Natural Distressing: The Field Work Factor

Discuss technique for prolonging the life of your gear or giving it that aged look

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Jens
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Natural Distressing: The Field Work Factor

Post by 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.

Image
Image


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 ... :-k ;) :D
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Indy Magnoli
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Re: Natural Distressing: The Field Work Factor

Post by Indy Magnoli »

Looks so real! ](*,)
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Canasta
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Re: Natural Distressing: The Field Work Factor

Post by Canasta »

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

C
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Re: Natural Distressing: The Field Work Factor

Post by Jens »

Thanks guys! :TOH:

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).
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Re: Natural Distressing: The Field Work Factor

Post by Canasta »

It looks fantastic!
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Re: Natural Distressing: The Field Work Factor

Post by 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. [-(

:lol: ;)

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

HIGH regard! Michaelson :M:
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Re: Natural Distressing: The Field Work Factor

Post by Indiana Jeff »

I need a better look at that jacket.

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Re: Natural Distressing: The Field Work Factor

Post by 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).

Image
Image

(A bit less of distressing here though as both photos already are one or two years old. Also, the hat is a different one.)
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Re: Natural Distressing: The Field Work Factor

Post by Indiana Jeff »

Ah, I recognize the upper picture.

Who's the maker?


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Re: Natural Distressing: The Field Work Factor

Post by 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. ;)
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Re: Natural Distressing: The Field Work Factor

Post by 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
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Re: Natural Distressing: The Field Work Factor

Post by 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.


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Re: Natural Distressing: The Field Work Factor

Post by 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. ;)
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Re: Natural Distressing: The Field Work Factor

Post by Indiana Jeff »

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

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Indiana Jeff
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Re: Natural Distressing: The Field Work Factor

Post by 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!
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Re: Natural Distressing: The Field Work Factor

Post by Jens »

Ha, thanks a lot! Very flattering indeed. :TOH: :D
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Re: Natural Distressing: The Field Work Factor

Post by Michaelson »

Indiana Jeff wrote: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
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Re: Natural Distressing: The Field Work Factor

Post by 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.


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Indiana Jeff
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Re: Natural Distressing: The Field Work Factor

Post by Michaelson »

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

Regards! M
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