Wonder how much it would shrink if you added some dryer heat to it, hmmmm.
Heat will stiffen the leather. I'd dry it @ no more than 80 - 85 degrees. The heat really doesn't shrink the leather. The moisture and tumbling do the work. That's my experience, anyway.
I agree - with the thicker leather, I think many "mediums" would be happy with a shrunken "large".
Oh nice one Puppetboy, playing on the hearts of all us Med.
You say heat will shrinken and stiffen, but would a liberal dose of pecards and lots of wearing bring it back to the orrginal softness, or try it on med heat.
Can you answer a question I'm sure is on the minds of many. Are you planning to introduce this leather as a regular jacket on the site.
Heat won't shrink the leather. The water does that. Once the leather is cooked by heat, no amount of Pecard's will save it. Also, if you use steam, use cool steam only. Hot steam will also cook the leather and make it hard as a rock.
When you wet the leather, it is allowed to contract back to it's "unstretched" size. Depends on the tannage. It works on this leather to a degree. Let the water do it's work (you don't have to soak it) and then gently dry it to keep it that way.
I'm working on a better leather for our next jackets. Yeah, believe it or not, I can imagine something even better. There's a long way to go yet. I'm looking for a little more even grain, better drape and nicer hand feel. For me, the leather has too much contrast between grain/bubble patches and super smooth areas. I'd like to get rid of the super smooth areas and go for light grain instead. Also, there are definite stiff spots on some of the leather - I think they steam tumbled them after they were sewn. The stiff spots are mostly along the hem.
cool stuff on the leather. looking forward to it.. can I ask for also maby sorting out a leather with a more earthy toned underbelly? brown/red/yellowish.
What happens to the lining though, if the leather shrinks so much? Does it shrink at the same rate? If it didn't I imagaine you'd be left with
quite a baggy lining.
Thank you _, the reason I ask is I too gave my SL a hot bath, drip dry couple hours, then in the dry set med, then on high for 30 min, came out stiff, gave it some pecards, and were it may not be the same jacket as before, the size to me is much better, I'm more happier now with it.
If I go for BW jacket, I'm going to have to shrink it, as a med. is the only way. We'll see.
I have to agree with Todd on this one. I washed the exact same jacket awhile back but I let mine air dry. It ended up bringing out a lot of grain to the body and gave it that Dino-hide look the the old Nowak had. But like Todd said it was hard as a brick once dried.
That actually scared the carp out of me. I thought I just ruined a $500 jacket and would never get it back to the original softness it had. It also, shrunk it a size for me and made it fit me a lot better but back to the hardness of the skin. I ended up wearing it everyday and rolled it up pounced on it then just gave up and wore it like it's supposed to be. Now it feels just as soft but looks perfect for my taste. It looks distessed without the need of acetone and sandpaper and feels as soft as a baby's bottom. It just took time for it to get there.
If it fits great just dont wash it or go swimming in it. Rain or a rub down with a wet rag shouldn't do anything to it. The arms may end up shrinking a tab bit because your elbows will create a natural bend in them that might raise the length a half inch, other than that you should be fine. Also, the jacket should relax a bit after some wear so it might grown a bit for you. I really wouldn't worry though, you should be fine with what you have.
I have a never had a jacket shrunk due rain. heavy rain. I just hang it up over a chair with a thick towel under it.
I have shrunk jackets with HOT water and some hot air speed drying. it looses a hole size almost. the cotton lining has shrunk as well. nylon/silky lining has kept it size.
I have not had any extreme shrinkage with the ''bantu'' jacket leather. almost nothing. only better fitting around the arms. chest and waist still the same.
Indiana Holt wrote:oh, and I am replacing the tri glides on the bantu jacket with rectangular sliders. they are just more Indy to me.
I'll post pics when they are replaced.
I'm thinking about doing the same thing.
I looped the straps back through so that they point forward (the straps were too long and looked sloppy pointing backwards) but, the extra thickness of the straps + the glides is noticeable on my back when I drive.
But why would it even occur to you that pecards would help?
I may have read it some where, that after "abusing" ones jacket this way that adding pecards is just to re-introduce protecio/oils that the heat removed.
Ya and I'll wear it every chance I get, but were getting into the hot humid weather up in NH, so it just might have to go into the dryer on tumble only to keep working it.
