Club Obi Wan

Hi There All, I'm new here, and am looking for a "one stop shop" comparison of the various materials Wested offers. I've searched and read many different threads, but none of them directly related the various characteristics of the different leathers. I'm really looking for info on weight, drape, authenticity, weatherproofness, long term durability, thermal characteristics (year round wear vs. winter only sort of thing) and anything else I might need to know when picking the material for my Indy jacket. I emailed the folks at Wested last week, but haven't heard back from them yet.

Thanks,
Adam

A very simple question, uh?

welcome.


the first hide that comes in my mind when you say ''all around'' is goatskin.

winter-vise...horsehide.


bests
Holt

Indiana Holt wrote:welcome.


the first hide that comes in my mind when you say ''all around'' is goatskin.

winter-vise...horsehide.


bests
Holt

I concur. Goatskin is the "everything" hide. In fact some would say that it's "too good". Goatskin is so durable that in general you don't see the effects of aging on it. That's an easy fix though. Just throw the thing in the washer and let it air dry. If it weren't against the law, I'd marry a goat .

It depends on what you'll be doing and how "durable" you need it to be. Nothing drapes or distresses like lambskin. NOTHING! ......

In all seriousness, Westeds current lamb offering is high quality hide sourced from either Italy or Spain I believe....(as per Michaelson)

indyrocks wrote:It depends on what you'll be doing and how "durable" you need it to be. Nothing drapes or distresses like lambskin. NOTHING! ......

In all seriousness, Westeds current lamb offering is high quality hide sourced from either Italy or Spain I believe....(as per Michaelson)

I've got a G&B Expedition that drapes about the same as lamb. In fact it drapes so well that there wasn't even any point in me getting a new lambskin jacket. And I've always had a lambskin Indy jacket and have been a proponent of it for an Indy jacket because of its drape. At this point with regards to lambskin though, I would say that the bad outweighs the good.

Rundquist wrote:If it weren't against the law, I'd marry a goat .

I do not think it is the marriage that is illegal; I think it is the consummation.

rick5150 wrote:

Rundquist wrote:If it weren't against the law, I'd marry a goat .

I do not think it is the marriage that is illegal; I think it is the consummation.

Yes, you're right.

rick5150 wrote:

Rundquist wrote:If it weren't against the law, I'd marry a goat .

I do not think it is the marriage that is illegal; I think it is the consummation.

I think in California now it's legal...and maybe Massachusetts?

...and when she dies- you have a jacket!

citRon wrote: ...and when she dies- you have a jacket!

A jacket for free!!!!!

Rundquist wrote:

indyrocks wrote:It depends on what you'll be doing and how "durable" you need it to be. Nothing drapes or distresses like lambskin. NOTHING! ......

In all seriousness, Westeds current lamb offering is high quality hide sourced from either Italy or Spain I believe....(as per Michaelson)

I've got a G&B Expedition that drapes about the same as lamb. In fact it drapes so well that there wasn't even any point in me getting a new lambskin jacket. And I've always had a lambskin Indy jacket and have been a proponent of it for an Indy jacket because of its drape. At this point with regards to lambskin though, I would say that the bad outweighs the good.

That's all true about Lambskin. I don't know why it was used for the original movie jacket other than how it drapes, and perhaps availability at the time.

I can't imagine a 'real' Indy jacket of the era being made in Lambskin. Perhaps horsehide, Goat, or Cowhide.

I'm not arguing the point about goat as I agree it's the best all-around hide. But for most people's suburban adventures, lamb will work just fine and it's a really great feeling hide. If I wanted just one jacket, I'd go goat, but having a lambskin is a treat.

RCSignals wrote:
That's all true about Lambskin. I don't know why it was used for the original movie jacket other than how it drapes, and perhaps availability at the time.

I can't imagine a 'real' Indy jacket of the era being made in Lambskin. Perhaps horsehide, Goat, or Cowhide.

Hot movie lights and hours and hours on set. Lambskin makes perfect sense. It looks like a tough leather jacket but doesn't kill the actor from dehydration! Many film jackets are made from lamb, look a bit more closely.

Now for day to day use, lamb is perfect for most city dwellers, if you are hopping on and off public transport and the vagaries of the air conditioning (or in the UK the lack of it) it excels.

Peter used to refer to it as his 'summer hide'.

That's when he only offered lambskin and cowhide.

Regard! Michaelson

I think quality lamb is still pretty durable. Obviously lamb rips easier than any other leather but I bet if taken decent care of these last for years! Members have posted showing this. I have a new lamb from Wested and another on the way and the hide is just quality stuff. I think it will last for a while and I wear it every day.

