New Wested Custom in Distressed Cowhide.. Thank you Peter!

fifthchamber · Post by **fifthchamber** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 7:31 am

Hi all...

I mentioned a while back that I was ordering another Wested (my second.. LOL), and trying to get a little closer to what I'd seen Holt showing off (I believe that Jacket was wrecked.. Which *****.. I'm sorry about that mate..), and using my own slight variations on what he had asked Peter to create with his own...

Although it took sometime due to a mistake with the address (my fault, English credit cards need English addresses and I live in Tokyo, although my card isn't Japanese..), my mum (Thank you Mum!) happily obliged me and sent it over to me here in Tokyo... It finally arrived tonight..

Here are the shots... Nothing too special, just a slightly longer neckline and wider lapels, better looking pockets than my OTR Last Crusade (I still love that one though..), heavier,thicker hide (Wow, what a difference.. Almost twice the weight of the Lamb... Stunningly heavyweight..), and a slightly shorter length since my last was just a touch too long I thought...

Here is the front view...

And this is the back...

The jacket is perfect for me... Size wise, I can't fault a thing, Peter, hats off Sir.. Wonderful work, and warmest regards to you and Gemma

Heat wise, well.. If Tokyo sinks into a radiated puddle, at least I'll only need one jacket to stay warm under now..

Looks wise, well... I think it's lovely... I like the wider lapels and the looser neckline, gives the jacket a little more "fight" I reckon..Hangs really well, and although the leather is new, it still fits solidly.. (I can't wait for it to break in some, that'll be wonderful to wear too..)... High quality... Really, really good stuff (If I do say so myself)..

Thanks to all at Wested!

fifthchamber · Post by **fifthchamber** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 7:34 am

I took a few photos... All up on Photobucket, but this should tide you all over until I get to a PC that runs faster than me... (Mine doesn't...

)

A comparison with the Off Rack Last Crusade.... The real difference is in the weight though...

Regards

Joeyeah_right · Post by **Joeyeah_right** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 7:36 am

Very nice looking jacket!!!

Joe

fifthchamber · Post by **fifthchamber** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 7:56 am

Thank you kindly Sir!

fifthchamber · Post by **fifthchamber** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 8:17 am

Oh, and a close-up on the pockets....

　And a clearer shot of the back designs...

では、、、

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 9:22 am

That looks GREAT, Ben! I'm VERY impressed with that.

It's obvious, too, that it's gonna get better and better looking the more time goes by and the longer you break it in... I look forward to seeing this great jacket progress over time (and don't forget to train that collar and give it a bit of curl!)

By the way... those pocket flaps? WOW! They look fantastic!
(Aw HECK, the WHOLE dang jacket looks fantastic!)

fifthchamber · Post by **fifthchamber** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 9:30 am

Thanks Mitch!

I agree.. I think it'll get better as time goes on.. It's solid now.. Like wearing a tank.. But I can see it softening once the heat kicks up properly here (next week sometime I guess..LOL).. I think it'll age well..

The pockets I'm quite happy with, aye... I asked for slightly wider top flaps and a more shaped "scallop" to the flap as well, since Peter has probably had a lot of experience with Holt's own designs I knew he'd get it spot on.. But I'm still very pleased with the look..

Hey, I don't know if I said it on the Earthquake thread, but seriously, thanks for the comments here and on Facebook.. It really helped me figure out what to do.. Thank you.

All the best.

atkins · Post by **atkins** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 10:01 am

Very cool looking jacket ! Congrats.

Gorak · Post by **Gorak** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 10:27 am

Love that color....looks really good especially in that second backshot. I also am really liking your older wested too....looks well worn and comfortable. Enjoy your new jacket.

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 12:13 pm

fifthchamber wrote:Hey, I don't know if I said it on the Earthquake thread, but seriously, thanks for the comments here and on Facebook.. It really helped me figure out what to do.. Thank you.

Anytime, my friend.
Take care.

Post by **Holt** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 1:10 pm

I love it and I absolutely love the pockets.

they knocked this one out of the park. way to go wested!

btw, is this 80's cut or regular full cut?

Indydawg · Post by **Indydawg** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 1:58 pm

This being custom, I'm curious as to whether you had them alter the storm flap width, action pleat depth, and/or the back sleeve seam (to have it top-stitched)...

