Bantu Wind-ish, Todd's jacket thread...

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Tue May 17, 2011 11:06 pm

Hey, nice photos there, BTJ!

...gotta call out the low(er) yoke, Holty.

Perfect timing! This jacket came along at a great time in the forum.

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Tue May 17, 2011 11:40 pm

Joeyeah_right wrote:According to the tracking - mine left UK customs yesterday, so should arrive today - too bad I'm at work. It means I'll get home to a card from the mailman saying "We tried to deliver but you were out..." and I'll have to collect it from the Post Office tomorrow, if I can get there before it closes (I hate the fact that the post office only opens between 9 and 5.30 and I am at work between 8.30 and 5. It doesn't give me a very big window to get there before it closes.) If I can't get there after work then I'll probably have to wait until Saturday!

Joe

Well, hopefully you will receive the jacket before then. I see an extended lunch break in the near future?

Post some pics if you can.

darthbish · Post by **darthbish** » Wed May 18, 2011 1:46 am

Texan Scott wrote:
Joeyeah_right wrote:According to the tracking - mine left UK customs yesterday, so should arrive today - too bad I'm at work. It means I'll get home to a card from the mailman saying "We tried to deliver but you were out..." and I'll have to collect it from the Post Office tomorrow, if I can get there before it closes (I hate the fact that the post office only opens between 9 and 5.30 and I am at work between 8.30 and 5. It doesn't give me a very big window to get there before it closes.) If I can't get there after work then I'll probably have to wait until Saturday!

Joe
Well, hopefully you will receive the jacket before then. I see an extended lunch break in the near future? Post some pics if you can.

Mines been at 'this' stage since the 14th..
May 14, 2011 9:19 pm ISC LOS ANGELES CA (USPS), International Dispatch
I've got no idea what it means??

Should it get 'marked in' or something when it reaches the destination country??

HDRnR · Post by **HDRnR** » Wed May 18, 2011 9:57 am

Don't count on USPS updating anything. My estimate was 1-3 days and it took five.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed May 18, 2011 11:12 am

Sometimes they update AFTER a package has been delivered and not before.

Happens to me ALL the time.

Regards! Michaelson

kwad · Post by **kwad** » Wed May 18, 2011 3:07 pm

Yep, What M said.

Half the time I use USPS to track a shipment, it arrives BEFORE they get around to updating their site. I have even had it say a package was "Delivered" 2 days before it arrived

.

raider 57 · Post by **raider 57** » Wed May 18, 2011 4:06 pm

OK Guys, finally got around to posting:
Front:

Back:

and more links:
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x36/ ... C03771.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x36/ ... C03772.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x36/ ... C03773.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As I mentioned earlier, I have a 38T Gibson and Barnes, but this jacket is bigger around the body.
No problem....just tighten up the side straps.
Great Jacket, and I really wanted a lambskin. Thanks Todd!!

(And NO my left arm is not shorter than my right. The jacket is on crooked....just looks weird!)

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Wed May 18, 2011 5:35 pm

Jacket looks great, '57! Can you believe it for the money?

Post by **Holt** » Wed May 18, 2011 7:41 pm

awesome looking jacket.

I threw mine in the shower today and an did that do wonders to it. instant character! will post more pictures.

Indiana Croft · Post by **Indiana Croft** » Wed May 18, 2011 8:03 pm

And ask again:

Ohhhh Ahhhhh, themz some nizzzze pics. Thanks. Thanks alot.
Can some one with a L give me a shoulder to should measuremnt (across the back panel seam left to right and from the shoulder down the cuff "in inches" please.
Thanks.
Croft
Ohhhh Ahhhhh, themz some nizzzze pics. Thanks. Thanks alot.
Can some one with a L give me a shoulder to should measuremnt (across the back panel seam left to right and from the shoulder down the cuff "in inches" please.
Thanks.
Croft

I know you guys are telling me, just buy it you'll like it.

But I don't have a lot of spare cash, yes I have the cash to buy one, but if the shoulders are waaaaay to big and this'll make the sleeves longer in appearance.

Just want the measurments to compare to my other jackets so I can get a feel for a large.

