Club Obi Wan

Something mentioned in another thread got me thinking - there seems to be a lot of variation amongst leathers out there, and with the Indy jackets, from what I've gleaned, the various cowhides seem to have the widest range of differences. After reading around, it sounds like the Wings antique cow is on the thinner, softer end of the spectrum, while the Wings VIP cowhide sounds to be on the thicker, heavier side. Has anyone owned a few different cowhide jackets, and if so, can you comment on the differences in thickness/weight and softness (or stiffness)? Like how do the different Wings cowhide jackets compare to the Wested soft seal, or novapelle, or Magnoli's cowhide, etc?

The VIP feels about the same thickness as my Hero Moo Cow, and feels like glove leather, very soft. -My opinion, of course- I like the VIP.

My VIP is also very soft, just as described. The leather is fairly thick...was curious as to actual thickness, so carefully pulled the lining away from the leather in a few spots, pinched the leather together and measured it.

I found the "double thickness" to be between .110" -.120" everywhere I measured (shoulder yoke, back panel, front chest, and sleeve), which gives a single thickness of .055" - .060".

One mm = .039", so the leather in my jacket appears to have a thickness of 1.4 - 1.53 mm. This is a lot more than "leather windbreaker" grade.

I have three cowhides - the CE US Wings (Crystal Skull look), the new Antique US Wings, and Magnoli's. The Antique stands out the most, being much thinner and softer/floppier. Not quiet Lambskin soft, but the lightest, softest cowhide I have ever found.
The thickness and stiffness of the CE and the Magnoli are similar, although I found Magnoli's to break in a bit faster, yet seems ever so slightly heavier.

All I can say about the VIP is that it is a HEAVY leather. I can pick up my Antique Cow and kindof toss it over my shoulder or fling it on my couch. The VIP has a heaviness to it that is quite unique. It has to be thicker than most in my non-educated opinion. I really love that VIP though.



SB