A Tony Nowak Indy 1 Jacket story…

Tibor · Post by **Tibor** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:16 pm

So, I finally called Tony as I’ve been looking for a grainier leather in an Indiana Jones coat for years. I’m not really wealthy, but I thought it would be worth it this one time to get what I’d searched for for so long. This was back in November. That exciting call comes in where Tony goes over things, and tells stories and so forth… Great guy! I sent along an email with photos to show the fit of a jacket I had, measurements and what I was looking for and he went to work.

Next thing I know I have a shipping number in hand and should receive the package any day. It arrives and what a thrill. I opened it up and there’s the canvas bag, and a batch of photos with Terry Leonard. I go ahead and open the bag and, what?! It’s not the dark shrunken leather that I had seen on the forum. He had made me a jacket in something akin to the matte lamb, but different, darker, but not as dark as the shrunken lamb. I’d never seen it before.

So I sent Tony a message with the leather comparison pic and said I had been looking forward to the dark shrunken lamb. Tony calls me that night, and tells me about the jacket he made and offers his sincere apologies for the mix-up. He then says he’s going to make me a new one. I asked him about shipping this one back and he says, no need. Just go ahead and wear it like crazy, shoveling snow or whatever. There are only three like it anywhere. I was dumbfounded. He was going to make me a second jacket at no cost.

A couple weeks ago Tony called again, and he makes the new jacket. It arrived last week and what a beauty. It’s a much more substantial lamb, textured, but not as deeply as the old shrunken lamb. It’s just a gorgeous antique look. So now I’m really feeling bad because I’ve really come to love the first jacket. It really is unusual and really Indy-like. I suspect it’s Terry Leonard’s notion of the correct leather. I told Tony I’d at least like to go in half on the cost and he won’t have any part of it. He won’t take a cent more.

I have to say, this is one exceptionally fine craftsman and person. His product is wonderful, and his integrity is beyond anything I’ve come across. I just wanted to pass along what a great experience I had and that my only remaining dilemma is which jacket to wear on which day!

So, deepest thanks to Mr. Nowak and if you have any notions about ordering one of his jackets, go ahead and take the plunge. It is a great experience, a great jacket, a great fit and a great person to deal with.

Post by **Holt** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:21 pm

how DARE you making such a thread without posting pictures of the jacket.

;-)

great story, Tony is the man!

ReturningSon · Post by **ReturningSon** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:26 pm

Yeah. Please post pics of the jacket. I am anxious to see what the different leather looks like.

I brought my Father with me when I bought my Indy IV jacket. He kept trying to haggle Tony into giving him a jacket half off (hes so cheap, I know it) but Tony gave him a nice corvette auto dealer jacket (not leather but satin nylon, really cool). Thats the kinda guy Tony is. He offered to replace the panel of my jacket where the black spot of death appeared. More than likely, next time I go down there I will end up buying one of his Raider jackets. Really great guy to work with!

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:30 pm

Lucky guy. If the first is Matt lamb it is not Terry Leonard's version of the original leather.
That would be the shrunken lamb.

Enjoy both, but for Holt's sake, get some photos up

Post by **Holt** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:32 pm

yeah, get some pics up..

Ive had a poopy day so I need some Entertainment

Tibor · Post by **Tibor** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:34 pm

My apologies, but you may have noticed I haven't even got an avatar. Talk about tech-challenged. If someone would be so kind as to direct me to the instructions to perform this photo-posting wizardry, I would greatly appreciate it.

(I don't belong to any photo-sharing sites if that's involved - so I'd need a recommendation).

Post by **Holt** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:36 pm

I use this.

free and very easy to use.

http://photobucket.com/

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:48 pm

you got a free TN jacket!!!???!??!? oh man, that's just painful to swallow.....but down deep below my jealousy and envy.....i'm happy that tony came through for you.....cuz in my experience with him, he always does.

i hate you btw

now come on....lets see some pics of both of 'em!!!

crismans · Post by **crismans** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:54 pm

By all means, get some photos up. I'd love to compare the two jackets.

