Club Obi Wan

Hello all! I was talking with a friend who was bitten by the gear bug for the first time. He asked me to advise him on a jacket. He says that he wants to buy just one and ONLY ONE!. I know, your thinking yep thats what they all say. Well he says he's serious so here's the deal. Having owned Wings, G&B and Wested I really cant say which would be best for him as I am partial to all as each serves it's own specific purpose S/A, Durability, Drape etc...
So I will defer his question to the true experts in this field. Any help would be great. He says he's looking for the following qualities.

S/A: Close as possible
Durability: Tough enough for everday ghetto adventure (occasional fistfight).
Price: $300 (Not one penny more!).

Thanks in advance!

Hey Soul,
First, I would say let him use that $300.00 for a Doctor to give him a shot and rid himself of the bug, but since that won't happen, and that is his price range for a durable SA(ish) jacket, a Todds or Wested Custom may seem the way to go. I love my Wings as a jacket, but it is not as SA as my Wested or other peoples Todds(which I plan to pick-up).For a more durable jacket, a Wested goat, washed goat, cowhide choice or horsehide will be great and still in his price range. Now he is really down to picking a hide. So you see how it goes on(and on and on...).Cheers to your friend and you.
Gringo

To really put my own opinion on the line, tell him to order a Wested custom Novapelle hide jacket, with the cotton/satin lining, gussetts, extra inside pocket. Best jacket I have ever owned under 300.00. Very heavy duty for the price.

No more than $300, eh? Well, that certainly narrows things down. This really depends on what he wants out of the jacket. In that price range you have:

-Wested, off the rack, or if you don't mind going a hair over $300, a custom
-Todd's
-US Wings Hero jacket, either lamb, antique cow, or (cringe) the new 30th anniversary jacket with our discount

What will he be using this jacket for? Everyday wear? What climate is he in? Does he care about screen accuracy? What kind of build does he have (slender=Todd's, hefty=Wings)?

My vote is Wested, because getting a jacket shipped from England is cool. Unfortunately, Wested can be a real roll of the dice, as we know. But custom sizing can be very good for a jacket like this. Then there is the whole question of leather, and what they have in stock. Good luck to him...

He could also watch the G&B clearance page. Expeditions show up in that price range on occasion...that and our classified section.

Regards! Michaelson

what size is he I have an expedition from another memeber and it's a little big on me might be able to save him some cash.

When you say S/A as possible, which movie?

He's a 46 reg. Or XL. He says it's for everyday pedestrian use. Nothing wild. I'm trying to get him to join here as I think it would serve him better but he's hesitant. Says he doesn't want to end up like me. We live in Virginia so hot and sticky in the summer and cold in the winter. I forgot to mention that I also currently have a Todds. Very nice! He likes it but wants something a little tougher. I personally suggested goat as it is not too heavy and is durable as heck. I think there's a washed goat here for sale that I may also suggest. As for S/A he's into the Raiders cut.

Yeah, to me a 'be all/do all' leather is goatskin. Great for warmer and colder situations, so I'd tell him to lean in that direction, regardless of what vendor he goes with.

If I had to choose just one leather jacket to be in my closet, it would have to be goatskin.

Regards! Michaelson

Michaelson wrote:He could also watch the G&B clearance page.
Regards! Michaelson

...or possibly a G&B second hand from this forum or Ebay. The other in that price range would be Todd's.

I had received a G&B lamb from alphared6 about a year ago and was shocked at how much it looked like the film jacket, so I eventually wound up selling it and buying a new one. The hide also seems to be a close approximation to the movie jacket, with a rougher skin texture.

Don't know why you would have been shocked, Tex. Their pattern was based on specs from a screen used stunt jacket.

Regards! Michaelson

I have allways wanted a GB jacket. But the arms are just too short for me.

I think a GB goat must be the bull of Indy jackets.

Although I am now on the fence and leaning towards not purchasing the jacket, he should probably consider waiting to see actual pics of Wings 30th Anniversary jacket by Neil Cooper.

_ wrote:Only one? No time dimension, ie I gotta have it by...

The g&b clearance is the way to go - kudos michaelson.

I check their clearance list with some regularity. Never had much luck myself, but there is a size 40 Tall Expedition in Seal Brown Goat right now for $299 if anyone is looking...

Forrest For the Trees wrote:

_ wrote:Only one? No time dimension, ie I gotta have it by...

