Aero Bootlegger - which leather?

[K-Pants]

I've had antiqued brass before, but I now prefer shiny brass and letting it go naturally on everything. Also chrome on black. Never chrome on brown, unless milspec.

Does antique brass cost more? If so, shiny may be best cuz it will go antique soon enough with wear.

Black and brass could look real good, though, too.

 

[Carlos840]

Does antique brass cost more? If so, shiny may be best cuz it will go antique soon enough with wear.

Black and brass could look real good, though, too.

"soon enough" might be optimistic. My dad has been carrying a brass zippo daily for 30 years and the thing is still pretty shiny.
The idea that a brass zipper will look antique in a couple years wear is just not realistic.

I have an antique brass Riri zipper and a standard brass Talon on two different jackets, and i doubt the Talon will look anything like the Riri in my lifetime!

 

[navetsea]

antiqued silver is also super cool, but somehow hard to get.
Riri has that color in many zipper tape colors.
its price made me

 

[handymike]

All the combos are cool. There is no wrong answer here, but I'd go with what you want now. I agree that the shiny brass will take awhile to dull down- be happy with your jacket day 1

 

[Carlos840]

Did a bit of digging and found my old zippos... Both are 10 years old.

On the right is my brass zippo, carried and used daily for 7 years . Solid brass, no coating.
On the left is a second solid brass zippo, received as a gift, never used.


This is a lighter, handled much more than a zipper would ever be, it has much more surface area that touches your skin and as you can see it is still pretty shiny.
Yes it has some weird purple hues in some angles and is slightly tarnished and scratched, but i can't get it to show in pictures, as brass goes, it is far from antique.
All that to say, if you want antique brass get antique brass, cause you will be dead before your shiny brass is antique!

 

[Guardian Enzo]

I'm thinking about the tumbled Black FQHH for a Bootlegger - anyone have that combo? Thinking about the Vicenza too, but Tumbled does save some money and might it develop a better patina over time?

 

[Edward]

Does antique brass cost more? If so, shiny may be best cuz it will go antique soon enough with wear.

Black and brass could look real good, though, too.

Same price, just a different look.

 

[Edward]

Does antique brass cost more? If so, shiny may be best cuz it will go antique soon enough with wear.

Black and brass could look real good, though, too.

Same price, just a different look.

 

[Edward]

Does antique brass cost more? If so, shiny may be best cuz it will go antique soon enough with wear.

Black and brass could look real good, though, too.

Same price, just a different look.

 

[raul_pompeia]

So what you say for cordovan: antique or shiny?

 

[ton312]

So what you say for cordovan: antique or shiny?

Either one! The hard part is done. I actually like them both...

 

[El Marro]

I would go with the shiny because I really like to see the creases and grain appear as the jacket breaks in. I have a sample piece of the tumbled at home and it is quite lovely as well. As Ton said, either one is a good choice.

 

[raul_pompeia]

Sorry i was referring to the zippers.
Leather I would go with normal fqhh.

 

[ton312]

Sorry i was referring to the zippers.
Leather I would go with normal fqhh.

I'd keep my original reply for this as well!

 

[tropicalbob]

Did a bit of digging and found my old zippos... Both are 10 years old.

On the right is my brass zippo, carried and used daily for 7 years . Solid brass, no coating.
On the left is a second solid brass zippo, received as a gift, never used.


This is a lighter, handled much more than a zipper would ever be, it has much more surface area that touches your skin and as you can see it is still pretty shiny.
Yes it has some weird purple hues in some angles and is slightly tarnished and scratched, but i can't get it to show in pictures, as brass goes, it is far from antique.
All that to say, if you want antique brass get antique brass, cause you will be dead before your shiny brass is antique!

I have two of the exact same lighters. Rugged little guys.

 

[Bigger Don]

I heard a fashionista once say that a brown-haired person should have a black jacket, a black-haired person should have a brown jacket, and blonds can wear whatever they like.

Gee, and that great universal truth hasn't made it into any of the great religious?

 

[JacketAddict]

I bought this steerhide Bootlegger off their "Sales/Used" page around a year ago.
Ad copy: "This cross between an early flight jacket and a motorcycle jacket represents a vintage styling no longer made by any other manufacturer. The front zipper is fitted at an angle giving a generous wind flap with an extra button fastening at the neck, three deep pockets, only the breast pocket of which is fitted with a zipper, military style epaulettes, adjustable strap and buckle at the waist, stitched on 'Cossack' style half belt at back and fitted with luxurious Alpaca Wool body lining c/w cotton drill sleeve lining. Comes with hidden storm cuffs for wind resistance as standard.
Near excellent condition - no worn areas or deep scratches - smooth and supple."

I found the entire experience to be incredibly expensive after shipping and customs (USA) - I believe it wound up somat $840. I also own several Aero horsehide jackets and I have to say I love the steerhide compared to h/h- because it is supple and easy to wear, and get on and off. This particular jacket is awesome in every way - I love the storm cuffs and the lining makes it a very warm jacket for winter days. One thing with horsehide is that it is going to wear with lots of character - that is it will develop lines, crinkles, discolorations, etc - some really like this aspect - for me the jury is out - I am not much for the "distressed" look personally (just depends on the application and your particular preference) - but for horsehide to get to that state will take at least a few years of steady wearing whereas good quality steehide/cowhide gets softer with age but shows less "character" so to speak. These pics don't do it justice - it is really a beautiful "classy" jacket:

 

[JacketAddict]

[QUOTE="I went for the tumbled cordovan HH which is great and I'm happy with but if the new Cordovan Vicenza was available at the time I would have definitely gone for that.[/QUOTE]

I had a cordovan Hercules at one time - had to pass it on as it was too small in the shoulders for me - but man, I seriously dig that color! I would love to add a h/h cordovan to my wardrobe.

 

[El Marro]

Sorry i was referring to the zippers.
Leather I would go with normal fqhh.

I'm going to say shiny for zippers as well. The antique zippers look out of place to me on a brand new leather jacket.

 

[kyboots]

My only regret about my bootlegger is that it isn't black....

OH NO my Bootlegger is brown/cordovan and I love it. Gets rave comments everywhere and I can wear it with anything. Brown or black boots anything.

 

[Cyber Lip]

If I were going to get one I'd do the Premiere cut in dark seal Vicenza. If I went with the standard cut, I'd go for CXL FQHH or steer