Club Obi Wan

I bought an "Import, sale" jacket from US Wings a couple years ago, and I'm very happy with it.
After comparing it to those of other board members, mine is a... stiffer leather.

Is there an easy way to figure out what kind of leather my jacket is made from? In the
passage of time I didn't keep the receipt or write down what type it was.

I'd like to get a new jacket in the future, but want a little softer leather.

Thanks,

Russ

The other point is that leather varies. Cow, street ir horse may be stiff and hard or soft and subtle depending on the hide and the processing. You are better off just asking for a jacket which is light or soft (or whatever you want) and trust the maker to advise you about their current hides.

Just for fun, Rook, could you post a few pics of your jacket? Give me a few close-ups of the jacket outside, and I may can give you an idea. Of course, there are a few general properties of leather that set apart one skin from another. G&B's website does a good job in explaining these differences:

http://www.gibson-barnes.com/Types+of+Leather/id/47/
http://www.gibson-barnes.com/Learn+About+Leather/id/43/

Generally, thin, soft, shiny, pliable leather with a small grain is lamb. Thicker leather with larger grain is cow. Stiff leather with larger grain (similiar to cow) is often goat. The smell is distinctive. These are of course, generalizations.

Today, the most common leather material used in jackets are either lamb and cow. In the early 20th century, it was goat or horse.

Disclaimer: When the top grain of leather is removed, all bets are off unless you can feel and smell it.

Maybe wear it to a farm or petting zoo, see which animals follow you around?

hi, my us wings jackets have a small label on the inside of one of the front pockets .if yours has this label it may give you a clue as to what it is. ( example IJVC = indiana jones vintage cow)

Everyone knows that the only way to determine leather types is from Screen Grabs....

Beat me to the punch there, kwad.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

kwad wrote:Everyone knows that the only way to determine leather types is from Screen Grabs....

Another good way is to ask the guy who made it. Oh, wait....

Indiana Jeff wrote:Beat me to the punch there, kwad.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Hey, somebody had to say it!

Exactly!

Kevin Anderson wrote:Another good way is to ask the guy who made it. Oh, wait....

This one made me laugh too.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Being a player of African drums (djembes, in particular), I know the smell of goat. When I rehead, Im working with a full goatskin, hair and all. I dont process and dye. I just soak, cut, and shave. The smell does dissipate a few weeks after a reheading. Jackets are made from leather thats been processed and dyed. I dont know that odor would even be a factor in a jacket, unless, maybe if its brand new?

Indiana Bugs wrote:I know the smell of goat....I just soak, cut, and shave.

Mmmmmmm.....shaved goat...................

There's a joke in there somewhere i bet......

Flathead