Tibor · Post by **Tibor** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:06 pm

ok, I've got three pics on photobucket... now what the heck do I do with them?

ReturningSon · Post by **ReturningSon** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:12 pm

copy the links and post the links....

Post by **Holt** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:18 pm

yeah.

copy the IMG links to here..

Tibor · Post by **Tibor** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:23 pm

#12 and #13 together
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww16 ... C_0663.jpg

#12
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww16 ... C_0664.jpg

#13
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww16 ... C_0665.jpg

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:26 pm

wow! that lighter, warmer brown colored lamb is gorgeous.....congrats! er....uhm......since you have 2 TN's.....you should really give me one of them, no?

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:31 pm

Very very nice. What size are they Tibor?

Tibor · Post by **Tibor** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:44 pm

Well, I would say about a 43, slightly long if I were to equate it to a dress jacket size. I'm about 6'1", 180 lbs. and they have a nice extra bit of length in the sleeves.

They're about 22.5" across the chest, 24.5" down the wind flap, and 26.25" from the collar seam to the bottom of the back.

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:50 pm

So your actual chest size is about 40?

It does sound a little long but if it's right for you it isn't 'wrong'

crismans · Post by **crismans** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:51 pm

Oh man, that lighter brown is very, very nice. Wonderful grain on that one. The darker one isn't too shabby either. An RC's right about the whatever is right for you as being the right length. I've went for an SA length on some jackets but I prefer mine a little longer than the good Professor Jones did. ;-)

Now the big question is, why did Tony have to get all my jacket specs right the first time?!?

Tibor · Post by **Tibor** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 12:08 am

No, my actual chest size is about 42". There's a bit of magic involved as the jackets are each perfectly comfortable and hang nicely. I suspect he finds room in the sides and back. They aren't baggy at all, just right really. They have the advantage of being customs so they sort of just slide right on and fit where they should.

RaiderZee · Post by **RaiderZee** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 12:10 am

Since you feel guilty about it, I'll take that first jacket off your hands for double, nay, TRIPLE what you paid for it. I just hate to see another human being in agony. And it's in my size too!

RaiderZee

bigrex · Post by **bigrex** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 12:50 am

A free Tony Nowak? Don't try this at home kids...

That is a great story, looks like you have two quality jackets.

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 12:53 am

look how 'smoothed over' that dark one is.......looks like tony is playing with some new hides

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 1:06 am

Indiana G wrote:look how 'smoothed over' that dark one is.......looks like tony is playing with some new hides

Word is it's the same shrunken lamb hide, just different amount of graining emphasis.

orb · Post by **orb** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 1:53 am

Great story! Be glad that you didn't got the matt lamb. When I phoned the last time with Tony I asked about the Matt Lamb and he said "forget it, it's @#$%"
I hope he will soon be back with another great Leather for a LC jacket

Regards

orb

orb · Post by **orb** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 1:54 am

Indiana G wrote:look how 'smoothed over' that dark one is.......looks like tony is playing with some new hides

Yep, Tony also offers a smoother shrunken lamb now. My jacket is a chamaelon. A bit of both worlds

Regards

orb

crismans · Post by **crismans** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 8:36 am

orb wrote: I hope he will soon be back with another great Leather for a LC jacket

Regards

orb

He's got it! Well, I exagerate a little.

I think the dark cowhide Indy G got for his second Raiders would make a perfect LC.

orb · Post by **orb** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 8:44 am

I also got the db cowhide for my TN CS jacket but IMO the leather does not look like LC.
I want definitly some thicker lambskin. Because at the moment I have every jacket in the same kind of leather like it was in the movie.
So the LC also must be some lamb

Regards

orb

crismans · Post by **crismans** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 9:15 am

Understood. You get the thick lamb, I'll get the db cowhide and we'll both be happy with our LC jackets!

