Does Wested have a TN-like leather?

schwammy · Post by **schwammy** » Thu May 21, 2009 1:24 am

Hello all. I haven't posted in quite a while, and I don't follow the forum daily so forgive me if this has already been asked. I really like the look of the Tony Nowak jackets, at least the crinkly leather. But I'm not wild about the loud label or the huge paragraph of writing on the inside, and $975 for one article of clothing... well, I could justify paying that for a good suit, or maybe a pair of John Lobb shoes, but not a leather jacket. Does Wested make (or plan to make) a comparable leather?

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Thu May 21, 2009 3:06 am

You should ask Wested?

moses · Post by **moses** » Thu May 21, 2009 3:16 am

I've yet to see an interesting leather from Wested. Perhaps they'll come up with something. As for the label and script on the TN jackets, it's my understanding that you don't need to have them overly visible. I think someone had both placed inside the inside pocket! The only necessary part of the scipt is the jacket number anyway.

CM · Post by CM » Thu May 21, 2009 3:20 am

I predict they will soon enough, along with a TN type pattern...

Yojimbo Jones · Post by **Yojimbo Jones** » Thu May 21, 2009 4:54 am

A couple of little birdies and a few factors tell me that they won't be doing any Nowak-style hides. The cost and skill factors wouldn't make it worth their while.

eazybox · Post by **eazybox** » Thu May 21, 2009 5:26 am

Trying to weigh the quality of TN's goods and services against Wested's is like "King Kong vs. Bambi." To be fair, my one remaining Wested leather jacket is pretty old now, and improvements could have been made since I got it.

Jack

Post by **Holt** » Thu May 21, 2009 8:21 am

to answer your question, Yes!

but call wested or email them directly

Han Jones · Post by **Han Jones** » Thu May 21, 2009 8:41 am

Not all Nowaks are 975 plus he will do what ever you want so you don't have to have a long inscription. I ususally get the thread to match the lining. I delt with Wested for 5 years before going TN only. If you want TN like stuff then you must go TN. I have not seen a Wested to date that comes anywhere close. TN will get you what you want, if you like taking chances then Wested.

Heyjude7 · Post by **Heyjude7** » Thu May 21, 2009 9:33 am

i was on another forum last night and someone was sayin that Club Obi wan is becoming Club Nowak... pretty funny huh?

Yojimbo Jones · Post by **Yojimbo Jones** » Thu May 21, 2009 9:37 am

Indiana Holt wrote:to answer your question, Yes!

but call wested or email them directly

Is there some sort of secret?

Why wouldn't they have appeared if such an animal by Wested were available?

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu May 21, 2009 9:44 am

Heyjude7 wrote:i was on another forum last night and someone was sayin that Club Obi wan is becoming Club Nowak... pretty funny huh?

There are worse things in life, I suppose....

It's not the first time I've read of this site being accused of being 'single minded'. For a while we were 'Optimo' fanatics, then G&B fanatics, WESTED fanatics.....the list goes on and one.

Bottom line, who really cares? (not YOU Jude, but the ones who commented such

) Go with the flow. I'm sure we'll probably be singing the praises of a new item/vendor this time next year...

Regards! Michaelson

Post by **Holt** » Thu May 21, 2009 9:58 am

Yojimbo Jones wrote:
Indiana Holt wrote:to answer your question, Yes!

but call wested or email them directly
Is there some sort of secret?

Why wouldn't they have appeared if such an animal by Wested were available?

thats why I said call them or email them.

crismans · Post by **crismans** » Thu May 21, 2009 10:23 am

Heyjude7 wrote:i was on another forum last night and someone was sayin that Club Obi wan is becoming Club Nowak... pretty funny huh?

I learned early on that many things are said on other forums.

Raider Of The Lost Ark · Thu May 21, 2009 10:27 am

Yojimbo Jones wrote:A couple of little birdies and a few factors tell me that they won't be doing any Nowak-style hides. The cost and skill factors wouldn't make it worth their while.

Well it does cost a little more than the 'standard', but not so much as you'd think. Give them a call.....

Raider S · Post by **Raider S** » Thu May 21, 2009 10:58 am

schwammy wrote:...and $975 for one article of clothing... well, I could justify paying that for a good suit, or maybe a pair of John Lobb shoes, but not a leather jacket.

OK, you already realize only a couple of Nowak jackets are $975 (you were able to find the Nowak price here but not anything about leather Wested uses

). I don't have a clue what a John Lobb is (don't want to know, either) but I agree good suits are, well, good.

