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

twistedotter · Post by **twistedotter** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 10:34 pm

Could someone be so kind as to tell me where or what the "Bazaar" is?

Post by **Holt** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 10:35 pm

http://indygear.com/cow/viewforum.php?f=40" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 10:47 pm

Has anyone been distressing or otherwise aging your jacket? Post any updates if you have them.

JC1972 · Post by **JC1972** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 1:23 am

twistedotter wrote:Could someone be so kind as to tell me where or what the "Bazaar" is?

In case you did not see M's response to your question in another thread, here it is again:

Michaelson wrote:It's in the classified section that you won't see until you have more posts under your belt.

Once you hit that 'magic number', the classified section will appear in your index.

Regards! Michaelson

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:23 am

Thanks, JC.

twistedotter, that WAS your answer, and posted TO you, but applies to anyone else who is new here and wondered the same thing.

Regards! Michaelson

Jedirun · Post by **Jedirun** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 2:19 am

I just got finished fixing the minuscule hole in my Bantu Wind second. I would not have even known it was there if they had not pointed it out. I am really impressed that they would go to the trouble of yanking on everything to make sure it won't rip before sending them out to customers.

I really like the jacket and not just because it is a ROTLA jacket. It is just a really nice jacket that I cannot believe I got from a "costume" store.

Nice job Todd as always.

Dr. Jones

darkhelmet · Post by **darkhelmet** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 6:18 am

You've got me curious. Does Todd's Costumes have a retail store?

Jedirun · Post by **Jedirun** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 9:38 am

darkhelmet wrote:You've got me curious. Does Todd's Costumes have a retail store?

No, I just emailed ahead and they were nice enough to allow me to stop by and try some stuff on. Since it is a warehouse, they don't even have a sign.

Dr. Jones

caliche · Post by **caliche** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 4:38 pm

Hey everyone, I'm brand new here and I've been soaking in all the info, what a great place! I just ordered a Bantu Wind insulated in XL first quality from Todd. It will be here in a few days. I will be sure to post pics. This is my first jacket purchase and I figured based on what I've read on these boards it would be a good starter jacket for my Raiders impression. I've also got an original Mark VII bag with leather strap coming in from WPG. Can't wait to get the rest of my gear together!

indyexpat · Post by **indyexpat** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 2:42 am

Couldn't resist.. missed a few great items so had to buy one.. Todd purchase complete, medium shirt.. hope the Large Jacket is right!!

indyexpat · Post by **indyexpat** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 11:19 pm

CRB wrote:Here's mine, a size Large. Had to let the sleeves out an inch, replace the side buckles with D rings and do the "wrinkle effect" on the sleeves.

How do you do the wrinkle effect?

fifthchamber · Post by **fifthchamber** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 12:19 am

Get the arms wet and slide the sleeves up as high as they'll go...The sleeves will wrinkle and retain the folds due to the water...Although I have done it dry too and it retained the wrinkles well..Depends on how sharp you want those lines to be, and how long you want them to be there I think..

indyexpat · Post by **indyexpat** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 12:29 am

Thanks for that! I'm going to live in my jacket, maybe I'll try that or do it naturally, though if it's like the rest of Todds stuff, it'll be amazing.

fifthchamber · Post by **fifthchamber** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 3:13 am

In my experience, the leather used on the Todd's Bantu Wind version wasn't so thick that it would HAVE to be wet before doing this...I've found that just wearing the thing day in and out led to a nice wrinkled line on both arms, and I didn't even have to slide the sleeves up to get it....But it does depend on the leather you get, since they won't all react in the same way...

That being the case, I'd suggest you try it dry, and if you like the results, there's no need to wet it unnecessarily...It'll get hit by rain etc anyway sooner or later...So..

Regards..

CRB · Post by **CRB** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 5:27 am

indyexpat wrote:
CRB wrote:Here's mine, a size Large. Had to let the sleeves out an inch, replace the side buckles with D rings and do the "wrinkle effect" on the sleeves.

How do you do the wrinkle effect?

Hi only just seen this. I did what the others said. I gave the sleeves a soaking, pushed them up my arms and wore it as long as I could until dry. I also had the sleeves lengthened which of course makes a mark so this method cleverly hides that "tide mark'.

