Club Obi Wan

Hi everyone,

So I'm trying to decide between getting a Wested Special Offer Raiders jacket getting a Custom Raiders jacket. I understand that there's a difference in their patterns and specs, so at this point the decision comes down to pics. Does anyone have both who can offer comparison advice and/or photos of each?

Thanks!

Just a question, do you always have such a tough time deciding things? I'd hate to do to the grocery store with you!

But photos may be decieving. You'd need two similar photos (same lighting, etc.) taken of two new jackets. It can be tricky to judge based on photos people post.

If I were you, I´d get the Custom in goatskin. Made in the U.K. and goat is an awesome leather, durable, rain proof pretty much, etc. I fxxxgxn´love my goat from Wested. I´ll try to up load a couple photos for you.

I can't cast any stones myself. If people actually paid attention to what I posted, they'd know just how bad I waver from jacket to jacket. What's even worse is all the waffling I do without posting about it.

I don't have both but I have a wested goat off the rack and love it.It's really nice and the leather is soft yet extremly tuff. I've posted this fact before ,goat is #2 on durablity and toughness ahead of cow and horse.

jacksdad wrote:I don't have both but I have a wested goat off the rack and love it.It's really nice and the leather is soft yet extremly tuff. I've posted this fact before ,goat is #2 on durablity and toughness ahead of cow and horse.

If goat is #2, what on earth is #1?

Regards, Geert

I'd be interested in hearing an answer to that one as well! Horse is #1 on every leather makers chart I've ever seen to date, with goat #2 and cowhide #3.

As to your question, anytime you can go custom, do it. There's some great OTR stuff out there, but there's just something speical about owning an item that was specifically made for you and from YOUR supplied measurements.

Regards! Michaelson

I agree. Though I only have the 'ROLA Special', I am planning on buying a custom Wested as soon as I get the money and make up my mind on thing like what leather. My special fits like a glove and I really love it, but I would like to have one that is made for me, to my specs.

Regards, Geert

It's a bit exotic, but isn't roo hide the toughest?

-P-

In weight to strength ratios, absolutely.

As you say, though, it's considered an exotic, and therefore not usually factored into the standard toughness scale used by standard jacket and clothing companies (at least not in the U. S.)

Regards! Michaelson

I got my info from the book a-2 & g-1 flight jackets #### bent for leather. They said on page 30 and I quote"The navy opted for the more abrasion resistant goatskin.Horsehide ranks fifth on durablity scal ,goatskin second .Goat skin is almost as durable as the stiff ,inflexable iron like kanagaroo skin,yet it is extremly soft."hope this helps.

Very interesting!

That's the lowest I've ever seen horsehide rated to date!

Regards! Michaelson

jacksdad wrote:...the stiff ,inflexable iron like kanagaroo skin...

Jeez, if kangaroo hide is so stiff, inflexible, and iron-like, how do the kangaroos move around in it?

Zombie Jones wrote:

jacksdad wrote:...the stiff ,inflexable iron like kanagaroo skin...

Jeez, if kangaroo hide is so stiff, inflexible, and iron-like, how do the kangaroos move around in it?

Or indeed how do we coil those whips!

Michaelson wrote:In weight to strength ratios, absolutely.

As you say, though, it's considered an exotic, and therefore not usually factored into the standard toughness scale used by standard jacket and clothing companies (at least not in the U. S.)

Regards! Michaelson

Is there an actual chart that these companies use?I would love to see a proper comparison chart..where would Deerskin be placed compared to the other leathers?Plus,Horsehide is **** near indestructible IMO-look at how many Horsehide jackets survive from the 30's/40's compared to other leathers.I wonder if the Navy's definition of 'durable' was 'more-flexible'(or maybe just cheaper? ).Having owned all types of leather(except Roo), hands-down,Horsehide is definately the toughest IMO.

there is a website called acmedepot.com it's all about A-2's and how they are made and differnt versions and they compare goat to horse and tell how durbale each was. Goat seemed to rate higher than horse,the reason so many A-2's were made from horse was it was the end of the army calverly and horse hide was more readly available at the early part of the 30's and 40's. Guys go to that site,it's great and you learn alot about the A-2's how they weremade and constructed and it teaches you alot about the leather jacket.

I must confess that I've lusted in my heart for a pair of roo-hide boots. Must be tough (enough).

jacksdad wrote:there is a website called acmedepot.com it's all about A-2's...

Thanks for the tip Jacksdad! Since I joined Club Obi Wan I've gained more of an appreciation for the history of the various gear items, and that website certainly fit the bill!

jacksdad wrote:I got my info from the book a-2 & g-1 flight jackets #### bent for leather. They said on page 30 and I quote"The navy opted for the more abrasion resistant goatskin.Horsehide ranks fifth on durablity scal ,goatskin second .Goat skin is almost as durable as the stiff ,inflexable iron like kanagaroo skin,yet it is extremly soft."hope this helps.

I doubt this is accurate. You read various versions of this. Sometimes it is HH, sometimes it is goat that is strongest. How are they rating the leather? I think it also depends on the thickness and how it is treated.