And some more side-by-side pics of the custom and the OTR jacket (assuming the OTR is from Peter's shop and not from the "outsourced" shop) would be great....especially focusing on the three areas I mentioned.

What I'm trying to do is get an idea of what the current OTR Wested LC/CS jacket has going on in these three areas....storm flap width, action pleat depth, and whether or not the back sleeve seam is top-stitched.

Also..admittedly, I haven't seen these pics yet...so, if they address these questions, I'm sorry...the techno-nazis where I work have such crazy filters on the server that I don't "see" most pictures put up on the site...

Thanks!
Indydawg

tomek9210 · Post by **tomek9210** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 2:14 pm

Isn't the top back panel too wide?

Post by **Holt** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 2:16 pm

if you haven't seen the pictures of his new jacket I can say it's a raiders cut. not LC but it's made in this awesome pre distressed hide. very cool.

Post by **Holt** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 2:18 pm

tomek9210 wrote:Isn't the top back panel too wide?

absolutley not. remember he is a big dude. he needs the playroom in this jacket.

Indydawg · Post by **Indydawg** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 2:19 pm

Raiders cut with LC strap/collar/pocket/action back specs?

Post by **Holt** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 2:20 pm

nope, just standard Raiders jacket. no LC specs mixed in it.

Indydawg · Post by **Indydawg** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 2:26 pm

Oh...then I'm just trying as hard as I can to derail this thread....

Sorry...as you were...

Post by **Holt** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 2:31 pm

Weston · Post by **Weston** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 3:21 pm

Killer jacket! I recently gave mine away to someone, and these pics of yours have induced a pang of regret. It looks perfect. Enjoy it!

Weston

Gringo · Post by **Gringo** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:12 pm

Great jacket F.C.!

But my new Wested U-boat coat is pre-dis cow and looks nothing like that! I am wondering if I got Novapelle by mistake(fine by me)?? because that was my first request even though I switched to pre-cow standard. I will get Laura to take photos and get them posted!

Cheers,
Gringo

P.s. the reason I say this is because I have a LC novapelle from a couple years ago and they do not match, aside from the weight!

Post by **Holt** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:41 pm

well, the pre-d above may look lighter due flash. I think Fifthchamber had the flash on.

CM · Post by CM » Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:42 pm

Cool pockets. A great Wested.

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:44 pm

fifthchamber wrote: And this is the back...

...

I know you like your new jacket, but nothing to lose your head over...

Post by **Holt** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:45 pm

Gringo · Post by **Gringo** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:54 pm

No Holt, it is not the flash. I just blew up the photo and it is very different. I only can give evidence when she posts the photos.

Gringo · Post by **Gringo** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 5:04 pm

Sorry to pipe up again, but I just layed it side by side with My Wested XO. It is the same finish, but very thicker. Maybe that is what is throwing me?

Indydawg · Post by **Indydawg** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 7:31 pm

Got home and can finally see the pics...DUDE!!! The jacket rocks!

Love the pockets!

Nicely done on the leather, too...Gringo, if that's what you've got, too, then I know what leather I want for mine!!!

Congrats on the jacket!

Gringo · Post by **Gringo** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 8:09 pm

Thank you Dawg

Yeah, when I opened the package I was ready to see the very tan pre-dis(was ready with the pecards to darken) leather. Not here. It is awesome. I have worn it for only 24 hours now and the sleeves are wrinkling on there own. Even though it is the same finish of my XO, it does not act like the same leather(maybe I am just not drinking enough?). I know YOU will like it.

Cheers Mate!
Billy

Dawg, just thought of this. If you have a copy of the movie U-571, David Keith wears the U boat coat in the begining of the movie when he is in the sub. Not only is the jacket spot on, so is the color and pre-dis look.

fifthchamber · Post by **fifthchamber** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 8:56 pm

Okay... Lots of questions!

Lemme see....

Holt; It's a regular cut, not the 80's version, my arms aren't slim and that "taper" doesn't really work for me (I think, although I have been known to make mistakes, from time to time

)

IndyDawg; I asked for the flaps to be widened, and the neck oval to be elongated to allow a deeper opening (An attempt to get the "Holt-slung" look I'd seen demoed by Holt in his Jacket), action pleat was left alone, since the depth on my LC was fine, although it does feel deeper due to the heavier leather perhaps.. No change to the back sleeve seam. I'll try and get more of the photos you asked for up tonight perhaps? I took a load, but not specific shots, so I'll see what I can come up with when I'm back home.. And it isn't specifically a "Raiders" or an "LC", just my own creation.. But I did take the D-Rings over instead of the sliders, since I have a jacket with Sliders already, and wanted to see the difference..

