Nowak Jacket Owners Thread

Gorak · Post by **Gorak** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 6:43 pm

Just got this in....
and , so far, I LOVE IT!
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h304/ ... 170518.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h304/ ... 170539.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This Nowak is in the "New Nowak Goatskin".
It feels about the same weight as the US Wings Goatskin.
I owned a Nowak in the fabled Straited Lambskin (Dino-hide version) and just never felt it captured the true Raiders look. That was suppose to be the 'be-all-to-end-all' of Raiders jackets and needlss to say I was very dissappointed. Especially considering the price and I thought I would never buy a Nowak again.
But for some weird reason, this one just reached out to me and I am so glad it did. It is awesome, the fit is great, and the leather is super cool.
I have to run now to Aikido class so I will post better pics tomorrow.

Tibor · Post by **Tibor** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 10:08 pm

Hey Gorak,

That's my favorite too. I had ordered mine from Tony just before his Italy trip and Riley finished it. I had a stack of types of hides to choose from and just loved the new goat... Tough as nails but supple. And personally, I don't like gaps by the back panel and these are about perfect to me. Great jacket! Yours looks almost new.

jnicktem · Post by **jnicktem** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 10:44 pm

Great jacket Gorak! I was actually thinking of picking that one up.... but got a different Nowak instead....

Castor Dioscuri · Post by **Castor Dioscuri** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 12:40 am

So I was wondering, recently a few members posted their (presumably) new Nowaks, does this mean that TNO is back in business and open to the public?

If so, I find it odd that a dozen emails and nine months on, my jacket that I sent to Riley for repairs is still is limbo...

jnicktem · Post by **jnicktem** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 7:59 pm

Castor Dioscuri wrote:So I was wondering, recently a few members posted their (presumably) new Nowaks,....

What Nowaks are these?

ReturningSon · Post by **ReturningSon** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 9:02 pm

Several Nowaks have changed hands in private "collector to collector" sales. These are probably the ones he means. No brand new nowaks have appeared. I sent Riley an email weeks ago and like others, I have recieved no response..

Castor Dioscuri · Post by **Castor Dioscuri** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 8:22 pm

I wasn't sure if the jacket reviews that popped up recently from knibs and Gorak were for traded jackets, but I was under the impression that they were new from the way they were worded. If not, I stand corrected.

jnicktem · Post by **jnicktem** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 9:31 pm

Yeah, those were traded jackets.

Gorak · Post by **Gorak** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:00 pm

Sorry for the misunderstanding but, yes, mine was actually a used one that I purchased off a member here. But I do have to say that it looks brand spanking new. And it arrived in the Nowak sack so it looked like it came straight from the factory. It is a tad heftier than I am use to and a bit "stiffer" but I wonder if that is just from being kept in such pristine condition and maybe it just needs to be really broken in to relax. It is an amazing jacket....almost in a catagorie all its own. Evetytime I start to compare it to my.other jackets, I actually start thinking,"Awww, thats not very fair."

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 8:29 am

I love my CS Nowak, but it also saddens me to know it's an orphan, not having any means of support what so ever from it's maker....so I wear it on occasion with the knowledge that if it ever needs anything, it will be up to me to find someone I can trust to do the work right.

Regards! Michaelson

CRB · Post by **CRB** » Fri May 04, 2012 12:56 pm

And here is my favourite Indy jacket, a TNO Indy1. Fits like a glove and the 747 leather is Belstaff quality.

ReturningSon · Post by **ReturningSon** » Sun May 06, 2012 11:24 am

That is an amazing Nowak leather CRB!!

I always liked the 747. I thought it would have made a better choice than the cowhide that Tony used in CS. Looks amazing. Now break her in'!!!!

indyexpat · Post by **indyexpat** » Sun May 06, 2012 1:40 pm

Great pictures, wish I'd gotten myself a Nowak whilst they were still available!

