Forgive me, Tony, for I have sinned, for I have left the temple of Nowak long enough to buy a Wested.
Well, I have wanted a horsehide jacket for years, and when Indiana Johnson put his in the Bazaar (for the second time) I snapped it up. I have one other Wested, and briefly a third, both late nineties, early 2000s examples. Both are not the finest examples of workmanship. One had a pleat that was about .5 difference in depth, and the back panel was not evenly lined up with the yoke. The leather was torn where the patch pockets attached, and the stitching coming loose. I've been dubious about ordering another Wested, and public about my views of their quality. Well, the price was right on this one, I had permission for an additional Indy jacket slot (ie. I'm now allowed as a present for my 40th birthday to own 3 Indy jackets), so I went for it.
Well, I'm impressed. I think this jacket is a couple of years old, although it looked brand new out of the box. But the stitching and the strength of the seams exceeded my expectations. This is nice stuff! I like the patch pocket construction, a lot. Even on my TN CS, I can see the backside of the leather inside the pocket. This one is fully lined, or topside leather. I would trust this jacket on a motorcycle which is pretty much yardstick for leather jackets. The leather is creakily new, and stiff, but it turns out, I like it that way. I think the stiffness helps the back pleats behave.
Anyways, I think the Raiders jacket is the best design for me, and the coolest jacket. The higher yoke actually makes the action back more functional, and the slimmer sleeves and fit make the jacket move with me. This jacket still have the Flying Squirrel effect, however!
It took a day to succumb to the soak and scrunch, and I didn't take any before pictures. LOTS OF RUNOFF DYE from this, but as I determined, it ISN'T from the leather, it's from the cotton lining. I started soaking the sleeves only, which were nylon, and the dye only came off the cotton portion. The process certainly brought some nice grain and texture.
Purchased as a stand-in until Tony starts offering a great horsehide, and I can make it down there to get fitted in person, this might end up being a keeper. Unless those serpents in my ear whispering to me how I really want more arm seam/yoke separation, or underarm gussets, or the lack of the flying squirrel effect, or I find I don't like the colour the hide distresses to get to me. It's getting easier not to listen.
PS, I figured we could turn this into a Wested HH thread instead of starting a new one?