I must say this jacket doesn't really feel particularly high quality, it's worth only what Todds Costumes sells them form. I've had Westeds and USW and they are superior. This one does feel like a costume piece more to me, but in terms of value for money it is truly excellent. I reserve this jacket when I'm doing rough work like working outside, taking stuff to the dump, or any instance where a jacket could get torn. If I damage this one, I really don't care. But it's pretty tough (for lamb!) and feels more like thin goat, so I doubt it will damage anytime soon.

indyexpat · Post by **indyexpat** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 11:15 am

I forgot to ask about changing the D rings. Where did you get the new ones from and do you have any before/after pics? Be interesting to see - I'm guessing this is for authenticity?

indyexpat · Post by **indyexpat** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 11:20 am

CRB wrote:I must say this jacket doesn't really feel particularly high quality, it's worth only what Todds Costumes sells them form. I've had Westeds and USW and they are superior. This one does feel like a costume piece more to me, but in terms of value for money it is truly excellent. I reserve this jacket when I'm doing rough work like working outside, taking stuff to the dump, or any instance where a jacket could get torn. If I damage this one, I really don't care. But it's pretty tough (for lamb!) and feels more like thin goat, so I doubt it will damage anytime soon.

Which do you think is the most authentic jacket, the USW or the Wested?

CRB · Post by **CRB** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 1:12 pm

The D rings I bought of a vendor off Ebay, very cheap. Got some spare as I think I will need them v soon for my new US Wings jacket.

I have a fuller review of my Todd's Bantu here at filmjackets.com (where I spend a lot of time):
http://www.filmjackets.com/forum/viewto ... =13&t=3496" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In terms of authenticity, that's a hard one to answer. I personally do not go after screen accuracy as much as most, to me a jacket is more about the quality of the leather and the fit. My USW is a very good Crystal Skull jacket as opposed to the Wested and Todd's which were Raiders. I am expecting a US Wings 30th Anniversary one literally tomorrow and that should satisfy my Raiders quench. The USW have slightly wide gaps by the shoulder seam, again doesn't bother me as the leather is so good quality that I love it. The Wested seemed a bit too roomy for me to be honest and I was never totally happy with the action pleats. The Todd's certainly seems to have the Raiders look pretty nailed. Perhaps if I saw a normal (non Bantu wind) one I'd like them a bit more. But they still are the best value for money.

indyexpat · Post by **indyexpat** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 6:16 pm

Can you check the link to the filmjackets post, it only gives me the login page so I can't see!

Also.. if you have the supplier saved for the D rings that would be handy.. be sure I send more business to the same seller (for what it's worth!)

fifthchamber · Post by **fifthchamber** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 7:00 pm

You have to be a member of Filmjackets to see the thread...(Great looking jacket CRB!), join, sign in and reopen the link and it'll work fine I expect....

Interesting change over to the D-rings too! I prefer the D-rings from a style point of view, but in terms of SA-ness the square sliders are good for Raiders...Although I believe that the D-rings are valid for the later movies too? So..Depends on your own personal taste basically.....

Even if you get a perfectly SA jacket, chances are good someone will complain that you look odd, or your body shape isn't Ford's, or the colouring is off (Because you're using natural light and not staged lighting etc)...So, being close enough for YOU is the name of the game in my opinion...Make it as close as YOU feel good with, and in a style that suits you, and you'll have a jacket that you'll ALWAYS want to wear...Bend reality to get the PERFECT jacket and you'll end up missing by a long shot...

Still...I think the Todd's are, for the money, amazing value and so close it covers most of the needs I have in my jacket choices....

Regards..

CRB · Post by **CRB** » Tue Aug 30, 2011 1:57 am

Sorry, totally forgot about having to be a member. You only have to be a member for that particular section ("Members jackets"), the others are public as far as I know.

The D rings was just a thing as I found them easier to work with and it reversed which way the strap pointed (as it was quite long). The ebay member is in the UK so I'm sure it wouldn't be worth your while (with shipping charges etc) but I just did a search on D-rings. If you know how to see a purchase that's over 60 days ago on Ebay then I could tell you the id, but I can;t them for some reason ?!

The D-rings (after I "aged" them):

Before:

And after:

indyexpat · Post by **indyexpat** » Tue Aug 30, 2011 3:12 am

Look great. Did you age them with the chemical treatment used in soldering? Typically there's a bronze, black and copper option.

CRB · Post by **CRB** » Tue Aug 30, 2011 4:29 am

Actually I just held them over a burning gas hob in our kitchen with some pliers! Primitive I know but worked a treat.

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Tue Aug 30, 2011 9:35 am

You can still find D-rings on Ebay and antique brass is a good way to go, as well.

Oildale Jones · Post by **Oildale Jones** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 3:07 pm

Each time I get my hands on a new-to-me Coyle’s jacket, it’s a little mystery. What is it? What’s it made of? Is it for real?

Although I’m very happy with my US Wings 30th Anniversary Legend goatskin jacket in XL, I was looking for a light lambskin Todd’s in XL that I could really beat up. One came up on daBay for a good price so I bought it right away. My first thought when I opened the box was, “This isn’t lambskin. It’s too thick.” (I have much to learn about leather.)

