Todd's Jacket Owner's Thread

Post by **Michaelson** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 7:39 am

Not saying this is the case, but a lot of times you're paying for provenance and nothing more when it comes to these items, quality craftsmanship being equal....unless it's a hard to source material.

You may be closer to the truth than you realize.

Regards! Michaelson

Post by **Cajunkraut** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 1:36 pm

Agreed, M. One of the reasons I think Todd's is the most underrated OTR Hero jacket offering out there.

whiskyman · Post by **whiskyman** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 5:30 pm

It may not be the best made jacket, but it screams Raiders out of the box. The only thing I liked about my original Novak was the leather - the colour and texture and how it looked in photos, not so much how soft and flimsy it felt (ironically, it LOOKED tough) - as far as I can tell, the Todds is identical. It'S funny when I think back to how Tony went on about what a special and expensive leather he had sourced. Either way I reall belive that he did source the closest to the real deal - and so has Todd

Holt · Post by **Holt** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 7:38 pm

Listen to Marks words of wisdom! Its close

Enjoy!

whiskyman · Post by **whiskyman** » Sat Apr 23, 2016 10:20 am

Here it is with some slightly more Indy-esque clothing. It's too short to be screen accurate unfortuately, but I really do like the leather.

Holt · Post by **Holt** » Sat Apr 23, 2016 10:28 am

too short? that looks about right to me.

whiskyman · Post by **whiskyman** » Sat Apr 23, 2016 11:50 am

Well if you think it looks about right, that's good enough for me! If anyone has a feel for SA, it's you.

I watched the making of Raiders again last night and noticed in a few scenes that Ford's jacket sleeves seem to ride up quite a bit when he bends his arms, suggesting the sleeves are actually only just long enough for him. So at least my sleeves are SA

Post by **Michaelson** » Sat Apr 23, 2016 4:55 pm

..and you have two arms, just like Ford, so there's another point.

whiskyman · Post by **whiskyman** » Sat Apr 23, 2016 7:52 pm

Post by **Michaelson** » Sat Apr 23, 2016 9:40 pm

NR16020 · Post by **NR16020** » Thu May 26, 2016 11:41 pm

So, I've decided the next piece of gear I'm getting, once I've got the dough, is the Coyle's jacket.

I moseyed on over to Todd's this evening to stare at the jacket some more, and maybe figure out what size I need to get. Only, here's the thing. The page apparently doesn't exist.

The only jacket they have is the 2nds, and that's only available in a few sizes.

Is it typical of Todd's to take down a page when they're out of stock or something? Will this jacket be coming back?

kozmoedave · Post by **kozmoedave** » Fri May 27, 2016 12:02 am

Seems to me they ran out not long after I got mine, then put more up once they had them. I think I ordered mine last September. I also believe they've had a site redesign; used to be the page was there even if there was no stock to order. I also freaked out when I couldn't find the gloves, but now you have to click on "Props and Accessories" to find those. Anyway, I have to believe they'll be getting more.

I've worn my Todd's nearly every day since I got it. Once they list more, I'm seriously considering getting another. Literally less than two weeks ago, a random (and attractive) female in a bar complimented me on it. That kind of thing doesn't happen to me. And my girlfriend (the only one whose opinion really counts) loves it on me.

CM · Post by CM » Fri May 27, 2016 4:00 am

whiskyman wrote: I watched the making of Raiders again last night and noticed in a few scenes that Ford's jacket sleeves seem to ride up quite a bit when he bends his arms, suggesting the sleeves are actually only just long enough for him.

They ride up because of the strange pattern making. If the sleeves and arm openings are positioned in a certain way then even a very long sleeve will disappear up your elbow when you lift your arm. It's not just an Indy thing. Many a bike jacket I've owned does this too, even with 27 inch sleeves.

ltfoley · Post by **ltfoley** » Fri May 27, 2016 4:54 am

I've found my old todd's i forgot about in a closet at my parent's, i remember i stopped wearing in because it was too large for me at the time. It's a 42 and in 5 years i've gained weight, now it fits me just right and has become my favorite jacket again. It's the most raideresque indy jacket i've ever owned. Love it. I'll try to take pictures this weekend.

ltfoley · Post by **ltfoley** » Tue May 31, 2016 8:42 am

Pics of me wearing the jacket later!

