Nowak Raiders jacket - Number 81 *UPDATED PICS*

Chris_King · Post by **Chris_King** » Sat May 23, 2009 4:44 pm

Hi everyone,

I recently received jacket number 81 from Tony. I fell in love with the smoother shrunken lamb that was used for Yojimbo Jones' jacket and Tony delivered yet more first class customer service with the creation of this jacket.
This is the same size as Ford's jacket that Tony measured. I asked for a few tweaks since the first one. Namely:

1. Rounded end to the collar stand.
2. Zipper track stops short of the bottom of the collar stand (check the screengrabs where Indy says "Marion" during the flying wing fight scene).
3. Pocket on storm flap side was moved closer to the stitching of the storm flap (so the front edge of the pocket was located 1 inch away from the stitching line).
4. Snap position on pocket flap was moved up so that it's centre line was located 2 inches down from the top of the flap.
5. "K" stitch was added to the front of the side straps (mirror image of the stitch which is located on the part of the strap which is attached to the back panel).

I've dusted the jacket with some Fuller's Earth. Here's some pics! Let me know what you think.

Chris

moses · Post by **moses** » Sat May 23, 2009 4:49 pm

Looks good. How does the feel of the leather compare with the original shrunken lamb? i seem to remember comments on the original hide feeling like soft foam rubber and not very substantial. Is this lamb different?

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:05 pm

Thanks for posting these.

It looks great. I liked your first jacket leather better I think.

I don't understand these requested changes:

3. Pocket on storm flap side was moved closer to the stitching of the storm flap (so the front edge of the pocket was located 1 inch away from the stitching line).
4. Snap position on pocket flap was moved up so that it's centre line was located 2 inches down from the top of the flap

The pocket is already very close, 1.25"
The snap position is within 0.125 and 0.25"

It really is 'the jacket' isn't it.

VP · Post by VP » Sat May 23, 2009 5:11 pm

It's the millimeters that make the jacket SA or not.

Great lookin' jacket.

Chris_King · Post by **Chris_King** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:11 pm

1.25" is too far away based on my observations. That's why I asked for it to be 1 inch away instead.

The snaps were not positioned correctly on my first jacket - they were too close to the tip of the pocket flap. 2 inches to the centre line (measured from the top of the flap to the centre of the snap) is much better in my opinion.

I think this leather is much better than the first jacket. It's got the texture but it doesn't have the excessive "dino hide" texture.

Chris

RCSignals wrote:Thanks for posting these.

It looks great. I liked your first jacket leather better I think.

I don't understand these requested changes:

3. Pocket on storm flap side was moved closer to the stitching of the storm flap (so the front edge of the pocket was located 1 inch away from the stitching line).
4. Snap position on pocket flap was moved up so that it's centre line was located 2 inches down from the top of the flap
The pocket is already very close, 1.25"
The snap position is within 0.125 and 0.25"

It really is 'the jacket' isn't it.

Mac · Post by **Mac** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:13 pm

Beautiful jacket Chris! I like the texture of that batch of SL.

Two questions:
What's the pleat depth?
What do you think of it?

Congratulations! That's one very lucky mannequin.

- Mac

Yojimbo Jones · Post by **Yojimbo Jones** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:18 pm

Yep, now THIS looks FAMILIAR!

Amazing what difference the right shrunken lamb hide makes, isn't it?

crismans · Post by **crismans** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:19 pm

Very nice looking jacket. I really like this hide but I like my more textured hide too. It's great to have this leeway in choices.

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:20 pm

Well Chris, what's important is you have exactly what you wanted.

the mannequin will share wearing duty with you won't it?

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:22 pm

Yojimbo Jones wrote:Yep, now THIS looks FAMILIAR!

Amazing what difference the right shrunken lamb hide makes, isn't it?

Don't get me wrong, it's the same hide as on mine.

I thought the other grain looked good on the mannequin

VP · Post by VP » Sat May 23, 2009 5:24 pm

Kinda funny to see nobody asking if the jacket fits Chris well.

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:29 pm

VP wrote:Kinda funny to see nobody asking if the jacket fits Chris well.

He already said it did

but he also said he ordered it specifically in Ford's size

Hatch · Post by **Hatch** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:33 pm

Hope you're happy with it.....it's funny how the original lamb has less wrinkled areas that look like the "all over'' pattern of the new ,just more variability....TN just keeps surprising us with new offerings , and customer service.......

DeWayne · Post by **DeWayne** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:34 pm

Very nice looking jacket!

