Wested Comparisons With Photos: Custom vs. Special Offer

Discuss all of the intricacies of the jacket in full detail

Moderators: Indiana Jeff, Mike, Indydawg

Post Reply
User avatar
indycurtis
Archaeology Student
Archaeology Student
Posts: 28
Joined: Wed May 28, 2008 11:06 pm
Location: San Francisco, CA

Wested Comparisons With Photos: Custom vs. Special Offer

Post by indycurtis »

Hi everyone,

So I'm trying to decide between getting a Wested Special Offer Raiders jacket getting a Custom Raiders jacket. I understand that there's a difference in their patterns and specs, so at this point the decision comes down to pics. Does anyone have both who can offer comparison advice and/or photos of each?

Thanks! :)
User avatar
Raider S
Museum Curator
Museum Curator
Posts: 1320
Joined: Sat Jun 07, 2008 11:10 pm

Post by Raider S »

Just a question, do you always have such a tough time deciding things? I'd hate to do to the grocery store with you! :lol:

But photos may be decieving. You'd need two similar photos (same lighting, etc.) taken of two new jackets. It can be tricky to judge based on photos people post.
IndianaGeo
Field Surveyor
Field Surveyor
Posts: 88
Joined: Sun May 25, 2008 7:45 am
Location: London, England

Get the custom

Post by IndianaGeo »

If I were you, I´d get the Custom in goatskin. Made in the U.K. and goat is an awesome leather, durable, rain proof pretty much, etc. I fxxxgxn´love my goat from Wested. I´ll try to up load a couple photos for you.
User avatar
crismans
Expeditionary Hero
Expeditionary Hero
Posts: 2039
Joined: Thu May 22, 2008 10:46 pm
Location: southeast KY

Post by crismans »

I can't cast any stones myself. If people actually paid attention to what I posted, they'd know just how bad I waver from jacket to jacket. What's even worse is all the waffling I do without posting about it. :shock:
User avatar
jacksdad
Dig Leader
Dig Leader
Posts: 637
Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2008 1:08 pm
Location: Lake in the Hills, Illinois

Post by jacksdad »

I don't have both but I have a wested goat off the rack and love it.It's really nice and the leather is soft yet extremly tuff. I've posted this fact before ,goat is #2 on durablity and toughness ahead of cow and horse.
User avatar
gwyddion
Museum Curator
Museum Curator
Posts: 1589
Joined: Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:16 am
Location: The Netherlands

Post by gwyddion »

jacksdad wrote:I don't have both but I have a wested goat off the rack and love it.It's really nice and the leather is soft yet extremly tuff. I've posted this fact before ,goat is #2 on durablity and toughness ahead of cow and horse.
If goat is #2, what on earth is #1?

Regards, Geert
User avatar
Michaelson
Knower of Things
Posts: 44484
Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 12:55 pm
Location: Out here knowing stuff and things and wishing I were with the family at Universal Studios Orlando

Post by Michaelson »

I'd be interested in hearing an answer to that one as well! Horse is #1 on every leather makers chart I've ever seen to date, with goat #2 and cowhide #3.

As to your question, anytime you can go custom, do it. There's some great OTR stuff out there, but there's just something speical about owning an item that was specifically made for you and from YOUR supplied measurements.

Regards! Michaelson
User avatar
gwyddion
Museum Curator
Museum Curator
Posts: 1589
Joined: Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:16 am
Location: The Netherlands

Post by gwyddion »

I agree. Though I only have the 'ROLA Special', I am planning on buying a custom Wested as soon as I get the money and make up my mind on thing like what leather. My special fits like a glove and I really love it, but I would like to have one that is made for me, to my specs.

Regards, Geert
Prescott
Field Surveyor
Field Surveyor
Posts: 71
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2002 10:59 am

Post by Prescott »

It's a bit exotic, but isn't roo hide the toughest?

-P-
User avatar
Michaelson
Knower of Things
Posts: 44484
Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 12:55 pm
Location: Out here knowing stuff and things and wishing I were with the family at Universal Studios Orlando

Post by Michaelson »

In weight to strength ratios, absolutely.

As you say, though, it's considered an exotic, and therefore not usually factored into the standard toughness scale used by standard jacket and clothing companies (at least not in the U. S.)