I guess I just bought a Bantu Wind. (It was not described as such in the listing.) The previous owner (who didn’t respond when I asked if he’s a member here) must not have worn it at all, because it looks brand new. It fits me very well. Compared to my USW30A, it has a narrower waist fit and it drapes better (it doesn’t A-frame), despite its stiffness. The sleeves on the BW are shorter by about an inch, but I like where they fall below my wrist (the USW is just slightly too long). The shoulders appear to be more constructed than on my USW.

Shown here with Todd's shirt, belt and trousers.

Because I wasn’t expecting a BW, I was surprised to find that the leather is stiffer and thicker than my first standard lambskin Todd’s, which is very light and smooth like a fashion leather. There’s more visible grain and pebbling, but no distinctive leather aroma until I got it wet (same story with the standard, at least until I treated it with neatsfoot oil). It feels as if it’s going to resist being broken in. I was hoping to get the same type of light/thin lambskin, mostly because in sunny SoCal, the lighter the better, but the more I work with it, the more I appreciate the thicker hide over the thin one. I’ve mentioned before that Todd’s regular lambskin looks almost artificial; the BW looks like a real leather jacket. (And let me just say this for the record: I’m amazed that I can buy quality leather jackets in this style for a hundred to two hundred bucks. My MFP jacket from AbbyShot cost $400+ and still needed work to make it more SA.)

Overall I’m thrilled with it. The only (admittedly minor) issues are some loose threads around the pockets and one wonky pocket flap. There's also a flaw/scar on one of the elbows that will wear through very soon (but will look cool). And would it kill Todd or his staff to put some kind of informational tag (model name, date of manufacture, etc.) inside the jackets?

Additional pictures here (first five, followed by USW). http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v381/ ... ment/Indy/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

One day, when my wife and I are able to be home together for more than a few hours, I'll have her take some pictures of me outside...

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 3:16 pm

Considering these were supposed to be seconds, I'm not surprised to read of the wonky flap and loose threads.

Regards! Michaelson

Oildale Jones · Post by **Oildale Jones** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 3:29 pm

Actually, I think this was a first. Instead of "loose" I should have said...whatever the term is when there are half-inch thread remnants sticking out of the seam. What were called in the USMC "Irish pennants." Overall the stitching and seams are satisfactory.

CRB · Post by **CRB** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 3:46 pm

Have to report, I got caught in a massive 15 minutes cloudburst replacing guttering 2 weekends ago. Was wearing the Bantu. A week later it has gone more solid and formed a pretty horrible shape. And its not my shape. Not sure what really happened to it, but I've given it away anyway. I always regarded it as more as a costume piece to be honest.

MARQ · Post by **MARQ** » Fri Sep 30, 2011 12:35 pm

Great looking jackets people...

Oildale Jones · Post by **Oildale Jones** » Fri Sep 30, 2011 8:54 pm

Son of a...

I had just written a lengthy essay on how I'd water-treated my jacket and the grain was popping and I'm really going to like owning and working with it, but when I hit "submit" I got logged out and lost the whole thing.

So, yeah. Me like jacket.

ShanghaiJack · Post by **ShanghaiJack** » Fri Sep 30, 2011 9:52 pm

That USW goatskin is making me drool. That is one heck of a great looking jacket!

Oildale Jones · Post by **Oildale Jones** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 3:38 pm

I spent a few minutes today in the mirror, going back and forth between my BW and my USW goatskin, and I'm really liking the fit and drape of the BW. It fits like my jacket, not my big brother's. It's twice the jacket for half the price.

kwad · Post by **kwad** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 4:37 pm

Oildale,

I have a USW Legend and a custom Wested, but, the BW is the one I always grab on the way out the door.
That has got to be the best $99 I've ever spent on a jacket.

Oildale Jones · Post by **Oildale Jones** » Thu Oct 06, 2011 4:22 am

After my jacket's first major wash, the lining is encroaching on the zipper (only visible on the non-storm flap side) and wanted to come out of the cuffs. Also, the lining on one sleeve was mis-sewn (as if it got doubled up under the needle by mistake) so it pulled at the armpit. The sleeves were just slightly too short but had about 1.25 inches of hem, so I removed the extra stitching, wet the cuffs, extended the hems, and used a steam iron to press in nice, sharp new edges. It took up the extra slack in the sleeve lining and it looks great. I'm glad I won't have to pay to have the lining altered.

I didn't find anything online about it so I just did what made sense. I'm quite pleased with myself.

darkhelmet · Post by **darkhelmet** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 1:44 am

I'm wearing my Bantu Jacket almost every day now. Love it. Lot's of compliments. Also wearing my Todd's Raiders shirt, with jeans or with my taupe cargo pants...and of course Aldens.

Great look and comfy for fall!