CRB · Post by **CRB** » Sun May 06, 2012 2:43 pm

Thanks for the kind comments. It is already broken in however !
Out of my 20-ish leather jackets, assuming I will need to reduce this number at some point in the future - this Nowak will be one that stays with me for a very long time.

The problem with getting a great jacket is that, of course, now I'm looking for one in a light lambskin with the same measurements ! I doubt I'll be seeing that anytime soon. May have to go the G&B route as they emailed to say they can do custom fit quite easily.

Weston · Post by **Weston** » Sun May 06, 2012 3:22 pm

Very fine CRB! What a beauty!

If you're looking for one like it in a light weight lamb, I think the closest you're going to get is a Wings 30th Anniversary Lamb Legend. Alot of similarities to my eyes.

Weston

CRB · Post by **CRB** » Sun May 06, 2012 5:40 pm

Weston wrote:I think the closest you're going to get is a Wings 30th Anniversary Lamb Legend.
Weston

... which I have. It's nice but doesn't fit as well and the sleeves were way too short (had to let them out). It doesn't hang as well as the Raiders but it currently is the best lamb Raiders I've had.

Weston · Post by **Weston** » Sun May 06, 2012 5:47 pm

Understood. Better luck elsewhere then, I can only recommend what I've got.

Weston

that_dog · Post by **that_dog** » Mon May 07, 2012 6:53 pm

Nice jacket, CRB.

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Thu May 10, 2012 3:22 pm

There's no doubt that that's the PERFECT jacket for you!

ReturningSon · Post by **ReturningSon** » Thu May 10, 2012 3:38 pm

i totally agree Mitch...i guess I just kinda lucked out with the measurements! $\:D/$

Kevin Anderson · Post by **Kevin Anderson** » Mon May 21, 2012 11:31 am

chagwa wrote:
Howdy neighbor!

~Ron

owner of #666
with the blood red lining!
Hey Ron, you beat me to it, you little devil!
That was the second thing I asked Tony when I phoned him

But it worked out good in the end since I was born in June '67

This is my first Indy jacket and I feel very lucky to own a Nowak.
Here's some pics, the jacket is screen accurate but I'm obviously not...

Cheers!

Coincidentally, this was the jacket that first got me interested in getting a CS jacket from Tony. I showed him these pics and said I wanted a jacket that looked just like this.

IndyOriginal · Post by **IndyOriginal** » Tue May 22, 2012 3:57 pm

Wow, ReturningSon, I honestly believe that is the closest jacket to the on-screen Raiders I've ever seen on here. Simply gorgeous.

theman · Post by **theman** » Tue May 22, 2012 4:00 pm

Glad to help RSun, that was my Grail too and it still hurts to let it go, but I know it's in a good home that can understand the significance of the jacket. It's definitely one of a kind and the epitome of what a Raiders jacket should be to me.

ReturningSon · Post by **ReturningSon** » Tue May 22, 2012 4:28 pm

Thanks guys!!!!

Now that Riley has stated that there is light at the end of jacket tunnel, hopefully we will see more of this leather, maybe even with some striations

but, for now, this will do! $\:D/$

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue May 22, 2012 4:32 pm

For those that missed it, it's the next to last post in this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=54945" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Regard! Michaelson

Hollowpond · Post by **Hollowpond** » Tue May 22, 2012 4:55 pm

That is a great jacket! Ive seen it in person, and if you can believe it, it looks even better up close. Congrats on achieving your Grail!!!

ReturningSon · Post by **ReturningSon** » Tue May 22, 2012 5:02 pm

Yes, i have to say after photographing many jackets, this leather was one of the hardest to capture. Depending on lighting, it can have so many variances. Smooth in one light, grainy with pebbling in other. Definitely matches the on screen jacket in several scenes!