The g&b clearance is the way to go - kudos michaelson.

I check their clearance list with some regularity. Never had much luck myself, but there is a size 40 Tall Expedition in Seal Brown Goat right now for $299 if anyone is looking...

LOL, just checked out the site and was going to post the same info Forrest!

Whatever else you pick, I'd say goat is madatory. I'd go for a preloved G&B, very close to a Nowak in terms of accuracy and extremely tough. I have one, it's

scot2525 wrote:

Forrest For the Trees wrote:

_ wrote:Only one? No time dimension, ie I gotta have it by...

The g&b clearance is the way to go - kudos michaelson.

I check their clearance list with some regularity. Never had much luck myself, but there is a size 40 Tall Expedition in Seal Brown Goat right now for $299 if anyone is looking...

LOL, just checked out the site and was going to post the same info Forrest!

I called on that jacket a month ago and they do not have it. They have not updated their list lately. I agree a G&B clearance would be one awesome find.

Ok, so I've determined that there really isn't a time frame for this goof, I mean friend, to make his purchase. So I suppose were good providing his wife stays cool with all of this. He is leaning toward Wested and has an eye on the washed goat version but has concerns as it is listed as being a "film" jacket and not as street durable? I don't have an explanation for him on that. What's the difference between that one and a regular street worthy Wested?

One has inner facings. Practical but spoils the drape of the jacket IMHO if you want the raiders or temple look

If he wants tough, go with the G&B goat used/clearance or the new USwings Raiders in horse

The 30th Wings in horse is the one that I have currently reserved but i'm a bit on the fence due to the whole zipper issue. At the same time I cant really argue that too much as it is horsehide and i've wanted one of those for eons. So I have suggested that to my bud. I can't really come up with a longer wearing hide than horse. Now that I think of it, do we know when we are going to see pics of the 30th jacket?

Well, the thing about horsehide is it's going to be more of a 2.5 season jacket. They're pretty warm.

Goatskin is more of a 3 season leather....maybe more.

If that's not a problem, it's a good choice too, but it's limited to how long you can wear it.....unless you live in cold climes.

Regards! Michaelson

I haven't had the opportunity to test drive the one I have yet. It's been to lousy hot down here....but the evenings are getting cooler, so that may be corrected in the very near future.

Regards! Michaelson

Michaelson wrote:....but the evenings are getting cooler, so that may be corrected in the very near future.

Regards! Michaelson

Very near, if this past weekend is indicative of it.

Agreed. Keep 'em coming is all I have to say about that!

Regards! Michaelson

G&B Goat all the way

G&B goat is the choice, though it's a little more than $300 new. And goatskin is the choice if you only buy one jacket. G&B stitching/durability is second to none. US Wings is a good choice too, but G&B's pattern is more accurate.

_ wrote:

Rundquist wrote:G&B goat is the choice, though it's a little more than $300 new. And goatskin is the choice if you only buy one jacket. G&B stitching/durability is second to none. US Wings is a good choice too, but G&B's pattern is more accurate.

Agreed. The chrome goat is amazingly tough but not as rubbery as some other vendors. I have a veg goatskin - not sure if it is still an option? If it is, the veg is worth any premium.

Hmm... We're busting up that budget, aren't we...

That was inevitable around these parts.

That's the problem I have with goatskin, it can be pretty darned rubbery. Can't speak for the G&B, but is it better than what Wested used to source? I would want a jacket that feels classically like leather, and goatskin doesn't really do that for me.

I really like the look and feel of my Wested washed goat. It's tough, not super shiny (although I've heard some point to that as a fault, complaining that it's too dull and grayish), and distresses naturally fairly quickly.
But as many have already pointed out, there are several good choices out there. Decisions, decisions, decisions...
Good luck!

Taking a bit of inspiration from you folks, I washed my USwings black goat . Amazing difference. Didn't use any fabric softener... thought about it....

Seemed to relax the hide but tighten up the fit (probably the stitching I figure). No damage that I could find (loose threads etc.). But I figured if the jacket couldn't take a gentle washing in a household front loader...

Oh, and your mileage may vary, results not typical, no guarantees expressed or implied, significant other catching may be grounds for further legal action or bodily damage....

I wash all my jackets goat and cow. Always loosens them up. Just ensure that you dry them in fresh air away from direct heat. It can take 3 days for a jacket to dry. While it is doing so you can add character by moulding the collar and gently wringing the arms to build texture, grain and wrinkles. My G&B bcame loose and grainy and soft as butter. I want to marry it....

