Club Obi Wan

Hey guys,

I've been out of the game for a while, and I'm looking to get a jacket to replace the multitude that I regretfully sold over the years. I say regretfully because some of them were great jackets that I didn't find fault with. So now I'm looking g for a good all around jacket, not necessarily the. Most SA one, but a good hard~wearing jacket. My most concerning objective is a jacket with functioning underarm gussetts ~ no flying squirrel effect. I already know that the Gibson & Barnes Expedition has them, but unless I find one used almost $600 is a bit much to spend. So who else is currently making a decent jacket with functioning gussetts? I probably should also mention that I'm partial to goatskin for its ruggedness. Any help would be much appreciated, thanks.

~Jace

Wested's Hero pattern has gussets -available in goat too.

About 3 weeks ago, a very lightly used G&B goat, sold for about $130 more or less on Ebay. It make take a little while, but I think that would be your best option, if you want functioning gussets. As you probably already know, the liner functions with it. If a guy happens on a deal like that, its pure gold.

Still looking for about a size 40-ish? I'll keep my eyes out.

The Flying Squirrel has a lot to do with how the sleeve opening is cut too. Wested Hero, Steele and Jones, Bill Kelso all do a decent job. Wested and Kelso can do goatskin, and I think Steele and Jones too.

I don't think that gussets make any difference to the squirrel look. The G&B sits better because it's a carefully considered pattern based on the company's years of making jackets. As I understand it where the sleeves are positioned on the body and the size of the arm hole make the difference.

Right, the armhole size and the positioning of the sleeve make a difference as well. That was the major problem I had with Wested jackets ~ the sleeves seemed to be sewn to the jacket in too much of a downward angle, like a suit jacket. They should've been attached more like a "T" in shape. So I suppose I should ask who is attaching their sleeves like this? Did Wested get it right with the Hero? And Tibor, yep I'm still pretty much a 40R, lol...

forgot....ummm....who is Rocky..?

Rocky and Bullwinkle... Cartoon from the 1960s starring Rocky (the flying squirrel) and Bullwinkle (the moose). Antagonists Boris and Natasha...

...Jeopardy....

..watched it as a kid

Does anyone have any experience with the armhole size and
Sleeve attachment angle on Wested's Hero jacket? Right now
I'm leaning towards getting another G&B, but I'd like to keep
my options open...

Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat....

I don't think that'll work, depending on what felt yer hat,is made from.......

Man, I gotta put more thought into the title of my posts - I got more side comments about Rocky & Bullwinkle than I did answers to my questions...

Actually, I'm surprised it took THIS long before they started.

Regard! Michaelson

CM wrote:Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat....

"Nothing up my sleeve"

Michaelson wrote:Actually, I'm surprised it took THIS long before they started.

Regard! Michaelson

I know! Never miss a good opportunity, right? Should'a led with it.

That said, can anyone field his question about the Wested Hero arm hole position?

Personally I'd suggest you just go with what you know and expect and order another G&B. It will outlast you and your kids.

Regards! Michaelson

...and Rocky too.

No. No one will outlast Rocky, Tex.

You might find your answer in this thread: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=51983&start=1500" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Regard! M

Speaking of....there is a really nice, new Wested 42 goatskin Hero up for sale on Ebay right now.

Really good price on it!

Just 7 hours left!

Someone better snatch it up before its gone!

Unless I'm looking at a different jacket, I don't think that's a Hero.
Do you have a link?

I thought it said Hero in the ad. Careful, because it is not a true 42. According to the ad, the shoulder is 21", and for it to be a true 42, should be around 19" or around 20" for a 44. 21" is more like a XL.

I posted this many years ago, here is an example of the flying squirrel effect:

That squirrel is not SA. You can tell by where the flaps meet the body.

Agreed, and is it grey or brown?

No helmet, no goggles either...