The jacket came to $362 USD and took about 30 days from placing my order to arrival at my door. I got the x-box stitching and two inside pockets. I gotta say I was quite suprised at the heft of the jacket. I think this one is heavier than my horsehide version was. I remember getting the horsehide jacket in the mail and being shocked at how thin and fragile it felt.. this one feels a bit tougher. I'll try to only put a few pictures in the thread so as not to upset the moderators.
I ordered the LC style (because I really like the large collar) but unless I'm mistaken this collar looks to be more along the lines of a Raiders. Heck this might just be the CS pattern because even the pockets are taller and narrower than they were on my first LC. With the pockets being narrower, the handwarmer pockets are not as deep, so my hand doesn't fit all the way into them. The pocket flaps are even slightly scalloped and they weren't on the first LC. So even though the packing slip says LC, unfortunately it isn't.
Here's the back of the jacket. Notice how nice the pre-distressed leather looks. It's got a little fading here and there in the sunlight which gives it some character right outta the box. The novapelle is very supple and soft to the touch, but feels a bit thicker and tougher than the previous two Westeds I've handled (one was my HH LC, the other is my brother's very thin pre-distressed cowhide).
A close-up detail of the pocket and novapelle leather. Has some nice grain to it. (added: after my first rainstorm, a lot more grain has surfaced.. really looks nice).
Here's a shot of my old LC in HH. Notice the differences between the two... the smoothness of the leather, the large collar and wider pockets. Just a completely different look.
All in all I'm pleased with the jacket. I wish it was more of an LC than it appears, but it'll do. The leather is much nicer than I thought it would be and the fit is decent (although they put a little too much satin lining in one of the sleeves and some actually pops out of the wrist opening when I put my arm in). Would I compare the quality to a Langlitz or Lost Worlds... not a chance, but it is still very nicely put together and better than most any "mall jacket" I've seen (referring to inexpensive leather jackets made in 3rd world countries and sold at your local leather store in the....wait for it.... mall). This will be a great all-around jacket and I'm looking forward to getting some heavy use out of it.
I apologize for the pics being so large (at least that's how they're showing on my computer). I resized them on photobucket but they seem to be showing much larger here than the 100% it shows on photobucket.
LJ