I wonder how my nekkid cow would take to the wash...

Travis

Never washed any USW jacket. I stood a half hour in the rain though and it did wonders to it. lots of grain popped out.

Was that your Hero Naked Cow, Holt?

Travis

yes, it was.

Soulman, I sent you a PM for your friend. Cheers

Thanks. I can't believe it. This guy must have picked up some super strain of the Gear virus cause' he's driving me nuts. Thank you all for your heart felt efforts thus far. I'm hoping this "closet gearhead" will come out soon.

_
I have to say, though, that I really like that lightweight lambskin Wings has. Too many people get scared by lamb being fragile, and that's a shame. JMO

I have a 10 year old Wested in lamb that is my main jacket until the temps dip into the 30's. I don't use it as a yardwork or camping jacket, but it has shown no signs of wear as a "street" jacket.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

I wore my first lambskin Wested all through the winter that first year, as I found a sweater, scarf and gloves added that needed insulation for the really cold spells. It got down in the teens that year, and the lambskin kept out the wind. Then again, that's all a leather jacket is SUPPOSED to do.

Regard! Michaelson

Jeff,

I would be interested in seeing that 10 year old lamb.

I can't make any recommendations as to what anyone ELSE should do to limit themselves to just ONE Indy jacket....

But, for what it's worth, up until just this past Spring, the ONLY Indy jacket I owned was a Gibson and Barnes distressed russet cowhide. Fantastic leather and they used the M422-A lining in it...I pared down my gear about 5 years ago to just ONE of everything...and THAT was the one I kept.

G&B makes one heIIuva jacket, I know that...especially if it's the Raiders look you're going for.

Regards!
Indydawg

you know, that is actually the best thing to do if you want a good worn in looking jacket over the years. get ONE jacket or if you have many jackets, sell everything and keep your favorite.

I should do this acutally because I never only use ONE jacket. I always rotate them and will take forever to get ONE jacket really look beat up......

why so many jacket and vendor choices?

Why?

Because it's THAT hard to make EVERYONE happy

And honestly...I might be doing just that again pretty soon...Looking at three Indy jackets in my closet just seems like two too many...

Regards!
Indydawg

Indydawg wrote:
And honestly...I might be doing just that again pretty soon...Looking at three Indy jackets in my closet just seems like two too many...

Regards!
Indydawg

Dibs... DIBS!!!!

J/K, J/K

-KB

Indydawg wrote:And honestly...I might be doing just that again pretty soon...Looking at three Indy jackets in my closet just seems like two too many...

I know which one you better keep.

Agreed.

Regard! Michaelson

I know what you guys mean. I have owned SO MANY Indy jackets over the past couple of years. I have been trying to find THE jacket that is perfect to me... the jacket that scratches that notorious itch that seems to spread like a virus around here. I have scratched that itch with a Nowak CS. I love the jacket to death but it doesn't fit me as well as I would like. I just found another Nowak jacket that given the measurements will fit me to the T. So the other Nowak will be for sale shortly. No reason to keep it if I'm not going to wear it. That is why I am selling all of my other jackets.

They need to make an ointment for that itch.

binkmeisterRick wrote:They need to make an ointment for that itch.

I found one, actually... it's the same stuff Captain Murphy used in the Lethal Weapon franchise to keep himself from getting ulcers. I find it works when applied to Indy jackets as well

-KB

Michaelson
Post subject: Re: one shot; one...

Agreed.

Regard! Michaelson
Agreed.

Regard! Michaelson

[ Post details ] Posted: Sep Wed 08, 2010 7:12 pm



Mike
Post subject: Re: one shot; one...

Indydawg wrote:
And honestly...I might be doing just that again pretty soon...Looking at three Indy jackets in my closet just seems like two too many...


I know which one you better keep.

Indydawg wrote:And honestly...I might be doing just that again pretty soon...Looking at three Indy jackets in my closet just seems like two too many...

I know which one you better keep.

[ Post details ]

That IS the one that stays, I know that!!!!


Indydawg

For everyday, most of the year use and very SA I would say the Todd's.
For more toughness but still keeping close to the Raiders drape, I would go for the Wested goat.

I've had the horsehide and it is too thick, there's no drape, got to have the drape.
Don't know about the cow though.