Questions, Questions...

FentonA · Post by **FentonA** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 6:09 am

Hello everyone.

I'm thinking about ordering a Wested, but typically, as a newb to this subject, I have several questions:

1.) What are the differences with each jacket style (Raiders, LC, CS)? Which one won't give me that "biker" look, if you know what I mean.

2.) What's the "Cotton Raiders" style?

3.) I'm looking for a leather that is soft, dark brown, drapes pretty easily, not too thick, won't make me look big; again, something that won't give me that "biker" look. I don't much care for durability, but it would still be nice if the leather I just described can stand quite a bit of abuse.

4.) Predistressed and Novapelle. They're both cowhides, right? What's the difference?

5.) What's cotton body/satin sleeves?

6.) What's an "x" box stitch and can you please provide a picture of it (because after all my searching, I have been unable to find an actual image of it)?

7.) Finally, what's the difference between an 8 and a 5 gauge zipper? It says that the 8 gauge is standard size, yet I heard many people saying it's too big...

Thanks in advance.

Castor Dioscuri · Post by **Castor Dioscuri** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 6:25 am

1) The differences between these jackets are the design differences between the film jackets. The main difference though is that the LC/KotCS has press studs while the Raiders does not.

2) A cotton Raiders is simply a Raiders version of the jacket made in cotton, and NOT leather. It's cheaper, and also more comfortable in warmer climates. Basically, it does what other cotton jackets do, except with the look of an Indy jacket!

3) I'd go for either a lamb (luxury soft, but low end of the durability scale), goat (still soft, but on the upper end of durability), or a Novapelle (it's cowhide, which is the same stuff that they use on biker jackets. HOWEVER, Novapelle drapes almost like lamb, but has a 'rusty' look to it, as if it's been on some adventures already).

4) Novapelle IS a predistressed leather, but it's just a different type than Wested's usual predistressed cowhides.

5) This refers to the lining of the jacket. What is inside the jacket. The part of the jacket that stands between your body and the leather. The body refers to the torso of the jacket, and the sleeves... well, obviously refers to the sleeves. Cotton body/Satin sleeves thus refer to a lining consisting of a cotton lined torso and satin lined sleeves.

6) An xbox stitch is a stitching in the shape of an X where the sidestraps are.

To steal Mufflowne's picture:

Just imagine an X inside both of the two squares.

The purpose of this is to supposedly reinforce the sidestraps so that they don't tear off as easily... not that they do, mind you.

7) Difference in gauge is simply which one is bigger. 8 gauge zipper has a bigger 'pull tab' than a 5 gauge zipper.

Hope this helped!

PLATON · Post by **PLATON** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 6:31 am

...I'd go for either a lamb (luxury soft, but low end of the durability scale..,

I gotta say that the lamb Wested offers is not luxury soft. If you see other lambs used on expensive jackets you will notice that they are much more soft, like buttery soft. Wested's lamb is tough and durable for a lamb. It's the lamb one would use on an 'adventure' jacket. By all means it's not like it's not durable. It's much more durable than any of those expensive, designer jackets.

But it will give you an elegant look, not a biker's look.

The gauge 8 zipper has teeth and puller bigger than the gauge 5. Imagine the gauge 8 is what they would use on a biker jacket.

Castor Dioscuri · Post by **Castor Dioscuri** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 6:33 am

I stand corrected. Indeed the lambskin that Wested uses is not 'luxury soft', but compared to the other leathers to choose from from Wested, their lambskin is the softest of the bunch.

FentonA · Post by **FentonA** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 6:46 am

Thanks very much. Just a bit of clarification though:

2.) So I see that each leather has its ups and downs, but which one though would you say best matches my description (soft but durable, drapes, dark brown)? Something even close...

4.) So Novapelle is predistressed leather. But what do you mean by different type?

8.) Which zipper would you consider a "normal" size though?

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 7:09 am

FentonA wrote:Thanks very much. Just a bit of clarification though:

2.) So I see that each leather has its ups and downs, but which one though would you say best matches my description (soft but durable, drapes, dark brown)? Something even close...

That would seem to narrow it down to goat.

4.) So Novapelle is predistressed leather. But what do you mean by different type?

The novapelle has a very lightly distressed surface. The pre-d is more worn than the NP.

8.) Which zipper would you consider a "normal" size though?

SA is thought to be the No5. But he regular No10 is a sturdier zipper, it is probably a better choice for longevity. The No 5 is not feeble though it seems about the gauge of the zipper on a pair of jeans.

PLATON · Post by **PLATON** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 8:25 am

Jeans zippers are significantly smaller gauge 3.

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 8:27 am

PLATON wrote:Jeans zippers are significantly smaller gauge 3.

Mine turned out to be 4 gauge.

coronado3 · Post by **coronado3** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 9:44 am

In my opinion, I'd go with the raiders style in goat - It is durable, yet drapes great. Get it with the smaller nickel zipper. X-box is another option i would ask for...

Unless, you just really like the crystal skull jacket in which case you should get it in Novapelle.

C3

PSBIndy · Post by **PSBIndy** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 9:56 am

I recommend the washed goat from Wested. It's very soft--comparable to lambskin, lightweight, but strong and durable as a typical goat. The fit and drape is excellent and you just can't beat the price!

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 3:31 pm

Pic of the 2 different zippers for your ref:

bobjones · Post by **bobjones** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 5:22 pm

Just as an FYI, and to make sure you have "shopped the market" appropriately, call G&B and ask for a swatch of their dark seal lamb. It is buttery soft, and seems to be exactly what you are looking for.

It is pricier than the wested, and from what I have heard/seen peter botwright is a great guy, but as said above, the wested lamb isnt incredibly soft, and the G&B goat is VERY soft. If you are in the States, you owe it to yourself to check out G&B.

weaponx24 · Post by **weaponx24** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 3:42 am

does anyone have a good picture of their pre-distressed Wested ROTLA jacket? I was wondering if its more durable then the seal or goat that they offer...sorry...im kinda new to all this, but Im thinking about ordering one and want to make sure it can take a beating, so to speak...i dont want to have to worry about tears and what not.