Why is the leather grain different on one side of my jacket?

Discuss all of the intricacies of the jacket in full detail

Moderators: Indiana Jeff, Mike, Indydawg

Post Reply
giantthugee86
Archaeologist
Archaeologist
Posts: 293
Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2014 5:18 pm

Why is the leather grain different on one side of my jacket?

Post by giantthugee86 »

On my Wested Lamb one side of the jacket's leather looks more smooth for some reason. Is there any way I can smooth it out using pecards or something?


Image
User avatar
Cajunkraut
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 2087
Joined: Wed Jul 17, 2013 9:56 pm
Location: By ya mama 'n 'ems

Re: Why is the leather grain different on one side of my jac

Post by Cajunkraut »

It seems like it's not unique to any particular vendor or style of jacket. Manufacturers try to match hides as much as possible dependent on the material available. One of my Todd's jackets is a good example.

Return it if it bothers you. I returned a Wested Skyfall jacket for the same reason. Peter told me that he couldn't guarantee leather consistency on the jacket, so I settled for a refund. I don't know of anything you can do to smooth it out. But you may be able to get the smooth side a bit grainier by applying a water-based conditioner like Lexol.

Good luck. :TOH:
User avatar
knibs7
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 3261
Joined: Sat May 31, 2008 5:55 pm
Location: TX
Contact:

Re: Why is the leather grain different on one side of my jac

Post by knibs7 »

My advice would be to get some sand paper and try to even out the other side. :-k :TOH:
User avatar
Indiana Jeff
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10214
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:59 am
Location: TX Panhandle

Re: Why is the leather grain different on one side of my jac

Post by Indiana Jeff »

knibs7 wrote:My advice would be to get some sand paper and try to even out the other side. :-k :TOH:

Are you joking with that suggestion?


Sandpaper will RUIN THE JACKET. The finish will come off and the grain won't be changed a bit.



Regards,

Indiana Jeff
User avatar
shade88
Laboratory Technician
Laboratory Technician
Posts: 192
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2011 2:25 pm

Re: Why is the leather grain different on one side of my jac

Post by shade88 »

What Indiana Jeff said. In my opinion, with real wear and natural exposure to the elements (rain, snow, etc) the jacket will get loads of grain, patina, and wear. Also, imo, unless you're a natural at artificial distressing, it will look better with natural wear. Take it from someone who started on the opposite spectrum of the "just wear it" opinion. :TOH:

Besides, with most lambskins, it won't take too much work for the jacket to get the "broken in" look.
User avatar
Holt
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 14470
Joined: Sat Apr 15, 2006 10:40 am
Location: COW's Watch Tower

Re: Why is the leather grain different on one side of my jac

Post by Holt »

Embrace it :TOH:
User avatar
Michaelson
Knower of Things
Posts: 44486
Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 12:55 pm
Location: Out here knowing stuff and things and wishing I were with the family at Universal Studios Orlando

Re: Why is the leather grain different on one side of my jac

Post by Michaelson »

What HE said!^^^ :M: :tup:

Regard! Michaelson
User avatar
ChrisMD
Staff Emeritus
Posts: 3453
Joined: Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:23 pm
Location: Northern Colorado

Re: Why is the leather grain different on one side of my jac

Post by ChrisMD »

Holt wrote:Embrace it :TOH:
Yep. That's how leather goes.
giantthugee86
Archaeologist
Archaeologist
Posts: 293
Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2014 5:18 pm

Re: Why is the leather grain different on one side of my jac

Post by giantthugee86 »

Thanks you guys
User avatar
Michaelson
Knower of Things
Posts: 44486
Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 12:55 pm
Location: Out here knowing stuff and things and wishing I were with the family at Universal Studios Orlando

Re: Why is the leather grain different on one side of my jac

Post by Michaelson »

Believe it or not, a LOT of folks specially request jacket grains to come like that, so you kind of lucked out and got one that is almost a custom order. :D

WELL done! :clap:

Regard! M
User avatar
Texan Scott
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 5838
Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:55 am
Location: A felt body at rest tends to stay at rest. Sieze the day!
Contact:

Re: Why is the leather grain different on one side of my jac

Post by Texan Scott »

Two different lambs, or a different part of the lamb. Either way, the grain is different. Had you sanded it down, you would have one side flat and grey and one side flat and finished. In the past, I have requested similar grain on most all panels of the jacket.
giantthugee86
Archaeologist
Archaeologist
Posts: 293
Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2014 5:18 pm

Re: Why is the leather grain different on one side of my jac

Post by giantthugee86 »

For some weird reason I didn't notice this until now and I've had the jacket for about a year. I don't think washing it in the shower had anything to do with it. It is breaking in nicely though.
User avatar
Indiana Jeff
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10214
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:59 am
Location: TX Panhandle

Re: Why is the leather grain different on one side of my jac

Post by Indiana Jeff »

If you gave the jacket a shower wash that's exactly what could have cause the difference in the leather grain. Each piece of leather will respond differently to absorbing water, swelling and then drying. Some pieces won't be changed at all. Others will develop all sorts of grain/texture.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff
User avatar
Tennessee Smith
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10583
Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2007 3:47 pm
Location: Everything we need is right here.