Croft

fifthchamber · Post by **fifthchamber** » Wed May 18, 2011 8:24 pm

I gave them in centimetres....You could just convert those to inches using an online converter perhaps?

kwad · Post by **kwad** » Wed May 18, 2011 9:05 pm

Croft,

Here is the measurements of my large;

Chest, measured below pits, pleats closed, and from the edges of the leather: 24"

Shoulder seams, from the collar stand to sleave seam: Right 6.5", Left 6.75"

Sleaves, from hem to seam: Approximately 24.5" - 25"

Back Length from collar stand to hem: 23.75" (yes, that is correct)

And last, and definately the least, the YOKE: 5"

Keep in mind that these were taken after my jacket has been worn (quite a bit) and has gotten wet several times (not soaked through, just liberally sprayed with a spray bottle).
So, my jacket has shrunk a bit here and stretched a bit there, and it now fits me perfect. Though it did not out of the box.

It would be interesting to hear everyone elses measurements, just to see the differences within one run of jackets.

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Wed May 18, 2011 11:14 pm

Texan Scott wrote:Just in case you may be wondering, an XL measures: 25" across the pits, 25 1/2" sleeves and 26" back length.

jnicktem · Post by **jnicktem** » Wed May 18, 2011 11:16 pm

The large sounds like it will fit me... but I am just worried about the sleeves. I need to have at least 25" sleeves... perferably a little longer. Does anyone have a large with 25" sleeves?

kwad · Post by **kwad** » Thu May 19, 2011 4:57 am

Nick,

The sleaves were a little short on me as well, and it was beginning to bother me.
I got a wild hare up the backside tonight and tried lengthening the sleaves, luckily with good results.

I soaked the cuffs in hot water, pulled the glue loose and extended the sleaves by 1".
There was quite a bit of leather folded over for the cuff, and more than enough length in the liner (I could have let them out another half inch).
The leather being so thin, the old creases disappeared almost completely (they are very faint, and you probably would not notice them unless I pointed it out).

I also used one of those hand held garment steamers on the new folds to really lock them in, which also helped get rid of the old crease lines (and brought out some more character in the grain at the cuffs).

Then to keep everyting in place, I put a tack stitch on the cuffs, hiding them in the two sleave seams.
Now the sleaves end at the web of my thumb, right where they should.
New sleave length is 25.75"

Hollowpond · Post by **Hollowpond** » Thu May 19, 2011 5:38 am

fifthchamber wrote:I gave them in centimetres....You could just convert those to inches using an online converter perhaps?

Its what I did...

Indiana Croft · Post by **Indiana Croft** » Thu May 19, 2011 9:35 am

Thanks kwad, I'll look these over and compare.

Croft

EDIT: Just compared my Todds custom and my US Wing SL.
Yep the Bantu L is waaaaaaaaaaaaay to big, by several inches, I know I can shrink a jacket some, but not that much.

, oh well.

COME ON TODD make these in a med, you've got buisness just ah waiting.

CRoft

Technonut · Post by **Technonut** » Thu May 19, 2011 4:09 pm

I put on a few pounds since my Todd's Custom Calfskin in 2007, and couldn't have found the Bantu Wind at a better time.

I pulled the trigger on a 1st qualty XL just a few days ago, and today, am wearing it as I type. This jacket is AWESOME!! $\:D/$
This fits like a Raiders jacket should. The lamb is nicely grainy, but not over done. I was not expecting it to feel so sturdy.

The forearms are roomier, and the cuffs fall right at the web of the thumbs.

The collar needs a soak, and played with, but that I have done on ALL of my leather jackets. The dark brown color is fantastic. I feel I am wearing the Raiders opening scene / temple jacket.

For a fluke.... WELL DONE Todd!!

I will post pics after I get the collar where I want it. After that, this bad boy will only see real-world wear and distressing.

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Thu May 19, 2011 4:14 pm

...use the farce, fluke!

Post by **Holt** » Thu May 19, 2011 4:27 pm

well. I totally soaked the jacket and now it dried to my body the shoulders have formed themselfs very differently. now the top shoulder seams fall more towards the rear. not much but alittle.

Indyzane · Post by **Indyzane** » Thu May 19, 2011 4:34 pm

Man I think I need to order one of these now! You guys are making me so jealous!

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Thu May 19, 2011 4:44 pm

Better latch onto one quick, Indyzane, before it slides right out o' the fingers! Opportunity knocks only once, sometimes...?

Adirondack Jones · Post by **Adirondack Jones** » Thu May 19, 2011 4:46 pm

no question...another home run for Todd

Rick Deckard · Post by **Rick Deckard** » Thu May 19, 2011 7:51 pm

Received my XL Bantu Wind jacket today. If you're on the fence about buying one of these, buy one before they're gone! The leather is very soft and supple. I can see this quickly becoming my favorite jacket for cool weather wear. The collar needed a bit of shaping, and I had a crease on both arms from it being folded, but that's par for the course.