To be honest though. It's beginning to appear that every jacket lately fits more like a "Last Crusade" jacket than anything else.

Post by **Holt** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:35 pm

huh? serious?

no way.. the LC is way different in fit.

VP · Post by VP » Sat May 23, 2009 5:37 pm

RCSignals wrote:
VP wrote:Kinda funny to see nobody asking if the jacket fits Chris well.
He already said it did

Not in this thread, never saw the original thread or a link to it.

Yojimbo Jones · Post by **Yojimbo Jones** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:39 pm

DeWayne wrote:Very nice looking jacket!

To be honest though. It's beginning to appear that every jacket lately fits more like a "Last Crusade" jacket than anything else.

Which do you mean?

Yojimbo Jones · Post by **Yojimbo Jones** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:41 pm

VP wrote:
VP wrote:Kinda funny to see nobody asking if the jacket fits Chris well.

We kind of don't have to if it looks like it fits the size it was intended to WELL, now do we?

VP · Post by VP » Sat May 23, 2009 5:44 pm

Comment inspired by this:

RCSignals wrote:the mannequin will share wearing duty with you won't it?

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:46 pm

VP wrote:Comment inspired by this:
RCSignals wrote:the mannequin will share wearing duty with you won't it?

Inspired by this:

Mac wrote:..... That's one very lucky mannequin.

- Mac

Post by **Holt** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:47 pm

ah for the love of god, get over it.

it is fitted for HF not for Chris.

Nice jacket btw.

whiskyman · Post by **whiskyman** » Sat May 23, 2009 6:18 pm

moses wrote:Looks good. How does the feel of the leather compare with the original shrunken lamb? i seem to remember comments on the original hide feeling like soft foam rubber and not very substantial. Is this lamb different?

I'd be interested to know that as well...

Yojimbo Jones · Post by **Yojimbo Jones** » Sat May 23, 2009 6:42 pm

Mine is of the same hide as Chris'. I have never felt the original shrunken hide version, but those descriptions in no way jive with what I've experienced with mine. It's not spongy at all. It thin-ish (but I'm comparing that to Wested HH) but feels very strong yet flexible. I've REALLY pulled it hard in places to accentuate the grain, creating more, and changing the grain where I've wanted it, and it's handled it, no sweat.

Heyjude7 · Post by **Heyjude7** » Sat May 23, 2009 9:40 pm

Awesome jacket Chris!
I just checked my jacket that i just recieved and it has all the requests that you asked for.. the pocket is 1 in away from stitch on stormflap, the collar stand is rounded, and the zip stops 1/8in before collar stand..
crazy huh?

...and also one side of my collar tips is pointier then the other rounded side tip like one of the hero jackets..

SpeedRcrX · Post by **SpeedRcrX** » Sun May 24, 2009 3:54 am

Nice jacket Chris, I'm glad you're happy with this one!
She's a beauty!

Tyderium · Post by **Tyderium** » Sun May 24, 2009 5:14 am

Great jacket Chris and excellent pictures. Shows off the more subtle texturing of the 2nd generation SL very well. New version looks outstanding with your display.

mark seven · Post by **mark seven** » Sun May 24, 2009 9:05 am

Gorgeous jacket!

crismans · Post by **crismans** » Sun May 24, 2009 10:21 am

My shrunken lamb is the more textured version and it's feel was hard to describe. I wouldn't call it "spongy" (although I might have used this term in the past, for lack of a better one). It had a different feel than the leathers I was used to. It felt more "springy" (perhaps others with this leather can chime in as it is hard to describe) but tough. The more you wear it, however, this evens out and the leather takes on a more "normal" feel, albeit textured.

moses · Post by **moses** » Sun May 24, 2009 4:36 pm

For some reason, I don't like this jacket as much as your first one. Are the sleeves tighter? Something doesn't look quite right but I can't put my finger on it. I thought your first TN had more of a Raiders vibe.

Hatch · Post by **Hatch** » Sun May 24, 2009 4:46 pm

Yojimbo Jones wrote:Mine is of the same hide as Chris'. I have never felt the original shrunken hide version, but those descriptions in no way jive with what I've experienced with mine. It's not spongy at all. It thin-ish (but I'm comparing that to Wested HH) but feels very strong yet flexible. I've REALLY pulled it hard in places to accentuate the grain, creating more, and changing the grain where I've wanted it, and it's handled it, no sweat.