Tomek; No, despite the width of the back panel, I wasn't trying for SA as much as for a general look with some SA features that I thought would suit my bodyshape.. So, as Holt says, it's roomy enough for me to wear in comfort.. Albeit perhaps not strictly SA..

Texas Scott; LMAO... Yeah... I noticed my head had vanished... Probably a good thing though..

As for the colouring, all the photos above were taken using flash.. I'll try and take some with natural light this weekend perhaps? The flash bleaches the colour enough to look a fair bit lighter.. The real colour is mostly a dark brown (not as dark as my LC), with lighter areas running through it.. A really fine mix I thought.. I used Pecards last night and the colour darkened a touch, but as soon as it dried it was back to looking like a good coloured mix of LC and Raiders.. It looks wonderful I think.. Really deep colouring and again, although not strictly SA, it does look like what I wanted, a "used" quality jacket..

Hope that answers some of the above!

Regards...

fifthchamber · Post by **fifthchamber** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 9:23 pm

Hey Dawg...

Here's some of the shots you asked for, although since I'm at work now I can only use what I took last night, so not so specific... Apologies for that..

Comparison shot of both with focus on the collars (no flash)

The LC focused on the collar (no flash)

The same shot of the collar on the Raiders (no flash) This is probably closest to what it looks like in shade.. Fairly dark, with lighter areas on the seams.. In daylight it's a fair bit brighter, but not as bright as the flash photos..

And last, the back panel seam on both in comparison (flash)

I hope that helps some?

RaidersBash · Post by **RaidersBash** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 9:34 pm

It's SUPER cool to see ALL these GREAT jackets coming out of WESTED again.

They've really stepped it up lately and it's nice to see them doing 'em right again.

Hollowpond · Post by **Hollowpond** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 9:42 pm

Now, if that pic of the collar on the new jacket is indicitive of the color of that jacket, I am interested in that hide my dang self! NICE!!!

Travis

fifthchamber · Post by **fifthchamber** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 9:49 pm

Hey Travis...

It is, aye... It was night when I took those shots, so it's a little hard to be 100% sure, but I'd certainly say that that colouring is what I can see when the jackets in shade.. I'll get the natural light shots over the weekend so you can judge better for yourself eh?

Regards.

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 11:32 pm

fifthchamber wrote:

Regards

The older Wested could be the unsung hero. I know that the devil is in the details, but that one is really aging well, and developing character! Cudos!

fifthchamber · Post by **fifthchamber** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 11:36 pm

Totally!

I agree... And actually, when I ordered the new Jacket, it was still cold enough to need it.. But since it was sent to my house in the UK it's taken a fair bit longer, so it's warming up now.. I think the lamb will be perfect, but the cow might be a touch too heavy in a month or so.. We'll see...

Indydawg · Post by **Indydawg** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 6:11 pm

That's actually really good, FC....much obliged!

Yeah...that Raiders is a VERY nicely done piece of work!

And Gringo-that leather sounds like it's EXACTLY what I'm after!

Now to just get Peter to work on my project

Cheers!
Indydawg

Gringo · Post by **Gringo** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 9:02 pm

If anyone can coax him into it, it is you!

Good luck my friend. Adios,
Billy

Indydawg · Post by **Indydawg** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 9:30 pm

Gracias, mi amigo!

If it ends up looking as good as FC's Raiders, it will all be worth it!

fifthchamber · Post by **fifthchamber** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 9:42 pm

Dawg...

Much respect.. Thanks for the kinds words Sir... Makes a great jacket feel a lot better when others appreciate what you asked for and pick up on it.. (Miho, my girlfriend still thinks it looks "exactly the same!" as my LC... But I'm not expecting her to pick up on the details.. Heh..

)

And yeah, the Wested farm seems to be producing some great gear recently.. The shift back to the UK rather than overseas production and the work done to refine what they had has really started to shine through now.. I'm very glad, since it means that Peter can honestly represent the product he made as being "the original" design, rather than just very close to it.. Since it started there, I'm glad to see it be built upon.. It would have been a shame to lose all those details... I'm glad that Wested made a concerted effort to bring it back to basics.. Really good gear..

