a guy!

-Nebraska

Chewie Louie · Post by **Chewie Louie** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 2:39 pm

I love mine so much, I am really thinking about ordering one for my younger brother as a Christmas/birthday gift . . . to cover the years 2008 - 2018. lol

Talverlin · Post by **Talverlin** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 4:07 pm

Hi, My first post on the forum, Technically i'm not a Nowak owner.... Yet. Just got off the phone to tony ordering #209

Indiana Strones · Post by **Indiana Strones** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 4:27 pm

Welcome aboard Talverlin!

teds3 · Post by **teds3** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 9:47 pm

I also am a new member, but have visited the forums for a while. I have ordered a Nowak jacket #217 / 777. I ordered it on May 28, and should be getting a phone call tonight with the tracking number. Once I get my jacket I will try to get pictures up. I also did the black on black inscription and decided to go with the quote "fortune and glory" on the bottom. As it has been said many times throughout this thread, Mr Nowak is truly a pleasure to talk to.

eazybox · Post by **eazybox** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 12:28 pm

In case, you haven't checked out Tony's website lately, here's a little message from him to us:

http://www.tonynowak.com

Jack

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 3:49 pm

eazybox wrote:In case, you haven't checked out Tony's website lately, here's a little message from him to us:

http://www.tonynowak.com

Jack

That's a awesome nod to our little community. Very cool.

I have my TN jacket, #612/777, and plan on posting some pics soon.
I was wondering, does any of your TN jackets have black spots or lines here and there on the leather? I thought there was a pen mark on a few spots, but it appears to be scars in the leather. I asked Tony, and he confirmed this. Just curious if anyone else has these.
Mike

TonyRush · Post by **TonyRush** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 3:58 pm

Man, I'm impatient.

I expected to have my jacket by this weekend but it's still in the works, I guess.

Makes me wonder if I shouldn't have offered to pay a little more for some expedited craftsmanship.

Tony

Chewie Louie · Post by **Chewie Louie** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:27 pm

IndyBlues wrote:I was wondering, does any of your TN jackets have black spots or lines here and there on the leather? I thought there was a pen mark on a few spots, but it appears to be scars in the leather. I asked Tony, and he confirmed this. Just curious if anyone else has these.
Mike

Perfectly normal. You're jacket is fine.

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 8:03 am

Chewie Louie wrote: Perfectly normal. You're jacket is fine.

Are you sure? But what about the non-scalloped pockets???

Just messin' with ya, Louie.

I just wanted to ask if others had these marks, to make sure I wasn't the only one.

Anyway, I finally gathered some pics, and wanted to share.

#612/777 of the LE Tony Nowak Crystal Skull jackets:

FRONT

BACK

COLLAR

POCKET

SIDE STRAP

BACK SHOT (WORN)

I plan on buying a nicer camera, to take some better pics. I need to get some outdoor shots.

I'm loving this jacket, and I have to concur with what the previous owners have said about their experience buying one of these.
Tony was fantastic to deal with, and would encourage anyone that is interested in one of Tonys jackets, to give him a call. His customer service was above and beyond what I had expected it to be.
One Happy Camper
'Blues

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 12:52 pm

blues...that's an awesome fit my friend. it hangs great on your shoulders. congratulations and happy belated birthday

so....can i have it?

btw - you sure that its the mileage?

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 1:15 pm

Indiana G wrote:blues...that's an awesome fit my friend. it hangs great on your shoulders. congratulations and happy belated birthday

Thanks G. I'm loving it! I definitely don't have that Indy "build", but I like how it fits me.

Indiana G wrote:btw - you sure that its the mileage?

LOL, you're right,...maybe it should have read:
"It's Not the years, it's the Pizza's"

'Blues

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 1:17 pm

chagwa · Post by **chagwa** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 6:55 pm

Howdy neighbor!

~Ron

owner of #666
with the blood red lining!

Hey Ron, you beat me to it, you little devil!
That was the second thing I asked Tony when I phoned him

But it worked out good in the end since I was born in June '67

This is my first Indy jacket and I feel very lucky to own a Nowak.
Here's some pics, the jacket is screen accurate but I'm obviously not...

Cheers!

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 8:26 pm

Chagwa, your jacket looks great! The distressing is perfect, from what I can see. Nice fit as well.
'Blues

Alex · Post by **Alex** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 10:04 pm

Agreed, great jacket but how do you get all that hair under a fedora

PSBIndy · Post by **PSBIndy** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 10:21 pm

..Is that what Indiana Jones will look like in the 1960's?... "Indiana Jones and the Bong Crusade"...

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 1:15 am

awesome fit chagwa! congrats and welcome to the club

Nebraska Brad · Post by **Nebraska Brad** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:41 am

PSBIndy wrote:..Is that what Indiana Jones will look like in the 1960's?... "Indiana Jones and the Bong Crusade"...

