Natural Distressing: The Field Work Factor

[Jens]

Gear distressing, the wish to make our beloved adventure gear look as if it already has seen more than one adventure probbaly's major part of the whole 'gearing up' thing here, isn't it. Well, we all know the long debate about distressing and well ... a bit of over-distressing, and it's no secret that I've always been a big friend of 'natural distressing' - letting this stuff age over years.

Apparently, I'm just in the field these days and weeks, digging in the southeastern Anatolian mountain steppe. And just when I put my trusty hat to rest after coming home to the excavation house today, I just realized that this actually is pretty effetcive way of distressing.

So, this is how your gear (well, in this case 'mine' of course) look after a couple of weeks in the field, confronted with hours and hours of sunshine, some rain, and millennia-old dust. A lot of dust.





The hat was brand new a few weeks ago, jacket, gloves, and holster already have seen one or another season though. Hmm, maybe I should start a business ...

[Indy Magnoli]

Looks so real!

[Canasta]

I love the hat.
Who made it, if you don't mind my asking.

C

[Jens]

Thanks guys!

Regarding the hat: That's an Akubra 'Territory' I modified a bit myself (cut down the really large brim a bit, changed the hat band, and played around a bit with the pinch).

[Canasta]

It looks fantastic!

[Michaelson]

You need to go after that jacket with a belt sander. NO one is EVER going to believe you actually USE that stuff in the field.



Looks good, Jens! You're singing my tune here! Natural use ALL the way!

HIGH regard! Michaelson

[Indiana Jeff]

I need a better look at that jacket.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[Jens]

And again thank your for these kind words, gentlemen. Mark - I know, always knew!, we're in the same boat regarding distressing. Let these pieces age on their own and let them tell a stories of the adventures you had together.

Regarding a better view onto that jacket, Jeff, I can only offer a few photos right now (may have to need some more, I guess).




(A bit less of distressing here though as both photos already are one or two years old. Also, the hat is a different one.)

[Indiana Jeff]

Ah, I recognize the upper picture.

Who's the maker?


Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[Jens]

A rather small German company ("Noble House", but I doubt it will ring a bell ), who - unfortunately - was not really willing to make a few individual changes. It's modeled after a German WWII era pilot's jacket (which itself was based on civilian motorcycle jackets). It's a great leather jacket, but has some flaws, I would have liked a few features 'individualized'. Well, still like it.

[Michaelson]

Wings has a GREAT one like that.

http://www.uswings.com/product/ultimate-leather-jacket/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Regards! M

[Indiana Jeff]

Yes, I remember that USWings jacket. Sarge got me thisclose to buying one a few years ago when I visited the shop.

Noble House has a very similar model to the USWings version.



Hmm, seems like Noble House only offers the Marseille jacket in black now.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[Jens]

No no, they always 'offered' only the black one on their website, but if you ask they'll made it from any leather and any colour available. Well, *that* flexible they are at least.

[Indiana Jeff]

Good to know. I really like the look of the russet.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[Gorak]

Jens, that last picture looks amazing....I would have totally taken that as Indiana Jones if that had been on the Raiders poster. Great look!

[Jens]

Ha, thanks a lot! Very flattering indeed.

[Michaelson]

Yes, I remember that USWings jacket. Sarge got me thisclose to buying one a few years ago when I visited the shop.

What amazes me is the current price. They started out close to $1000.

Regards! M

[Indiana Jeff]

I know. It was "reduced" to $650 when I tried one on back when it was being advertised as a Luftwaffe jacket. I may have bitten, but I was shopping for a Legend in bison that was at the same price point.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[Michaelson]

Yep. $395 now. They're REALLY down to the least few.

Regards! M