visit to Tony Nowak... TN owners, please read

[Zendragon]

So I will be in LA next weekend, plan to visit Tony (just dropped him an e-mail, waiting to hear back).

I am not ready to buy yet, got a few more things to sell, but I really wanted to see some of his jackets in person and look at leathers....

I could use some help. Can I get all of the Raider's jacket owners to post a pic of their jacket in this thread? Doesn't have to be a bunch, I just want to compare leather looks, color, etc...

If not in this thread, then please link me to where you have posted them already.

If anyone has any tips or suggestions, that would be useful too. Thanks!!!

[Rundquist]

I'll second everything that neutronbomb said except point number 8. It was cool to check out Tony's CS work. It's a finely made jacket. I just never had the desire to own it.

[Zendragon]

For me personally:

1. Could not walk out of his shop without buying a jacket. Paid for one months in advance.
2. Did not ask him any questions about the source of the jackets he received to copy. I personally thought it would be disrespectful and consider his work to speak for itself.
3. He sold me on his passion.
4. He is a fun loving character. I love r-rated language and kidding and I had a great time. However, some members have been put off by his use of colorful american language. Tony is Tony and he loves people and he loves to have fun. He is who he is and he tells you like it is. If you're being a baby or whatever he'll tell you albi in a joking manner. Part of it is his enthusiasm for the opportunities he's had in American and part of it is he's from another country. So he loves America and has embraced the colorful colloquialisms of the language. This can be off putting if your culture frowns or takes offense at this and I would say he probably doesn't censor himself. But, he's genuine and real and honest and that goes far in my book. If you have a problem with colorful language and a booming laugh, then this is your problem and not Tony's. If this is going to offend you. Don't go. Just my 2 cents.
5. He is really, really, really good at what he does. The biggest compliment you can give him is to respect his work. He has told me himself that he doesn't know how he does what he does and often he looks at his completed work and says, "who did this".
6. You'll have a great time meeting an original character who is the best at what they do.
7. He has a big heart and does not like to disappoint. It really ruins his day if someone is not pleased with his work and he'll go way out of his way to make that person happy. Beyond what I'd consider within reason. However, like many craftsman who create custom work a full refund may not be within reason.
8. Once I tried on his X-large CS jacket and realized that the fit is the best I've ever experienced in a jacket, it almost broke my heart to not buy a CS instead of a ROTLA. I could and I dream about it every night, but I'm just true to the original ROTLA. I already knew this about myself, but I must say when it came time to leave his shop I actually thought for about 5 minutes that maybe I should get a completely different jacket after all and that maybe the ROTLA jacket wasn't all that. Fortunately I quickly came to my senses.
9. Any questions you have about him will dissolve once you see that he is ethical to the extreme and you see the work he does for movies. Lots and lots of movies. After your experience with him it is impossible to think that he could be lying about anything he has said about the ROTLA jacket he had to copy. It would go against his character to a degree that isn't possible.
10. I personally feel it would be silly and totally disrespectful to play devil's advocate with him.
11. You WILL want what he's got.
12. There are lot's of jackets to look at in the TN owner's thread.

This is all and only my personal IMHO. I wouldn't think to impose any of this on you. But you asked, so I thought I'd share my personal opinions. I do consider Tony a friend because I like the guy, a lot. And I admire his work. But I don't shill for anyone. I consider it violently sickening and repulsive in the extreme to be shiller. Liking someone and saying they do great work is not the definition of shilling. I'm sure you won't be shocked to hear me say my circle of friends is extremely thin. This is due to my personality and to my profession. I see too much of the weaknesses in character of the human animal day to day and I tend to be intolerant. I'm only sharing this to put in perspective where I'm coming from when I say Tony's a good guy.

Thanks man, I have no intention on asking about jacket origins. Like I have said in the past, at this point I don't care. The jacket I buy will be based on the jacket and the maker, nothing else.

I don't want to NOT buy a jacket, I just don't have the funds right this moment, but I will be in LA. Not much I can do about that. So I can at least look at leather and try on jackets (hopefully), so something in person and get my measurements taken.

I know that there are jackets in the other thread, but there is also a ton of other stuff, and I don't need to see CS jackets. Just Raiders.

Which did you get again? If it's a Raiders, are the photos in the other thread?

[Zendragon]

I'll second everything that neutronbomb said except point number 8. It was cool to check out Tony's CS work. It's a finely made jacket. I just never had the desire to own it.

Yours is the goat? I think I have seen your thread.

