A New Schott Model: The 603USA Cafecto

[ton312]

I now remember seeing a Vanson jacket in horrible green firenze leather at the discount outlet of a local fashion store but my focus was on the Vanson Chopper and Vaj3 in competition hide next to it. Well, they were at a huge discount but they are also huge for most Asians not to mention the weight and thickness (as said these are sold as everyday wear in a fashion store).
I have tried the OTR Chopper and it is simply too big for me, getting it shortened by Vanson costs USD 200 and I also need the shoulder and sleeves trimmed which I don't even know if Vanson would do.

Vanson will do a full blown made to measure jacket...just like they do their racing suits but it will cost you and you can't return it!

 

[ton312]

but what separates them from Schott - or from any other company talked about on TFL - is that Vanson makes modern racing jackets and racing suits for the actual sport events.

Exactly!

 

[Blackadder]

Vanson will do a full blown made to measure jacket...just like they do their racing suits but it will cost you and you can't return it!

Racing suits are of simpler design compared to the Chopper. Getting everything in the right proportion for a MTM Chopper just seems harder to do with all the shoulder pad stitching, the huge kidney panel etc.
Anyway, even if they do take such order, it may be difficult to justify the price increase.
In the end I gave up pursuing because too much risk given that it is not really bespoke.

 

[ton312]

Racing suits are of simpler design compared to the Chopper. Getting everything in the right proportion for a MTM Chopper just seems harder to do with all the shoulder pad stitching, the huge kidney panel etc.
Anyway, even if they do take such order, it may be difficult to justify the price increase.

I know that when I ordered my Derby jacket, long before it hit their website, Nicole had me fill out a made to measure form. I'm sure they could do it for you but you might be right about the cost and if you need every aspect of the jacket reduced in some way so that it's proportions are correct for you then I'd say they won't do that. And it's true the chopper is much more complicated and scaling all those design elements down...really not logical.

 

[handymike]

Ok, so this thread inspired me to go into the Scott store today. I tried on the 641 in both Steerhide and Horsehide as well as the 685 in Steerhide. The manager talked down on the other "cowhide" jackets.
Between the 2 hides, the steer is the clear winner. The horsehide doesn't hold a candle to the skins used by others around here. It was shiny, flimsy, squeaky...felt vinyl-like.
The cut of the 641 was pretty good I DID HAVE TO SiZE UP ONE SIZE...Not like some of the vintage Schotts I've tried and fit well in my size. And I DID remove the liner
Forget about the 685 and buy a used Highwayman IMHO. No further talk about that one...
I think Schott's better quality jacket line is a step up from a lot of other mall jackets, but for $800 you are much better off going through the makers we talk about here. $500 or so gets a used Aero on the Bay.
Just my 2 cents

 

[TREEMAN]

Thanks Mike...........you just saved me a trip to Schott's, was interested in there horsehide.

 

[Monitor]

My Confed. x Schott arrived. Some quick pics.

 

[RJR]

My Confed. x Schott arrived. Some quick pics.

Very nice,congrats.

 

[kronos77]

Ok, so this thread inspired me to go into the Scott store today. I tried on the 641 in both Steerhide and Horsehide as well as the 685 in Steerhide. The manager talked down on the other "cowhide" jackets.
Between the 2 hides, the steer is the clear winner. The horsehide doesn't hold a candle to the skins used by others around here. It was shiny, flimsy, squeaky...felt vinyl-like.
The cut of the 641 was pretty good I DID HAVE TO SiZE UP ONE SIZE...Not like some of the vintage Schotts I've tried and fit well in my size. And I DID remove the liner
Forget about the 685 and buy a used Highwayman IMHO. No further talk about that one...
I think Schott's better quality jacket line is a step up from a lot of other mall jackets, but for $800 you are much better off going through the makers we talk about here. $500 or so gets a used Aero on the Bay.
Just my 2 cents

Mike,

I respect that you actually went to the store. Still, I can't account for the difference in perception between us. I have seen the Schott horsehide, new and broken in. Flimsy was the last thing I would have thought. Shiny, yes, but so is CXL. I don't know why the sales person steered you away from the cowhide. I have a Schott 141 in naked cow and an Aero Halfbelt in CXL FQHH right in front of me. The Schott is actually heavier in weight. The leather doesn't seem to be different in thickness. They do have many differences in matters of looks, feel, and grain. As I said before, there are differences in Schott's leather from others such as Aero's, but they don't seem to me to be quality issues, but rather issues about the different qualities they each posess. But at least you saw for yourself.

Thanks Mike...........you just saved me a trip to Schott's, was interested in there horsehide.

I would do yourself a favor and take a look with an open mind.

 

[Monitor]

My 618HH was just as heavy as any FQHH I've had. Except for possibly the HWM that I've had but then again, the 118 Naked Cow I have for sale is

I don't know, guys, this jacket removes any and all doubt I may have ever had in Schott. This hide is much different than the usual Schott HH, it's not nearly as shiny and actually looks and feels very much like Horween FQHH, albeit with a much firmer finish. Other than that, it is equally stiff/pliable and thick/heavy, with the same texture and character to it.

As for everything else, stitching and construction is beyond perfection (you can see how everything is put together) and the fit is without any doubt the best I've ever had, and by far. It's very fitted with thin waist, still plenty of chest space. Just perfect around the shoulders. Sleeves are spot on 27" when measured in a straight line from the shoulder.
This jacket is something else... I've never seen anything like this and I don't think I will.