Great looking jacket!

-Nebraska

LANDINGPARTY · Post by **LANDINGPARTY** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 11:06 pm

So how much are they?

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 11:44 pm

LANDINGPARTY wrote:So how much are they?

$695 shipped, in the US. Not sure how much to ship outside the US.
'Blues

TonyRush · Post by **TonyRush** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 11:45 pm

I thought it was $675. Can't remember now....lol

Tony

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 11:57 pm

TonyRush wrote:I thought it was $675. Can't remember now....lol

Tony

You're right, the base price is $675, plus $20 shipping. Hence my $695 quote.
So, has anyone else got one yet?? If so, where are the pics??
'Blues

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 12:06 am

Speaking of, here are a few more of mine, taken outdoors in some hot, humid weather.

As promised, I added a few pics of the jacket outdoors, with sunlight.

I really love the cut of the jacket, especially the way it hangs off my back.
Fits great, although I need to shed a few pounds this summer to make it look even better this coming Fall.

Also, I think I may add a bit more distressing here and there. I'll probably wait until I've worn it some, so I can see how easily it distresses on it's own. I've done several jackets, but I'm curious what Tony used to do his distress work. Anyone know?
'Blues

Stefan Hills · Post by **Stefan Hills** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 12:37 am

Sand paper,

Kind regards,
All the best,
Stefan

teds3 · Post by **teds3** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:45 pm

I have a question for all the recent receipents of the Nowak jacket. I was wondering what your turn around time was from the time he called you to start working on your jacket to when he called and gave you the tracking number. I had talked to him on June 11, and I thought he told me that he would call by Friday the 13. But it's now the 17th and I haven't heard from him. I'm getting so stocked and anxious to have this jacket, but I want to see what the average time between has been before I call and ask for an update, especially considering how busy he is right now. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

TonyRush · Post by **TonyRush** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:48 pm

Teds, his initial projection indicated that I should've had my jacket late last week. He left me a VM on Saturday night and said he had some final questions. I returned his call yesterday but got his VM so I'm waiting for him to call back now.

I expect to have my jacket by late this week or early next week at the latest. At least that's what I'm hoping for.

I'll keep you posted on this thread.

Tony

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 11:01 pm

I sent him an email on the 26th of May, and had my jacket in hand on June 12th. It took about 2 1/2 weeks total. I know he is being flooded with orders, so turn around time may be a little slower, but trust me,....it's worth it in the long run.

'Blues

Demaroth · Post by **Demaroth** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 11:09 pm

Initial order on May 22nd, he called to confirm measurements and start work on June 12th; still awaiting tracking info/jacket. He didn't give an ETA, and I didn't ask. I figured I'd let the guy work.

- John

Nebraska Brad · Post by **Nebraska Brad** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 11:46 pm

I got my first jacket about 1 week after placing the order and it was overnighted to me for no additional charge. I expect the second to take a bit longer.

-Nebraska

RNomura · Post by **RNomura** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 12:19 am

My jacket took (9) days from ordering to receiving, back when the movie was opening. I was contacted seven days, after ordering, to confirm the spelling of my last name

~Ron

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 4:16 pm

I'm wondering if Tony will change one thing about the way he finishes these jackets?,....the big leather patch that is under the "Tony Nowak Original" label.
I've noticed that you can see (and feel) the leather patch through the outside of the jacket. As you can see here, it's not a problem yet, but I guarantee it will show through in time, especially if it gets wet.

Over time, this will become a distressed rectangle showing through the outside of the jacket. I may remove mine, before this can happen. I hate to remove it, but I also hate the idea of having a rectangular wear mark on the upper yoke of the jacket.
Thoughts?
'Blues

Demaroth · Post by **Demaroth** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 4:20 pm

IndyBlues wrote:I'm wondering if Tony will change one thing about the way he finishes these jackets?,....the big leather patch that is under the "Tony Nowak Original" label.
I've noticed that you can see (and feel) the leather patch through the outside of the jacket. As you can see here, it's not a problem yet, but I guarantee it will show through in time, especially if it gets wet.

Over time, this will become a distressed rectangle showing through the outside of the jacket. I may remove mine, before this can happen. I hate to remove it, but I also hate the idea of having a rectangular wear mark on the upper yoke of the jacket.
Thoughts?
'Blues

You know, I hadn't thought of this before you mentioned it, but my first thought was that I'll take it off. I agree that I'd like to keep it there, but if it's going to affect the wear/look, yeah... it's gone.

- John

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 4:26 pm

Demaroth, I think it's an issue that should be addressed BEFORE the problem arises. The jacket STILL has his signature in it.
Maybe folks placing orders now can ask Tony about this. The label without the leather backing will be fine. It's just the leather backing is folded over, so it's a good 1/8 inch thick on the border.
'Blues

Demaroth · Post by **Demaroth** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 4:41 pm

IndyBlues wrote:Demaroth, I think it's an issue that should be addressed BEFORE the problem arises. The jacket STILL has his signature in it.
Maybe folks placing orders now can ask Tony about this. The label without the leather backing will be fine. It's just the leather backing is folded over, so it's a good 1/8 inch thick on the border.
'Blues

Agreed. And holy cow, that's thick.