[Imahomer]

I just visited Tony yesterday and had a great time. I did have the idea of buying, but I wasn't 100% until I got there and we talked. I had my 29 year old son with me and Tony gave each of us one of his 2009 Arnold Classic jackets "on the house." That's a pretty cool jacket too! Anyhow, I left after about 45 minutes and was very pleased with how things went and now I'm waiting for my Raiders jacket in shrunken leather.

Mike

[Zendragon]

I just visited Tony yesterday and had a great time. I did have the idea of buying, but I wasn't 100% until I got there and we talked. I had my 29 year old son with me and Tony gave each of us one of his 2009 Arnold Classic jackets "on the house." That's a pretty cool jacket too! Anyhow, I left after about 45 minutes and was very pleased with how things went and now I'm waiting for my Raiders jacket in shrunken leather.

Mike

Oh very cool. I had read that you were going. Did you ask for anything special or just getting the jacket as per his copy?

[crismans]

The only advice that I can add to what's been given is to hurry up and get your funds together because you more than likely will come out having bought a jacket. Tony doesn't give a hard sale, but his passion for the jacket gets you fired up as well (hard to explain but I'm betting that most people who have dealt with him know what I'm talking about) and you'll end up buying one. I was on the fence both times I called thinking about a jacket (CS and Raiders) and both are in my room downstairs. Now I don't call thinking about a jacket unless I'm ready to order.

[Zendragon]

......Which did you get again? If it's a Raiders, are the photos in the other thread?

I pre-paid for one in advance. I don't have it yet. I'm getting a ROTLA. It's going to likely be at the end of summer for two reasons. 1. I'm fat and my motivation for getting thin is making the jacket my carrot at the end of a stick. Or maybe more accurately my cupcake at the end of the stick. and 2. the leather for my jacket is a special project and going to take some back and forth with Tony and the tannery. I'll likely need to also buy the minimum square footage of leather to get it done because there likely won't be any other demand for it other than myself and TN has already warned me about the difficulties getting exactly what you want in extremely unique tanned hides from tanneries and that I may not get from them exactly what I want. I understand the risk and I'm fine with it and it'll probably take 3 or 4 months to work through everything.

Ok I see... makes perfect sense to me. Thanks.

[Zendragon]

The only advice that I can add to what's been given is to hurry up and get your funds together because you more than likely will come out having bought a jacket. Tony doesn't give a hard sale, but his passion for the jacket gets you fired up as well (hard to explain but I'm betting that most people who have dealt with him know what I'm talking about) and you'll end up buying one. I was on the fence both times I called thinking about a jacket (CS and Raiders) and both are in my room downstairs. Now I don't call thinking about a jacket unless I'm ready to order.

I wish I could get them together by the time I am down there, it won't happen. I am going down next week Fri or Sat. So no luck, unless I win the lotto.

Link me to your jacket please. Thanks.

[Baldwyn]

2. the leather for my jacket is a special project and going to take some back and forth with Tony and the tannery. I'll likely need to also buy the minimum square footage of leather to get it done because there likely won't be any other demand for it other than myself and TN has already warned me about the difficulties getting exactly what you want in extremely unique tanned hides from tanneries and that I may not get from them exactly what I want. I understand the risk and I'm fine with it and it'll probably take 3 or 4 months to work through everything.

Why so secret?? Maybe you'd find someone else to go in on the leather with you, unless you wanted it all to yourself.

[RCSignals]

Zen you'll find most of the TN owner jackets already in the TN jacket thread.
I'm not trying to be 'smart -a' about it but that's where they are.

[whiskyman]

My Indy 1(and its twin) is at last on its way back to me. Here's a couple of pics I found on my camera that i've never posted. These were taken at the beginning of December about a week after I first got the jacket.

[Zendragon]

Zen you'll find most of the TN owner jackets already in the TN jacket thread.
I'm not trying to be 'smart -a' about it but that's where they are.

I know and I have that thread up. But there are also CS and TOD and LC jackets in there too, which means I have to pay attention to what I am looking at.

[Zendragon]

My Indy 1(and its twin) is at last on its way back to me. Here's a couple of pics I found on my camera that i've never posted. These were taken at the beginning of December about a week after I first got the jacket.

Wow, love the color. Thank you!!

[Indiana G]

here's my lineup:



i'm meeting tony at his shop on wednesday. i want another jacket, but don't know what just yet.......but that's just a side-bar. i really just wanted to go down and meet the man and see his shop. getting sized up for another jacket was just a "since i'm there" kind of thing.........come on.....you need souveniers for the trip right?

i truly like tony from the conversations i've had with him.....and alot of those conversations were filled with 'off the cuff', locker room humor.......definitely my kind of guy zen, if you walk out of big tony's shop not wanting a jacket from him then i will definitely be surprised. no, he's not a 'pushy salesman'......he doesn't even try to sell his products from my experience with him.......you'll just want them.

from my take on this hobby, there is no other choice for an indy jacket, period.