But where's the logic that a suit or pair of shoes are worth $800 while a leather jacket isn't? Of the three items, the leather jacket is probably the only one that could last for a couple decades of regular use while not going out of fashion like suits and shoes certainly tend to do.

If you price custom jackets (not simply jackets offered in a longer length or different color, but true customization) you'll find Nowak right in line with other makers. Also, have you directly compared the two jackets you mention? I have and while both are fine in their own right the difference between each is dramatic; they just aren't in the same league.

Heyjude7 · Post by **Heyjude7** » Thu May 21, 2009 10:59 am

Very True Ol' Wise one

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Thu May 21, 2009 10:59 am

i was on another forum last night and someone was sayin that Club Obi wan is becoming Club Nowak... pretty funny huh?

Flavor of the month, man. Flavor of the month. The only reason tho is that Tony's stuff is supposedly so good so people adore it with good reason.

I'm sure we'll probably be singing the praises of a new item/vendor this time next year...

So true.

You should ask Wested?

What a big help.

I think he was asking us so that he wouldn't have to get up at 5 am to make a call to Wested. After all, Wested's track record on return e-mails is sketchy at best.

What's up, Schwammy? Long time.

Raider S · Post by **Raider S** » Thu May 21, 2009 11:10 am

agent5 wrote: Flavor of the month, man. Flavor of the month.

I think Tony Nowak jackets are a bit more than the "flavor of the month" at this point.

Also, what vendor looming out there is going to have a direct film connection and track record and customer service of a Tony Nowak? Anyone?

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu May 21, 2009 11:11 am

agent5 wrote: I think he was asking us so that he wouldn't have to get up at 5 am to make a call to Wested. After all, Wested's track record on return e-mails is sketchy at best.

The very reason I'm sure the suggestion 'call Wested' was offered up, as that IS the reason most folks end up getting up at 5 a.m. to get an answer these days. Cut to the 'chase'.

I'm with '5', Schwammy, where in the world have you been hiding, buster?!

Regards! Michaelson

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu May 21, 2009 11:12 am

Raider S wrote: Also, what vendor looming out there is going to have a direct film connection and track record and customer service of a Tony Nowak? Anyone?

Optimo hats comes immediately to mind, and they've come and gone in a 'peak' time here. Hat orders and discussion of their products flowed like water around here for quite a while, and they're still producing film hats, most recently reported the new Jonny Depp film coming out in July.

Schwammy, the closest you're going to come is the novapella hide as described here:

http://www.wested.com/last-crusadecryst ... -159-p.asp

Regards! Michaelson

Raider S · Post by **Raider S** » Thu May 21, 2009 11:26 am

I don't know anything about hats, but in terms of jackets I don't see much that will match the Nowak phenom.

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu May 21, 2009 11:31 am

Well, you asked 'vendor'. That covers a LOT of territory around here, and so it has been seen before, fulfilling all the requirements you asked about.

Like I said, Schwammy, I think the novapella is the way to go if you're wanting to get a Wested in that style. Those that have one speak highly of them.

Regards! Michaelson

Raider S · Post by **Raider S** » Thu May 21, 2009 11:49 am

Nowak ain't no flavor of the month. Anyway one slices it!

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu May 21, 2009 11:58 am

Believe me, I'm sure no 'disrespect' was intended, Raider.

Once the 'newness' wears off, though, especially with Tony FINALLY posting, things will die down to the usual dull roar. It's been seen WAY too many times over all these years as things ebb and flow.

Regards! Michaelson

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Thu May 21, 2009 12:12 pm

Michaelson hit it on the head. Nowak is still relatively new and exciting to people. I'm not saying his product will suddenly lag at some point but that it won't be so new and fresh around here in a year or so. He IS the flavor of the month and as Michaelson said next year or the year after we'll be seeing a new vendor who is the new thing around here. Doesn't mean Nowak will be shoved under the rug at all, but that he won't the "new" thing anymore. This is just the way of the gear world, much the same as the tides wash in.

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu May 21, 2009 12:34 pm

Anyway, back to the question at hand, Schwammy, check the link I supplied above and see what you think!

Regard! Michaelson

Raider S · Post by **Raider S** » Thu May 21, 2009 12:51 pm

agent5 wrote:Michaelson hit it on the head. Nowak is still relatively new and exciting to people. I'm not saying his product will suddenly lag at some point but that it won't be so new and fresh around here in a year or so. He IS the flavor of the month and as Michaelson said next year or the year after we'll be seeing a new vendor who is the new thing around here. Doesn't mean Nowak will be shoved under the rug at all, but that he won't the "new" thing anymore. This is just the way of the gear world, much the same as the tides wash in.