Everything on the jacket appears to be in perfect condition. I bought a first quality, in case anyone is wondering. As far as sizing goes, I'd say the jacket is very similar in fit to my XL US Wings Antique Cow Hero but is a bit smaller in the body and chest. Noticeably smaller, in fact, in the body but since I don't plan on layering quite like I do with the Hero in really cold weather, that's a good thing.

Great jacket, Todd! Great offer, too. $50.00 off from the standard's price for a first quality Bantu Wind is a great bargain.

I chose USPS shipping and got it in two days, and I live in PA. Not too shabby all around!

Please let us know about future screw ups!!!

(Just wanted to use another smilie...)

RaidersBash · Post by **RaidersBash** » Thu May 19, 2011 8:05 pm

Indiana Holt wrote:well. I totally soaked the jacket and now it dried to my body the shoulders have formed themselfs very differently. now the top shoulder seams fall more towards the rear. not much but alittle.

better or worse Eric?

HDRnR · Post by **HDRnR** » Thu May 19, 2011 8:37 pm

I just ordered a second in a size larger for experimentation. I want to do a serious shrinking to see if I can bring out that shrunken lamb effect.

gmarthe · Post by **gmarthe** » Thu May 19, 2011 8:40 pm

Indiana Croft wrote:Thanks kwad, I'll look these over and compare.

Croft

EDIT: Just compared my Todds custom and my US Wing SL.
Yep the Bantu L is waaaaaaaaaaaaay to big, by several inches, I know I can shrink a jacket some, but not that much. , oh well.

COME ON TODD make these in a med, you've got buisness just ah waiting.
CRoft

Croft, I was in the same frame of mind as you but I ordered one anyway. I recieved it today and I was totally blown away. Awesome jacket and not big at all (I ordered a large and I am 6'0" 167lbs). I am also thinking about ordering another. Will post pictures tomorrow.

Indiana Croft · Post by **Indiana Croft** » Thu May 19, 2011 8:54 pm

I'm only 5'5", just a lil o'l me would be dwarfed, if Todds policy was, hey if it doesn't fit I'll refund less shipping, I'd give it a try.
But to buy and then hope to sell it at the bazar, can't risk it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that our man Todd has something in the works for this type of leather, might have to pay the 150.00 price tag, but I've been thinking of buy another Todds any way. Was going to be a Wested but I got cold feet.

So I'll be paitant.

Croft

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Thu May 19, 2011 10:09 pm

I can see why you were on the fence about these BW's. I don't blame you for waiting, under the circumstances.

Indyzane · Post by **Indyzane** » Fri May 20, 2011 2:17 am

Texan Scott wrote:Better latch onto one quick, Indyzane, before it slides right out o' the fingers! Opportunity knocks only once, sometimes...?

I called Todd's today and talked with Kristen. She's holding a jacket for me until the morning when I call and place my order. $\:D/$ Your absolutely right Tex!

Post by **Holt** » Fri May 20, 2011 5:06 am

RaidersBash wrote:
Indiana Holt wrote:well. I totally soaked the jacket and now it dried to my body the shoulders have formed themselfs very differently. now the top shoulder seams fall more towards the rear. not much but alittle.

better or worse Eric?

better

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Fri May 20, 2011 9:14 am

Jolly good show, IZ! You won't regret it.

RaidersBash · Post by **RaidersBash** » Fri May 20, 2011 10:33 am

Indiana Holt wrote:
RaidersBash wrote:
Indiana Holt wrote:well. I totally soaked the jacket and now it dried to my body the shoulders have formed themselfs very differently. now the top shoulder seams fall more towards the rear. not much but alittle.

better or worse Eric?
better

New pics????

raider 57 · Post by **raider 57** » Fri May 20, 2011 1:42 pm

Texan Scott wrote:Jacket looks great, '57! Can you believe it for the money?

Yep T. Scott.....a steal for the price.

Mine was a "second", took me only about 15 minutes to fix the left pocket.

darthbish · Post by **darthbish** » Fri May 20, 2011 11:24 pm

OMIGOD, OMIGOD, OMIGOD!!!!!!!
It's HERE..
and I frrrrrrrrrrrrrreakin LOVE it...

(apologies for the red shorts

)

and this is a SECOND...
There's absolutely nothing wrong with it.

Lovely soft leather that's getting softer the more I wear it. I can't say that I can fault it whatsoever.

