Is the G&B lamb about the strongest version of that hide?

[CM]

Also curious if anyone has weighed one of these jackets size 42 or over to find out what it weighs.

[Michaelson]

Lambskin is lambskin. They're all about the same when it comes to tensile strength.

Regards Michaelson

[tmurph]

My G&B weighs in at about 3 lbs. It's the lamb and for comparison my todds is 2 lbs. and my Nowak is 3.5 lbs. (all lamb and size 42'ish). I just weighed myself with my jacket on and then off for the estimate.

[Michaelson]

I'm a bit confused as to what is being asked.....weight, or strength. One does not particularily equal the other when it comes to this particular hide. Just because it's heavier doesn't mean it's stronger. Leather doesn't work that way.

My answer stands as is to the subject title.

As to weight, I'll go along with tmurphs's reply since he took the time to do the research.

Regards! Michaelson

[CM]

Jeez, I thought what I was asking was obvious... What I've found over 25 years of jacket buying (only 2 Indy's) is that lamb varies a lot. Some lamb has an almost hard surface that resists scratching and is never soft. Others are so soft you can scratch them with your finger nail. I've had heavy thick lamb and light thin lamb. Some scratch and tear if you rub gently against a brick wall. Others are robust enough to survive a modest bar fight. Like any leather, how it is treated and tanned will make a difference. I'll try it from a different angle. For those with a few lamb jackets, including a G&B - how does it compare? Does it wear harder or feel tougher than the others? Or not... I'm happy with a non-scientific subjective response.

[Michaelson]

Obvious? no. That's why I asked.

Your subject line asks specificially "Is the G&B lamb about the strongest version of that hide?", then open the thread with "curious if anyone has weighed one of these jackets size 42 or over to find out what it weighs?"

Those are two different questions. Are you asking about weight, or strength? One does not necessarily equate to the other.

Tannieries refer to 'tensile strength' guidelines set down by the tanning industy to determine strength of a hide for making items like garments. They then use a calculation to determine how thin to shave a hide regarding physical weight of an item. One is not necessarily set for the other. A thick lambskin will still have the same tensile strength of a thin hide.*

You answered your questions yourself, "Like any leather, how it is treated and tanned will make a difference."

For example, I've owned several lambskin Wested jackets over the years. One is still in the possession of my eldest daughter and dates back to 1998. It's tough as nails, and STILL working hard. Looks like heck, but then it's been used and keeps on coming back for more. I then had one that literally fell apart on me within a month of receiving it. Snagged and tore on anything it touched.

Same company, and supposedly the same material...but apparently one was tanned a lot better than the other, and probably by a different tannery using a different tanning method.

If you're asking about continuity in tanning, I'd vote for the G&B myself.

Every one of them that I've examined over the years have appeared to be finished exactly the same, though like any lambskin, not anything I'd want to have to depend on to protect my hide if I fell out of a car....but you won't have to worry about the seams breaking.

Regards! Michaelson

*Source material acquired from speaking to the head leather tanner at the "Tennessee Tanning Co., Tullahoma, Tennessee"

[tmurph]

I would say that of my four lamb jackets, the only one "robust enough to survive a modest bar fight" is the G&B. I've abused it pretty good over 3 and a half years and it looks close to new. While the lamb from Wilson (non Indy) didn't survive a hike in the woods without a tear to the shoulder.

[Michaelson]

Almost sounds like it's chrome tanned. Most lambskins are vegetable tanned.

Years ago Dave Marshall told me they sourced their lambskin from New Zealand. USW's sources theirs from the same location too. Last I heard, Wested sourced theirs from Italy, but I don't know if that's still true or not.

Regard! Michaelson

[CM]

I would say that of my four lamb jackets, the only one "robust enough to survive a modest bar fight" is the G&B. I've abused it pretty good over 3 and a half years and it looks close to new. While the lamb from Wilson (non Indy) didn't survive a hike in the woods without a tear to the shoulder.

Thank you. That's what I'm talking about. That's all I need.