People still get excited about new Wested's or Todd's and there are continous threads about those - just as many as Nowak threads at the moment. Nowak isn't more or less represented here than anyone else. I do think his jackets might be enjoyed more by their owners (many of whom are long-time members who have recently switched and sworn-off other brands) and that's where the excitement is. It's the jacket, not simply the novelty of newness.

Anyway, the original question. It's like asking for caviar at fried haddock prices, isn't it?

Dutch_jones · Post by **Dutch_jones** » Thu May 21, 2009 12:58 pm

agent5 wrote:Michaelson hit it on the head. Nowak is still relatively new and exciting to people. I'm not saying his product will suddenly lag at some point but that it won't be so new and fresh around here in a year or so. He IS the flavor of the month and as Michaelson said next year or the year after we'll be seeing a new vendor who is the new thing around here. Doesn't mean Nowak will be shoved under the rug at all, but that he won't the "new" thing anymore. This is just the way of the gear world, much the same as the tides wash in.

Thank you for that great summing up. I remember when that happened with Hats a while ago !

to the topic, I might have to make a call in to wested one of these days, should I ask if he has a sort like leather available?

Raider S · Post by **Raider S** » Thu May 21, 2009 1:14 pm

Know what's not fresh and new? The same people who want to diminish how awesome it is to have a source like Tony Nowak who's willing to work with any customer to give them the jacket they always wished they could have.

If Tony is a flavor of the month, it will be one EXTREMELY long month!

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Thu May 21, 2009 1:16 pm

It's like asking for caviar at fried haddock prices, isn't it?

Man, I SO want to respond to that but I know where that will take this thread and we don't need it to go where so many others have. I don't think we can have a Nowak thread without his fanclub members getting uptight about something that's said, even when it's said in a most positive light. It seems to get all askew somehow.

S, I don't think you really get what we're saying. I think the term overly-passionate is one to best describe what goes on when we say "flavor of the month". It's about the members and NOT the vendor or his/her product. I need to make sure you understand I'm not in any way speaking about Tony or his product or any of the previous flavors of the month here. It's the passion of the fans that really set apart what is the flavor of the month or just another vendor offering. In the end it really is a complete compliment to whoever is called the flavor of the month because it means so many people love and care about said product. Get what I'm saying now?

Schwammy (and Dutch), please keep us updated if you find anything out.

Raider S · Post by **Raider S** » Thu May 21, 2009 1:30 pm

agent5 wrote: I don't think we can have a Nowak thread without his fanclub members getting uptight about something that's said, even when it's said in a most positive light.

There are no "fanclub" members. There are a lot of people who have switched to Nowak and have become loyal customers because of how they feel about his product.

My point is I see no more hype about Nowak than I see about any other jackets. If there is more passion about people with their Nowaks I think its because of the product and their happiness with how their choice. I see lots of happiness about all the other jackets, too.

This is about people wanting a Tony Nowak jacket from another vendor. They feel it is something as simple as the leather he uses when that's only one factor of the finished product.

Personally, I think it is fine to have a discussion about cost when people are willing to look at the cost of similar custom jackets and not only compare a Nowak to OTR Wested's or OTR Todd's.

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu May 21, 2009 1:38 pm

Ok, nuff said on that subject. We're getting WAY off the path.

Back to the question at hand. In case anyone forgot what it was, "Does Wested have a TN-like leather?"

Michaelson

Raider S · Post by **Raider S** » Thu May 21, 2009 1:56 pm

Hey neutron, when you get those answers let me know. I'll be at the Shady Gove Retirement Home by then. You'll recognize me as the guy with the Tony Nowak Fan Club pennant attached to my walker!

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu May 21, 2009 2:08 pm

We know, that, Raider. But it's been suggested at least once to get this thread back on topic.

Raider S · Post by **Raider S** » Thu May 21, 2009 2:16 pm

We know what? That we won't be getting an answer to those questions posted anytime soon?

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu May 21, 2009 2:23 pm

Raider, you've so far ignored a request by an administrator and now a moderator to cease this path and return to the topic and question of the thread.

You may want to re-read the zero policy announcement that was posted last week by the webmaster in the general announcement section before you proceed any further. We will not make any further comments, but will act accordingly as directed by that rule.

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=40513

Michaelson

Raider S · Post by **Raider S** » Thu May 21, 2009 2:29 pm

I was answering the posters original question by talking about the cost of the jackets which they originally brought up.

It got taken maybe wrongly by other people from there, so I apologize for responding to the post and bringing anything else into it.

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Thu May 21, 2009 2:46 pm

agent5 wrote:.

