Club Obi Wan

Was browsing the US Wings site, and noticed that the new pattern "Legend" jacket is now available in either the original "Imported" version, or recently added US made versions (for significantly more), in either cowhide or striated lamb. There is also an imported horsehide, and a US made bison version of this jacket.

So, my question is: Has anyone had opportunity to sample one of the new US made versions of the Legend?
Are these the jackets rumored to be made by Schott?
Is there any tangible difference in materials or workmanship between the imported vs the US made version?

I'm quite pleased with the quality of my US made Adventurer, and with the two US made Schotts which I currently own (one of which I've owned since 1993).

FYI, all the U. S. made Wings jackets are Schott made.

I have not been able to tell any difference regarding quality issues between the two makers, with the exception of that weird zebra striped lambskin that we all recently saw posted.

The standard practice has usually been that leathers used are used at both locations. All the overseas plants do is assemble the provided materials.

That said, though, I personally like the New Jersey products myself. I just like the Schott tradition.

Regards !Michaelson

Ron, I can only comment on the fact that the US made jackets ARE, in fact, made at the Schott facility in NJ....and looks like M beat me to posting that...

As to the quality of jackets made either in China or in the Wings Pakistan facility...I can say that I've had recent jackets from Wings from one or the other of those facilities...the New Zealand lamb and the Naked Antique Cowhide...and both were of quality construction. Occasional "meandering" stitch lines along the inside facings where the zipper is attached, but other than that, they were top notch.

I've never seen or owned a Schott jacket, but I hear that plant has a reputation for putting out extremely good work.

Just my .02...

And I can probably get some change back, at that

Dawg, refresh my memory...have you ever owned a Wings jacket prior to this project?

If so, you have owned a Schott jacket.

Regards! Michaelson

Yeah, M...I used to own a goatskin Indy, one of their A-2s, a VIP cowhide Indy, and that Old Cow from their first attempt at the antique cowhide look....

So...ALL those were made at the Schott facility? Cool! Well, then, I can say that the quality was/is comparably high to what I've seen recently....I remember the OCCASIONAL curve in the stitching in areas that were not visible when the jacket was worn...again, like along the inside of the zipper/down the facing....but other than that (which is really minor), very good work.

Cool!

Thanks for that trip down amnesia lane!
Indydawg

Yes, they were all made in New Jersey by Schott.

Regards! Michaelson

I never knew that M. I love my old wings goat. It is a tank.Mine never had a label, just a made in the USA tag . Cheers

It's only been recently that Wings has released that information to the public, though a few of us have known it for years.

That's why you see a union label or 'US MADE' in those jackets.

Regards! Michaelson

Yeah...I'd gave to give the goatskin high marks..although my personal favorite out of my old Wings jackets was that Old Cow...it just took abuse and looked ten times better for it...and I think M's fav is the VIP cowhide...if I remember correctly.

Thanks for those replies...I had no idea that their other US made offerings (such as my own Signature VIP?) was made by Schott.

I've got several jackets made "elsewhere"...a dearly loved Berman's from Korea, Wilson's from Korea and India, Banana Republic and St. Johns Bay from who knows where.
All of these have flawless workmanship, with nothing I can reasonably point to and say "that would have been done better in the US".
In my personal experience, as I've stated in other threads, a quality jacket can come from anywhere.
That said, my Berman's is not IDENTICAL to the equivalent Schott 184.
The cowhide leather used in both are good quality, but they ARE diffferent in weight, finish and in texture.
The lining is of a heavier nylon in the Schott.
The knit cuffs are made of different blends.
The zippers are different brands.
So, a person in the market for a flight jacket might have reasonably said "The Berman's is a better value", or might have said "The Schott has slightly heavier duty materials, justifying its greater cost", depending on what was more important to them.

So, given that quality workmanship can be good from the US and "elsewhere", IS there any difference in the weight, textural quality or selection of material used in one vs the other?

I suppose what my question specifically boils down to is something like:

Is Schott's cowhide the SAME as or DIFFERENT from the imported cowhide?
Is Schott's lambskin the SAME as or DIFFERENT from the imported lambskin?
Is Schott's nylon lining the SAME as or DIFFERENT from the imported lining?
Is Schott's zipper the SAME as or DIFFERENT from the imported zipper?

I know this may seem like a weird comparison, but after handling alot of WWII issue items , Schott seams to still manufacture like the old day US quality mil spec control

ron521 wrote:I suppose what my question specifically boils down to is something like:

Is Schott's cowhide the SAME as or DIFFERENT from the imported cowhide?
Is Schott's lambskin the SAME as or DIFFERENT from the imported lambskin?
Is Schott's nylon lining the SAME as or DIFFERENT from the imported lining?
Is Schott's zipper the SAME as or DIFFERENT from the imported zipper?

I believe I answered these questions with my remark above:

The standard practice has usually been that leathers used are used at both locations. All the overseas plants do is assemble the provided materials.

Regard! Michaelson

Michaelson wrote:...with the exception of that weird zebra striped lambskin that we all recently saw posted.



Regards !Michaelson

Hey M, do you remember where that is...? I just did a quick search but couldn't say for sure if it was the right one (there's so many pics of the wings lamskin of late).

thanks.

Michaelson wrote:

ron521 wrote:I suppose what my question specifically boils down to is something like:

Is Schott's cowhide the SAME as or DIFFERENT from the imported cowhide?
Is Schott's lambskin the SAME as or DIFFERENT from the imported lambskin?
Is Schott's nylon lining the SAME as or DIFFERENT from the imported lining?
Is Schott's zipper the SAME as or DIFFERENT from the imported zipper?

I believe I answered these questions with my remark above:

The standard practice has usually been that leathers used are used at both locations. All the overseas plants do is assemble the provided materials.

Regard! Michaelson

I see now that you did. I clearly missed that particular line in the original post.
Thanks