- John

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 4:48 pm

Actually, it may be only 3/32", but still pretty thick.
Anyway, just wanted to give a heads up. I'd hate to see people complaining a year down the road, when they have this spot on the back, that they can't cover up. I mean, it may not happen, but I know in my case, it will. Just check your jackets out, gents.
'Blues

Captain D · Post by **Captain D** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 5:21 pm

Great looking jacket! Is it just me or do the pockets look somewhat smaller/narrower, kinda like a Temple of Doom pattern...?

Thank you for posting pics!!
Aaron

Castor Dioscuri · Post by **Castor Dioscuri** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:41 am

Captain D wrote:Great looking jacket! Is it just me or do the pockets look somewhat smaller/narrower, kinda like a Temple of Doom pattern...?

Thank you for posting pics!!
Aaron

I think that may just be because IndyBlues looks to be a fairly big guy!

Bufflehead Jones · Post by **Bufflehead Jones** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:07 am

IndyBlues wrote:Demaroth, I think it's an issue that should be addressed BEFORE the problem arises. The jacket STILL has his signature in it.
Maybe folks placing orders now can ask Tony about this. The label without the leather backing will be fine. It's just the leather backing is folded over, so it's a good 1/8 inch thick on the border.
'Blues

I talked to Tony just a few minutes ago, after having read this thread, and I asked him about it. He said that he didn't believe that it would be a problem with this jacket. I guess we won't know for sure, until someone puts some mileage on one of these jackets.

Demaroth · Post by **Demaroth** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 5:15 pm

Ok, so good news / bad news time...

Good news: I got my jacket today, and it is AMAZING. Everything the previous owners have said totally did not prepare me for this. Holy cow.

(No pun intended.)

Bad news: The measurements I gave Tony were wrong. <sigh> I used my suit jacket as a basis, and we sized up a bit. Yet, the chest is too tight and the arms too long. (Also, oddly, my name didn't get embroidered into the jacket. But that's not a major thing.)

Good news: I spoke with Tony, and we're going to figure something out. I told him that I know it's all on me, and I'm fine with that. (It's just my stupid Indy jacket luck.) We're going to work out a time for me to drive up to LA, bring the jacket back and get measured up. Then we'll get the jacket made right and go from there.

Bad news: I'm going to be waiting a bit longer for my jacket.

I'll get some photos up within the next day or two, however. It's an amazing jacket and fits well if I tuck in the sleeve ends a small bit and don't zip up.

I'm not sure how Tony will want to fix this (modify this one, or replace with a new one), but if I buy a new one, I'll have one to sell cheap to anyone who wants it.

Height-wise, it's perfect for someone who is 6'2", and under 200lbs. Just something to keep in mind, people...

- John

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 5:15 pm

Bufflehead Jones wrote:
I talked to Tony just a few minutes ago,....

Hmm, does this mean you're going after one of the Tony Nowak Crystal Skull jackets, Buff?? If so, what changed your mind?
'Blues

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:20 pm

Demaroth, sorry to hear about the mis-sizing issue. Glad to hear Tony is working with you on resloving the issue. He's a class act.
Mike

TonyRush · Post by **TonyRush** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:28 pm

Just got off the phone with Tony. He's such a hoot to talk to. He's VERY passionate about what he does and he's absolutely thrilled with the enthusiasm of Indy fans.

I COULD tell from reading between the lines that some of the people calling him seem to be insisting on using the phrase "the original jacket"...as opposed to the original DESIGN.

When we were talking about it, he laughed and said "It took 30 cows to make 15 jackets....in fact, in the video with Bernie talking you can see several jackets hanging up. Which one of those is the "original" jacket?"

I answered, "I would say they all are".
He said, "Exactly. And everyone of them are different...even though they are actually made from the same design."

And I guess this ought to be common-sense. But apparently a lot of people are calling Tony and saying they want one that "looks just like THE original jacket" as though such a single item exists.

Anyway, he's starting on my jacket within the next 48 hours and said it would ship "same day" via FedEx. so, if all goes well, I might have my jacket on Monday!

Tony

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:41 pm

Congrats, Tony! Can't wait to see pics of your new TN. I know you've been "chomping at the bit" to get yours for some time now.
You're gonna love it!
'Blues

Mulceber · Post by **Mulceber** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 9:36 pm

Wow, I didn't realize he did next-day shipping! Mine might arrive sometime this weekend then! :junior: -M

Nowak Jacket Owners Thread

My sleeves are way too long on me, too.