Regards! Michaelson
User avatar
jacksdad
Dig Leader
Dig Leader
Posts: 637
Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2008 1:08 pm
Location: Lake in the Hills, Illinois

Post by jacksdad »

I got my info from the book a-2 & g-1 flight jackets #### bent for leather. They said on page 30 and I quote"The navy opted for the more abrasion resistant goatskin.Horsehide ranks fifth on durablity scal ,goatskin second .Goat skin is almost as durable as the stiff ,inflexable iron like kanagaroo skin,yet it is extremly soft."hope this helps.
User avatar
Michaelson
Knower of Things
Posts: 44484
Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 12:55 pm
Location: Out here knowing stuff and things and wishing I were with the family at Universal Studios Orlando

Post by Michaelson »

Very interesting!

That's the lowest I've ever seen horsehide rated to date!

Regards! Michaelson
User avatar
Zombie Jones
Archaeologist
Archaeologist
Posts: 343
Joined: Fri Jun 06, 2008 4:29 am
Location: So. California

Post by Zombie Jones »

jacksdad wrote:...the stiff ,inflexable iron like kanagaroo skin...
Jeez, if kangaroo hide is so stiff, inflexible, and iron-like, how do the kangaroos move around in it? Image


Image
User avatar
Kt Templar
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 4715
Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2005 4:32 am
Location: London.

Post by Kt Templar »

Zombie Jones wrote:
jacksdad wrote:...the stiff ,inflexable iron like kanagaroo skin...
Jeez, if kangaroo hide is so stiff, inflexible, and iron-like, how do the kangaroos move around in it? Image


Image
Or indeed how do we coil those whips! :roll:
User avatar
mark seven
Dig Leader
Dig Leader
Posts: 528
Joined: Mon Jul 17, 2006 12:50 pm
Location: Bath,UK

Post by mark seven »

Michaelson wrote:In weight to strength ratios, absolutely.

As you say, though, it's considered an exotic, and therefore not usually factored into the standard toughness scale used by standard jacket and clothing companies (at least not in the U. S.)

Regards! Michaelson
Is there an actual chart that these companies use?I would love to see a proper comparison chart..where would Deerskin be placed compared to the other leathers?Plus,Horsehide is **** near indestructible IMO-look at how many Horsehide jackets survive from the 30's/40's compared to other leathers.I wonder if the Navy's definition of 'durable' was 'more-flexible'(or maybe just cheaper? :wink: ).Having owned all types of leather(except Roo), hands-down,Horsehide is definately the toughest IMO.
User avatar
jacksdad
Dig Leader
Dig Leader
Posts: 637
Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2008 1:08 pm
Location: Lake in the Hills, Illinois

Post by jacksdad »

there is a website called acmedepot.com it's all about A-2's and how they are made and differnt versions and they compare goat to horse and tell how durbale each was. Goat seemed to rate higher than horse,the reason so many A-2's were made from horse was it was the end of the army calverly and horse hide was more readly available at the early part of the 30's and 40's. Guys go to that site,it's great and you learn alot about the A-2's how they weremade and constructed and it teaches you alot about the leather jacket.
YARVTON
Dig Leader
Dig Leader
Posts: 408
Joined: Tue Dec 11, 2007 11:45 pm
Location: NYC

Roo-hide

Post by YARVTON »

I must confess that I've lusted in my heart for a pair of roo-hide boots. Must be tough (enough).
User avatar
Zombie Jones
Archaeologist
Archaeologist
Posts: 343
Joined: Fri Jun 06, 2008 4:29 am
Location: So. California

Post by Zombie Jones »

jacksdad wrote:there is a website called acmedepot.com it's all about A-2's...
Thanks for the tip Jacksdad! Since I joined Club Obi Wan I've gained more of an appreciation for the history of the various gear items, and that website certainly fit the bill!
CM
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 2592
Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 6:43 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Post by CM »

jacksdad wrote:I got my info from the book a-2 & g-1 flight jackets #### bent for leather. They said on page 30 and I quote"The navy opted for the more abrasion resistant goatskin.Horsehide ranks fifth on durablity scal ,goatskin second .Goat skin is almost as durable as the stiff ,inflexable iron like kanagaroo skin,yet it is extremly soft."hope this helps.
I doubt this is accurate. You read various versions of this. Sometimes it is HH, sometimes it is goat that is strongest. How are they rating the leather? I think it also depends on the thickness and how it is treated.
Post Reply