Tony Nowak's promise

[whiskyman]

I think most people on the forum know about my Indy 1 jacket from Tony Nowak so I won't recap the whole story. Suffice to say, I spoke a lot with Tony about my concerns regarding the durability of the shrunken hide - and when my jacket got damaged I felt my concerns were justified. Tony assured me the jacket could be repaired and that he would do so. I was still concerned that it could just as easily get damaged again and asked whether he could remake the jacket in another hide for me, and remake the shrunken hide into a jacket for someone else. Tony insisted that no other leather was as perfect as the shrunken lamb - at which point I asked about a refund. Tony said the jacket could never be anybody's but mine and would rather make me a replacement jacket free of charge in addition to repairing my first jacket. I told Tony that if this was indeed a serious offer, then he was not only a gentleman, but a generous one at that. That was at the end of December. Weeks went by, and Tony kept saing he was about to post samples for me to choose from. And more weeks went by - and more weeks. I think at the beginning of March, someone visited Tony and took pictures of my still not repaired jacket. Not only that - Tony was quoted as saying he was deliberately making me wait a long time for my jacket, because I had deliberately damaged it. This made me furious - not because of the long wait, but because anyone should think such a thing of me! I wrote to Tony and explained that he could happily keep my money and my jacket if that's what he thought of me. Tony responed saying he was sorry that I had been given that impression and that the delay in the samples was because he was awaiting some new leathers.
Sure enough, a week or two later, the samples finally arrive. I confess to thinking that this was just to pacify me so I could wait some more. How wrong I was. A week after choosing the leather ( a new type of dark brown cowhide), both jackets were at my door!

Before showing the jacket, I'd like to say a huge public Thank You to Tony Nowak. Despite not always seeing eye to eye, he is a very passionate craftsman and a gentleman with a great deal of integrity. I feel ashamed for doubting him.

So, onto the jacket. No.747 is the twin of my No15 - exactly the same except for the leather. I love the leather!!!! Quite light in weight ( similar to Wested's goat), it has a terrific grain which I can see will only improve as I wear this jacket in. It's quite shiny and a little stiff out of the box, but I'm sure a shower will work wonders, and it's already softeing as I wear it. This is at last my perfect raiders jacket. Oh how I've longed to say that!!!! The colour is great, the cut and fit are perfectly screen accurate and it's tough as nails!!! I look forward to wearing the #### out of it!!!!

These pics aren't too good, but unfortunately it's raining outside and I know better than to post about a new jacket without any pics at all!

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You Tony for such an incredible jacket!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y285/p ... CN0459.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y285/p ... CN0460.jpg

[PLATON]

Nice grain indeed.

[Holt]

wow. I love it. well done TN

is it predistressed or new finish? it kinda looks in between.. or is it Tony's sandpaper distressing?

how is the color in real life? is it just as nice and dark like in the pictures?

what is the back length on that baby?

[TheExit148]

Whiskey, that it one nice jacket you have there! Well done Tony! The fact he is making a whole new jacket for people when issues arise says more then enough about his customer service. Glad everything finally worked out for you, and you have YOUR Raiders jacket. Enjoy!

[gwyddion]

Wow Is that cowhide? Man, where does he get those great looking leathers?

Great looking jacket Whisky! I'm glad to hear everything worked out alright

(oh, and I still like the look of #15)

Regards, Geert

[crismans]

Glad you have #15 back in the stables and I love the look of the new jacket. The color and grain are superb!

[agent5]

"I knew you'd come, but my strength has left me."

[Raider S]

The "kiss and tell" needs to end. This is aimed at every jacket maker and everyone. It's too easy to take things out of context, misread, etc. Private conversations should remain that way.

This is in no way against Whiskeyman as he had a right to explain what happened to him. But lots of others used this situation here, and on different boards, to both go after and defend Tony Nowak. Ugly.

Tony is a class act but runs a small shop. Things sometimes take longer than we might be used to with others but that's the way he he does it.

The jacket is beautiful - better than before. The new one is even better than that!

[PSBIndy]

Wow, Tony knocked it out-of-the-park again! That has to be the best looking cowhide I've seen yet!


Whisky, how does the weight of the cowhide jacket compare to the Shrunken lamb?

[whiskyman]

A couple of outdoor pics.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y285/p ... CN0461.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y285/p ... N0461b.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y285/p ... CN0462.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y285/p ... CN0463.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y285/p ... CN0466.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y285/p ... CN0465.jpg

[Holt]

just before this rocket takes of to the moon loaded with of topic noncense, which I know its gonna do sooner or later...lets all focus on his new jacket shall we.

I for one love it. and I was just about to order a jacket until I saw this.

what can you tell me about the hide Nick?

is it a new finish hide but only with lots of grain? does it feel strong? heavy?

Im very happy that you finally have what you have been looking for for so long.

[jacksdad]

wow that jacket looks awesome.

[SpeedRcrX]

It's a really beautiful hide, I really really like it!!
I'm curious too about the weight of this cowhide compared to the shrunken lamb.

