How soft is lambskin usually from known vendors

Discuss all of the intricacies of the jacket in full detail

Moderators: Indiana Jeff, Mike, Indydawg

Post Reply
User avatar
blueoakleyz
Dig Leader
Dig Leader
Posts: 628
Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 5:57 am

How soft is lambskin usually from known vendors

Post by blueoakleyz »

such as Wested, Magnoli, US Wings etc. The ones that make the custom jackets or higher end ones etc..

I used to think the whole thing about lambskin was how soft it was to the touch on the surface (apparently the super smooth ones in malls are probably fakes). But then I received a leather blazer from Macys. There are two main panels on the back. One is extremely soft, literally like that liquid leather I described in another thread. Just ripples and flows so easily in my hand. The other panel feels stiff, dry and much thicker.
I assume they're both lambskin.. but what are your experiences with lambskin for INdy jackets?
User avatar
djd
Museum Curator
Museum Curator
Posts: 1272
Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2007 5:52 am
Location: Tranquility Base

Re: How soft is lambskin usually from known vendors

Post by djd »

My Wested lamb was very soft compared to cow leather
Solo4114
Archaeologist
Archaeologist
Posts: 392
Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2006 2:39 pm

Re: How soft is lambskin usually from known vendors

Post by Solo4114 »

I have an old wested and it's REALLY soft. I found it was a little too soft, actually. Their leather may be different now, though. Mine's from 2001.
User avatar
Chewbacca Jones
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 3878
Joined: Fri Jun 09, 2006 1:17 am
Location: Somewhere in the vicinity of Betelgeuse
Contact:

Re: How soft is lambskin usually from known vendors

Post by Chewbacca Jones »

I have only owned Wested (2) and Magnoli lambskin. The Magnoli it by far the softest of the bunch, but it is pre-washed. Of the two Westeds, the newer of them felt softer. But like all natural hides, there will always be variations. I HEAR that US Wings lambskin is the thickest of good Indy jackets, so it's probably a little stiffer. I have read a few comments about the otherworldly nature of Nowak's lambskin, but I can't be sure what they are comparing it to.

The good thing about the better makers (the main 4 I just mentioned, mainly) is that the leather panels of each jacket will be more consistent, as they take the time and effort to build a better garment. However, there will always be some variation, especially with surface texture. But good leather should have minor texture variation. Think about it like wood. Good, natural wood has nice but sometimes uneven grain, knots, etc. Processed wood with fake finishes have perfectly even grain with only "well-placed" surface knots (that aren't really knots).
RCSignals
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 3665
Joined: Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:32 pm
Location: Twin Galaxies

Re: How soft is lambskin usually from known vendors

Post by RCSignals »

blueoakleyz wrote:............... (apparently the super smooth ones in malls are probably fakes).

?????? :?


blueoakleyz wrote:But then I received a leather blazer from Macys. There are two main panels on the back. One is extremely soft, literally like that liquid leather I described in another thread. Just ripples and flows so easily in my hand. The other panel feels stiff, dry and much thicker.
I assume they're both lambskin.. but what are your experiences with lambskin for INdy jackets?
On a jacket such as a blazer they should match the skins better. On an A-2 type jacket for instance the different appearing skins on different panels is usually prised.
Post Reply