;-)

Post by **Holt** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 9:18 am

i think the normal standard raiders cowhide from Tony would be the best for LC.

JMO

crismans · Post by **crismans** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 9:43 am

Would you two stop ganging up on me?

No one else thinks this looks the part?

And sorry for hijackng the thread. You have two terrific looking jackets. Enjoy wearing them!!

Kevin Anderson · Post by **Kevin Anderson** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 10:10 am

I think it looks the part, Crismans, and I'll know first hand soon enough!

jacksdad · Post by **jacksdad** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 10:32 am

that is a great story Tony is one heck of a guy, some day I will get one of his jackets, but I can only dream for now. enjoy your jackets.

TheExit148 · Post by **TheExit148** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 10:59 am

Great story and great looking jackets! Tony seems like quite the guy to deal with! His customer service sounds exceptional! What a guy, saying not to worry about sending it back! I don't think anyone would do that anywhere else. Just shows he is the one to beat! If I could afford one of his jackets, I would get a Raiders for sure, but its too much at this time for me.

Rundquist · Post by **Rundquist** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 1:12 pm

This is speculation, but the lighter jacket doesn’t look like it’s made from the same hide as what Terry Leonard’s TN Indy 1 was made from. I saw a sample of that hide and it doesn’t seem like the same stuff. Cheers

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 3:43 pm

Rundquist wrote:This is speculation, but the lighter jacket doesn’t look like it’s made from the same hide as what Terry Leonard’s TN Indy 1 was made from. I saw a sample of that hide and it doesn’t seem like the same stuff. Cheers

It's not the same hide Terry Leonard’s TN Indy 1 was made from.

Tibor · Post by **Tibor** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 4:21 pm

Well, I'm honestly not sure about its origin. Tony said there are only three jackets that will ever be made out of this so I guess it's something he can't get anymore. It is more supple than #13 and has a wonderful aroma. I would say it's also awfully tough as well. Both are really sturdy. #12 seems tougher than the old shrunken lamb; no sponginess, good heft. I don't really think I'd have to worry much about tree branches, unless I were poked hard enough for it to go through me as well.

#13 is probably even a little heavier. Good compromise between the Raiders look and real-world rugged. It's funny though. #12 still feels much more Raiders on - just my own bias for grain in the leather - and it has been distressed a bit more by Tony.

IndianaChris711 · Post by **IndianaChris711** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 9:07 pm

Tibor those are two really nice jackets, I really like jacket # 13, has a nice look to it. How much is jacket #13?? I think I heard people saying that shrunken lamb Raiders jacket from Tony was near a $800-$900 dollar range. I don't really have that kind of cash laying around right now myself. But it was nice of Tony to give you a free jacket basically. Wear those jackets well, I think I may pick one up from Tony in the near future, but right now it is rough for me right now. Thanks for posting your story as well as pictures of your jackets, it was very interesting.

IndianaChris

Tibor · Post by **Tibor** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 6:56 am

Hmmm, #13? I guess you'll need to call Tony. I paid the usual shrunken lamb price for #12. I imagine that #13 would be the same but you'd have to ask him if that's true.

Piers · Post by **Piers** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 9:33 am

that #13 is just the most beautiful thing..

Tibor · Post by **Tibor** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:56 pm

Thanks Piers. They're both excellent. I think the leather in #13 will suit a lot of people who would like both a bit of texture and grain, as well as a more durable lambskin.

Zendragon · Post by **Zendragon** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:27 pm

Wow number 13 is very nice! 12 is also nice, but I like the darker brown

moviematt1989 · Post by **moviematt1989** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 12:04 am

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 12:41 am

moviematt1989 wrote:What a cool deal. But, and I'm purely speculating here, doesn't it kinda seem odd that he basically took a $1000 dive for a mistake?....maybe because he profits so much from a $1000 dollar price tag that it's no biggie????

Great guy, Great jackets, don't mean to bash either. I just can't understand the price being almost +300% of the normal lambskin market.

