Club Obi Wan

"Only one step away..."

After much research I think I've got all my info ready to order my first Wested ( ). If some of you jacket experts can take a quick once over to make sure everything checks out, I'd appreciate it!

Raiders style, Lambskin (jury's still out on which color)
Height- 6'1"
chest- 41"
sleeve- 26"
jacket size- 44long
brass D rings

Spec. requests:
back length- 26.25"
front(storm flap)- 24.5"
Grail size inside pocket w/zipper(?)

Looks fine. I'm just curious as to why you're going for a 44L? I'm 6 feet 1 and 1/2 inches myself, and usually order a 25 inch sleeve. A 44 R hangs on me fine, but a 44L would be almost 4-6 inches below my belt line, or possibily more. You sure that's what you want? Regards. Michaelson

You may want to consider rectangular buckles or the slides. On the lighter weight leathers, some have complained about slippage on the D rings.

Mike

Go with the authentic lamb, you won't regret it.
Lindiana

Could be, Michaelson, that you height is in your legs and his is in his Torso? I'm gorrilla-armed, myself, so I take 'Long' sizes.

One other suggestion, what about Gussets? For an extra 5 quid (ten bucks) you get a LOT more comfort, in my opinion, and they don't alter the jacket in any way or add any time to delivery.

Warm regards,

Farn

My vote is for authentic lamb with sliders and gussets. Cheers

Michaelson wrote: "I'm just curious as to why you're going for a 44L"

I normally wear a 42L, but I talked to Wested about needing room for layers and they suggested the 44L. If you noticed I dropped the back length to that of a 42L and added 1.25" to the storm flap. The sleeve is between a 42L and a 44L, and even if it's a little long I understand the lamb will ride up some over time(?) Most of the jackets that fit me well are 25.5" to 26"in the sleeves...
As for gussets, I've read mixed reviews - with going with the 44 instead of my standard 42, I would think the extra room would make up for not having gussets(?)
Jury's still out on the sliders vs D rings - I understand you can simply do a 180 on the D ring and get similar results...

I understand you can simply do a 180 on the D ring and get similar results...

That is correct! I came up with this idea about a year ago, and posted
it to the group. It does indeed work. I have done this to all my jackets
with d-rings now. I really like the way they look.

It works because after you 180 the rings, they get tighter against the
leather than the normal way because the curved part is now actually
against the back part of the strap that is being pulled the tightest, and
thus holds better.

Flathead

Not to take anything from you, Flathead, but _ made that discovery and posted it at Indyfan well over 4 years ago, but it's always good to see folks re-discovering these things, as it keeps the information fresh. Many times that information gets lost in the pile of information compiled in the vaults around the internet, as in this case. I personally appreciate you keeping things current for new folks, as well as the honestly NEW items you offer. Many times I can't see the forest for the trees, and forget to mention these things. Your input is highly valued by this writer. High regards. Michaelson

Oooopppss. My bad.

I had never heard of this before I did it. And when I posted
it, no one seemed to have heard of it either.

I guess the old saying that says everything you think you
thought of, has been thought of before, is true in my
case!

Flathead

It was usually reserved for use on the lambskin, as that was the real test of the ring (starting to sound like a Tolkein 'Lord of the Rings' post, doesn't it!! ) but from what I'm reading from your posts, it works just as well on all types of leather. That's good information! ear in mind, too, that back then we didn't have ANY choices but the D-ring, as the rectangular slide wasn't offered or available. At the time of your post, we did, so I'm guessing folks just didn't respond because it was a new choice for them, especially if they didn't want to either order the slide, or replace their old D-rings with them in an after market situation. Regards. Michaelson

I flipped the rings on my Wings Old Cow, and that seems to hold
better too in my opinion.

I think it works because you are putting the stress on the inside
of the straps when they face forward, and the outside if they
were facing twards the back of the jacket.

What ever side the rounded part of the rings is on, as long as
its on the side that gets the stress, it holds better. I think also
its because the leather will "fold" into the rounded part of the
rings, and thus have more contact area with the rings.

You can see this on motorcycle helmets as well. Just as an
experiment, I flipped the rings on the strap of my helmets,
and they will not hold as good if the flat part is out.

Flathead

I'm betting pushing cowhide through those rings was a 'trip', wasn't it? You must have fingers made of steel! High regards. Michaelson