theman · Post by **theman** » Tue May 31, 2016 11:33 am

I spoke with Todd a bit since noticing he was out of regulars as well... I had planned on getting one of his later post-Tony-era-hide version ever since letting my first Coyle's go to Adam on MB, but just hadn't got around to acquiring yet.
Decided to grab a medium 2nd while they are still available, as he doesn't plan to restock any time soon as the demand hasn't been there lately. He would need a real 50 folks ready to purchase a jacket to get another 1sts run going.
I think he had S,M, XL still left in the 2nds, with just the 1/2" pocket diff issue...if you are still interested in getting one soon. I am sure when the next Indy comes out spiking demand will bring them back regardless, but it would be a shame to loose this most excellent and low-cost rendition of the ROLA.

ltfoley - That looks like one of his earlier versions like I used to have... awesome jacket! And I liked its very accurate Raiders dimensions! Can't wait to seeit on you now, and glad you've gotten some size on to fit and enjoy it in the end.

ltfoley · Post by **ltfoley** » Thu Jun 02, 2016 8:49 am

Here it is!

I've seen a lot of jackets, but this one smells Raiders a lot! I don't know why i left it in this closet for so long! Dan (is that you?) i still have a Dean car coat and a Cap jacket purchased from Logan's Closet and they are equally pleasant to wear!

theman · Post by **theman** » Thu Jun 02, 2016 2:23 pm

Excellent fit!

Yep, that's me! Very cool, glad they are still seeing use... the fit still good for you on both? I know there was plenty of room in the Dean... the Cap should have some flexibility too, but maybe not quite as much as a Raiders.

I got my Todd's Medium in... unfortunately need the non-existent Large though, so may have to let this one go.

ltfoley · Post by **ltfoley** » Thu Jun 02, 2016 3:53 pm

The Cap fits great too! The Dean is fitting better than when i got it!
My Todd's here is a Large.

theman · Post by **theman** » Thu Jun 02, 2016 4:34 pm

yeah, his former Large I would say is right about at Indy Hero size... his current Large is a touch larger, but his Medium is a touch smaller than his old Large. His old Large would fit me at my current size like a ToD, so would really need his newer Large to fit correctly on the Raiders look.

Post by **Cajunkraut** » Thu Jun 02, 2016 5:02 pm

theman wrote:yeah, his former Large I would say is right about at Indy Hero size... his current Large is a touch larger, but his Medium is a touch smaller than his old Large. His old Large would fit me at my current size like a ToD, so would really need his newer Large to fit correctly on the Raiders look.

I suddenly feel the need to draw a flowchart.

theman · Post by **theman** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 12:03 pm

indeed... a change in the grading he used compared to certain lengths should have a nice chart with it.

cm289 · Post by **cm289** » Wed Jun 15, 2016 9:39 am

Threw on the Todd's for a quick pic at the base of Edinburgh Castle this morning.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

lorne73 · Post by **lorne73** » Wed Jun 15, 2016 12:06 pm

Looks great!

NR16020 · Post by **NR16020** » Sun Jun 26, 2016 12:04 am

Emailed Todd's earlier this week to ask if they'll be restocking. I was told that they are evaluating vendors to see IF they'll be bringing it back.

MARQ · Post by **MARQ** » Sun Aug 14, 2016 7:46 am

NR16020 wrote:Emailed Todd's earlier this week to ask if they'll be restocking. I was told that they are evaluating vendors to see IF they'll be bringing it back.

Darn it anyways,Sean makes some of the best Indy items around.Little pricey

but accurate.Informed me that he`ll consentrate on his Han Solo items for a while.Well,only time will tell.

Um..anybody want to get rid of Todd´s Large or XL jacket... ;-)

giantthugee86 · Post by **giantthugee86** » Mon Aug 15, 2016 3:49 pm

Does anyone have Todd's seconds jacket? I was thinking of buying one. Not sure how it compares to the other one.

davidafshar · Post by **davidafshar** » Sun Jan 22, 2017 4:45 pm

I joined Club Obi Wan a few weeks back, but it's just this weekend that I really feel like I've "joined the club." In other words, just got my first piece of Indy gear (excepting the stuff I had as a kid).

The short version: I picked up an early Todd's jacket off the bazaar from Texan Scott and couldn't be happier with it. I'll try to post some pics soon.

Longer version: Like many folks on here, I was a huge Indy fan as a kid. As we all know, kids are weird about what they latch on to. For my eight-year-old self, Indy's look was defined not by his iconic fedora, but by his leather jacket. (Don't get me wrong, I did and do love the hat). I always wanted a leather jacket like Indy's. I even had a couple "A2 style" bomber jackets as a kid, but never the real deal.