You should ask Wested?
What a big help. I think he was asking us so that he wouldn't have to get up at 5 am to make a call to Wested. After all, Wested's track record on return e-mails is sketchy at best.

.......

Yes it was a help. More help than your reply there?
or are we here the ultimate source for that information about Wested's current leather offering?

Give Holt the

for his answer too, or he may feel left out

Indiana Holt wrote:
Yojimbo Jones wrote:
Indiana Holt wrote:to answer your question, Yes!

but call wested or email them directly
Is there some sort of secret?

Why wouldn't they have appeared if such an animal by Wested were available?
thats why I said call them or email them.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu May 21, 2009 3:19 pm

What's in the water around here these days? Calm down, people. Life's too short.

Post by **Holt** » Thu May 21, 2009 4:20 pm

oh boy..

Rick Im with you.

PSBIndy · Post by **PSBIndy** » Thu May 21, 2009 4:24 pm

Out of the 17 or so Indy jackets I've owned at one time or another, to me the Wested jacket that comes closest to duplicating the look, feel, and weight of a Nowak jacket is their Novapelle hide and horsehide. Both are very substantial hides and the look, texture, and quality is top-notch. Among the Westeds, my personal favorite is the Novapelle.....the look, grain, and texture is very Raiders-like.

VP · Post by VP » Thu May 21, 2009 4:39 pm

binkmeisterRick wrote:What's in the water around here these days? Calm down, people. Life's too short.

Must be the depression.

VP · Post by VP » Thu May 21, 2009 4:56 pm

schwammy wrote:I'm not wild about the loud label or the huge paragraph of writing on the inside, and $975 for one article of clothing...

I agree, why should I pay over 900 euros for a "perfect" jacket when I can get an excellent jacket within the EU for 210 euros? I don't see the quality and price going hand in hand here.

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Thu May 21, 2009 5:10 pm

To go back on topic. schwammy, Peter has a couple of naturally grained/stretched leathers on the cards right now.

However, he is a bit busy with Wolverine Origins and Ashes to Ashes jacket orders and I think that has delayed the introduction of any new leather.

A ToD in washed goat is fab as is a CS style in novapelle or copper novapelle, both reward you with masses of character after a little honest wear, price is good too.

Yojimbo Jones · Post by **Yojimbo Jones** » Thu May 21, 2009 5:41 pm

Indiana Holt wrote:
Yojimbo Jones wrote:
Indiana Holt wrote:to answer your question, Yes!

but call wested or email them directly
Is there some sort of secret?

Why wouldn't they have appeared if such an animal by Wested were available?
thats why I said call them or email them.

Ok, so, reading between the lines, we're in "nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more" territory here, then, Holt?

I'm curious to know why.

As NB has indicated, it's been bandied about that this secret project will be coming "soon" for months now, as has a metric tonne of quasi information from Peter.

It's just frustrating given that THIS is meant to be a forum for discussing such things.

Not narky or anything. Just curious. I'm always willing to entertain the idea of Wested redeeming themselves...

Yojimbo Jones · Post by **Yojimbo Jones** » Thu May 21, 2009 5:48 pm

Kt Templar wrote:To go back on topic. schwammy, Peter has a couple of naturally grained/stretched leathers on the cards right now.

However, he is a bit busy with Wolverine Origins and Ashes to Ashes jacket orders and I think that has delayed the introduction of any new leather.

A ToD in washed goat is fab as is a CS style in novapelle or copper novapelle, both reward you with masses of character after a little honest wear, price is good too.

Oops, posting overlap there. Thanks KT! So by "naturally grained/stretched leathers", you're talking shrunken lamb? Did he give you an eta? And is Peter considering more character-like versions of the thicker hides? (Would love a HH that's more of a rough hide!)

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Thu May 21, 2009 5:59 pm

That I don't know. I'd like to see a grainy horsehide too.

A couple of people have noted that their novapelle jackets are actually heavier than their Nowak CSs, which surprised me. But the NP is fairly substantial.

Post by **Holt** » Thu May 21, 2009 7:11 pm

Yojimbo Jones wrote:
Ok, so, reading between the lines, we're in "nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more" territory here, then, Holt?

I'm curious to know why.

...

I said that becasue I want people to call them instead of having me answering for wested, which I actually did with the short answer, yes!.

If peter doesnt announce the new leather or the new cut of the jacket then fine by me. I dont care. thats up to him.

Yojimbo Jones · Post by **Yojimbo Jones** » Thu May 21, 2009 7:38 pm

Ok, fair call.

Post by **Holt** » Thu May 21, 2009 7:39 pm

maby my post read angry? I wasnt..

just tried to explain thats all..