Re: Why is the leather grain different on one side of my jac

Post by Tennessee Smith »

Indiana Jeff wrote: Each piece of leather will respond differently to absorbing water, swelling and then drying. Some pieces won't be changed at all. Others will develop all sorts of grain/texture.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff

I had the same thing happen to my US Wings "striated" lamb skin jacket after I threw it in the washing machine. The milky smooth leather finish came out looking like a dinosaur's hide... Which is what I was hoping for :lol:

See we're all a little made here ;)
giantthugee86
Archaeologist
Archaeologist
Posts: 293
Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2014 5:18 pm

Re: Why is the leather grain different on one side of my jac

Post by giantthugee86 »

Well there's my answer...thanks. I probably wouldn't have done that it I knew that would happen.
User avatar
Tennessee Smith
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10583
Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2007 3:47 pm
Location: Everything we need is right here.

Re: Why is the leather grain different on one side of my jac

Post by Tennessee Smith »

giantthugee86 wrote:Well there's my answer...thanks. I probably wouldn't have done that it I knew that would happen.
In all fairness though, time would have eventually brought out some of those characteristics either by a rainstorm or the leather relaxing after being worn in. So don't think you ruined it by no means. :TOH:
giantthugee86
Archaeologist
Archaeologist
Posts: 293
Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2014 5:18 pm

Re: Why is the leather grain different on one side of my jac

Post by giantthugee86 »

Thanks...Yeah that's true. And I've also worn it in the rain a couple of times.
User avatar
knibs7
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 3261
Joined: Sat May 31, 2008 5:55 pm
Location: TX
Contact:

Re: Why is the leather grain different on one side of my jac

Post by knibs7 »

Indiana Jeff wrote:
knibs7 wrote:My advice would be to get some sand paper and try to even out the other side. :-k :TOH:

Are you joking with that suggestion?



Indiana Jeff
Yes. Sorry it wasn't more obvious

:TOH:
Glenville86
Dig Leader
Dig Leader
Posts: 673
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2014 9:41 am
Location: Reston, VA

Re: Why is the leather grain different on one side of my jac

Post by Glenville86 »

I had one Wested in their thin dark cowhide. The whole jacket had a uniform leather except one half of the collar had a really pronounced croc pattern that did not match the rest of the jacket at all. Bugged me to the point of getting rid of it. I have many other Wested jackets but that particular jacket with the mismatched collar just bothered me. If it had been anywhere else on the jacket, I would have been fine with it.
giantthugee86
Archaeologist
Archaeologist
Posts: 293
Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2014 5:18 pm

Re: Why is the leather grain different on one side of my jac

Post by giantthugee86 »

Glenville86 wrote:I had one Wested in their thin dark cowhide. The whole jacket had a uniform leather except one half of the collar had a really pronounced croc pattern that did not match the rest of the jacket at all. Bugged me to the point of getting rid of it. I have many other Wested jackets but that particular jacket with the mismatched collar just bothered me. If it had been anywhere else on the jacket, I would have been fine with it.
Did you return it to Wested?
User avatar
Gadzooks
Field Surveyor
Field Surveyor
Posts: 58
Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2008 4:25 pm

Re: Why is the leather grain different on one side of my jac

Post by Gadzooks »

I imagine that smooth side will get some nice character as you put it through some everyday adventure type wear and tear. Never been a proponent of artificial distressing myself. Just get out there and wear it! :D
User avatar
Weston
Museum Curator
Museum Curator
Posts: 1250
Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:14 pm
Location: The jungles of Oh-ree-gahn, USA

Re: Why is the leather grain different on one side of my jac

Post by Weston »

Can be a desirable trait. The Raiders jacket had uneven grain. Some folks getting custom jackets ask for it
User avatar
Michaelson
Knower of Things
Posts: 44486
Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 12:55 pm
Location: Out here knowing stuff and things and wishing I were with the family at Universal Studios Orlando

Re: Why is the leather grain different on one side of my jac

Post by Michaelson »

Michaelson wrote:Believe it or not, a LOT of folks specially request jacket grains to come like that, so you kind of lucked out and got one that is almost a custom order. :D

WELL done! :clap:

Regard! M
Yep, that's what I said, so make it x2. ;)

Regard! M
Post Reply