Agree Yohimbo, I've got the original and I think Indy G came up with the description 'fits like 'Black Spidey Suit'....really shapes to the body the longer you wear it.......yet feels stronger than any lamb I've had, and doesn't have that 'smooth lamb skin dress jacket' look of other smooth lambskins that I've had through the years.....but spongy is certainly not a term I'd use do describe it.....

whiskyman · Post by **whiskyman** » Sun May 24, 2009 4:57 pm

It's funny -as much as I love the look of my No.15 - tough is not a word i'd use to describe the hide. It seems so mush thiner and strechier than, for example Wested's lamb, that I sometimes wonder whether we got the same stuff?? Tony assures me it's the same - but your descriptions really don't tally with my jacket. I guess it's all subjective. to me, my jacket looks amazing in pics and on film- but when I handle it, it doesn't feel like leather. Weird stuff.

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Sun May 24, 2009 5:25 pm

whiskyman wrote:.......- but when I handle it, it doesn't feel like leather. Weird stuff.

Hmm, when I feel the smooth lamb of my wested it doesn't feel like leather, more like a pleather.

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Sun May 24, 2009 5:27 pm

I like those garden shots Chris.
It's a bit freaky seeing it in the garden looking like a person with an invisible hear though

franky jones · Post by **franky jones** » Sun May 24, 2009 6:45 pm

nice looking jacket Chris, congradulations!

orb · Post by **orb** » Mon May 25, 2009 2:52 am

Great looking jacket!

Same less grain as on my SL. I need to try this fullers earth!
Looks perfect.
The newer outside pics you posted really killing me. I firstly thought it's you (I just looked at the jacket) but then I recognised your head is missing

It's not Indy! It's Hollowman...

Regards

orb

Yojimbo Jones · Post by **Yojimbo Jones** » Mon May 25, 2009 3:15 am

orb wrote:The newer outside pics you posted really killing me. I firstly thought it's you (I just looked at the jacket) but then I recognised your head is missing
It's not Indy! It's Hollowman...

"Indiana Jones and the Freaked Out Neighbours"

PLATON · Post by **PLATON** » Mon May 25, 2009 3:28 am

Congrats CK

The collar is the hawaii collar right?
Length seems OK, but it's hard to tell with the position of the arms/hands.

One small detail I would have changed. The pocket flaps are too thick around the edges. It's because TN tries to hide the unfinished hide of the under side of the flap, under the seams. Not a good idea if you ask me... It's good on A-2 jackets but not on Indy's. I prefer how Wested does it.

Chris, what's the waist measurement when zipped and laid flat? Anyone else with Ford sizing can answer this?

Yojimbo Jones · Post by **Yojimbo Jones** » Mon May 25, 2009 4:24 am

PLATON wrote:One small detail I would have changed. The pocket flaps are too thick around the edges. It's because TN tries to hide the unfinished hide of the under side of the flap, under the seams. Not a good idea if you ask me... It's good on A-2 jackets but not on Indy's. I prefer how Wested does it.

Hi Platon,

But Tony would have simply duplicated the way it was on the original jacket, which to me is a very good idea for an Indy jacket. I actually hate the underside of the pockets on my Wested. It looks really amateurish and unfinished, with the sort of unfinished edge showing there. In what way do you prefer it?

EDIT: Oh, yeah, Platon, the measurement is about 21". Just realised I was sitting on my Nowak as I was replying to you!

So all you boys buying a Wested copy note that down.

Dutch_jones · Post by **Dutch_jones** » Mon May 25, 2009 5:13 am

Yojimbo Jones wrote:
PLATON wrote:One small detail I would have changed. The pocket flaps are too thick around the edges. It's because TN tries to hide the unfinished hide of the under side of the flap, under the seams. Not a good idea if you ask me... It's good on A-2 jackets but not on Indy's. I prefer how Wested does it.
Hi Platon,

But Tony would have simply duplicated the way it was on the original jacket, which to me is a very good idea for an Indy jacket. I actually hate the underside of the pockets on my Wested. It looks really amateurish and unfinished, with the sort of unfinished edge showing there. In what way do you prefer it?

EDIT: Oh, yeah, Platon, the measurement is about 21". Just realised I was sitting on my Nowak as I was replying to you!

So all you boys buying a Wested copy note that down.

Have you ever seen a movie called Raiders of the Lost Ark? Because if you did then you'd know that Platon is right. The pockets on the original are very subtle and thin and blend in. Can't see how he missed that on the original along with the correct strap hardware ?