It breaks my poor heart.

Matt

You are in LA. The best way to satisfy your curiosity about it all is to make an appointment and visit him.

BTW, what 'normal lambskin market' are you referring to?

moviematt1989 · Post by **moviematt1989** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 1:51 am

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:15 am

moviematt1989 wrote:referring to the price tag on the average lamb jacket these days. 300-500

I know the jacket's great. I know the guy's great. I know I can't afford it. I think going into his shop and asking why, or to tell him that I think he overcharges would be rather harsh and out of line.

I know that comment is still a punk thing to say even on here, because, what do I know? but it just pulled my attention as a consumer and it drives me nuts that it's a $1000 dollars.

I certainly didn't mean you would or should go and ask him 'why' or tell him you think he overcharges.
You might though go in and discover what he does, and how he does it.

You do know that not all of his jackets are $950? of course you also know his isn't the most expensive jacket available.

moviematt1989 · Post by **moviematt1989** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:29 am

RCSignals wrote:
moviematt1989 wrote:referring to the price tag on the average lamb jacket these days. 300-500

I know the jacket's great. I know the guy's great. I know I can't afford it. I think going into his shop and asking why, or to tell him that I think he overcharges would be rather harsh and out of line.

I know that comment is still a punk thing to say even on here, because, what do I know? but it just pulled my attention as a consumer and it drives me nuts that it's a $1000 dollars.
I certainly didn't mean you would or should go and ask him 'why' or tell him you think he overcharges.
You might though go in and discover what he does, and how he does it.

You do know that not all of his jackets are $950? of course you also know his isn't the most expensive jacket available.

Ok, I must have misinterpreted. Yeah I'm aware that only the shrunken lamb is the 950. Though I'm not aware of a vendor that offers one that is more...whom do you speak of? Or did you mean that it's not the most expensive TN Jacket available?

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:37 am

The Belstaff is or was more. There are many other non-Indy leather jackets that retail for more as well.

Good thing you have a lot of choices.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 8:08 am

Regardless of price, Matt, do you know of any other vendor who would go to such lengths to satisfy a customer for such a mistake? And the mistake had nothing to do with fit or specs, only the leather used. If you look at the track records of other vendors (and I'm not saying this to start a flame war, so don't go there, folks), some end up paying more for their jackets to rectify a mistake when taking restocking fees, returns shipping, other costs, etc., into the equation. And even then, they still don't always end up with what they asked for. But there are plenty of jackets from many vendors and with a wide range or prices, to boot. So you don't have to get a Nowak. You can get a G&B, US Wings, Wested, Todds, or even CostumeBase (I think).

PLATON · Post by **PLATON** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 8:25 am

Let me share my story.
Once I bought a flyer's leather jacket.
The US vendor's (very well known brand) only way of shipping was by courier. I knew I would pay 150% of the price in cutsoms and taxes so I was stalling my order until my sister went to Chicago to see her relatives there. I made the order and the jackets were received and brought to me a few days later.

The jacket had a crack on the leather. It was 5mm wide and very deep.
I complained and they said, OK, send it back for replacement.
I had to seek help from one of the members here who received it from the US vendor and sent it to me by post.

The replacement jacket had one wool knit cuff 2 inches longer than the other.
They didn't want to send me replacement cuffs. After some fighting they did.
The replacement knit cuffs were different than the waistband.

I am sure many had difficulties, but I think one way or the other they can be solved without loss for the customer.

Dutch_jones · Post by **Dutch_jones** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 8:28 am

RCSignals wrote:The Belstaff is or was more. There are many other non-Indy leather jackets that retail for more as well.

Good thing you have a lot of choices.

Yes you are right the Belstaff jacket is also very expensive but that can be explained:
1) They have huge expensive showrooms to pay for.
2) They pay a big license fee.
3) They have big advertising budgets and fashion shows to pay for.

Belstaff may be quite expensive , but they have huge overheads.