Fast forward to a few months ago. I started thinking maybe it was time to fulfill this lifelong desire. Started poking around the internet, including some other message boards. I read a lot of stuff about various jackets, much of it conflicting. I also kept hearing that COW was the place I needed to go. So I registered here...and spent WAY too much time trawling through all the old posts on various jackets.

First, I wanted a Wested--in goat? lamb? who knows!--then decided that Todd's was the way to go. Only then I realized Todd's isn't selling the jackets at the moment and might not again for some time. Rats! Okay, back to a Wested. Then I heard about Steele & Jones. Okay, great. Gonna have to save some money, but S&J it is! Then, as if by fate, I saw that a Todd's was up for sale in the bazaar.

I compared the measurements to a couple non-Indy jackets I have. I was a little worried it would be too short, but Texan Scott talked me through the odd cut of the Raiders jacket and how it sits differently than other jackets. I decided to go for it.

I'm really glad I did. Couldn't be happier with the jacket. It's from the earlier run so is not the ribby merino. That's cool with me. I do like the grainy look of ribby merino quite a bit, but sometimes it can be a bit much, in my opinion. If I were to err one way or the other, I'd prefer a smoother jacket to the "dinosaur hide" of the very, very grainy merino. The fit is slimmer than what the later jackets were, but I tend toward being, as one person put it, a "hipster Indiana Jones," so while the jacket might be slightly tighter in the sleeves and body than is SA, it works for me. And as many have said, this thing SCREAMS Raiders. It really does look like you stole it out of George Lucas' closet. The fit is taking some getting used to, but I knew it would going in. And every time I worry that the jacket doesn't fit, I look in the mirror and think, "Nope. Looks just like Indy's."

So thanks to Texan Scott and thanks to everyone on the board for the hundreds of posts, which helped me make this decision.

(Now I just need a S&J and a Bill Kelso, and a Magnoli.... You know the struggle!)

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Sun Jan 22, 2017 4:49 pm

...glad it worked out for you, bro.

Post by **Cajunkraut** » Sun Jan 22, 2017 8:56 pm

Congrats and welcome, David.

I've championed Todd's jackets since starting in the hobby. I'm convinced that it's the most underrated Raiders jacket on the market. His jacket, pants, and bag strap are the only pieces I feel that I got "right" from the very start.

kozmoedave · Post by **kozmoedave** » Mon Jan 23, 2017 8:19 am

Wow, I could have written that; your post is almost exactly what happened to me. The only real difference I can see is that I was fortunate enough to get a Todd's right before they were gone from his store. Been wearing it solid for almost a year and a half. Congratulations and welcome!

davidafshar · Post by **davidafshar** » Tue Jan 24, 2017 10:43 am

Thanks, Cajunkraut and kozmoedave,

I'm really digging it!

ta185066 · Post by **ta185066** » Tue Feb 14, 2017 3:37 pm

Just bought a used Todd's off of E-bay, it has a Coyles tag, size 48- not S, M, L, etc. as most of the posts I've read on this thread. Does anyone know how old of a coat that makes it?

Forrest For the Trees · Tue Feb 14, 2017 8:27 pm

Todd once offered custom sizing, as I recall. Probably one of those. That was quite a while ago.

ta185066 · Post by **ta185066** » Wed Feb 15, 2017 1:19 pm

thought as much, thanks. It's in good shape, looks barely worn to honest. The leather has no striation as in some of the pics on this thread, almost pleather-looking, but I know it's not. Feels kinda dry too. Hoping a Picard's treatment and trying to wear it in some will help.

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Thu Feb 16, 2017 10:18 am

My guess would be 2008-10, possibly. Todd sold his custom jackets for $500, back in the day. I used to own one.

cropdustdair · Post by **cropdustdair** » Thu Feb 16, 2017 10:50 am

I'm looking for one of Todd's 1st run Raiders jackets in a large or XL. Anyone have one they'll be parting with? I've posted in the Marrakesh section, but no luck.

fenris · Post by **fenris** » Tue Mar 21, 2017 4:20 am

Do you guys have any idea if and when Todd will being re-stocking his jackets?

I'm planning to get one but his site says all jackets are out of stock.