ReturningSon · Post by **ReturningSon** » Sat May 26, 2012 12:18 pm

two crappy gear shots..for now anyway

CRB · Post by **CRB** » Sat May 26, 2012 1:44 pm

Awesome, the perfect Raiders jacket. Just awesome.

whiskyman · Post by **whiskyman** » Sat May 26, 2012 6:56 pm

ReturningSon wrote:

Someone steal your ice-cream?

ReturningSon · Post by **ReturningSon** » Sat May 26, 2012 7:09 pm

It was there marcus. I had the cone in my hands!

Chewie Louie · Post by **Chewie Louie** » Tue May 29, 2012 12:14 pm

ReturningSon wrote:It was there marcus. I had the cone in my hands!

You should Photoshop an ice cream cone in your hand. If only there was someone adept at Photoshop around here we could call on.

Luisiana Jones · Post by **Luisiana Jones** » Tue May 29, 2012 12:17 pm

Chewie Louie wrote:
ReturningSon wrote:It was there marcus. I had the cone in my hands!
You should Photoshop an ice cream cone in your hand. If only there was someone adept at Photoshop around here we could call on.

Please do make it a chocolate one. If not it wouldnt match the jacket xD

Regards,

LJ

ShanghaiJack · Post by **ShanghaiJack** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 10:16 pm

Since ReturningSon's photos aren't up anymore I'd thought I'd post some of this jacket, because I am now the new proud owner of TN 888 #74!

Don't worry, I'm smiling on the inside.

As to the provenance of the jacket, I think we need a little light.

I believe that this was originally TheMan's and then ReturningSon's, and then briefly Venky's before coming into my happy possession. I just missed it when ReturningSon had it up for sale in the Bazaar, but Venky sold it to me shortly after he received it because it didn't fit the way he wanted.

What, you don't think this is the best looking Raiders jacket you've ever seen? Those are fighting words!

I honestly can't tell you how thrilled I am with this jacket. I'd say something regarding my pursuit of The Jacket, but I don't want to jinx myself.

I talked to Tony a year or so before he passed away, but couldn't afford a jacket at the time. I am so happy that I was able to find this one.
This shot's for the big guy!

Gorak · Post by **Gorak** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 10:49 pm

wow.....what jacket is that? it looks very "thin" leather compare to the other Nowaks I've encountered! beautiful!

ShanghaiJack · Post by **ShanghaiJack** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 10:56 pm

Thanks Gorak! This jacket is amazing, and the leather is very thin. It has that wonderful drape and movement that the onscreen jacket had. I love it.

According to ReturningSon this is Tony's second generation of shrunken lamb. He posted about it a few pages back.

ReturningSon wrote:My grail...

The Second Gen (Also known as "Puckered Fingertip") Shrunken Lamb

Honestly, this is as close as I think i can get. In fact, i think im done. No more Indy jackets. Its such a feeling. Like, what now?

This particular jacket had slight modifications such as a more rounder off collar stand as well as a decrease in pocket size by about 10% of the original.

Exactly 1:1 Ford measurements

Venky · Post by **Venky** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 11:46 pm

Looks WAAY better on you than it did on me. Glad you got it kind sir.

ShanghaiJack · Post by **ShanghaiJack** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 11:55 pm

Thanks, who knew HF's measurements would work so well for me? Thank you for passing it on. I truly appreciate it

.

CRB · Post by **CRB** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 2:08 am

That jacket is perfect. If only I could fit HF's specs it would have been mine !

I wonder if there are any other owners of a second gen shrunken lamb TNO out there. I think this is the only one I've seen.

ShanghaiJack · Post by **ShanghaiJack** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:33 am

Thanks CRB. I think so too. I really lucked out on this one, it's the jacket I've been looking for since I was a kid.

Someone, Whiskeyman, I think posted some shots of his TN a few pages back that looked like it could be, but I don't know for sure.

Post by **Holt** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:36 am

awesome! You can't get more SA than that! congrats dude!

ShanghaiJack · Post by **ShanghaiJack** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:42 am

Thanks Holt.

