My new DB Soft Cowhide Wested came today!

[Tremolo]

Today my new jacket arrived! I was totally surprised because I didn´t get any email from Wested that they even started working on my jacket. Of course it was a pleasant surprise ;-)
It´s a dark brown soft cowhide, and this name doesn´t really describes how soft it is. My old 2001 cowhide Wested was also soft, my horse hide Wested was more on the rugged side (but also nice) so I expected something in between. But this is the softest leather jacket I´ve ever had. Please note I hadn´t any chance to compare it to a lambskin jacket, so I can only imagine lambskin being even softer.
I´m also really pleased with the colour, it´s a very warm brown and not as dark as my other jackets, which gives it quite a CS vibe.
I also wanted this jacket to be a bit wider and longer than my shorter horse hide LC (which looks actually more LC that way) and gave them some measurements from my 2001 Wested, which of course makes it less SA but gives me a jacket for my daily needs.
To make it short: I am so happy with this jacket!

All right here are the first quite bad pictures, I hope to make some better and worn ones on the weekend with daylight when the weather is hopefully a tad better with a real camera.

[RaidersBash]

WOW! That does look nice. I like the pockets. My old Wested didn't have any curve at all on the pocket flaps. I only wish Peter would do something about the D-rings. It's my understanding (and maybe I'm wrong) that that IS how he supplied them, but production changed them to something more square to hold better. So it would be nice to make it SA, not PB accurate.

[Tremolo]

Thanks! The curve on the pocket flaps as well as the dimensions of the whole pockets are something I especially asked for. I also have these pockets on my LC and I just loved the way they turned out, so I just had to have them on this jacket as well for a bit LC vibe

[Holt]

I think this is that the aniline soft brown cowhide or the waxy soft dark br cowhide.

do you remember?

does it mark easy?

very nice jacket. congrats!

[Tremolo]

Thanks!
I just ordered soft dark brown cowhide. Yes, it does mark quite easy, I guess it won´t take very long until it looks worn in. Waxy comes near, do you think a coat of Pecards would change it much? Don´t get me wrong, it feels very nice the way it is now, just thinking about the future.

[Holt]

then you got the soft waxy dark cowhide. pecards will do alittle for it but not much. I have a sample so I tested.

the thing about this skin is that it has a very rich red undertone. i like it

[Tremolo]

That´s good, because I really like the feel of this leather. Another plus for me is that it doesn´t have a lot of shine. I could imagine you could get a very nice looking LC jacket with this leather and the right distressing.

[Holt]

I know. I have been playing with the idea of getting an LC in this skin.

it has a very nice grain to it too.

[Tremolo]

Yep the grain is very nice. If you do get a LC in this leather I´m sure this will be another instant forum favourite.
By the way Holt, this one also has 2" wide stormflap like my horse LC (I know it´s not SA but that gives it to my eye a little shot of LC).

[Flyderf]

Very nice jacket. I wonder if this hide, novapelle or aniline leather would make a better LC
jacket.

[Tremolo]

I´m sure this leather would make a very nice LC, however for some the brown could be too light. If you are set on cowhide don´t forget the normal dark brown Peter offers. My 2001 Wested is standard dark brown cowhide and the color is as very dark brown and has a wonderful warm light brown undertone. Although I´m not sure if the color is still the same with his current offerings, maybe some samples would help.

Today I had a little bit of time to take some pictures outside, however the sun didn´t come out but you can get an idea how this leather looks on darker days.

With and without flash and a close up of the pocket. I really love the shape of the flaps and overall dimensions

[Holt]

very nice. Im scrathing my head alittle over those pockets. looks like TofD pockets but sized up. other then that very nice.

[crismans]

Very nice. I like how you seem to make each item of gear your own.

[Forrest For the Trees]

Did you request pocket dimensions? Wested sometimes seems like a @#$% shoot when it comes to size and shape of pocket flaps. I can't stand some of the really skinny pocket flaps I've seen from time to time on this board... It think your wider pocket flaps look good.

[Forrest For the Trees]

I was referring to a game of chance played with dice, not human excrement. Man, this filter is sensitive...

[Tremolo]

Thanks a lot guys
Yep, the pocket dimensions were a special request by me. I also special requested the placement, the 2" wide storm flap and the collar width. Last year I ordered the same dimensions for my LC jacket. (you can see it here: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=39793&start=350 just scroll down a bit)
Interestingly these dimensions look much more LC (to my eyes) on my smaller LC jacket, while on this jacket (it is much bigger than the LC) they give an impression of being much smaller (hence the ToD-like appearance Holt pointed out).

I have to say that I really loved the look of the pockets on Crismans´ and Tundrarider´s TN jackets when they posted them here, so I just had to try to get close to this look.
After all I´m really happy with the result and it really makes it my jacket
In case anyone is wondering about the pocket dimensions they are:
7" wide, 8" high and the pocket flaps go from 2.5" to 3.5"

By the way, the leather is really fast at taking scratches, but so far most look like small worn spots giving the jacket a nice appearance with character, and the undertone is really a wonderful light brown. Also most parts of the jacket don´t feel as "waxy" or "velvety" after these few days of wearing it. It´s a very nice leather.

[Holt]

by the look at those new pictures I think you got the 'aniline cowhide'

I really dig the look of this leather and probably will use this on my new LC order.

[Tremolo]

I will ask Wested what I´ve got and then post it, then we will know for sure.

[Erri]

Still snowy up there Tremolo? Nice looking jacket. Looks like you nailed your size, sleeve length AND pocket design. Not always easy to get all of these at once.
What's that hat you're wearing I wonder

[Tremolo]

Thanks my friend! Today it got even snowier... but even in this kind of weather the jacket feels very nice
I know what you mean, but for these pictures it was only my Henry. But soon I´ll be ready

I thought quite some time about the specs for this jacket, the hardest one was the length as I just feel more comfortable with a longer jacket when I wear normal clothes and not my Indy gear. For that my HH LC looks much more accurate. The interesting thing to me is that this jacket is quite a copy of my old 2001 Wested, despite some small details

Gemma confirmed today that the jacket is made of a soft waxy dark brown cowhide.
I know I´ve already said it but it´s a great feeling leather. I can only recommend it!

[Texan Scott]

...simply too much jacket for a mere mortal! You must box it up and send it!

Really drapes well, enjoy!

[Erri]

I know what you mean, but for these pictures it was only my Henry. But soon I´ll be ready

Give me until the end of the month and I will be ready too
Again, great looking jacket sir

[Tremolo]

I took 2 colour comparison shoots (one with flash, one without) of this jacket with my horse hide LC and dark brown 2001 cowhide Westeds.
Maybe it helps someone who is not so sure about some colours, or at least give him/her an idea

Bottom: 2001 dark brown cowhide
Top: dark brown horse hide
Right: soft waxy dark brown cowhide

No flash

with flash

[Hollowpond]

That jacket is nice man!

Travis

[Mitch LaRue]

Those color comparison shots say a lot for those looking to know, Tremolo... Much obliged!

[Tremolo]

Thanks!
I would love to take some more with more jackets
However, I plan on taking a few more comparison pictures when the sun comes out so everyone can see that these three colours look like with direct sunlight.