Jedirun · Post by **Jedirun** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 11:21 am

darkhelmet wrote:I'm wearing my Bantu Jacket almost every day now. Love it. Lot's of compliments. Also wearing my Todd's Raiders shirt, with jeans or with my taupe cargo pants...and of course Aldens.

Great look and comfy for fall!

I keep waiting for cold enough weather to wear the jacket. It looked like we were almost there, then we got some sort of crazy heat wave in San Diego. It has been in the 90's all week.

Maybe next month.

Dr. Jones

knibs7 · Post by **knibs7** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 6:31 pm

Ok so I have a question...

Over Christmas break, I finally got time to distress my Bantu Wind jacket. All I can say is WHAT THE HECK IS THIS THING MADE OF?!?!?!

This is the TOUGHEST jacket I've ever owned! I aged it the exact same way I did to my other 2 Raiders jackets... Alcohol, sandpaper, steel wool, wire brush, knife and shower. After doing all of this, the jacket STILL hardly looks aged at all!

Any thoughts?

Kyle

Oildale Jones · Post by **Oildale Jones** » Mon Jan 16, 2012 3:32 am

Sell it and buy a new Todd's Standard?

I think the problem is the color of the underlying leather. Even if you take off the top layer, the undertones are darker (gray to black) so you don't get that lightened distressed look like you do with, say, a Wested (or a new Todd's Standard, from what I hear). It's a product of the tanning process. (I'll leave that explanation to more knowledgable 'heads.) Anyway, it's why I've given up trying to distress a BW.

More here: http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=53142" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

—Hey, wait a second! We already had this discussion, in that very thread! You asked a similar question, and I gave nearly the same answer, almost exactly a month ago.

Ah, well. One year I gave my father a birthday card and my mother said, "Do you realize you gave him that same card last year?" (I don't think he remembered it, either.)

MARQ · Post by **MARQ** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 2:16 pm

Are all the Bantu Winds that grainy begin with or does that appear after the water-treatment?
I mean the standard is smoother...or is it?!

Oildale Jones · Post by **Oildale Jones** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 1:56 am

MARQ wrote:Are all the Bantu Winds that grainy begin with or does that appear after the water-treatment?
I mean the standard is smoother...or is it?!

I don't believe either of mine were brand new, but I would guess that they start pretty grainy and get even grainier after soaking and drying. The standards start very smooth; after washing, though, my "previous edition" standard looks like a BW.

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 10:56 pm

Any new photos of yours, OD?

Oildale Jones · Post by **Oildale Jones** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:35 pm

Only the ones I took for the auctions. They've moved on to new (hopefully loving) homes.

I do need some new pix for the new (old) standard...

MARQ · Post by **MARQ** » Tue May 29, 2012 7:21 am

I found this from my files...completely forgot that I had this.

This applies to the Standard Todd and the Bantu Wind-jacket size XLarge? If so shoulders 22" added with 25.5" sleeve makes 26.5",inch for each sleeve,if that makes any sense.That´s same with Wested´s 44Long..if my memory serves me correctly.I could live with that

$\:D/$

Size XLARGE:
Sleeve Length:25.5"
Chest Size:47-49"
Back Length:25"
Waist Size:44-46"
Armpit to Armpit:25"
Collar length:19"
Shoulders:22"

MARQ · Post by **MARQ** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 2:34 pm

It´s hard to look all those excellent Todd´s jackets and not have one myself...but happily I found a seller...Seems like I´ll get me a second-hand Bantu Wind Jacket..

next the whip..and then..?

MARQ · Post by **MARQ** » Sat Nov 24, 2012 11:13 am

It´s hard to look all those excellent Todd´s jackets and not have one myself...but happily I found a seller...Seems like I´ll get me a second-hand Bantu Wind Jacket..

next the whip..and then..?

For some odd reason there are no more replies here....

kwad · Post by **kwad** » Sun Nov 25, 2012 1:43 am

I really like this jacket. Not so much because it is an Indy jacket, but, just a cool looking leather jacket. I've been thinking that I would like it even more if was even LESS of an Indy jacket. So, I'm going to dye it black.

It's strange how your perspective changes once you have TOO MANY copies of what is essentially the same jacket!

MARQ · Post by **MARQ** » Sat Apr 27, 2013 3:21 am

It´s been a while since the "BW" Jackets were online for graps so,UPDATE might be in order I think

I mean,how they have been holding up the "stress of constant abuse" and so on..you follow?

darthbish · Post by **darthbish** » Sun Apr 28, 2013 10:37 pm

MARQ wrote:It´s been a while since the "BW" Jackets were online for graps so,UPDATE might be in order I think I mean,how they have been holding up the "stress of constant abuse" and so on..you follow?

Strangely enough I've got mine on today....

Just as good as the day I bought it