Kt Templar wrote:

RCSignals wrote:
That's all true about Lambskin. I don't know why it was used for the original movie jacket other than how it drapes, and perhaps availability at the time.

I can't imagine a 'real' Indy jacket of the era being made in Lambskin. Perhaps horsehide, Goat, or Cowhide.

Hot movie lights and hours and hours on set. Lambskin makes perfect sense. It looks like a tough leather jacket but doesn't kill the actor from dehydration! Many film jackets are made from lamb, look a bit more closely.

Not for day to day use, lamb is perfect for most city dwellers, if you are hopping on and off public transport and the vagaries of the air conditioning (or in the UK the lack of it) it excels.

Yes there is a big difference “reel” life and “real” life. Lambskin was undoubtedly a good choice for the movies.

Michaelson wrote:Peter used to refer to it as his 'summer hide'.

That's when he only offered lambskin and cowhide.

Regard! Michaelson

As Michaelson alludes to, it was only through competition that Wested began offering all the other hide choices. Before that there was no need. I’m sure that Peter still uses lambskin primarily for his film work.

True. Peter told me on more than one occation that he would NEVER offer these jackets in goatskin. It was hard to work with, and good goatskin was really hard to source.

He changed his mind when he saw the success of the goatskin G&B jacket, and it's been his best selling hide ever since.

Regards! Michaelson

I like my goatskin, I'm hard on jackets and I have ripped a lamb jacket before, so this is why I go with the goat. BUT Peter uses quality stuff from what I read so you are really in a win win situation.

It's true. But I think lamb tends to get a bad rap. Maybe justifiably so. But the high quality lamb, although yes rippable if worn extremely hard, is going to last everyday use.

So, at one end of the spectrum is the screen accurate lambskin. It seems that next up would be goatskin. It's not screen accurate, but far more durable and weatherproof. At the far end would be horse hide. It's heaviest, and warmest, but also the most durable and weatherproof. Where in here do the various cow hides fall?

I'm leaning towards the goatskin. My jacket will see pretty adventurous use. I'm not planning on getting dragged under any trucks, or through the desert by a tank, but it will see daily wear around town in the midwest, go into the back country, on extended travel, etc. so it looks like the goat will be the best compromise.

Thoughts?

Adam

Don't forget Wested's novapelle.

How's this for 'natural' distressing?

I managed to get battery acid on my novapelle! It marked the surface and etched where it touched... but the jacket lives on.

Kt Templar wrote:How's this for 'natural' distressing?

I managed to get battery acid on my novapelle! It marked the surface and etched where it touched... but the jacket lives on.

Was it recent? If so take steps to neutralise the battery acid very well if you haven't already. It will keep 'eating' otherwise, even if you think it has been removed.

RCSignals wrote:

Kt Templar wrote:How's this for 'natural' distressing?

I managed to get battery acid on my novapelle! It marked the surface and etched where it touched... but the jacket lives on.

Was it recent? If so take steps to neutralise the battery acid very well if you haven't already. It will keep 'eating' otherwise, even if you think it has been removed.

No problem, water diluted it right down and stopped the corrosion.

RCSignals wrote:

Kt Templar wrote:How's this for 'natural' distressing?

I managed to get battery acid on my novapelle! It marked the surface and etched where it touched... but the jacket lives on.

Was it recent? If so take steps to neutralise the battery acid very well if you haven't already. It will keep 'eating' otherwise, even if you think it has been removed.

How do you neutralise it?

Baking soda solution in water is one way. Only on the acid area.

The other is lots, and I mean LOTS of tap water: this will lower the acidity of the stain to normal levels. It is safer than using an alkaline like caustic soda, but you got to make sure the water goes THROUGH the leather, soaking it completely, so no acid will remain.

Regards, Geert

LOTs of water is right, and even that may not be enough.

Baking Soda is not the same as Caustic Soda

Yes I know: one is NaOH, the other NaHCO3. The former is MUCH more agressive than the latter. I only said that because I know a guy who tried to use Caustic soda to neutralise chloric acid he spilt on his arm: he now has two different scars on his arm.

Regards, Geert

Ouch twice over.

Regarding hides...there is a quality to each! Lamb is soft and drapes well...Horse Hide will out live them all...Goat after a while gets closer to lamb, but is more durable...and Cow is really strong, like the horse hide! It just depends on the person and what feels good to them and keep in mind you must protect them with Pecards or other treatments which will keep them ready to go and allow great life! Just my 'two cents!' W>

Cow can be strong, but isn't as water repelling as HH is and will soak through easier when caught out in the rain. In my experience cow has the least water repelling qualities of all leathers.

Regards, Geert