[RCSignals]

Whiskyman thanks for posting those photos. I love that jacket!

Post photos of the 'twin' when it comes in too please

[Baldwyn]

neutronbomb, I look forward to seeing that jacket! Yep, not for me, but it sounds like a cool idea. I'm going to try to talk Tony into building a jacket out of horsehide when I see him.

whiskyman, I'm looking forward to seeing your twin jacket. That cow-hide you posted elsewhere looked really good.

[PSBIndy]

I believe Tron owns the entire TN collection......he posted all his TN jackets here recently. Search his thread.

[Indiana G]

I believe Tron owns the entire TN collection......he posted all his TN jackets here recently. Search his thread.

Han Jones?

[PSBIndy]

I believe Tron owns the entire TN collection......he posted all his TN jackets here recently. Search his thread.

Han Jones?

Yes, that's the man!

[Han Jones]

[Indiana G]

han.........can i have one?

i think your LC is the king!

cheers,

g

[Zendragon]

Thanks guys, got some of the other threads open and looking there too. Thanks Han, many, that LC is such a beaut.

So in all honesty, is there anything you would change to TN's Raider's pattern? I know some tweak the collar, or alter the length. Keeping in mind that his Raider's pattern is off of one jacket, does it capture the traits that you think of when you say Raiders? Sure I know that it drapes and what not.. but the other details? Zipper type, pockets, collar, storm flaps, etc... any suggestions?

I am only planning to buy one here, so I want to get it right lol.

I will also be watching Raiders again to see if there is anything that I would like in the jacket.

[RCSignals]

Personally, other than adjustments for size, i'd leave it alone.

Yojimbo has shown that although TN's is from one jacket, the pattern transcends to other jackets in the movie. In other words they were all likely very close in general pattern.

[Zendragon]

Personally, other than adjustments for size, i'd leave it alone.

Yojimbo has shown that although TN's is from one jacket, the pattern transcends to other jackets in the movie. In other words they were all likely very close in general pattern.

yea I think that the basic pattern is very similar.

[Zendragon]

Yes. decide if you want a rounded or square end to the collar flap. I wouldn't tweak the pattern in any other way, unless you don't like an 8 x 6.5 pocket size. Decide if you want distressing or no distressing. Decide if you want his current shrunken lamb in stock or if you want goat or cowhide. Look at Rask's goat for the best goat hide Indy I've ever seen. I also LOVE the length and fit on him. Print out a picture of Rask's jacket with him wearing it. I posted the best one on Yojimbo's jacket thread on page 4 http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss28 ... to/Me3.jpg I think this is how I want my indy to fit me. I think it drapes differently than shrunken lamb, but it really rocks as far as goat goes. Print some pictures of the jacket from your favorite scene to show Tony. Decide on where you want the bottom of the jacket to sit on your hips. Not in relation to the top of your belt or anything like that but your real hips so it looks good to you no matter what pants you wear. Just go in there and experience Indy magic and let Tony do his thing and you'll be rockin'.

Sorry to be a post hog, but I'm totally stoked for you.

I agree about Rask's jacket, it really looks the part. Thanks for the other things too, the collar, distressing, etc...

[Holt]

hey Nick.

no harsh ment to other pitures from you, but really nice to see a smile on your face.

really like the first picture of you. jacket and the smile

[Michaelson]

I had to read this subject title several times, Zen. I couldn't figure out why in the world you'd be going through Tennessee on your way to see Tony Nowak?

Regards! Michaelson

[bigrex]

I had to read this subject title several times, Zen. I couldn't figure out why in the world you'd be going through Tennessee on your way to see Tony Nowak?

Regards! Michaelson

Ditto

[PSBIndy]

Here's my shrunken lamb:

[Raskolnikov]

Here you have some pictures of my jacket in dark goat. Wish you the best of lucks with yours !
http://s584.photobucket.com/albums/ss28 ... Front1.jpg
http://s584.photobucket.com/albums/ss28 ... =Front.jpg
http://s584.photobucket.com/albums/ss28 ... t=Back.jpg

[Zendragon]

I had to read this subject title several times, Zen. I couldn't figure out why in the world you'd be going through Tennessee on your way to see Tony Nowak?

Regards! Michaelson

Hmm, never thought of that lol

[knibs7]

Didn't he ask for only the RAIDERS jackets?

Kyle

[knibs7]

Yes differenttypes of leather from the raiders jacket

Kyle

[Zendragon]

Didn't he ask for only the RAIDERS jackets?

Kyle

It's cool, I don't mind seeing all of Han's... )