Post by **Cajunkraut** » Tue Mar 21, 2017 11:59 am

Who knows. I know he's been riding the SW wave lately. Give him a shout.

http://www.toddscostumes.com/contact-us/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Clipper · Post by **Clipper** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 5:15 pm

I've been working on my Todd's lately. I bought her in 2008. Size small. When I first got it it was my first movie jacket and my distressing skills involved steel wool and sandpaper... So it banged it up pretty good. The thing I always hated about how it turned out was the leather color underneath was a dull grey. Not the lighter brown color I was hoping for. Lately I started wearing it again (as I'm eagerly anticipating my S&J Last crusade jacket) and decided to give it a second go around.

I decided to see what would happen if I dyed the whole jacket with a light brown dye. WOW. Transformed this thing for me into an awesome looking jacket. It took all those dark grey spots and lightened them bringing out so much dimension in the jacket and really making this thing look like it's seen some action.

After all that I thought I should do a pecards treatment since it was squeaking a lot as I moved in it. Unfortunately this kind of dulled the rustic look a bit and added some unwanted shine... I'm sure this will fade in time.

The next thing I think I'd like to do is try giving it a wash. The grain texture just isn't really there in most areas except for the lower back. Will that help? I roll it in a ball when I can to keep it wrinkly but Im sure water would help as it did wonders to my Vanson motorcycle jacket... and that thing is THICK.

In any case I thought it would be fun to share some pics since this thread just lit up again.

Enjoy

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 5:19 pm

The next thing I think I'd like to do is try giving it a wash. The grain texture just isn't really there in most areas except for the lower back. Will that help? I roll it in a ball when I can to keep it wrinkly but Im sure water would help as it did wonders to my Vanson motorcycle jacket... and that thing is THICK.

You may find this thread of interest:

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=64083" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Regard! Michaelson

Clipper · Post by **Clipper** » Fri Mar 31, 2017 2:37 pm

Michaelson wrote:
The next thing I think I'd like to do is try giving it a wash. The grain texture just isn't really there in most areas except for the lower back. Will that help? I roll it in a ball when I can to keep it wrinkly but Im sure water would help as it did wonders to my Vanson motorcycle jacket... and that thing is THICK.
You may find this thread of interest:

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=64083" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Regard! Michaelson

Thanks for the referral Michaelson! Though I will add this to that thread as well, I think it is interesting for Todd jacket owners too.

Well I was brave and tried soaking the jacket under the bath tub faucet until totally soaked through and rang it out a bit. Only a little brown color rung out. I then put it in the dryer on medium heat for 15 minute increments so I could check to make sure no shrinking or bad things were happening. I did this two or three times, but since it was still pretty wet I did a hot final dry where it came out 85% dry. At that point I put it on and wore it for an hour or so trying to move around in it and mold it back to my body and let it dry on a hanger.

After drying over night here are my results:

I have mixed emotions over the results. I think you can definitely see that it added a some more wrinkles and grain to the leather which is great. However, it seemed to almost completely wash away my light brown dyeing treatment which is a bit of a bummer since I thought that added a LOT to the look. Once dry it was also very stiff and again some stitching came undone (which has been a constant problem with this jacket and I've had to restitch it many times now. Especially the pockets). So I crumpled it up and tried to massage it to loosen it back up.

Since these pics I've also given it another light brown dye treatment and then a luxol leather rub down to try and soften and moisturize the leather without adding the shine that pecards gave earlier, but it hasn't changed the look much, if at all.

At this point I'm thinking I may need to use acetone on the distressed areas to remove the dark brown color again and try one last dye treatment on those areas... but as of now I'm going to leave it alone! It looks pretty good and no shrinkage at all from the wash. For anyone with a brand new jacket I think this is a very quick way to add character to your jacket.

What do you think? Does the raiders jacket even have much light brown come through or does this pull it off already?

Thanks!
Tom

Screencapped · Post by **Screencapped** » Fri Mar 31, 2017 4:07 pm

1BAT4U wrote:
Michaelson wrote:
The next thing I think I'd like to do is try giving it a wash. The grain texture just isn't really there in most areas except for the lower back. Will that help? I roll it in a ball when I can to keep it wrinkly but Im sure water would help as it did wonders to my Vanson motorcycle jacket... and that thing is THICK.
You may find this thread of interest:

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=64083" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Regard! Michaelson
Thanks for the referral Michaelson! Though I will add this to that thread as well, I think it is interesting for Todd jacket owners too.