I have an old Wested bought in '04 and a Wings Legend SL, which I both love, but neither of them is the jacket. But from the first time I put this one on I felt like I had just stepped off the set.

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 1:31 pm

WOW, that's a beauty!

And it really suits you to boot!

Congrats, ShanghaiJack!

Oildale Jones · Post by **Oildale Jones** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 3:18 pm

I figured it was about time to post this up. Riley Barrie (Tony Nowak's stepson) had a "going out of business" sale a few months ago and I met a couple of guys (including K-Wad) at the shop. They didn't have much left as far as Indy stuff, but I happened to spot an LC jacket.

The price was right and so was the size.

It will only come out for special occasions, and after he outgrows it, who knows?

kwad · Post by **kwad** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 3:39 pm

Oildale,

Glad to see it fits him (and looks like he still has a little room to grow

)
If you hadn't of bought it, I would have, just to hang it on my wall!

whiskyman · Post by **whiskyman** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 4:45 pm

ShanghaiJack wrote:Thanks CRB. I think so too. I really lucked out on this one, it's the jacket I've been looking for since I was a kid.

Someone, Whiskeyman, I think posted some shots of his TN a few pages back that looked like it could be, but I don't know for sure.

Mine was 1st generation - in fact one of the very first, I think only 4 or 5 preceded mine (on here at least). I sold it to a member here who then sold it on. No idea who owns it now. I think it was number 15/888

There aren't any pics in this thread - but here are the only ones I have left.

ShanghaiJack · Post by **ShanghaiJack** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:16 pm

Thanks Mitch. I love it!

Oildale Jones wrote:It will only come out for special occasions, and after he outgrows it, who knows?

Special occasions only? Come on, let him wear it all day every day. I know I would have wanted to if I had been fortunate enough to have such a great jacket at such a young age. Have a heart, dad.

Oh yeah, he looks great in that jacket. And now that my boys have seen it they both want one too

Whiskeyman,

Thanks for posting those photos. I had seen the one of you sitting and thought it might have been the 2nd gen, but it does look different in the other photos than mine. Does anyone know of any other 2nd generation shrunken lamb TNs out there?

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Aug 23, 2012 8:43 am

Oildale Jones wrote:I figured it was about time to post this up. Riley Barrie (Tony Nowak's stepson) had a "going out of business" sale a few months ago......

Just to pick up on this item, is he going out of business again, or still? This has never been fully explained or understood by this writer. Can you give us any solid leads on what he's actually doing?

I agree with the other sentiments....let your boy wear this jacket. There were things my parents 'put away' for me when I was a young'n that I never saw again when I got older, as they totally forgot what they had put them away for, and subsequently the items got away from them.

Once he outgrows the jacket, the memories of what he DID in his first, real 'Indy' jacket will FAR outlast just owning a small sized artifact for a collection that he never got to fully enjoy. It would only mean more to YOU in that setting than it would him.

JMO, but one from personal experience of raising two daughters.

Regards! Michaelson

ShanghaiJack · Post by **ShanghaiJack** » Thu Aug 23, 2012 8:55 am

Michaelson wrote:Once he outgrows the jacket, the memories of what he DID in his first, real 'Indy' jacket will FAR outlast just owning a small sized artifact for a collection that he never got to fully enjoy.

EDIT

And that is why even though it is not nearly as screen reminiscent as my TN I will never, ever sell my Wested. It will always be my first Indy jacket, and the memories associated with it and all the things I've done while wearing it will trump anything else.

Oildale Jones · Post by **Oildale Jones** » Thu Aug 23, 2012 2:56 pm

OK, you've convinced me.

Did I say "going out of business?" I meant "closing the shop and getting rid of overstock." My understanding is that Riley is still operating the business (concentrating on the core Arnold Classic promo stuff) and the actual fabrication has moved elsewhere. That's all I really know, and it was mostly told to me in Spanish.