This thread was an attempt to carry that on, since a good product really does deserve to be lauded... And the more people hear about it, the better the product has to be... Good for everyone!

Thanks mate..

Indydawg · Post by **Indydawg** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 10:18 pm

And yeah, the Wested farm seems to be producing some great gear recently.. The shift back to the UK rather than overseas production and the work done to refine what they had has really started to shine through now.. I'm very glad, since it means that Peter can honestly represent the product he made as being "the original" design, rather than just very close to it.. Since it started there, I'm glad to see it be built upon.. It would have been a shame to lose all those details... I'm glad that Wested made a concerted effort to bring it back to basics.. Really good gear..

This thread was an attempt to carry that on, since a good product really does deserve to be lauded... And the more people hear about it, the better the product has to be... Good for everyone!

Thanks mate..

I couldn't agree more, FC! And I know Peter appreciates the support....

Now, get out there and enjoy that thing while you still have some cool weather!

Indydawg

fifthchamber · Post by **fifthchamber** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 1:26 am

Hehe... Just did... Lovely Spring day here in Tokyo.. About 16 degrees, sunny and warm.. The jacket is heavy, but surprisingly not too hot.. It catches the wind well so the air cools inside too.. Lucky I guess, since I want to wear it as much as I can before the 38-40 degree/90-100% humidity summer season starts in a couple of months..

I finally managed to get some photos taken outside too... Here's the first;

And the second;

Both are the colour that I can see when I look at the jacket in sunshine.. So that should help some of you work out if it's the hide you want.. (Travis, it IS a lovely hide mate.. Really worth the wait..

)

Regards to all..

Post by **Holt** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 5:35 am

oh man! what a jacket! i'm just loving that skin

Hollowpond · Post by **Hollowpond** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 6:03 am

That hide REALLY makes me wish that Wested would do a vintage style half belt.

Nice jacket, dude!

Travis

Indydawg · Post by **Indydawg** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 10:00 am

That hide REALLY makes me wish that Wested would do a vintage style half belt.

OOoooohhhh...you're right, Travis....a Surrogates jacket repro would be SWEET!!!!

Joeyeah_right · Post by **Joeyeah_right** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 10:28 am

Indydawg wrote:
That hide REALLY makes me wish that Wested would do a vintage style half belt.
OOoooohhhh...you're right, Travis....a Surrogates jacket repro would be SWEET!!!!

I would definitely get one if Peter decided to start making them in this hide!

Joe

Hollowpond · Post by **Hollowpond** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 10:30 am

I know, right? Every time I bring it up to a jacket maker I get shot down! Somebody with some juice, HELP US OUT HERE!!!!

Indydawg · Post by **Indydawg** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 12:20 pm

I will see what I can do with Peter...although, I do know that Magnoli already has a similar pattern called, I think, the "Open road" pattern...which he has said, he would be willing to modify the seam lines and cuffs on to match the Surrogates jacket. I've talked with him about doing one for me, but just haven't been able to secure the appropriate amount of liquid funds to pull the trigger.

And Magnoli sent me some very interesting leather samples, too...one really "jerky," reddish brown cowhide that looked fantastic...thicker, though...and tough..would take some breaking in.

Not like FC's cowhide here....which looks like it's ready right out of the box!

At any rate....if you REALLY want a Surrogates style and can't wait, you might want to talk to Magnoli.

Later!
Indydawg

Post by **Holt** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:00 pm

hey Ben. When you have the time. could you do me a favor? could measure something for me?

the chest across ( armpit to armpit when zipped)

the half shoulder

the full shoulder across back.

the armhole: flat from top seam to the side seam (armpit)

bicep: from the armpit 45 degrees out from armhole on to bicep area.

thanks dude

Kevin Anderson · Post by **Kevin Anderson** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 9:53 pm

Indiana Holt wrote:
tomek9210 wrote:Isn't the top back panel too wide?
absolutley not. remember he is a big dude. he needs the playroom in this jacket.

I dunno...the newer outdoor photo of the back makes it look pretty big, maybe by a few inches.
The excess leather is all sort of scrunched up. Looks like it would fit _!