Club Obi Wan

Ok, I blame you all. It's all your fault. I came here because I had an old bullwhip and was interested in the whole Indy costume. Next thing I know I am the proud owner of an Akubra Fed. Now I'm getting ready to order a Wested. It's contagious.

So, I know a few things: I want a Raiders style, authentic lining (cotton), but I'm not sure about the type of material. Can someone try to sum up the pros and cons of goat vs. lambskin? Thanks in advance for any advice...

Heh, there is no escape.

Well, I am certain someone else can answer you better than I, but I will put in my two cents.

The original was lambskin. It is softer and drapes a bit better than goathide. Also, lambskin is easier to distress if that is what you are planning to do. The goathide on the other hand is a bit more durible, and will hold up to more abuse on you adventures. Both are great choices. Either way you will end up wanting one of both.

Hope that helps some.
~Arok

I debated over goat and lambskin, but went with the lamb to let it distress naturally...I think either decision will be the RIGHT decision.

Both are great. Lamb is soft and buttery, goat is much tougher and feels thicker, heavier. But by no means over heavy (it feels like a "normal" leather jacket, whilst the lamb is just something else!).

A friend of mine just got a goatskin, it looked really hard and shiny, one weekend of hot water treatment and gentle sanding it looks older than my 1.5 year old lambskin.

If you want something extra sturdy get a goat, if you'd like a bit of luxury get the lamb.

also with the goat hide, you can see the nice leathery grains that you can't find too easily (or at all) in a lamb. the lamb looks pleathery till you actually touch it and then its very soft and obviously the real deal.

Although I have never handled a goat jacket, I have here some leather samples from Wested and I think that the goat is TOO grainy.

Ever seen a G-1 Navy jacket? It's the one Tom Cruise was wearing in TOP GUN. See below.



These jackets are made of goat and they are supposed to be sturdier than the lamb. Also, a goat jacket will be much warmer in the winter than a lamb jacket.

The problem is that in the end you will want both. I have a lamb and a predistressed cow. I am planning to buy a dark lamb now and after that a goat.

Wested's goatskin is not too grainy at all, nor is it much different in weight than lamb. I have one of each from Wested, and I can tell you that the goatskin is a wonderful option as well. Both feel about the same, as far s warmth go too. That's a myth, goatskin breathes very well.

It is TOO grainy my friend. (Even the photo fails to show how grainy)

From left to right.
Authentic goat, dark lamb, authentic lamb

Platoon's samples look just like the one's Wested sent me and I liked the look of the lamb a lot better than the goat because of how grainy the goat is...my next jacket will be goat, but that is a long way away.

I think it may be a good idea for you to e-mail wested and ask for some samples so you can see and feel the two hides (and get a good look at the color too)

owning both, i'd have to say that those pictures are quite bang on to what you get (looks a little magnified though).

its winter so i vote you get the goatskin. come spring/summer, then get the lamb.....you can't have too many westeds you know

Sorry my friend... but samples only show what one tiny portion of a hide looks like. I have an actual Wested goat and Wested lamb in hand to verify what they look like. Of the two goatskin jackets I own, neither one is anywhere close to being that grainy. I'm sorry you got such a pebbly sample, it's throwing off your view of what a goatskin jacket really looks like. And yes... the photo of those samples is very much magnified to top it off.

Wow! Thanks so much for all the replies, folks. I think I'm going to go with authentic lambskin. Since this won't just be a costume piece, but something to actually wear out and about, I think the slightly softer texture of the lambskin may be desirable. Also, the color looks spot-on to what I would like.

Thanks again. I appreciate all the input!

Not letting you off that easy! How about dark brown? Horse? Linings, cotton or satin or satin and cotton... zipper facings, d-ring or rectangles, left or right zipper, gussets, tapered sleeves, big or small pockets, do you want an extra pocket inside, x box stitching? Nada Nada nada!!!

No, you're right save all that stuff for your second jacket, it WILL happen

Standard Authentic Brown lambskin is an excellent choice. The most important thing is to get your sizings right.

Lucky you, first Wested mmmmm!

...don't forget the nice 'made for mr. so and so' name tag. some members don't like it but i do. it reaffirms that the garment is not off the rack. i have these in my suits and it feels nice knowing that this was done just for you......or maybe i miss my mom writing my name in all my clothes!

Kt Templar wrote:Not letting you off that easy! How about dark brown? Horse? Linings, cotton or satin or satin and cotton... zipper facings, d-ring or rectangles, left or right zipper, gussets, tapered sleeves, big or small pockets, do you want an extra pocket inside, x box stitching? Nada Nada nada!!!

My head hurts now.

Yes, that will all wait for my next jacket ;-).

Platon please can you reduce the size of that pic or post a thumbnail of it. It's way too large and causing us to have to scroll the page left and right to read the posts.