[serrecuir]

Whiskeyman,

THAT is one beautiful jacket!! Tony did a bang up job with that one!! Congratulations!! You guys are all making this tough for me - I've been wanting to get another Raiders jacket, and after seeing some of Tony's latest creations, I'm tempted to pay him a visit.

Please do tell us more about this "dark brown cowhide."


Kind regards,
Craig

[Rundquist]

I’ve never been a fan of the CS jacket. That has nothing to do with Tony. He makes them well enough. But at this point it would be hard for me to come up with a Raiders jacket that Tony made that I didn’t like. It’s outstanding.

[coronado3]

come on... You know you wanna sell me that one!!!

[Forrest For the Trees]

Hey gang, new member here. Thanks for having me. This is officially my favorite Indy jacket I have ever seen! It seems to have everything I would look for: authentic details and pattern, solid custom fit, nice dark brown color, and great durability and construction (I assume). I own two Westeds, a dark brown lamb (love it, but it is easy to scuff!) and an authentic brown goat (love the durability, not a fan of the color). This new Nowak looks spectacular.

[Holt]

Hi there.

welcome to the club. you have come to the right place!

great to have you with us.

bests
Holt

[orb]

Good to see you back whiskyman!
So I think you will keep your shrunken lamb jacket right?
Enjoy both jackets!

Regards

orb

[Raskolnikov]

Both jackets are outstanding. Happy to hear that everything ended so well with Tony . He is really a great guy. You know what I think of your first jacket, but let me tell you that this new one in cowhide looks amazing too . What a beautiful texture it has. Perfect. And it is exactly what you expected... Congratulations man!!

[Raskolnikov]

Wow, I knew that Tony had searched a lot for the new dark goat, but I couldn't imagine he had done it so thoroughly. That makes me even happier. This man really cares for each and every jacket he makes, as he has proved again with Whiskieman's. Thanks for the input, Neutron.

[PSBIndy]

Too bad there's no "Holy Cow"



What's so special about the Holy Goat that it costs $125 more than the regular goat and the special goat that Han Jones has?



I think Tony's new motto should be: "Stay thirsty for a new jacket, my friends."

[Baldwyn]

What a great jacket, Whiskyman, congratulations, and I'm so glad Tony was able to make you happy. Tony, you are an artist!

[RCSignals]

Whiskyman that's a great jacket. It really looks the part. I still love your shrunken lamb, as far as the movie goes I think your shrunken lamb is it. I hope you decide to keep it, you really have no loss in doing so.
I'd be reluctant to do anything with the new one other than wear it.

Wear them both well.



As I've said before, If Indiana Jones were a real person, and his jacket real, it would no doubt have been made of cowhide or goat. I think Tony has developed and sourced two excellent examples of both in these hides.

I have reason to believe though that this isn't the end of what we'll see in leather from him, but that these three hides are the best for the Raiders jacket.

[eazybox]

Great to see that it turned out so happily for you! Although based on my own experience with the man, I had a feeling it would.

Jack

[ReturningSon]

Ok, well, this has me convinced. I am now selling some stuff in the junkyard to get one of these jackets. Thats it, after countless times I said "i didnt need one"..well, now I do.

[PSBIndy]

If Tony keeps this up, he's going to send some of us to the poor-house.
......maybe if I sell my car, I can buy the entire collection like Han Jones



".....Dad, it's an obsession!"

[CM]

That looks totally great! Love the leather!

[nicktheguy]

that leather really is sweet!

[Dunross76]

Tony Nowak rocks! This is a gorgeous jacket! congrats!
Dunross

[Zendragon]

Very nice jacket. gratz!!

[bigrex]

Well, that is a happy ending to a tumultuous story. Tony does have some interesting leathers in stock, nice choice, thumbs way up!

[Satipo]

I think both the cow and goat look great. The only thing I'm wondering is: do these hides negate the effect of the wavy zipper? I'm not seeing it as obviously on Whiskey and Rask's jackets.

[whiskyman]

The wavy zipper is still a feature. Perhaps it varies from jacket to jacket?
Did you see my video of my jackets?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xbrWP4syXo

[Satipo]

Just seen your video. Great to see the jackets in motion and you're right, it does show the zipper effect on the cowhide more. It looks to me, however, that the lambskin's zipper has a larger curved-back area towards the top, as though the leather creates a bit less resistance there than on the cowhide. That aside, I really do like the look of the cowhide - it's more how I imagined the Raiders jacket to be.

[whiskyman]

The cowhide can curve over like that - and probably will do so naturally once it's been worn in more. It's only a few days old still.

[Dr._J]

In ten years of being a Gearhead, that is without a doubt the best Raiders jacket I've ever seen! I don't care which of the two (though I may prefer the first, darker one) those are literally my favorites. I only wish I had the funds. Whiskeyman, you scored. Congratulations. I would call it "done" if I had even one of those beauties in my stable.

Best Regards, Dr. J (the "J" stands for jealous)

[bigrex]

Wow, seeing the video gives a whole new dimension to inspect for screen accuracy, and they both hold up very well. Interesting how the "croco-hide" isn't even noticeable during most of the modeling of the jacket.