And only a week from ordering to Australia. That, my friends, is VERY impressive.

Joeyeah_right · Post by **Joeyeah_right** » Sat May 21, 2011 8:09 am

Well, I got my jacket today (had to collect it from the Post Office today because yesterday I received the "While you were out..." card from the mailman). Tried it on, and as i suspected, it was too short, both in the arms (a bit), and (most importantly) way too short in the body, (I am a shade under 6' 2"), and when done up completely it was not too tight, but not loose either (i usually wear a 44" jacket), so I have just now pulled the trigger on an XL

The extra length in the back of the XL should be fine and hopefully the arms will be longer if the shoulder seam is off my shoulder slightly.

I'll try to get pics taken and put up in a bit. I may sell the Large i have in the bazaar, but i got my wife to try it on and it fit her perfectly in the chest, length, & waist, although the arms were an inch or two too long for her, but that's easy to fix, so she may decide to keep it

Now it's just the waiting game for the XL to turn up!

Joe

Post by **Holt** » Sat May 21, 2011 8:18 am

I'm 6.2 and the XL is a perfect fit. sleeves are long but they will bunch up with wear. the back is 26'' and the front is the same lenght as the back so it may feel shorter in the front. when it relaxes more you will get more lenght in the front.

Joeyeah_right · Post by **Joeyeah_right** » Sat May 21, 2011 8:57 am

Okay, here are some pics of me wearing the Large size.
For comparison first is a photo of me with my Wested 44 Long jacket in soft goat:

And her is the same shot but with the Bantu Wind jacket in Large:

Now the BW fully zipped up:

And the BW from the back with the zipper opened:

I love the lightness of the BW and the texture of the jacket - looks like it's ready to shoot off on an adventure! It's just too small for me, so I'm really looking forward to getting an XL now as i know that will be perfect!

Joe

tomek9210 · Post by **tomek9210** » Sat May 21, 2011 9:46 am

If I were you, I wouldn't change it to XL. This one fits you great, back length looks good. If the sleeves are a little too short, you can soak them in water and push gently to make them longer or unsew/unglue folded leather and lengthen them this way.

Post by **Holt** » Sat May 21, 2011 9:51 am

it's to tight in the shoulders, chest and too short in the sleeves.

fifthchamber · Post by **fifthchamber** » Sat May 21, 2011 10:00 am

Yeah, one size up and you're spot on...It's not far off...The back looks good anyway, but it's a touch too small at that size...

(You could still carry it off though....It's small, but not impossibly so...If you had NO choice, it would be an issue, but not such an impossible one I think..)

Indyzane · Post by **Indyzane** » Sat May 21, 2011 10:01 am

XL will give you more of a Raiders look IMO. Nice jacket though!

Joeyeah_right · Post by **Joeyeah_right** » Sat May 21, 2011 10:07 am

Yeah, I've gone for the XL and my wife is seriously thinking of keeping the Large for herself, so it saves me trying to sell it.

When the XL arrives i'll put up a couple of pics to show how it fits.

Joe

Hollowpond · Post by **Hollowpond** » Sat May 21, 2011 10:07 am

Ben, judging by the other larges we've seen I can't figure out for the world how yours fits you!

fifthchamber · Post by **fifthchamber** » Sat May 21, 2011 10:16 am

Haha.....I'm short...I reckon that's the secret? 5'8" and it's a perfect fit if you're not too big in the waist...Any taller and your arms are a touch too long and the jacket looks too short..But at my height you're spot on...

I reckon?

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Sat May 21, 2011 10:34 am

I think I would have done the same thing, Joe. An inch or two here or there, and it might have fit. Looks like it is too short in the arms and chest.

Darth, glad you like your own version of the BW!

Nice photos guys!

darkhelmet · Post by **darkhelmet** » Sat May 21, 2011 1:02 pm

Just ordered mine. Can't wait to get it. My gear is almost complete.

HDRnR · Post by **HDRnR** » Sat May 21, 2011 3:47 pm

I soaked my collar in warm water and then let it dry in the sun. The grain really popped out.

Post by **Holt** » Sat May 21, 2011 3:53 pm

this is what my jacket looked like right out of the box and worse ( in a good way) now that I have worn it many days it is now a dead ringer for the raiders grain.

darkhelmet · Post by **darkhelmet** » Sat May 21, 2011 4:37 pm

Questions for those who got the uninsulated version. It still has a liner right?

Is it light enough to be used as a jacket in warmer weather?