Horsehide question

soulman · Post by **soulman** » Sat Sep 18, 2010 9:03 pm

Hello all! I was wondering what could be said in regard to horsehide for an Indy jacket? I have my order in for the new USW in horse but don't know much about how the leather will be in this type of jacket. Any info would be great. Pics would be awesome if you got them.

Post by **Michaelson** » Sat Sep 18, 2010 9:45 pm

If it's the same horsehide they use for their A2's, it's actually fairly lightweight, equal to a goatskin Wings jacket.

That said, considering how things have gone so far with their offerings, who KNOWS what weight will come out on this jacket. From emails 'we've' read, folks have been advised it would be fairly stiff, but would wear like iron. That's not the same as the A2 leather, so it's a toss of the dice.

I'd suggest you contact Wings directly and ask them exactly what to expect so you can make an educated decision.

Only they will know for sure, and you'll have it writing from them...not guesses from us.

Regards! Michaelson

soulman · Post by **soulman** » Sun Sep 19, 2010 10:42 am

Thanks a bunch. My question wasn't actually intended to be geared to USW alone. Sorry if I made it sound that way. I am more interested in the general experiences that members here have had with the horsehide. Regardless of vendor. I know that I will keep my present order as is but was curious as I don't see much of this leather around here.

Post by **Michaelson** » Sun Sep 19, 2010 10:44 am

Well then, I have to DEFINITELY stand by my statement that it all depends on the vendor and how thick they make their jackets.

I've seen hosehide jackets that can actually stand on their own in a corner,they're so thick and heavy.

Regards! Michaelson

soulman · Post by **soulman** » Sun Sep 19, 2010 12:10 pm

I see what you are both saying. I will attempt to get either a sample or some info on the HH used for this jacket.

djd · Post by **djd** » Sun Sep 19, 2010 12:15 pm

I had a good look at a wested HH belonging to kt. It was a nice jacket and the hide felt like it would stop bullets! Very heavy indeed

Post by **Michaelson** » Sun Sep 19, 2010 1:10 pm

I couldn't agree more with asking for samples.

Some of the very first HH Indy jackets I ever saw were those Wested versions, and quite frankly, I thought they were some of the nicest looking jackets out there...but folks didn't seem to keep them very long, as they WERE so heavy. Perfect for cold weather and hard wear, but seem to fall in the pre-conceived notion that ALL HH jackets were just built like tanks.

When that first HH A2 came through my hands, I was absolutely amazed there WAS a possible soft version, and have been constantly amazed at the examples seen since.

So, definitely ask, and keep on asking.

Regards! Michaelson

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Sun Sep 19, 2010 9:19 pm

The HH that has impressed me was Mahogany HH from G&B. Very rich brown color. Reminiscent of the WWII era A-2's. As they mentioned, getting a sample is a great idea.

Post by **Tennessee Smith** » Sun Sep 19, 2010 9:33 pm

The last time I spoke to Myke was abouta week ago. I asked him about all of the hides they were going to use for the, then "Raiders" now "Legend" jacket. He said his personal favorite was the HH. That kind of blew my mind so I asked why. He said it's coloring was the best of the hides to his eye for capturing what we see on the screen in ROTLA. He also said is was soft as butter, softest HH he'd ever felt.

That was said a month ago by US Wings general manager Myke. Now today, they might have sourced another hide from another tannery. I'd call them Monday and ask, make sure if you do you let is know what they say.

-TS

Post by **Tennessee Smith** » Sun Sep 19, 2010 9:56 pm

Couldn't agree more

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 8:44 am

The one REALLY thick HH was that one Eastman A2 that I had years ago...remember, _?

Sadly, it didn't really fit me...actually, it DIDN'T fit me at all, but I was able to trade it toward something that did with a vendor. If it had fit, it would STILL be in my closet....but that had to be the thickest, stiffest HH jacket I have ever experienced, and that was what I used as a benchmark for years as being a true example of the material.

Was I ever wrong....

Regards !Michaelson

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 8:54 am

To put it lightly!

Dr. Evil · Post by **Dr. Evil** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 12:56 pm

Maybe something else to consider is the look of the leather. I have a Wested horsehide. I like the jacket alot because of the way it fits and looks, but it doesn't really break-in. The finish is really thick, and shiny. When you touch the surface of the hide, you're not touching the leather or feeling its real texture. You're touching thick finish that has had little pits pressed into it to give it the look of texture, or pores, or something. Some of the horse hide finish even has streaks of grain pressed into it. My back-panel is covered in this, and has been from the start. I've seen vinyl chairs given the same effect.

It doesn't age like other leathers, either. That finish keeps it looking pretty much the same on the surface, day in and day out. The arms will crease at the bends, but that's about it.

When that finish scratches, you get the white flesh of the hide showing underneath. If you plan on sanding and rubbing off areas of the finish to create your own distressed look, the Wested HH is a great jacket for such a project. After all, it does look pretty good when you color the exposed areas of hide with some dye or melted-in brown shoe polish that you can buff to a little shine to give it that antiqued look. But, that's only interesting to the person who has an interest in doing this sort of thing.

soulman · Post by **soulman** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 1:27 pm

Hmmm?

that does not give me the warm and fuzzies at all. I have always heard that HH is great to have for it's durability and military history but this last post gives me pause.

donovan · Post by **donovan** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 2:24 pm

i too have a wested horse and mine is gradually breaking in and showing some nice grain- getting it wet also helps as we know . the hide is tough and becomes quite stiff in colder weather.the only draw back i have experienced is the thick leather tends make the stitching weaker and i have had some loose threads coming undone at various stress points eg. pockets . just my experience though.