Well I was brave and tried soaking the jacket under the bath tub faucet until totally soaked through and rang it out a bit. Only a little brown color rung out. I then put it in the dryer on medium heat for 15 minute increments so I could check to make sure no shrinking or bad things were happening. I did this two or three times, but since it was still pretty wet I did a hot final dry where it came out 85% dry. At that point I put it on and wore it for an hour or so trying to move around in it and mold it back to my body and let it dry on a hanger.

After drying over night here are my results:

I have mixed emotions over the results. I think you can definitely see that it added a some more wrinkles and grain to the leather which is great. However, it seemed to almost completely wash away my light brown dyeing treatment which is a bit of a bummer since I thought that added a LOT to the look. Once dry it was also very stiff and again some stitching came undone (which has been a constant problem with this jacket and I've had to restitch it many times now. Especially the pockets). So I crumpled it up and tried to massage it to loosen it back up.

Since these pics I've also given it another light brown dye treatment and then a luxol leather rub down to try and soften and moisturize the leather without adding the shine that pecards gave earlier, but it hasn't changed the look much, if at all.

At this point I'm thinking I may need to use acetone on the distressed areas to remove the dark brown color again and try one last dye treatment on those areas... but as of now I'm going to leave it alone! It looks pretty good and no shrinkage at all from the wash. For anyone with a brand new jacket I think this is a very quick way to add character to your jacket.

What do you think? Does the raiders jacket even have much light brown come through or does this pull it off already?

Thanks!
Tom

Your jacket looks great! Btw is that a HJ I see there in the background?

Clipper · Post by **Clipper** » Fri Mar 31, 2017 4:55 pm

Thanks anindyjones! It's coming along.

Actually that's my one and only Adventurebilt Beaver KOTCS. I have it bashed a bit more Last Crusade style though with a tighter top pinch. But the soft brim takes on a Raiders look. It's a pretty good all around Indy hat that could be in any movie. I am itching though to get a second hat just to try a different bash, but I'll save that for another thread

Clipper · Post by **Clipper** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 11:46 pm

Ok... well I still wasn't happy. Holt's posts inspired me too. So while this may not be entirely screen accurate (well I mean he was dragged behind a truck so maybe it is), I just thought this is an Indy jacket! It has been through some rough times, and it should show it!

So back to fine grit sandpaper. I will admit I sanding through a few stitches...

...But if Indy wore this jacket to the degree that it was this distressed, there's NO WAY those stitches would have help up 100%.

Very happy with it now, and now I will leave it alone...

Perhaps some luxol or pecards at some point in the future, but for now I just want to enjoy it. Not this orange in person, bad lighting. Still dark chocolate brown with light brown accents.

CRB · Post by **CRB** » Fri Oct 20, 2017 2:03 pm

So I bought a Todds jacket years ago and didn't really warm to it (viewed it as more of a costume rather than something I'd wear out). Anyhow I gave it to my dad... who it turns out has worn it repeatedly for the last five years.

Here's what it looks like now ...

MACHONE · Post by **MACHONE** » Mon Nov 13, 2017 1:31 pm

Love Todd's jackets. Your Dad's jacket looks great! I too thought they were more costume jackets initially, but it's my go to spring and fall jacket in the northeast. Now as it looks as though they may be tough to get, I wonder if I should let up on the regular use, as I would be disapointed to wear it out and not be able to replace it.

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Nov 13, 2017 1:44 pm

Enjoy it. Nothing we have here in the way of wearable gear was every made to last forever.

What will it become otherwise? Just an artifact hanging in your closet, taking up space, and not to be worn.

That's the LAST thing I'm sure any of our jacket makers would want.

So, no, take care of it, but wear it.

Not only 'just my opinion', but my practice as well.

Regards! Michaelson

Post by **Cajunkraut** » Mon Nov 13, 2017 8:43 pm

Michaelson wrote:Nothing we have here in the way of wearable gear was every made to last forever.

Huh. I'm not sure G&B would agree.

Holt · Post by **Holt** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 2:52 am

It's all about the natural wear and tear. Love the look.

I'm usually caught between getting two sets of jackets. One for some heavy SA weathering and one to just wear in natural.

And I know I'm kinda famous for tearing my stuff up and make it look screen accurate..

But In the end of the day, I allways prefer looking at the natural worn jackets.

So I bet you regret sending it of now it looks like a good ol' friend eh? I would. Hehehe.