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Mon May 25, 2009 5:33 am

Dutch_jones wrote:
Yojimbo Jones wrote:
PLATON wrote:One small detail I would have changed. The pocket flaps are too thick around the edges. It's because TN tries to hide the unfinished hide of the under side of the flap, under the seams. Not a good idea if you ask me... It's good on A-2 jackets but not on Indy's. I prefer how Wested does it.
Hi Platon,

But Tony would have simply duplicated the way it was on the original jacket, which to me is a very good idea for an Indy jacket. I actually hate the underside of the pockets on my Wested. It looks really amateurish and unfinished, with the sort of unfinished edge showing there. In what way do you prefer it?

EDIT: Oh, yeah, Platon, the measurement is about 21". Just realised I was sitting on my Nowak as I was replying to you!

So all you boys buying a Wested copy note that down.
Have you ever seen a movie called Raiders of the Lost Ark? Because if you did then you'd know that Platon is right. The pockets on the original are very subtle and thin and blend in. Can't see how he missed that on the original along with the correct strap hardware ?

This is quite funny stuff. Platon and Dutch, have you ever seen a TN Raider jacket, up close?

Yojimbo is correct, TN copied the jacket including hardware exactly as it was. I guess Wested just does flaps differently now?

Dutch_jones · Post by **Dutch_jones** » Mon May 25, 2009 5:42 am

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Mon May 25, 2009 5:47 am

BTW, do all the TN 'Indy 1s' have brass/gilt zippers?

PLATON · Post by **PLATON** » Mon May 25, 2009 5:48 am

Pictures speak by themselves.

Yojimbo is correct, TN copied the jacket including hardware exactly as it was. I guess Wested just does flaps differently now?

I guess this is some of the details than TN 'corrected'.

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Mon May 25, 2009 5:49 am

PLATON wrote:Pictures speak by themselves.

Yojimbo is correct, TN copied the jacket including hardware exactly as it was. I guess Wested just does flaps differently now?
I guess this is some of the details than TN 'corrected'.

Umm, no. read above. 'Copied exactly' means what to you?

Yojimbo Jones · Post by **Yojimbo Jones** » Mon May 25, 2009 5:53 am

Dutch_jones wrote:Have you ever seen a movie called Raiders of the Lost Ark? Because if you did then you'd know that Platon is right. The pockets on the original are very subtle and thin and blend in. Can't see how he missed that on the original along with the correct strap hardware ?

Gee Dutch, you know you've got me there, being that you have seen the inside of the pockets yourself and all. $\:D/$

BTW How's your "Authentic" lamb looking these days according to Peter?

Dutch_jones · Post by **Dutch_jones** » Mon May 25, 2009 5:54 am

RCSignals wrote:
PLATON wrote:Pictures speak by themselves.

Yojimbo is correct, TN copied the jacket including hardware exactly as it was. I guess Wested just does flaps differently now?
I guess this is some of the details than TN 'corrected'.
Umm, no. read above. 'Copied exactly' means what to you?

In your case it probably means adding stuff? because the pocket flap on the raiders jacket is 0.5-1 inch shorter than on the nowak replica ! Now how did that happen :O

PLATON · Post by **PLATON** » Mon May 25, 2009 5:57 am

There's exactly and exactly. Depends on how much detail oriented someone is.

This is another good shot of the pocket. See how crumbled is the pocket flap
Hard to achieve when it's too thick.

Also, look at the collar. It's much narrower than CK's (Hawaii version)

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Mon May 25, 2009 5:58 am

Dutch_jones wrote: In your case it probably means adding stuff? because the pocket flap on the raiders jacket is 0.5-1 inch shorter than on the nowak replica ! Now how did that happen :O

Oh I forgot Dutch, you own a screen used Raiders jacket.

I guess Chris will have to sell this one because it isn't right.

Dutch_jones · Post by **Dutch_jones** » Mon May 25, 2009 6:00 am

RCSignals wrote:
Dutch_jones wrote: In your case it probably means adding stuff? because the pocket flap on the raiders jacket is 0.5-1 inch shorter than on the nowak replica ! Now how did that happen :O
Oh I forgot Dutch, you own a screen used Raiders jacket.

I guess Chris will have to sell this one because it isn't right.

I don't personally but I know someone who does.

Yojimbo Jones · Post by **Yojimbo Jones** » Mon May 25, 2009 6:00 am

Dutch_jones wrote:

I'm sorry, I think you meant to show evidence for your OWN argument!