Post by **Jens** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 2:35 pm

And just to add something to this discussion: I own a Horsehide myself and wear it quite regularly - be it on the way to the office in rain and sun or at excavations in dust and clay. And it did develop a certain - natural - distressing over the years. No hint of the shiny "new" look of the first days, also no sign of the embossed structure as well. However, it's true, the Horsehide needs time to break in, a lot of time! But it does, if challenged.

Dr. Evil · Post by **Dr. Evil** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 5:27 pm

You might be on to something there, _, because the back-panel I described also has a finish that is harder to get off than the rest of my jacket. The back panel is the only piece with the fake grain. I would say that "embossed" certainly is an appropriate term for the process, because it appears to have been pressed into the finish. Oh well. It is what is is. The sleeves have the finish with the red undertone and the body doesn't. The back panel is that other stuff. That's why I refer to it as my Frankenjactet. I've actually wondered if it was all made with the same leather.

Soulman, don't let this stear you away from the HH from other companies. I've seen pictures of some that are beautiful.

soulman · Post by **soulman** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 5:43 pm

Hey It's cool. I have an order in with USW for the Legend jacket in horse and wanted to get a feel for the hide itself. I know that their craftsmanship is pretty good and know that this will likely be my last Indy jacket so my order will still stand. I just was hoping to learn more about HH as I am not too familiar with it.

Dr. Evil · Post by **Dr. Evil** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 5:49 pm

The US Wings Horse Hide looks much nicer than the Wested. The Wested HH is a lot heavier than the other leathers they use and I've read that it's thinner than some of the HH's made by other companies, so I'm sure the US wings HH will be pretty rugged and heavy. Somebody else mentioned threads. I'm sure the US wings version will be well-sewn. I don't think you can go wrong there. I'd actually like one of those US Wings HH jackets myself. Show some pictures when yours comes in. I'd like to see more than just what the website offers.

soulman · Post by **soulman** » Tue Sep 21, 2010 7:30 am

My thoughts to a "T" Doc. I know that there has been a firestorm of activity surrounding the release of USW "Legend" jacket. I also know that this pattern is according to the pics a lot closer to S/A than it has been. The craftsmanship of USW is (from past experience with them) pretty darn good. Not a G&B but better than most. Also at this juncture in my life I am hard pressed to find a better deal for what I consider the ultimate jacket in the ultimate hide. JMO.

Dr. Evil · Post by **Dr. Evil** » Tue Sep 21, 2010 8:47 am

I think a lot of people, including myself, would agree. Those leathers from US Wings look pretty nice. I'm like you. I just want a jacket that will look great and last forever. I've seen jackets made with similar leather, but there's no way I'd be dropping the kind of money they're going for, not now. If that horsehide turns out to be anywhere near as nice looking as the anitque cowhide or lamb they're using, I'll seriously consider getting one of those myself.

Kubrik · Post by **Kubrik** » Wed Sep 22, 2010 1:26 pm

I've been to the movies wearing my Wested HH and let me tell ya every time I moved or twitched that thing made a lot of noise. Very distracting. It's so thick and heavy. My goat and lambskin to not squeek and crackle like that at all.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Sep 22, 2010 1:30 pm

That's been reported before regarding the Wested HH.

Regards! Michaelson

soulman · Post by **soulman** » Wed Sep 22, 2010 1:35 pm

Call me crazy but I actually like that creaking, squeaking sound. Music to my ears

Baldwyn · Post by **Baldwyn** » Wed Sep 22, 2010 2:21 pm

This thread made me change from calf to horsehide! Actually, a number of factors did. I wear my Nowak Raiders in Nowak goat all the time, including on the motorcycle (despite how often I say an Indy jacket is not suitable on a motorcycle). I love the jacket, but with news of Riley shutting down the business, I'd hate to go down one day and wreck the jacket. I don't think calf will cut it in a crash, and given that the calf is probably of similar weight to the goat, I decided to get the horsehide to cover different seasons than the Nowak, and use for sturdier applications. Not that I'm going to baby the Nowak!

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Sep 22, 2010 2:42 pm

Sound reasoning on all points, my friend!

Regard! Michaelson

Kubrik · Post by **Kubrik** » Wed Sep 22, 2010 3:24 pm

Baldwyn wrote:This thread made me change from calf to horsehide! Actually, a number of factors did. I wear my Nowak Raiders in Nowak goat all the time, including on the motorcycle (despite how often I say an Indy jacket is not suitable on a motorcycle). I love the jacket, but with news of Riley shutting down the business, I'd hate to go down one day and wreck the jacket. I don't think calf will cut it in a crash, and given that the calf is probably of similar weight to the goat, I decided to get the horsehide to cover different seasons than the Nowak, and use for sturdier applications. Not that I'm going to baby the Nowak!

Oh man, if it's for riding a motorcycle the HH should be the only way to go. I fell of my bicycle on my chest with my HH on and didn't feel a thing. I can imagine what it would be like falling of a motorcycle.

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 8:46 am

That's what the Perfecto's are made of.....heavy Argentine cowhide.

Regards! Michaelson

Long John Tinfoil · Post by **Long John Tinfoil** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 6:54 pm

From heavy Argentine cows.

LJ

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 7:39 pm

Moo.