Club Obi Wan

I think it was a slight variation on your theme. I zipped the jacket up and used the hand-held shower to spray the water onto the jacket.Once the leather seemed damp, I started from the shoulder area and worked my way down pulling the leather in all directions. I did the same on the front, side and back to even out the ware. IMHO I think it did a good job of adding character to the jacket without aging it too much. This was a USA goatskin A-2, not a goatskin Expedition. So YMMV.

I noticed we have a few new people. Being still "newish" myself, I REALLY appreciate this thread. I consider this GOLD.

So for that reason, I'm BUMPING it up for any new people who haven't seen it. Michael's advice has really helped me break in jackets quickly, without sacrificing on the integrity of the jacket and stitching.

And Michaelson , the hunt begins for some Lexol today. My Magnoli Washed Lambskin jacket I got from Chewie came in the mail. I'm fighting the urge to just frame the thing and stare at it all day. It really doesn't need any Lexol quite yet but I like to have it on hand, you know...just in case.



I will NOT be able to drive in this jacket. The comfort makes the risk of falling asleep at the wheel all too possible. WHAT A JACKET.

Tundy, was your jacket a custom job?

Nevada Jones wrote:When I bought mine several years ago no one on COW could really give me good tips on how to age the Expo in goat specifically. Mine still looks shiny and plastic! I'm going to give your tips a try...

I originally had a lambskin Expo but I quickly became afraid that I was going to tear the leather.
So, I got a chrome-tanned seal-colored goatskin Expo and soon realized that the jacket may never distress so I sold it.
I finally ended up with a cowhide Expedition that has naturally distressed "just right" over the past ten years.

Having tried this on my A-2 Goatskin jacket, I thought I would give it a go on my Aero HHHB. I wore it for about 30 mins during a recent rain shower and simply kept bending my arms and also several sets of arm rotations. Sometimes I would rub the sleeves up and down as well as keep my hands in my pockets to help keep the sleeves wrinkled. It really helped break-in the jacket. I left it sitting in the corner when I returned home. I thought I would just add this for those of you who have other hides other than goat.

R/ David

Good Day,

I don't see the original list by Tundraraider. Could someone please comment with the original list of naturally distressing techniques, or explain how to view the the "sticky" note. Thanks.

Unfortunately Tundraraiders information is not longer posted.

In short he had some 'semi-natural' ways to break in a jacket.

One of the main ones he recommended was to bunch the jacket up in a pillow case and sleep with it using it essentially as a pillow or holding it against your body. He found that the heat from his body warmed the leather and allowed it to relax and crumbling it helped the leather break in and relax more quickly than wearing it.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Thanks so much, Indiana Jeff!

Texan Scott wrote:Tundy, was your jacket a custom job?

Belated reply, but the only custom request Tundraider mentioned was the grainiest goatskin available. It gave the jacket instant character and nicely complemented his "natur-ficial" distressing methods.