 

[handymike]

I'm glad too see that jacket went to a good home! Now for fit pics!!!!

As far as my observations- I can only report on what I saw and felt. The Schott store here in Glendale dd not. carry any of the naked cow leather. They only had the very pebbly lighter. weight stuff. I don't doubt that older Schotts are nice. I've tried some great vintage ones (60's I think). I'm just speaking of what was on the hanger last week. Take out as you will

 

[ton312]

Now for fit pics!!!!

I second the motion!!

Outstanding jacket Monitor, that's a true beauty! If only the vintage Schott had that sleeve length...

 

[handymike]

I'd also like to mention that 5 or so years back I tried on a Schott HH and was impressed by what a beast it was compared to the Lewis Dominator next to it. That was right before I joined here...I now have 4 HH jackets and have tried many others. So I feel that I'm entitled to my views
...and so are you.

 

[ButteMT61]

The Schott's I've owned have all been great jackets. OTR, but otherwise nothing lacking in quality. There's just something special about picking out all details, hides, zips, buttons, etc. And for me, I almost always need a custom cut to look right.
I think we tend to adore the bespoke model here because it IS better. But each person has to weigh whether the differences are worth the cost to them and decide.

Before I found this joint, a $300 jacket was insane to me! INSANE. Now I spend that on shoes and don't blink.
I'd say this: if you don't like what's discussed here or the bespoke jackets, you might be in the wrong place. There are other places to discuss and not be involved with the likes of Aero, GW, LW, ELC, etc.
And if you don't think that a company like Schott can make a good jacket, you're likewise wrong.

 

[Superfluous]

Great looking jacket Monitor.

 

[Mysteryo]

My Confed. x Schott arrived. Some quick pics.

Ho, MY!... I looks FANTASTIC!
You must be a happy man, Monitor!
Fit picts now!
Please!

 

[Monitor]

Thank you, everyone!!! lol, I'm impressed to see you impressed, Mysteryo! XD

This is a really good one, guys.
To me, it's the one I've been looking for. Near everything I've bought so far has either been a compromise or the size didn't work out, like with my Aero CR. Which would be it if I didn't mess up the length. That was my fault entirely. This one's it - no compromise. Perfect. If there is one thing I would perhaps change, it would be the cat eye slanted chest zippers, but other details make up for it. I don't really know anything about Confed. motorcycles and even if it wasn't Schott, I would still be drooling over this jacket just as much.
A thousand dollars is a lot of money for any leather jacket but drawing from comparison to other high end jackets that I've seen and handled, I just don't see how or why this particular jacket shouldn't be priced as high.
Also, I know this model is heavily based on the CAF1 but looking at the measurements and the photos, this jacket appears to be considerably different (CAF1 has 25" sleeves at sz. 40). Very exaggerated form to it.

Some crummy fit photos. Sorry for the mess, I'm living with a teacher and pardon the rest of the attire, I really didn't expect it to arrive today. The jacket's brand new so it's still keeping its form and this HH is just as tough as Aero HH (very similar feel to it!) so plenty of break in required - which I won't get a chance to do this year, looking at the forecast.


But yeah, I'm really happy with it. That may change, we all know how it goes, but this time I can't think of a reason why would I suddenly change my mind. As far as the CR style goes, I think I'm done...

 

[ton312]

Thank you, everyone!!! lol, I'm impressed to see you impressed, Mysteryo! XD

This is a really good one, guys.
To me, it's the one I've been looking for. Near everything I've bought so far has either been a compromise or the size didn't work out, like with my Aero CR. Which would be it if I didn't mess up the length. That was my fault entirely. This one's it - no compromise. Perfect. If there is one thing I would perhaps change, it would be the cat eye slanted chest zippers, but other details make up for it. I don't really know anything about Confed. motorcycles and even if it wasn't Schott, I would still be drooling over this jacket just as much.
A thousand dollars is a lot of money for any leather jacket but drawing from comparison to other high end jackets that I've seen and handled, I just don't see how or why this particular jacket shouldn't be priced as high.
Also, I know this model is heavily based on the CAF1 but looking at the measurements and the photos, this jacket appears to be considerably different (CAF1 has 25" sleeves at sz. 40). Very exaggerated form to it.

Some crummy fit photos. Sorry for the mess, I'm living with a teacher and pardon the rest of the attire, I really didn't expect it to arrive today. The jacket's brand new so it's still keeping its form and this HH is just as tough as Aero HH (very similar feel to it!) so plenty of break in required - which I won't get a chance to do this year, looking at the forecast.


But yeah, I'm really happy with it. That may change, we all know how it goes, but this time I can't think of a reason why would I suddenly change my mind. As far as the CR style goes, I think I'm done...

It's literally perfect man...absolutely perfect...what a phenomenal score! The sleeve length, back length, fit thru the shoulders and chest. It's all perfect. God man I'm jealous!!

 

[handymike]

Yes, Yes, Yes!!!!!!
I'm glad I brought this to your attention
Wear in good health!!!!!

 

[ProteinNerd]

Finally!

So glad to see you've ended up with a great jacket that you love....damn its been a long journey

Looks great and fits better....love the red liner too