RaidersBash wrote:Been meaning to post this for a bit, but here are the measurements of my large (straight out of the box), copying same measurement pattern:
Chest, measured below pits, pleats closed, and from the edges of the leather: 23"
Shoulder seams, from the collar stand to sleave seam: Right 6.5", Left 6.5"
Sleeves, from hem to seam: 25"
Back Length from collar stand to hem: 25"
Front Length from shoulder seam to hem: 25"
YOKE: 5.5" at shoulder seams and collar stand base-middle: 6.5"
Wow, are the sleeve lengths on yours really 25"? If so, a large will actually fit me!
OK so I've had my Todd's jacket for a bit and I really have enjoyed wearing it. I'm quite happy with the bargain and the jacket.
So I have some questions and observations:
What Jacket is Todd's Raiders jacket based on? Was an original screen used jacket obtained long enough to copy?
If not, they really did their homework getting a nice pattern.
Can someone enlighten me on the proper Raiders slider buckles? All I can say is that they're different from Wested's 'two black rectangle ' buckle design. Sorry I haven't done the research.
The pocket shape looks to be right on.
The back panel stitching on this and other Todd's jackets I have seen have a different appearance than most Indy jacket offerings. The stitch line is closer to the back panel edge on the vertical seam. The other jackets I have seen seem to have a wider distance between the stitching and the edge. I have to say I do like the wider stitch seam spacing on the other jackets.
The points at the collar seem to be sharper than other jackets I have. I haven't spent much time checking screen grabs so I'm not sure what's correct. It just seems a little pointed to me.
I do wonder if Todd's would consider some type of lining that is a dull brown cotton with nylon sleeves for future jacket offerings.
I would also like to see this jacket offered with a slightly larger (less teeth per inch?) zipper.
The leather weight and texture seem to be exactly what people believe the Raiders jacket was. I enjoy the heavier cowhide jackets
I have, but I like the idea of having a lighter one for whatever reason.
Another plus - The color seems right on.
What can I do to get the puffy textured look without shrinking? I keep hearing about washing machine use, baths, and dryers. It fits just right now. While trying break it in and get some extra wrinkles on the inside opposite my elbow, I must have accidentally stretched the sleeves just a bit to what appears to be an accurate length. No harm done so far.
If this new design of Todd's jacket becomes available as a production item with the crescent shape taken out of the yoke area, I'll definitely buy one. Then maybe put this one up for sale, assuming I can part with it.
RaidersBash wrote:Been meaning to post this for a bit, but here are the measurements of my large (straight out of the box), copying same measurement pattern:
Chest, measured below pits, pleats closed, and from the edges of the leather: 23"
Shoulder seams, from the collar stand to sleave seam: Right 6.5", Left 6.5"
Sleeves, from hem to seam: 25"
Back Length from collar stand to hem: 25"
Front Length from shoulder seam to hem: 25"
YOKE: 5.5" at shoulder seams and collar stand base-middle: 6.5"
Wow, are the sleeve lengths on yours really 25"? If so, a large will actually fit me!
Measured several times and both sides to make sure...mine are 25"
First of all, a big hello to everyone! I haven't posted in well over a year.
One thing about this Bantu Wind jacket: was it not noted or assumed that the side straps were attached with inseam stitching? ie, like the 90s Westeds? Hence all the past discussions on the similiarites between protoype-bantu jacket/Hack stunt jacket/Wested alleged "original patters" in the 90s.
To me, aside from the yoke and the collar, this jacket looks very hero-ish.
Sorry if I'm a bit out of the loop.
If you read the thread from Todd in the vendor section you will learn that these jackets are a 'screw up' jacket from the factory. these jackets aren't made to BE the bantu jacket. we say it looks more like the bantu since the top shoulder seam is more more on the shoulder making the yoke look lower from the side. hence the 'bantu' name on the jacket.
It's just an normal todds standard with a wrong yoke. nothing more.
Had a chance encounter with Kwad earlier tonight at Disneyland. We were both wearin' our Todd's (I have more than I care to admit....) It was nice to met a fellow gearhead and I must say his Bantu Wind is an excellent looking jacket!
Tennessee Smith wrote:Allright, this goes out to everyone on this thread that bought this jacket to distress it for that "perfect" jacket. I've seen no pics
After the water treatment, the leather stiffened up some and if you wouldn't have known, you might think it was goat skin. Truely a modern wonder. Check out the grain on this one:
](./images/smilies/Indy_wall.gif "Brick wall"){kind=small}
(for better or worse) so it feels different than the normal standard.
.....brb....
